from our last trip to Haiti …

June 15, 2011

yesterday we took around 25 people to the island of Tortuga – the boat is hand made – sails put together from old billboards and tarps… we loaded up on the boat- one by one we’d get on the shoulders of a Haitian dude who’d walk you into the water and place you on the boat so you wouldn’t get wet…

we sailed across the Carribean – it’s an hour or more boat ride – and were welcomed by hundreds of children on the island. the thing about Tortuga – its an island – an even smaller island than Haiti – so food / water / basic needs come more difficult. there is no bridgeway – no highway to connect it to the mainland – just an hour and a half boat ride if the seas cooperate…

The children were excited to see the Americans – poking at the heavyset ones – in awe of Shane Hiveley’s tatoo that stretches down his arm. The church that we met in was a tent that was assembled by the mission some time ago. A US Army tent that takes around 4 hours to put together… this was their church. No air conditioning. No electricty. No children’s wing or checkin systems of sound boards or LED lights… a tent. they were content and grateful with their church.

We had one team from Tennessee put on a VBS while the team from Cincy played soccer with a group of Haitian boys that embarrassed them – the girls from Cincy gathered a group of older girls under a tree and spent time with them – painted their nails and prayed with them… I think it might have been the first time anyone had painted their nails -

Around noon both teams gathered in the tent – the church – and prepared lunch. The mission sent peanut butter and pieces of bread. As the teams began to eat – the children from the island gathered around the outside of the tent – looking in and the heavy set Americans eating their meal. It hits you in those moments – “I’ve had breakfast – I’ll have lunch – and I’ll have a snack – I’ll have the chance at eating dinner… these kids don’t have that”. The peanut butter sandwich doesnt look so good at that moment…and the overwhelming reality sets in that life is real hard over here… that kids go hungry… and we had an opportunity to feed them by giving away ours – and tell about the love of Jesus…

We tore 25 pieces of bread into quarters – spread those small pieces with peanut butter and counted off 100 children / mothers with babies / elderly… and invited them into the tent (the church) – they all sat down anxiously – eyeing the peanut butter can- and we handed out pieces one by one – praying with them.

Brad from Cincy shared last night – “you would have thought they won the lottery over that tiny piece of bread with peanut butter on it” – I’ve feed birds more bread than we gave yesterday – and yet you saw joy – and thankfulness – and a hope.

My prayer today is that I see each meal as those children / mothers with babies / elderly saw that peanut butter and bread – as a gift – and I pray that I no longer stand for that being a reality in this world. May I give more than I get – may I serve with a passion that is bigger than my fandom of a basketball team – may i live the life that Jesus has called me to…

a life that overflows for Him – His glory – for His people. These children are His – He loves these hungry kids – and calls us with excess to BE THE CHURCH and feed – care for – chase after the broken – to step into their situation and walk with them …

let’s get it. peanut butter and bread.