I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of The Lord. Psalm 27:13 This verse was given to me by my good friend, Sandy Swann Besso. About a week after Michael died, a group of my wonderful lady friends gathered at the home of Nancy Kornegay, to encourage me with prayer, words, healing verses and music. I was completely dressed and ready to leave for church this morning, when the tears began. Even though its been 4 years, the hole in my heart hasnt gotten any smaller. This is one of those times that I dont want to be strong, put on a smile and make small talk, so I decided to stay home and write about a trip I took a couple of months ago. Before I began, I pulled out a Ziploc bag that contained the scriptures from that night, as well as other words of encouragement. Ive planned all along to write about the trip, on this day, but wasnt quite sure how to put it all together until God put this verse before me. Many of you know that I was able to take my oldest granddaughter, Audrey, with me to Haiti on a medical mission trip in January. I was grateful that my daughter-in-law, Ashley Bonine Lankford, didnt hesitate in giving her ok when I asked if Audrey could go with me. While Ive never, ever been fearful or felt unsafe being in Haiti, most people have a very different perception about the country. And Ill be truthful, this is not an easy trip. We work long and hard and its hot! With Ashleys consent, Audrey immediately began making lists and plans for the trip. Other than discovering her passport was lost a week before we were to leave, everything went smoothly and we made it to Haiti. This was after many tears and hours of searching in vain for that passport. Fortunately, Ashley was able to have a new one expedited! Spots on this trip are coveted and each one of us has an important role whether medical or non-medical. What a great group of hard-working people, who had sacrificed vacation time and money to show the Haitians Gods love and provision. Its rare to find slackers on this trip and its really not a trip for children. Audrey had several jobs over the course of a week. She helped with the children in Sunday school, as well as in the Childrens Waiting Area during the clinic. She helped me paint nails, apply temporary tattoos, fly kites and make bracelets out of rubber bands at the orphanages. Audrey kept water bottles filled, delivered messages, ran supplies upstairs so I didnt have to, escorted children from station to station and would go to the bar every night to get me an iced, cold, bottled Coca Cola. Yes, I said that! Why did I take Audrey with me to Haiti? Youre probably thinking that I took her as a special bonding experience for the two of us or to show her that not everyone has a house with a roof and running water or gets to eat 3 meals a day with snacks in between, a closet full of clothes and toys, a bed with sheets and a pillow... Or maybe to introduce her to short-term missions. Youre only a tiny bit right. I absolutely want Audrey to remember going to Haiti with me and that being a special time, and to be affected by what she saw and for short-term missions to be a part of her spring breaks and summers. I mostly wanted Audrey to see the goodness of The Lord. When Michael died, we suggested that anyone wanting to make a donation, send it to Hope for Haitis Children. The money wasnt earmarked for a special project within the organization, but as the earthquake had devastated the country just 2 months earlier, it wasnt difficult to find something to do with it. In the poorest part of Cite Soleil, a single mom and her sons had been left without a home. Her family was in dire need of shelter and chosen by the HFHC staff to be the recipients of a new home. I was able to be there 3 yrs ago, shortly after the family moved in, to meet the Michels (notice the last name!) and be there as this house and family was blessed and prayed over. It was then I knew that I must bring Michaels daughter to see the goodness that had come out of our despair. The last day of our clinic, Audrey got to meet Madame Michel and 3 of her boys, Caleb, Makenly and Robensen when she came with them for their check-ups. A fourth brother, 2 year old, Paul, wasnt with them, but having discovered that he was unsponsored, Audrey texted her mom and the next thing you know, the Bonine-Lankford family was sponsoring little Paul. Special arrangements had been made for a handful of us to go to Cite Soleil our last full day in Haiti, to visit the home built in Michaels memory and another home built in memory of Debra Kimberlin Hardys father. She lost her dad last year and her mother had a home built for the family of Rose, the young lady that she and Debras father had sponsored for several years. It seemed almost fitting that we would pass a Haitian funeral procession on the way to Cite Soleil. Everything was in black. There was a long line of slow moving cars with their lights on, following the decorated lead car holding the casket. Mourners dressed in black suits and dresses, walked along side the cars. In front of the hearse was a little 4-piece brass band playing their hearts out. We saw this same scenario, after visiting the houses, on the way back from Cite Soleil, but the entire funeral procession was in white and going in the opposite direction the other procession had traveled in. I couldnt help but think there was some symbolism in all of this. For those who are still with me, thank you for putting up with my wordiness. Writing is therapeutic and Im trying to set the stage for all of my family who havent been to Haiti. Once inside Cite Soleil, we pulled up in front of the school and took a quick tour of the facility. Debras church, Southeast Church of Christ, has adopted this school/church and has been responsible for many of its improvements. She was able to see what her congregation had done. From there, we walked across the way and looked at a home that would soon be occupied by a family in need. Our presence drew attention and we found ourselves being surrounded by curious residents of the area. They followed us as we made our way to Michaels house and more children seemed to appear out of nowhere. Audrey and I went to the heavy iron door and were disappointed when no one responded to our knock. Word spread quickly that blons were at the Michels house and before we knew it, Madame and all 4 of her little boys were right in front of us. And Audrey got to meet the little boy, Paul, who she is getting to sponsor, who lives in the house that was built with money donated to HFHC because of her daddy. We cant bring Michael back, but out of our grief, out of our despair, Audrey saw the goodness of God when she saw that little one-room house made of cinder blocks and her daddys name inscribed on one of its bricks. And little Paul now has a sponsor and can get an education and medical care and who knows what hell be able to accomplish in his life because of that? As we left, she and I got in a huddle with the Michels and as many of the crowd as wanted to, and I prayed a prayer of blessing over the family. Even though my words were in English, Im confident they knew what I was saying. Walking back to the truck, Audrey and I collapsed in tears. I think it had been building up in both of us all week and it felt good to just hold each other and let it out. We needed that. No matter what, God is good ALL the time and I love how He makes everything come together so perfectly. I am especially grateful to all of those who made sure that Audrey, Debra and I got to see these houses. Thank you Ken Bever, Tonya Hughey , JT Preacher Elmera, Jean Baptiste Chery, Abel Clenat and Bwa.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Mar 2014 01:07:54 +0000
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