Walking on Water

     Matthew 14:22-33

     So, He called me out of the boat. Sink or swim, I decided to step. Yesterday, I arrived in Haiti, where I plan to remain for the year. During my 3 months back home, God blessed me with some sweet memories with family, 30 beautiful preschoolers (whom I'll never forget), the holistic support of 2 church families, all the while exceeding my financial goal. I couldn't have asked for a more intentional, beautiful, inspiring visit. 

     In the days leading up to my relocation, however, the weight of what the Lord had asked of me hit heavy. I loved on a crying brother and reassured a worried mother. The Lord can do a lot in a year, and I knew a lot would change. I was walking away from routine, convenience, and comfort and stepping into a world of unpredictability, simplicity, and above all....uncertainty. My heart remained broken for a people in need of Agape love. I knew where He was leading me, and I knew why, but I wasn't quite sure how I was going to stand on the water, without sinking. Luckily for me, I serve a God who does. :)
     As soon as I arrived, the same familiarity overcame me that I always get when I visit my old hometown in California. So much so, that I simply slept in the truck bed the whole way home from the airport, perfectly comfortable, though miles away from "comfort." Although my fleshly self still longed for the details, I remembered why I was here; the people. In just 24 hours, God has allowed me to reconnect with nearly everyone I'd been missing these past few months! (And yes, I have more than one friend....for the smarty pants' who were thinking it!). My hair has been braided by tiny, dirty fingers, I've cuddled a crying Nakisha, fetched diapers and toilet paper from Room 2, was asked to walk the kids to school tomorrow, and help with the eye clinic Monday.....and it all feels so right.
     It's easy to get so caught up in the "doing" here, though, that you overlook the little joys. God allowed me to simply smile this afternoon, when about 5 little ones got a lesson in science at my expense. Since I've been smack dab in the middle of Missouri's winter these past few months, I've become more white again (I know, because I've been told about 100 times since yesterday, ha!). Well, brilliant Naika realized that my skin will change from red to white if you squeeze it hard enough. :) Before long, Naika, Frantzo, Klimako, Nakisha, and Kimberly were poking and prodding and entertaining themselves with my ticklish legs! Who needs "stuff" when you have a goofy white girl around?!
     Needless to say, I'm constantly being reminded to focus on Jesus' beautiful face, rather than the wind and the waves. I see His beauty in my kids, as little Jephnika tries to teach Michelet, who spends his days in a wheelchair, to stand. I see His beauty in the language that I'm struggling to keep up with, as it flows like water off the lips of my friends. I see His beauty in the way the palm trees sway in the breeze that's almost cool enough to make you forget it's 90*. I see His beauty in the thick, calloused hands of old lady, Lena, who washes the kids' clothes by hand, every day. There's so much beauty in this world, we just have to choose to see it. There will surely be days when I lack the faith to meet Jesus on the water, but I know my God will always reach out His hand, catch me, and pull my right back into His beautiful story again.

Would you pray?
     *For the Haitian women who were working in the feeding program. Regrettably, as of today, the program has been discontinued, leaving them jobless. Rent for their homes is due next month, and many were struggling before the program ended.
     *For Kelsea and I, as we attempt to work out the details of our move from the orphanage into a home of our own.
     *For my incredible family, as they learn to trust God's protection and provision. 

Holding on to His promises,
Kourtney