I turn thirty next Friday, and the last decade hasbeen filled with a million lifetimes. I sobered up. Moved around and
now live in Nashville. I got married. Lost and found my faith a few
times. Became a self-employed author with state-provided health care
and no stock options. I traveled to Uganda. Then the Dominican. Then India.
And because of the beautiful people I’ve met along the way,
I’ve made a promise to tell the stories of people living with nothing
to people living with everything.
These two contrasting worlds need to collide. Because oftentimes, we confuse what having nothing and having everything look like.
Ten years later, here I am. And I’m taking a trip for my thirtieth birthday.
But instead of some idyllic European destination, I’m headed to Haiti.
Following the recent earthquake, I felt numb. It had been a long
time since I had been angry at God, and do I dare even say doubt his
sovereignty, but that’s where my heart teetered for the first week.
It seemed hopeless.
Sometimes, it still seems hopeless.
A few weeks ago, I was invited to help out in Haiti with an organization called Adventures in Missions.
They’ve been on the island of Hispaniola for years and have been
working through local churches there long before the earthquake.
Without a doubt, I knew I needed to go. Every obstacle in my way
divinely disappeared, and I have to believe God’s been preparing me for
this for a long time.
I said yes. And so I’ll be in Haiti until February 17th – just two days before my thirtieth birthday.
I realize it’s an honor to be able to serve in such a unique way,
but there are bits and pieces of me that want nothing more than to stay
home.
Quite honestly, I’m terrified.
If I think about it too long, or watch too much CNN, it just paralyzes me.
However, I’ve vowed that when fear, or comfort, or some
other little obstacle contrary to the Kingdom pops in my head the
correct response is to do the exact opposite.
Fear says, “Haiti is dangerous. You have to take those malaria pills that make your stomach hurt and what if there’s another earthquake while you’re there? What if you get shot at? “ and Comfort says, “You
won’t have your choice of firm or soft pillows and it’s gonna smell
like the rotting stench of death. You will see dead bodies. And you’ve
never seen a real dead body before.”
The people of Haiti didn’t plan to have their lives destroyed a few weeks ago.
This is a whole new part of their story.
As I spoke to my friend a couple of days ago when we were working on
some of the details of the trip, we realized Haiti is never going to be
restored.
Haiti is going to be reborn.
It has to be.
And we all get to be a part of that story – whether it’s by donating money or supplies or by getting on a plane at some point to help out using whatever skills you have.
I’m grateful that it’s not only Haiti’s story, and it’s not only yours and mine, either.
I have to believe that this is a story of a sovereign God
who has a plan and purpose beyond anything we can imagine. And I’m
grateful his breath is woven through each and every letter of each and
every word of this new story as it is being written.
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I pray for you and your team Anne that you would be filled fresh with Holy Spirit. I pray for grace for you, in the midst of death, sickness and despair. I pray you would know you have been called and equipped to bring life to dead places. I pray for our dear brothers and sisters in Christ, that they would see the face of Jesus in you Anne, and your team.
“You have been anointed to bring good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to comfort those who mourn, to give them beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning….
I bless you Anne to go and to be, and to serve all whom Jesus sends your way.
Happy Birthday Anne.
Be blessed! AIM is a credible organization doing real work in Haiti and my prayer is that the pretenders will go away.
Shalom……
Spending some time praying for you and the team. Go with Him!
You guys will be in my prayers. I’ll be praying for Psalm 91 protection on you all as you follow Him into Haiti. I can’t wait to hear your stories.
Anne,
I agree with Joy, He has a plan for you and the team. Praying in the faith of His vision that you will be part of the rebirth, that fear will have no place in your heart, that the strength of His love will shine in your words and actions, that peace will cover you and all whom you touch.
Blessings and thanks to you and Happy Birthday, what a wonderful gift the Abba Father is giving you.
Bless you Anne! We are Jesus’ hands and feet to the degree we yield to his leading. His heart beats for Haiti. I have prayed for you although it is after the fact. God is pleased with your tender compassion for His people.
Anne, your words are beautiful…I love the part about Haiti being reborn…God doesn’t want to make a bad place better, but a dead place alive. I am going to be praying for God to give you stories that will be told for generations to come.
Anne and team, I’m praying for you as you encounter what is terrifying, unlovely, very uncomfortable, and beyond each one of us – that Jesus’ power, compassion, and complete provision will sustain you for each moment and that you will grasp more fully his amazing love for the world. I love what Jesus declares in John 6:35-40 about life eternal, being kept and then raised up – that is our God and his plan! Thanks too for sharing your journey with us. Blessings, and may this be the best B’day trip yet!