This week has been such a true blessing. I led my first team, a group of 15 amazing young adults from Cornerstone Church in Phoenix, Arizona. They approached everyday with enthusiasm, working hard at the projects, making us laugh, sharing their faith, and above all loving the people around them. They did what we are all called to do as Christians- they inspired others to grow closer to Christ and serve one another with joy. I am so grateful that God called them to Haiti this week. I also got to know a group from Chicago made up of high school and college students as well as adult leaders. Most of the group was younger than me, but their genuine faith and energy has taught me so much this week. God has great plans for all of them.
There were more great things about this week. Yesterday, our intern coordinator planned a special trip for the interns. We visited Petion-ville in Port-au-Prince, which is the wealthy part of town. We drove up to a cliff overlooking the city and beyond, and we could even see Mission of Hope. Then, we feasted on pizza and cheeseburgers at a restaurant called Muncheez, and finished our day visiting the largest supermarket in Haiti called Giant, which contains one of the two operating elevators in the country. This trip reminded me of the poverty of Haiti because we were so excited about some little things that are everywhere in our home country. Such things as a real toilet, toilet paper, and soap in a restaurant bathroom. Or a supermarket, air conditioning, and an elevator. A cold drink with ice. Pepperoni pizza.
Although we were excited to live like the rich for a day, the city is still shadowed by the image of the earthquake. Port-au-Prince is still in ruins from the earthquake, which is a reminder that the pain of that tragedy is still fresh in the minds of the Haitian people. Even the palace looks as if it has not been touched, and I cannot imagine what it would be like to see the White House broken for nearly a year and a half. The rubble remains as a reminder of all the loved ones lost and buried in unmarked mass graves. It is enough to compel us to pray for Christ's healing and transformation of this nation.
Thanks for sharing and processing what God is doing at Mission of Hope. Our Cornerstone team was so blessed to be a small part of your ministry! Thanks for your leadership and servant's heart.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to enjoy some American food too! It's funny the cravings we can have!
If you are ever in the Phoenix area, come visit the Cornerstone Gang!