taking a trip to Haiti

First, head over here and watch this video.

Friends, I am visiting Haiti in less than two weeks.  I can't believe it's so close.  What started with a post from Sarah Bessey which resonated deep within, has materialized into a plane ticket, malaria meds, and a trip itinerary.

I am going with HelpOneNow:

Help One Now is a collective group of churches, businesses, communities and individuals from around the world. These people are dedicated to using their gifts, talents and resources to help end extreme poverty, care for orphans, rescue slaves and see communities transformed by serving our international partners through Help One Now. They sponsor kids, host garage sales, donate funds, take trips, advocate on our behalf, and much more.

The marathon and the fundraising for She's the First was a game-changer.  This is going to be another one of those, I feel.  I don't have any expectations of going to Haiti to 'save' anyone but really just to learn.  I want to see what God is up to in Haiti. I want to avoid paternalism in all its subtle forms.  I want to see God clearer. I want to escape from the screens for a little while. I want to meet some giants of faith.

I don't want to be anyone's hero. During the marathon training, Erin-Leigh and  I needed those girls probably more than they need(ed) us.

I've learned in the past few months that humans are not as different from one another as we may lead ourselves to believe. We are all broken and we need fixing.   I feel the best thing I can do for another human is to affirm their personhood, that they are made in the image of God who loves them dearly.  

I am pretty terrified of material poverty.  I am ashamed of my own materialism in the face of it, so it's usually easiest for me to just ignore it most of the time.  But, ignoring it doesn't make it go away (this also applies to the ever-growing stack of junk mail on the floor of my bedroom).   But material poverty has faces, people, stories.  I want to listen.  I want to break bread with my Hatian brothers and sisters.

So, if you are the praying type, please pray for safety and health and good rest. Please pray for humility.  Please pray for our team (as I am going to a team of 9 strangers), that friendships would form.  Pray for the pastors with whom we will work: Pastor Gaetan, Pastor St. Cyr, and Pastor Jean Alix.

The trip is April 17-24.

Thanks for praying, friends!!