Immersion... Haiti, T minus 3 days

Do you ever have those times in your life when most waking minutes are spent with one particular subject in mind?  Usually they are profound moments during your life, both good and bad.  Preparing for your wedding, expecting the arrival of a child, new jobs, retirement.  Or maybe it is the flip side... the death of a loved one, terminal illness, an uncertain future.  My mind must be equipping itself for a profound experience.  Lately, when my mind has time to wander I find myself thinking about Haiti.  

What will it be like?

What will I be most surprised by?

What will break my heart?

Where will I see God at work?

How will I change because of my experience?

How am I going to share this with others?

The list could go on and on and on.  This trip is so different then my other trips abroad.  As a young adult, I traveled in Norway for vacation.  In recent years, Kevin and I traveled to Ethiopia for the adoption of two of our daughters.  This Haiti Immersion Trip is a much different type of trip.  It is most certainly not vacation.  This trip is not, at all, about me.  It is not about relaxing or entertainment.  This is also very different than my travels to Ethiopia.  I am not appearing in a foreign court.  I am not meeting my daughter for the first time.  I don't have to worry about medical approvals, paperwork and immigration visas.  

This Haiti Immersion Trip is about... immersion.  We are not descending upon this country to wield hammers and paintbrushes.  We are not building any structures, not repairing homes, not painting schools.  We are not white North Americans rushing in to save anyone.  We are not teaching, preaching or fixing.  

Maybe by now you're asking.... "Amanda, why then are you going to Haiti?"  

I am going to Haiti to see.  I want to see what God is already up to in this country and with these people.  My eyes long to watch the gospel of Christ lived out instead of being merely talked about.  

I am going to Haiti to listen.  I want to hear the stories of Haitians.  I want to listen to the children at Wings of Hope laugh.  I want hear about young Haitians being financially supported through H.E.L.P. in their quest for a college education

I am going to Haiti to learn.  I will be there to witness and learn about Haitian Timoun Foundation and how it walks alongside the people of Haiti.  I want to know how I can, my family can and others can support these efforts so that all may have life.  

I am going to Haiti to have my heart broken.  I fully expect that I will witness so much hope in the face of so much adversity.  I know that the poverty in Haiti will tear my heart to pieces.  I anticipate that I will never look at Haiti, at my life or the world around with the same lens.  

I am going to Haiti to be immersed in it's community.  I am going to see, to listen, to learn and to be broken by this place and its people.  This trip has nothing to do with me.  It has everything to do with the stories I'm called to share, the ministry I'm called to lift up, the people I'm called to walk alongside and the God that loves us all.