Journal - January 21, 2022

I stood outside last night and watched the stars, amazed as I thought of the greatness of God and his creation. It all goes to show how much he loves us. How could he love someone as broken as I? Why has he placed me where he has placed me, and blessed me as he has?

As I have been privileged to build some really meaningful and deep relationships here, there are times when it just doesn't seem right. It's not fair. The question that seems to constantly be on my mind: why?

Why are people going to bed hungry? 

Why are aftershocks still happening in a place where fear and panic have not (justifiably) subsided?

Why are the basic necessities of life so hard to come by? 

Why do we allow our culture to have such a strong hold on our decisions? 

Why do we want control of our circumstances so bad? 

Why do we feel alone? 

Why does it often take something bad happening to make us choose to do better? 

The list goes on...

Even with all the questions, in this we can be sure: this world is not our home. God has placed us where we are for a reason, and we are to be living in his great love. The same God who holds the stars in his hands has his arms around us. Why would I want to be in control?

I finished 2021 and started the new year Haitian style. It is common to have a New Years Eve church service that lasts from around 8 PM until midnight. After the service, hot chocolate and bread are often served. New Years Day is celebrated by gathering with friends or family and eating a meal of pumpkin soup. I was blessed to have a couple close friends who asked me to participate in these events with them.  

I was also able to go along with some other missionaries and spend 2 nights away at the beach. This was a much needed and appreciated time to step away for a bit. I continue to be amazed at the beauty of this country.

                            

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

Isaiah 40:3-15