**I promise my intention is not a guilt trip, it is merely an opportunity for me to share my experience in Haiti and (hopefully) create Awareness!
{Authors Note: Since stepping off the plane in RDU a week ago, I've wanted to run and tell people "I GOT SAVED IN HAITI" Mainly because I knew they would immediately either think I was joking or worse, they might have a panic attack thinking Aliens had overtaken my body, I resisted my urge.}
I like being able to help people in need. I like that God chooses to include me in His plan to help people in need.
However, sometimes this can get misconstrued.
I have gotten a lot of questions about whether or not I was able to"save" anyone in Haiti.
There's even several (wonderful!!) organizations that tout the slogan "Rescuing Children from Poverty."
Even though the disturbed look on my face would suggest that I was alarmed someone would think I had "saved" anyone, in Haiti or state-side-- after careful thought I have a response.
(and conversations like this cause me to appreciate my diverse "network of acquaintances")
The people who know me know how I feel about "save" and how I like to remind people we were all saved over 2,000 years ago by Grace when Christ died. And that was my answer I've given as I was asked over and over again as a child, teen, and now as a young adult to explain when it was that I got saved. The word just makes me nervous, probably because its outside of my "religious comfort zone." BUT thats what makes it so great-- because I'm quite certain (ESPECIALLY IF YOU READ MY BLOGS FROM PERU AND THE MIDDLE EAST) that my "progressive" (<--- to whomever introduced me to this adjective, you have helped me save face in the religious community, a million thank yous) ideology is outside other people's "comfort zone". It takes all kinds.
The questions of "saving" others has caused me to re-examine my distrust of the word "save" and even encouraged me to explore another word; "rescue."
I visited an under-developed country like Haiti because I wanted to meet my fellow "neighbors" first-hand. I wanted to see them, hear them, serve them, and hug them. Thats my love language. Its not enough for me to read about the poverty, I want to embrace it. But its uncomfortable. You can't turn the page or flip the channel when you're hugging or holding hands with the people in need. Being a physical presence in this country was important for me but is not vital to making a difference in the communities of Haiti. While on the trip and now after being home, my mind hasn't wavered once, I BELIEVE my church and community could make a huge difference in Haiti. And I BELIEVE Haiti could make a huge difference in OUR lives. (read: We need it as much as they do!)
Subconsciously though, I think I was searching when I decided to go to Haiti. Searching for purpose. Searching for renewal. I mean heck, I flew to Haiti for one week with an overweight bag, bringing as many items of modern convenience as possible. As we exited the airport, I instantly felt as though a sign that said "Still in Need"--should have been hanging over my head. I knew all those things did not make me whole.
So technically I didn't "save" anyone during my time in Haiti. Religiously or otherwise. For me, that wasn't the goal of the trip. The trip was about seeing, learning, and hearing what the Haitian people needed and coming back to the States and seeing if we could assemble a group to MEET that need. Of course we were there to serve in any way that we could but I don't think it ever crossed my mind that I would be "saving" anyone. It was about cultivating relationships; PARTNERships. Its more than a band-aid, its an opportunity to build a more permanent fix. Its HOPE! Its returning the hug of the child to remind them they're loved. Its making an effort to try to speak Creole (even if they giggle in return). Its the effort put forth to signify that the world hasn't forgotten about them. God hasn't forgotten about them.
How is it that two little girls bathing naked in the streets of Haiti, covered in suds, are giggling and having so much fun? Well, rewind 20 years ago and I'm pretty sure I begged my parents to let me bathe outside in the sprinkler. The joy children experience from bubbles is something that is universal. Can this not be an example that WE are more alike than we are different? That although these people may look and sound different than us, our children behave the same. Haitians are our neighbors and loving them like ourselves means desiring health care, sanitary living conditions, food, and clean water FOR THEM. I don't want to be starving, and I don't want my neighbors in Haiti to be starving.
In a country that has so much materialistically, I find so many people in the United States to be unhappy. Myself included. We have a lot of stuff! Stuff thats supposed to bring us joy (at least thats what the lady at Anthropologie promised me when I overpaid for that sweater.) I've learned its not just the kids who become infected with the "greed" monster, and its not just around Christmas time. I hear stories from adults with kids, adults without kids, church go-ers, proud atheists, people who make tons of money, people who don't make enough money, the list goes on... about Stuff not bringing JOY! The stuff brings comfort and well, thats comfortable. Its safe. But eventually, you yearn for more.
Relationships cultivated over the years in Peru have brought me more JOY than any material gift I have ever received (yes Mom, even the trampoline). I hope the same for our future with Haiti. Serving the people in Haiti filled me up! And yet I've learned there are seasons. Some seasons you can spend a week in Haiti and some seasons you can't. I do not have a husband or children. But someday I'd like to think that even with my family, I will still yearn for more. And I will want to instill my yearning into my children. But it will be hard. Because once you have seen, you cannot un-see. Once you realize that things like brand new cars, big houses, and the cutest clothes (sorry co-workers at Banana Republic) don't bring happiness, you are forced to want to DO something. Doing something might mean you have to sacrifice some of those worldly possessions. Material possessions somewhat dictate our socio-economic status and thats a big deal in our society. So its not just a monetary sacrifice to visit Haiti for a week, its also a social sacrifice (not everyone will understand why you are using your vacation time to serve others).
So while Facebook, Instagram, the church bulletin and even this blog may make it appear as though I was on a mission to rescue or save people from the poverty in Haiti. Just like in Peru, its NOT the case.
I did not rescue the poor.
The poor rescued ME.
They rescued me from wealth.
They rescued me from my excess. They rescued me from my voids left unfilled by my material things. They rescued me from a life without purpose.
They rescued, they reminded, they renewed, they replenished.
{So maybe I finally got "saved". In Haiti.}
{Authors Note: Since stepping off the plane in RDU a week ago, I've wanted to run and tell people "I GOT SAVED IN HAITI" Mainly because I knew they would immediately either think I was joking or worse, they might have a panic attack thinking Aliens had overtaken my body, I resisted my urge.}
I like being able to help people in need. I like that God chooses to include me in His plan to help people in need.
However, sometimes this can get misconstrued.
I have gotten a lot of questions about whether or not I was able to"save" anyone in Haiti.
There's even several (wonderful!!) organizations that tout the slogan "Rescuing Children from Poverty."
Even though the disturbed look on my face would suggest that I was alarmed someone would think I had "saved" anyone, in Haiti or state-side-- after careful thought I have a response.
(and conversations like this cause me to appreciate my diverse "network of acquaintances")
The people who know me know how I feel about "save" and how I like to remind people we were all saved over 2,000 years ago by Grace when Christ died. And that was my answer I've given as I was asked over and over again as a child, teen, and now as a young adult to explain when it was that I got saved. The word just makes me nervous, probably because its outside of my "religious comfort zone." BUT thats what makes it so great-- because I'm quite certain (ESPECIALLY IF YOU READ MY BLOGS FROM PERU AND THE MIDDLE EAST) that my "progressive" (<--- to whomever introduced me to this adjective, you have helped me save face in the religious community, a million thank yous) ideology is outside other people's "comfort zone". It takes all kinds.
The questions of "saving" others has caused me to re-examine my distrust of the word "save" and even encouraged me to explore another word; "rescue."
I visited an under-developed country like Haiti because I wanted to meet my fellow "neighbors" first-hand. I wanted to see them, hear them, serve them, and hug them. Thats my love language. Its not enough for me to read about the poverty, I want to embrace it. But its uncomfortable. You can't turn the page or flip the channel when you're hugging or holding hands with the people in need. Being a physical presence in this country was important for me but is not vital to making a difference in the communities of Haiti. While on the trip and now after being home, my mind hasn't wavered once, I BELIEVE my church and community could make a huge difference in Haiti. And I BELIEVE Haiti could make a huge difference in OUR lives. (read: We need it as much as they do!)
Subconsciously though, I think I was searching when I decided to go to Haiti. Searching for purpose. Searching for renewal. I mean heck, I flew to Haiti for one week with an overweight bag, bringing as many items of modern convenience as possible. As we exited the airport, I instantly felt as though a sign that said "Still in Need"--should have been hanging over my head. I knew all those things did not make me whole.
So technically I didn't "save" anyone during my time in Haiti. Religiously or otherwise. For me, that wasn't the goal of the trip. The trip was about seeing, learning, and hearing what the Haitian people needed and coming back to the States and seeing if we could assemble a group to MEET that need. Of course we were there to serve in any way that we could but I don't think it ever crossed my mind that I would be "saving" anyone. It was about cultivating relationships; PARTNERships. Its more than a band-aid, its an opportunity to build a more permanent fix. Its HOPE! Its returning the hug of the child to remind them they're loved. Its making an effort to try to speak Creole (even if they giggle in return). Its the effort put forth to signify that the world hasn't forgotten about them. God hasn't forgotten about them.
How is it that two little girls bathing naked in the streets of Haiti, covered in suds, are giggling and having so much fun? Well, rewind 20 years ago and I'm pretty sure I begged my parents to let me bathe outside in the sprinkler. The joy children experience from bubbles is something that is universal. Can this not be an example that WE are more alike than we are different? That although these people may look and sound different than us, our children behave the same. Haitians are our neighbors and loving them like ourselves means desiring health care, sanitary living conditions, food, and clean water FOR THEM. I don't want to be starving, and I don't want my neighbors in Haiti to be starving.
In a country that has so much materialistically, I find so many people in the United States to be unhappy. Myself included. We have a lot of stuff! Stuff thats supposed to bring us joy (at least thats what the lady at Anthropologie promised me when I overpaid for that sweater.) I've learned its not just the kids who become infected with the "greed" monster, and its not just around Christmas time. I hear stories from adults with kids, adults without kids, church go-ers, proud atheists, people who make tons of money, people who don't make enough money, the list goes on... about Stuff not bringing JOY! The stuff brings comfort and well, thats comfortable. Its safe. But eventually, you yearn for more.
Relationships cultivated over the years in Peru have brought me more JOY than any material gift I have ever received (yes Mom, even the trampoline). I hope the same for our future with Haiti. Serving the people in Haiti filled me up! And yet I've learned there are seasons. Some seasons you can spend a week in Haiti and some seasons you can't. I do not have a husband or children. But someday I'd like to think that even with my family, I will still yearn for more. And I will want to instill my yearning into my children. But it will be hard. Because once you have seen, you cannot un-see. Once you realize that things like brand new cars, big houses, and the cutest clothes (sorry co-workers at Banana Republic) don't bring happiness, you are forced to want to DO something. Doing something might mean you have to sacrifice some of those worldly possessions. Material possessions somewhat dictate our socio-economic status and thats a big deal in our society. So its not just a monetary sacrifice to visit Haiti for a week, its also a social sacrifice (not everyone will understand why you are using your vacation time to serve others).
I understand better now that there is a connotation associated with mission trips that suggest we are the ones "saving." We have more, so we'll be giving more. We know more, so we will be teaching more.
I do know I served to the best of my ability--but I am also certain I received MORE. By giving and teaching and helping. I was given. I was taught. I was helped.
So while Facebook, Instagram, the church bulletin and even this blog may make it appear as though I was on a mission to rescue or save people from the poverty in Haiti. Just like in Peru, its NOT the case.
I did not rescue the poor.
The poor rescued ME.
They rescued me from wealth.
They rescued me from my excess. They rescued me from my voids left unfilled by my material things. They rescued me from a life without purpose.
They rescued, they reminded, they renewed, they replenished.
{So maybe I finally got "saved". In Haiti.}
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