haiti - one year ago

Malachi 1:11

"For from the rising of the sun to its setting My name shall be great among the nations, and in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and indeed a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts."

Last year, this upcoming week, I had the privilege of going to Haiti with The 410 Bridge. We led 7 seniors from Legacy Academy to serve our friends in Bohoc. And we met incredible children, worshipped Lord with our Haitian friends, helped dig a pit latrine, did the Rejoice Project (http://www.choosetoinvest.org/#/rejoice-project/what-is-rejoice-project) as the Leadership Council asked of us, and experienced incredible God-moments. 

While we absolutely witnessed incredible poverty, desperate need, and much hurt due to the destruction of the devastating earth quake in an already vulnerable country - I deeply recall beauty, divine joy, community, holy camaraderie, transformation, and creative growth. YES. What an incredible testimony to the glory of God....Sovereign over circumstances, profound in giving of Himself, faithful to draw people towards restoration, and sooooo good.

Acts 2:32 

This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

I love God's people. I truly do.

Isaiah 61:1-7

"THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.Aliens shall stand [ready] and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; people will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the wealth of the nations, and the glory [once that of your captors] shall be yours.Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs."