Swinging in the rain

It is rainy season in Haiti. The past two weeks have brought a good deal of rain. We have a leaky roof that reminds us of all those living under pieces of tin, tarp, and tents. We pray for those and count our blessings. We are missing our loved ones back home very much and dream about the day we will see them again...

...though circumstances have leaked into our lives that may prolong that day. 

We think about all our loved ones here in Haiti and that many of these will never ever leave this little island. 

We count our blessings once again. 

There is still much rubble all around us.

There is also much new construction, removal of trash, recycling efforts, and fewer tents. We are thankful we were able to see Haiti a few months after the earthquake so that we can share in the joy of how far she has come. 

When the rains come it is easy to forget how far we have come. 

We can stay inside, try to stop the leaks from coming and miserably endure...

or

...we can count our blessings, and go out and dance in the rain. 

We can sing in the rain with the joy built up in our hearts. 

We even often swing in the rain. 

And the rains came down and the floods came up,

And the rains came down and the floods came up,

And the rains came down and the floods came up, 

and the house on the rock stood firm.

Matthew 7:25

Because He Lives...

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, All fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future...

There’s a place out there for us,
More than just a prayer or anything you've ever dreamed of.
So if you feel like giving up cause you don’t fit in down here,
Fear is crashing in, close your eyes and take my hand.

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe.
It’s written in the stars that shine above,
A world where you and I belong, where faith and love will keep us strong,
Exactly who we are is just enough, there’s a place for us,
there’s a place for us.

When the water meets the sky,
Where your heart is free and hope comes back to life,
When these broken hands are whole again,
We will find what we’ve been waiting for,
We were made for so much more

Narnia Theme Song "There's a Place for Us"

The kids dressed up in their "Narnia costumes" on Palm Sunday and ran around the Quisqueya school campus shouting "for Narnia...and for Aslan!" I thought about Aslan...about how Christ suffered for us so that we can reign with Him. I thought about where our children are...where we are. 

Haiti. 

And the question we always get..."Is it safe?"

I think about the how and why of so many crazy/good reasons we are here and that the only explanation is that it's only because of Him. The One who first loved us. 

And "No, He's not safe. 

But He's good. 

And He's King". 

-Chronicles of Narnia 

I was glad to be reminded of that this week because our weeks have been understatedly hard lately. So this was a really good week to intentionally focus on what Christ intentionally suffered for us at Calvary, and that it wasn't just about the suffering. It was about hope. That Saturday when all hope seemed lost, hope soon came back to life! But it feels like we have been stuck in the Saturday before Resurrection Sunday for the past two years. Hope is not lost. Just deferred. And our hearts are sick. 

Waiting. Painfully waiting. 

Waiting and trusting. 

Trusting that in that place of pain we will find true fellowship in His sufferings

and the unexplainable joy that is found there. 

I recently read this quote written by a fellow Haiti dweller that totally resonated with my broken spirit. 

"...And as much as I hate that Jesus didn't power up and come off the cross and "wow" people, or say to his disciples "now's the time, grab your swords", or do some spiritual jujitsu .... Once in a while I am grateful that our faith leaves space for Saturdays-the unanswered questions, the impossible hopes, the disappointment and frustration and sense of betrayal. If only for the fact that I can know I am not alone.  

We're Saturday sorts of people." 

-Sarah Dornbos

I think we're Saturday sorts of people too. But we cling to Sunday. 

And so until...

"When the water meets the sky,

Where your heart is free and hope comes back to life,

When these broken hands are whole again,

We will find what we’ve been waiting for..."

Until then...

"Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven." -Mt. 6:10

 Because He isn't safe, but He's good. Because He did not abandon us on that seemingly hopeless Saturday...nor any day since. Because He didn't leave us alone in this life while waiting for the next. Because we know there is a place for us. Because hope is alive. Because the grave could not hold him. He has risen! He is alive and has given us abundant life.

And we know...

Life is worth the living just because He lives!

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of you faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at that revelation of Jesus Christ". 

1 Peter 1:3-7