As the week in Haiti comes to a close, I am left with images of pain, fear and despair.  It has been hard to look past the rubble, debris and vast poverty.  Hard to see beyond the tents, beyond the piles of garbage, beyond the immense need.  The team and I have spent the last six days in a city that would easily break anyone’s heart, and we could easily have been discouraged.  Even feel helpless serving in a city that needs so much. 

 Today, the entire team had the privilege of serving together for the first time this week.  With one destination in mind and a renewed sense of camaraderie we made our way to a neighborhood that was devastated by the earthquake.  The goal: to lead Vacation Bible School.  We had no idea of the number of children that would show up and were given an area far from perfect to play our games.  But, as the kids met us at the bus with their smiles, all of our anxiety about the day was erased.

 What ensued over the next several hours was nothing short of Gods perfect plan.  We made bracelets, colored pictures, had three-legged races, played with bubbles, sidewalk chalk and beach balls.  The language barrier didn’t stop any of us from reaching those kids. We laughed and hugged till our arms hurt.  We filled that street with the sounds of giggles and joyful children.  A smile and an outstretched hand knows no language.  We simply loved on those kids as if they were our own.

 On the drive home tonight, we were all physically exhausted and sad knowing that our journey here in Haiti is coming to an end.  But, as I stared out the window of the bus, I was seeing the city through a brand new set of eyes.  I was seeing the city through the eyes of those children.  In their eyes, the city of Haiti is their home, not a place of foreign despair.  In their eyes any open space is the perfect spot for a game of soccer.  In their eyes, bubbles and sidewalk chalk are hours of thrilling entertainment.  In their eyes, there is no thought of the logistics of cleaning up their city.  In their eyes, they see pure, unbiased, joy in the simplest of things.

 God has shown up this week in ways that I couldn’t have imagined.  We were told to leave all expectations in Atlanta, and to come to Haiti with open minds and open hearts.  I was given no warning of these new eyes though.  I am blown away by what a change in perspective can do.  There is in fact hope in Haiti.  There is love.  There is faith.  All you have to do is look at it through the eyes of a child.

- Michelle