by Jenna Aycock
summer intern to The Awakening
Lost. Impoverished. Hopeless. This is the image that many people envision of Haiti. When I decided to go to Haiti, people told me to prepare for the dirty streets lined by the rubble of houses demolished by natural disasters. They prepared me for heartbreaking sights and devastation, but from the front of Mr. Roger’s truck I saw smiling women carrying fruits and goods to sell on market day. I saw Tap-Taps (Haitian cabs) filled to overflowing with people on the way to work. At first glance the streets may be dirty, but they are full of potential.
One of the greatest blessings of my trip to Haiti was the opportunity to create potential in one of our IPHC schools in Cabaret. Our team was given the great privilege of painting classrooms in the school. Just by painting these rooms we were able to give natural lighting so the students could have a better learning environment. As we finished, the children stampeded us and latched onto our paint-covered arms and legs. The children were overjoyed by the small improvements made to their school. They sought our attention like the Living Water and they were shocked when we actually wanted to touch them.
One girl named Jennifer came to me and I reached out to receive her hand. She hesitantly placed her hand on mine and at that moment I realized that we are all the same. We may have a different color skin, but we all have hands with unique qualities created by the same awesome God. We may not speak the same language but we are the all able to share the love of Jesus through a genuine smile and heartfelt embrace. In the short moments we spent with the children, God shined through each of us and allowed us to be a living representation of Jesus Christ.
There are many life-changing experiences that I could share but I believe that Jennifer can teach each of us one of the most precious lesson of all. Be intentional about every moment and every relationship in your life. When you are tempted to see Haiti as lost, impoverished, or hopeless, take a closer look into the joyful eyes of a man, woman, or child, like Jennifer and instead see --
Potential, Strength, & Hope.
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