Patience in the Lord

We have been in such a waiting period living here in Haiti.  The super kitchen is still being renovated; we are waiting on the container with everything the Tugwell’s own and school curriculum, and trying to figure out which area of Haiti God wants us to live.  With that being said we are at a standstill.  However, God really spoke to me this morning through Genesis 8.  Noah obeyed God and built the ark, bringing his family, and two animals of every kind. The rain stopped and the land began to dry.  Noah saw tops of the mountains, sent a dove that brought back an olive branch, saw the dry land himself.  However, Noah did not make any plans; he did not leave the ark without the Lords command.  Even though Noah could see land and could have easily run off the ark, he chose not to.  Imagine being Noah, you have been on a boat for 240 days, you are looking at dry land for 3 months- it would take self control and trust in the Lord to not run out of that ark (you know it wasn’t quiet with so many animals!). Noah waited patiently, “then God said to Noah, ‘Come out of the ark’” (Genesis 8:15-16).  How much better is it for us to wait on the Lord, for God to tell us exactly what to do?  Isn’t the God of the universe, the king of Kings timing better than my timing?… YES!  Even though we think we should have everything figured out by now… God says wait for my good and perfect timing! 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

He Washed us WHiTE as SNOW

I was able to go visit the super kitchen today.  For those of you who don’t know- Lori and Noel have partnered with an organization called Outside the Bowl which aims to meet the physical needs of people in order to meet their spiritual needs.  The super kitchen will have two huge pots in it and each pot cooks 1,000 means per hour.  This project is going to turn into meals on wheels in a third world country.  This super kitchen is located in the poorest city in Haiti called Cite Soleil at the worst hospital in all of Haiti.  This is a women’s hospital where babies are born from hungry mamas, dirty sheets, unclean water, and heat.  What an opportunity to walk into this new, white room that provides food.  Having a child is a major chapter in a person’s life.  How cool will it be when a mother brings a new life into the world and could gain a new life in Christ!

 

 Today as I was standing in the super kitchen with its brand new coat of white paint all I could think about was the importance of white and a song kept playing over and over in my head:

 “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow; Praise the one, who paid my debt, and raised this life up from the dead”.  – Jesus Paid it All

Through Jesus, through the blood of the lamb, I am now white as snow.  When Jesus died on the cross, I died with Him! These women did too and can come to learn this truth! HOW AWESOME!

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”. Galatians 2:20

“and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” Revelation 1:5

New Friends =)

Life in Haiti is so fun.  I love the dependency and trust I have to rely on the Lord every minute and in every moment.  At first, it was hard for me to live here because I felt lonely and I missed my friends, community, and people my age.  God immediately provided me with AMAZING friends =) Haitian friends, American friends, Haitian-American friends!  I love being able to go be with them, listen to what the Lord is teaching them, tell them what the Lord is teaching me, encourage one another, provide comfort for one another, and have fun!  None of this would happen if it wasn’t for the Lord.  Before I go to bed I just thank God for all He has done, is doing, and will do.  Because He was, He is, and Is to come (Revelation 1:8)- He is the Great I am- Immanuel meaning God with Us (Matthew 1:23)!

I don’t have very many pictures with my friends (I kind of forget to take pictures- but I will for sure work on it!) Here is a picture of my friend Rocky at his wedding a few weeks ago.

 

 I love having new experiences in Haiti that we have in the United States.  I think it is so cool to compare the cultures and how God made them different yet similar.  When we were on our way to the wedding, we were running kind of late.  The wedding was supposed to start at 10:00- we showed up at 10:20 hoping to sneak in the back so no one would notice we were late… Well we were the first people there!  The 10:00 wedding started around 11:45 =) I don’t think you would see that in the United States. Haha

Our Daily Life

Silas using a box and two pencils to make a robot face.

 I wanted you to have an idea of what our day looks like.  I tried posting a video of Silas describing his "busy" day, but I could not figure out how to upload a video...   We have been trying to entertain ourselves without having the container, toys, or school curriculum.  In the video, Silas says he has to wake up, eat breakfast, learn about Jesus, memorize scripture, play outside, tell people about Jesus, play with Wood, catch flies, go back outside, and sit on the balcony.  =)  We are all in  a transition here in Haiti and still in the process of settling.  However, I know this is exactly where God wants me.  He shows me His love, grace, and mercy daily.  It has been so fun learning the language and culture and adapting to this new country- which I have fallen in love with. 

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18    

This time of waiting and trusting while living in Haiti is achieving for us eternal glory!  It is so important to fix our eyes on what is unseen rather than what is seen.  My earthly self wants to focus on what is seen and the pity party I could be having right now, but eternity, life with our Father outweighs anything and everything here on Earth!  How awesome!!

Just an Update

God is a provider and meets all of our needs if we ask!  Last year when I was working on my Masters in Education, I knew I had to take time for myself occasionally and not work myself to death.  I didn’t think I would need to do that here, but I was wrong.  Last week I was at the house with the kids everyday (we still do not have our container so we are not doing much school and the kids do not have much to do so the days are difficult).  God showed me that I needed time away from the kids and work and take time for myself and most importantly Him!  This is what I did last week which I think adds beauty to my room =)

 

I found the crate and the paint around the house and used a watercolor brush from the kid’s paints.  I tried to sand it myself, but the workers around the house said I was not doing it right which I am sure I was not.  All of the workers around the house are such a blessing.  We have 4 ladies who have become some of my dearest friends and help me ALL the time!  They are so wonderful and I love the friendships I have with each one of them.  We started to pray together and read the Bible everyday at 3:00.  I am praying that our relationship will grow and language will not be a barrier between us.

Also, after spending the whole week at the house; I needed time to get away and spend time with people my age who speaks the same language as me.  God once again provided me with a sweet place to get away.  I have a friend from Arkansas who is teaching in Port-Au-Prince.  We did not have the chance to meet in the United States but through mutual friends we were able to connect as soon as we got to Haiti.  I met her at church 2 weeks ago and we recognized each other from Face book.  Knowing I had her here, I was able to get dropped off at her house and spend the weekend with her and other American teachers at the same school.  It was exactly what I needed =) God knew I needed that time and provided. 

Another project that is taking place here in Haiti is a village with widows and orphans in the mountains.  People who live in our house are in charge of this project.  I have heard so much about it and see the men and women pouring their hearts, time, and money into it but I have never gotten to see it.  However, Tuesday I was able to take a trip up there.  Here are some pictures just so you can get an idea.

 

Here are the different houses where the widows and orphans will be moving into.

Houses nearby and in the mountains.

I was able to give salvation bracelets to the kids.  It was SOOOO awesome because language was not an issue.  God allowed them to understand me and me to understand them.  I was overfilled with joy =)

More of the mountain project construction.

Every evening I try to go up to the porch and sit and watch the sunset.  It is such a sweet time I get to spend with the Lord reflecting on the day and everything He has created.  No matter how my day goes He reminds me that He is still God, He reigns, He is the way, the truth, and the light- He always provides me with hope and beauty.  My heart saddens when I think about moments I have missed with God because I am too busy or not paying attention.  It is so important that we “Be still and know He is God, He will be exalted among the Nations, and exalted here on Earth!” Psalm 46:10 

I am praying that the container will be here tomorrow and would love for you to be praying as well.  This will be a miracle straight from God but He is powerful, provides, and meets all our needs! God bless! 

 

August 26, 2013

“As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing yet possessing everything.”  2 Corinthians 6: 3-10

How do you view life? Is the glass half empty or half full? In everything, Paul always considered what his actions and words communicated about Christ.  If you are a believer, people who do not know Christ observe you.  Are you always complaining?  Is life never going your way? Is something always wrong?   Don’t let careless words or actions be someone’s excuse for not coming to know the One, the only One, who matters in this world.  Being put in jail would cause many people to give up, grumble, be discouraged; however, Paul saw it as a great time to spread the gospel!  We might not be in prison, but we can definitely find ways to be discouraged—struggling relationships, not having a relationship, being away from friends and family, financial burdens, lose of a job, not getting a job, family issues, church conflict, and times of indecision.  How we react in these situations will reflect what we believe.  Often when discouraging times occur in our life, we begin to vent to others about it publicly and pray privately.  In this time, we need to privately talk to the Lord about the issues and publicly declare God’s glory, grace, wonder, and beauty.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Living in Haiti the glass could always be half empty or even at times completely empty.  I could make a LONG list about complaints, but then I just seem silly and having a pity party for myself.  Every day I am to make a choice.  And so I choose… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self- control (Galatians 5:22).  I am to live this way because the Holy Spirit lives in me.  I am to glorify my Father in every way I can.  Rather than complaining about something taking too long, I will thank God for the extra moment to pray.  Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, jobs, or tasks, I will face them with joy and courage knowing I am not alone.  The way my Father loves and treats me is how I choose to love and treat others.  If I succeed, I will give thanks to the Lord.  If I fail (which happens more often than when I succeed), I will seek His grace =)