Jesus Joy

Bonswa (good afternoon) from Pignon! It is a great day to be alive!

We had the privilege of hosting Heather’s parents while they were here in Haiti for 9 days. It was a lot of fun to show them all of the activities we have been up to these past few months. They were good sports and woke up early with us every morning to teach English at the hospital as well as went to both programs during the day. We had a really fun time with them!

Heather and I are so privileged to work with such great, God-fearing individuals. We are so thankful for each one of our Haitian friends.

Teams have been coming for one week at a time and live in the house next to us. It has been fun to answer their questions and tell them about what we have been doing while we have been here. Some of the team members have come to the Thrive program and observed there as well.

We are now only running the Thrive for 5 program. The after school program (BOOST) has been put on hold for a while so that we can regroup and hopefully make it more effective. We are still teaching English in the mornings and are very much enjoying the doctors and nurses that attend class. The past few weeks we have been teaching them verbs and also had a few days where we have been having small conversation. They really enjoy coming up front and trying out the new English words they have learned. They really appreciate us teaching them because when we see them around they will smile very big and say: “My teacher!”  It feels so good to be serving these individuals who do so much good here in Pignon.

The past few weeks have been long and full. The days require so much energy and sometimes I find myself running low. Sometimes I find myself not very happy. And sometimes I find myself feeling frustrated, irritated, and disappointed.

Sometimes happiness here is hard to come by. The days consist of lots of different emotions and occasional conflict in embracing a different culture. Sometimes I just need to be alone. It feels good to be in the comfort of my room where I feel the most safe…where I can release emotions I may not have known were bubbling up inside of me as a result of a long day.  

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10.  This verse has been one to remind me daily that a loss of happiness doesn’t mean a loss of joy. Joy is a constant flow that comes as a result of loving and being loved by a merciful, gracious God. Knowing this joy that comes from Jesus is enough to keep my inner spirits always joyful. However, sometimes I am broken inside and my head is spinning with all kinds of emotions and thoughts that I can’t seem to keep straight. Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning. But even though I may be saddened or frustrated by the constant weight of things going on here (or back home) I have not lost the constant joy that is deep within because of the King who is still on His throne even on my weakest days. There is a beautiful, blessed assurance and peace that comes with really knowing “the joy of the Lord is [my] strength.”

Because I am a child of the Most High God, I can have peace that His love abides and remains unchangeable. Sad I may be one day…frustrated, irritated, or disappointed…but holding fast and trusting in the One who is the King of my heart is promised to give me the strength that I need in the moment.

It has been a real privilege and blessing to be able to see that joy also means I have the honor of being allowed to serve the Lord. Every day is filled with opportunities to serve, whether it is in a small way or a big one. I have sensed this deep joy when serving in Jesus’ name and it compels me to want to love deeper, give more, and be visible Joy to those who have yet to experience it.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26. I praise the Lord for always being stronger than the feelings of my heart. Because I know that feelings are temporary, but joy that comes from loving and being loved by Jesus is constant.  

Thank you, prayer warriors, for praying for us while we have been serving here in the Lord’s beautiful Haiti. Please pray that we always remember joy and bask in the knowledge that from that “Jesus joy” we are strengthened. Please also continue to keep us lifted up as we walk in His marvelous light.

Above all, our utmost desire is to reflect, honor, and make famous the name of Jesus!

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