It all started last Friday, the hours before we were scheduled to fly to Haiti. We get a text from Pastor Steve saying that our flights have been cancelled and to pray. This was already after we had debated even going on the trip because of the civil unrest that had been going on in the country. However, it had seemed that the Lord had provided, in numerous ways, for us to go. So needless to say, this came as a curveball to us all. My immediate thoughts and prayers were, "Lord, if this is you slamming the door close on us going, please let us humbly accept that. Give us the discernment to make a wise choice that is not our seeking to please our selfish desires." Within hours, the Lord provided. We got another text saying that we were able to get new flights and to report to the church a couple hours later than originally scheduled. Come to find out, these new flights were cheaper, left later in the morning (meaning more sleep, praise the Lord), and would get us to Haiti at the same time. We were also refunded in full for the flights that were canceled! Wow, God! Thank you for making it clear that You still wanted us to go to Haiti! It was almost like he was rewarding us for our faith and for seeking to be his hands and feet in Haiti (Hebrews 11:6). This was just the beginning of the Lord's provision.
Throughout the week, the Lord provided for us more times than I can count. He was (and is) so, so good to us. I would have to write a book in order to tell you about everything that he did, so I will just tell you about a couple that really touched my heart. After we all made it safely to Pignon, along with all of our luggage and supplies (the Lord provided), we were able to get to work on Sunday after church. Initially, we were planning on only having to demo the roof of the church in Savanette, as well as one or two walls. However, as is custom in Haiti, plans changed. After that first demo day, we learned that the church now wanted to have all of the interior walls knocked down as well. This meant demoing seven to eight concrete block walls, along with a two-foot tall stage/platform area. Again, after the first couple days now, I was thinking, "No way. No way can we get all of this done. We have to take down all these walls AND get the new roof on? Not happening." I should really stop doubting God and the plans that he has. These thoughts that I was having were really, honestly probably true. WE couldn't do all of that, not by ourselves and in our own strength at least. But again, the Lord provides. We had some of the best Haitian workers working with us this year that we have ever had. We hired seven Haitians to work alongside of us for the first three days. After that, we kept four of them on the work site to help us the following couple days. I have always seen good work ethic in the Haitians that we work alongside, but this year, I witnessed them work harder than ever. The Lord provided us with the manpower, energy, strength, and tools we needed to get the job done. Not only that, but He provided us with safety while on the worksite. Even with all of the demolition going on at one time, no one got hit with flying debris or anything of the sort. He kept us safe on all of the ladders we used and all the boards we sat on and walked on putting the roof up. He gave us strength to raise the tresses without any hitches. He gave us energy to work long days in the beautiful, hot, and sunny Haitian weather. The Lord provided.
On the medical side of things, the Lord also provided. For the first time ever, we had a surgeon come on the trip with us. He was able to make some good connections at the hospital in Pignon early in the week. On Thursday, they did not take as many people with them to the medical clinic as they usually did. That left them with a couple extra seats in the pickup on the way home. So, for the first time ever, the team decided to take a couple women back with them from the clinic, to the hospital for an x-ray for one and eye drops for the other. The Lord provided those extra seats and the connections that had been made earlier in the week. While at the hospital, the x-ray took hours longer than expected, but guess what, that was the Lord providing because as they were finally about to leave, they heard some commotion in the courtyard. Two motos had collided head on, each with three passengers on board. One man had already died and they were pulling the others out of the back of this pickup truck. Immediately, those medical professionals that were there from our team jumped into action to help in any way they could. After multiple hours, they had helped saved the life of one of the young man and had stitched up multiple head lacerations on the others. Although this was very traumatic and emotionally straining, it was still the Lord providing.
Now, as I am writing this, I am sitting in the hospital with the love of my life. I would be lying to you if I said that it was easy for me to believe that the Lord will provide for this situation. I know that sounds foolish, right? After everything that He has done for us this past week, why would He not provide through this now? He cares for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, how much more does he care for his children (Luke 6)? Now hear me out, I know that He is going to provide, but I have to choose to believe that. I have to consciously make that choice to have faith in His promises, to have faith in His goodness, to have faith in His planning, His timing, and His purpose. I believe that He will provide. I have to look past the current situation, the pain that Miranda is in, the tears that are being shed because there doesn't seem to be much that brings relief, and the discouragement of not knowing what is wrong. I have to look past that and believe that God sees the big picture, not just the snapshot of now. I have to remind myself that the Lord will provide. I know this, I believe this, but God also has his own way of reminding me.
I have seen God reminding me that He will provide (because He always provides) in one very specific way while here. On Tuesday, Miranda came into the ER and after a few hours, the medical staff here thought best to admit her for the night. Originally, she was going to be in room 302. However, as they were taking her up, we were told it had been changed to 316. Now, you can't tell me that God doesn't have a sense of humor because who else would just change her room number to 316? In case you aren't aware or are missing the connection, 316 is a reference to the Lord providing. In fact, it's in reference to the Lord's ultimate provision, His provision for us for eternity.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
I couldn't help but to be reminded of this every time I walked into this room. It was a constant reminder that God has already provided for us for all of eternity, not just in this life! Those who believe in Him will have eternal life! No death, no life, no angels, no demons, no sickness, nothing on this earth can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Needless to say, it was a gracious reminder from the Lord that He will provide. Always. Forever. No matter what. Trust in Him. Trust in His promises. The Lord provides.
Update: Guess what y'all? The Lord provides. We now have answers as to what has been causing all of the pain! Miranda has some tiny ulcers in her stomach, but the main source of her pain is coming from an ulcer that has formed a ring in the lining of her esophagus. Now, the doctors have a more targeted approach to combatting the pain and discomfort. After four long days and three long nights, we should finally be taking her back home tomorrow afternoon! Thank you all for your prayers, love and words of encouragement!
