My Window

A reflection on a recent vision trip to Haiti by Pastor Bill Renno:

The first day in Haiti for me was like walking up to the front door of Geisinger Medical Center (a local, huge hospital) equipped with only Dr. Baker’s “black bag” on the show “Little House on the Prairie” and being told you’re the only Doctor!

Hopeless!!

The second day in Haiti was filled with questions, like why am I here? Why did God want me here? What is my purpose here? What could I possibly do to even make a little difference here? I was so emotionally overcome with feelings of helplessness and the inability to be able to make any change at all!

Hopelessness.

The third day in Haiti brought resolution to all my questions and a purpose to get them done. Not only are orphans cared for with the daily needs as food, shelter, education, health, but in Haiti orphans must leave the orphanage at 18 years of age. That’s where a new program called “Pathways” filled the need. It takes the orphan and teaches them a skill, sewing, farming, home skills and trades so when they do go back to the villages they are equipped to live life the way God intended. Along with these life skills and most important, they are taught in-depth Bible study, English, and many other things as the program develops.

So what was my resolution? I had nothing in my Dr. Baker bag to offer for the abject poverty seen every day on the streets of Haiti. I had nothing in my bag that would stop the crime, lack of purpose and the destitution visible everywhere or the look of emptiness seen in the eyes of the people.

But I looked one last time in my bag and found a little book often referred to as an operator’s manual. We call it the Bible, God’s Word. The only thing that can change the life style of a Haitian is the Word of God. The only thing that will put a sparkle in the eye is to behold the beauty of The Savior! The only thing that will give purpose to a Haitian is God’s Purpose.

HOPE!!

So….I am creating for myself a HOPE chest where I will begin to store funds for my next trip to Haiti, hopefully next year.

I created a myGO project BIG FAT Chickens, since I was born and raised on a farm and still live on 5 acres and have chickens, sheep, pigs, jersey cows, goats and ducks and rabbits in the very near future I just loved the farm in operation. I believe I could contribute at least in a small way to that.

I am glad for the opportunity that was provided to me to go to Haiti. God is Good!