When people hear that I often go to Haiti and someday hope
to be a full-time missionary there, I am often asked the question, “What do you
do when go there?” Recently I have had a difficult time answering this question
because I feel people are usually confused or dissatisfied with my response.
Although I have served with Life Ministries doing medical clinics, food
distributions, shoe drives, vacation bible schools and many other projects, I
never seem to have the short answer that people are expecting. It seems most
people are anticipating an answer such as, "I work with an orphanage, we are building a school, hospital, ect." But our ministry in La Sous is
so much bigger than that. While we do many projects that physically and
financially benefit the people of La Sous, our main ministry is simply sharing
and receiving the love of Christ with them.
While meeting
physical needs is a way to share Jesus with people, this is not our main focus.
My hope, along with that of the leaders of Life Ministries, is that we are
making an eternal investment in the lives of the people of La Sous. Often this
means going to the village and simply spending time with them. Joining them in
their church services, walking through the village holding a child's hand or
sitting down with someone and just being available to listen. While the people
of La Sous have always shown their appreciation when God allows us to help meet
their physical needs, I have found that the most precious thing we can offer
them is our time and love. It means a great deal to know that someone would fly
to another country, and sail to a small remote island just to sit and talk and
listen to them.
When I think about
effective ministry, I am reminded of the way that Jesus ministered to many
people. He was a man among the people. He didn't have the finances to meet
everyone's needs and although He did miracles, that was not always the way He
chose to love people. Several times He could have fixed people’s problems with a
single word, yet He did not. In many instances Jesus loved people by merely
giving them His time.
In John 12:8, Jesus says, “For the poor you always have with
you, but you do not always have me."
Jesus reminds us that we will never be able to meet all the
physical needs of this world. However, we have something to offer that is so
much greater and eternal. While we can and should give to those who are in
need, there will always be poverty and hunger, and we must take advantage of
the opportunities we have to share the love of Christ.
I cannot provide for all the needs of the people of La Sous,
but I can build relationships and reciprocate love that will have an
invaluable, eternal influence.
This is why I go to La Sous and this is my passion. I am
forever grateful for those of you who have showed your support through prayers
and donations and encouragement. I thank you for your continuation in doing so
as I prepare for my next trip to Haiti in April.
1 Corinthians 13:3
If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be
burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
