a haitian never forgets

if y'all keep tabs on social media and stalk me even the slightest bit, you already know that i returned to haiti a month ago. this was my third trip and, oh my stars, it was so different from my first two.

let me back up for a second.

this summer was hard for me. i came into the fall empty. drained. weary. feeling as though i had nothing left. my week in haiti changed that. i came home better. lighter. restored. i'm a little more whole. full. a better version of me. i rested. i was restored. i was refreshed. i sat with Jesus and He was pleased with me. not to say the trip wasn't challenging (it was), but a piece of me felt a little more whole while i was there because haiti has become part of who i am.

while i was there, one thing that repeatedly struck me was a phrase i heard myself casually utter several times before it finally stuck...

a haitian never forgets

you see, there is such comfort in being known. loved. seen. i've purposed for several years to love the people around me well, whoever they may be, in whatever way the Lord shows me. the Holy Spirit as my daily guide. i don't do it perfectly and i certainly have days when selfishness and personal comfort win. those are the days i'm reminded of his glorious grace and i try again the next day.

but recently, i have purposed to see people for who they truly are. to make sure they know they aren't invisible. to know their name and their story. to remember them. i am the worst at remembering names (i somehow missed getting that gene from pops). my years as a kanakuk counselor taught me that a person's name is the sweetest word in the english language and there is such truth in that. so, i have made a better effort to know and remember names. faces. stories. i still have a long way to go but i am making a conscious effort.

and i think that's why i was stopped in my tracks and flooded with all the feels when i stepped foot inside the door of 3 Cords on that thursday morning.

adeline.

she remembered me from a year ago. y'all, an entire year with no contact and she remembered me. her face lit up. her eyes were full of kindness. her smile was as big as her heart. she welcomed me with a tight hug. she brought me into her space and let me sit a while. she pulled up a chair and i spent the day with her. she signed to the interpreter that i was her friend and she was so happy i was there to see her again. my heart melted as her hospitality overwhelmed me.

sweet adeline.

i have learned so much from my haitian friends. but there is still much to learn. i am a better me because of the time i spend with them and my heart is anxious to return. part of my soul feels home when i'm in haiti and for that i am forever grateful.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

the power of touch

hi friends!

it's been a hot minute since i posted anything on here but that's because the Lord has been getting after me in fierce ways and the blog took a back seat to working through all that He's teaching me. however, i'm sharing some of my thoughts on haiti and the power of touch over on my sweet friend Marilynn's blog today. i'd love for you to skip over there and read more.

i also promise to be back on here before too long. a few blogs are bouncing around in my brain...they just haven't come out yet.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

diy diaries: bug spray

i used this little bottle of goodness while i was in haiti recently. it was the perfect post-shower skeeter chasing spray as i crawled into bed. i couldn't stand the thought of putting deet back on my body to marinate overnight, so this spray was the perfect solution. no bites. no deet. happy me.

what you'll need:

• 4 oz. witch hazel
• 5 drops lemongrass
• 5 drops terrashield
• 3 drops melaleuca
• 3 drops peppermint
• 4 oz glass or aluminum spray bottle

[note: i use doTERRA essential oils which are more potent than brands you'll find at your local health foods store]

combine everything in a glass measuring cup and then funnel it into your spray bottle. whatever you do, don't use a plastic bottle. oils and plastic are not friends.

once your bottle is full, you're ready to go. just spritz yourself any time you're headed outside in skeeter season. it's as simple as that. this mosquito magnet could not be happier to have found a light, refreshing, natural bug spray. oh, and it smells yummy too. grin.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

His work | travay non Bondye

[jenni, ellen, alex, me, kathy, belinda, patty, hollis]

God does not need me. yet He chooses to use me. He pursues me. He works in me. He works through me.

“for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

[ephesians 2:10]

all of it is for His glory—that the world may know He alone is God. i am but a small piece of a bigger story. He has opened my eyes anew to His grace, His work around me, and His desire to hear and answer our prayers. these are a few glimpses of His faithfulness, kindness, and provision that i saw last week.

kathy | our team member kathie from california (who used to live in charlotte) was unable to go with us at the last minute. but, we arrived in titanyen only to discover that a kathy from california was there by herself and would be joining our team for the week. grin.

salem | our intern for the week boldly and beautifully shared her story of brokenness and redemption with us sunday night and then was able to share her story in schools and in the brothel throughout the week as we watched the Lord open door after door.

counselors | we had three counselors on our small team of eight women. their knowledge and training was pivotal during our time with young girls from the schools on tuesday morning. they recognized signs of abuse, hurt, and pain in the way these young girls were interacting with our lesson and quickly changed our agenda. they were able to speak the message of truth, worth, and restoration over these young girls.

orlkine, gabe, and villarson | one of our village champions and two translators spoke candidly and passionately with us about their desire to change the culture of their village by loving the women working as prostitutes. they shared prayers to find alternative ways for these women to provide for their families. this is not our agenda. we did not have to cast a vision. these sweet friends already have the desire to bring hope and redemption to minoterie.

hollis’ voice | our fearless team leader had a sore throat to the point that it hurt to talk on tuesday afternoon and evening. before going to bed, we prayed for healing. we knew the next day was a day she had anticipated for a long time—the chance to look into the eyes of these women and tell them how loved they are no matter what they do. and wouldn’t you know, her throat was healed when we woke up wednesday morning. no medicine needed, only Jesus’ touch.

brothel owner | he had an appointment for us to meet with the women on wednesday morning and we had their full attention. he set out chairs to make sure we were comfortable and shooed men away to avoid distraction. he invited us back for the afternoon. God's hand of favor was upon us.

tessa | we had another “solo server” join us on wednesday. tessa came down from indianapolis by herself and joined the medical team each day…except for wednesday when she came with us. it wasn’t our plan, but it was His. that was the day we gave the women hygiene kits and talked to them about how to take care of themselves. tessa’s presence with us that day and medical knowledge was perfectly and divinely planned.

rain | halloween in haiti is a day known as “party of the dead” and it kicks off a three day voodoo festival every year—the largest one of the year. as we stood on the roof of our home away from home on friday night, we could see and smell large fires burning in the village of titanyen at the bottom of the hill. two women on our team prayed boldly that God would bring the kind of rain that would put out the fires and send everyone home. no more than 30 minutes later, the skies opened up and the hardest rain we had all week was upon us. over the next hour, it intensified to the point that i couldn't hear the person talking across the circle. no more fires. He hears the prayers of His people.

language | throughout the week, i sporadically remembered phrases i learned in french over 10 years ago and was able to use them in conversation. since creole is basically french slang, the bits of french still lingering in the recesses of my mind were incredibly helpful and it was nothing short of miraculous that i could remember them.

for all the ways i saw His handprint in Haiti, i’m confident i missed many more. He’s not done working and i am eager to return and once again link arms with my haitian brothers and sisters working to bring the hope of Christ and a story of redemption to the village of minoterie.

“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

[philippians 1:6]

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

His sense of humor | sans Bondye a de ìme

i am not a dancer. i will not claim to have an ounce of rhythm. but joy in Jesus, that i do have. a love for His people welling up in my soul, yes. long legs that look extra silly in an attempt to learn the sakka, absolutely.

who knew that a long-legged blan would dance the cotton-eyed joe and macarena in a nightclub in the middle of haiti surrounded by women working as prostitutes?

God knew.

and i think He was pleased as he heard the sound of laughter filling the air…even if it was at my expense.

who knew that the tattoo i got 5 years ago would be used as a testimony…to show that i may look different but i am just like you?

God knew.

christians in haiti do not have tattoos. it is taboo. women with tattoos are marked. they are prostitutes. but, as i sat and held the hands of each woman while painting her nails, my tattoo was on full display. i didn’t even consider concealing it that day and i am so thankful i didn’t. our team leader had several visible tattoos as well and these women were able to feel love, hope, dignity, and Jesus from our tattooed arms that touched and embraced them. our bodies do not dictate our worth and identity. only Jesus does.

He will use anything as a conduit of His love and grace if only we are willing…long legs and tattoos included.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

His touch | manyen Bondye a

it’s amazing how powerful touch can be. as powerful as a smile can be, touch is even more powerful. the women we worked with at the nightclub are accustomed to a touch that degrades, uses, and devalues. we were able to touch these women and bring hope, love, tenderness, and joy. but only through Jesus. we cannot bring any of those things for we, too, are broken and in need of healing touch.

we are His beloved. His touch binds our broken hearts and makes us whole. His touch brings life and hope. His touch says, "you are loved. you are beautiful. not because of what you can give Me or do for Me, but because you are Mine. i know you and i love you. i bought you in love to set you free. now go and live in the freedom of My love for you."

it is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

[galatians 5:1]

now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

[2 corinthians 3:17]

as humbling and encouraging as it was to serve these women with our tender touch, it made it even more difficult to watch as they received a tap on the shoulder for their next appointment where they would receive a very different type of touch. these women shared openly with us how they long for another way to provide for their families, but they don't have a choice. there is already a limited job market in haiti and many of these women are illiterate. it is heartbreaking to watch them wrestle with the desire to live differently, but not have the opportunity to do so. their children are hungry, and rice and beans are often payment for sex. what's a mom to do?

Jesus, make another way for these women to use their minds, their hands, and their voices. 

while i held the hand of each woman, looked into her eyes, tenderly massaged lotion into her skin, and carefully painted her fingernails, i felt Him. Emmanuel, God with us.

and before my pride of being His hands could even take root, He brought me to my knees as these women asked if they could paint our fingernails in return. oh, what tenderness. oh, what a gift. i am a woman undone.

He is relentless in His pursuit of my affection. He used women working as prostitutes to minister to my soul with simple strokes of a beautiful maroon nail polish as i sat in the center of a nightclub in a seaside village in haiti. that’s my God.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

His voice | vwa Bondye a

i don’t speak creole. i can barely recall the basics of the french i took in high school even when i try my hardest. i can only say my name in sign language. yet God chose me to be His voice. He sent me. i am not qualified, but He called me to be part of His story of redemption and reconciliation.

i wrestled with the desire to speak words of life and hope last week without knowing creole, but God is bigger than language. so much bigger. i was His voice even when all i could do was smile and hug. when the english words i whispered in prayer were not understood by the children nestled into the crook of my neck. oh, the sweet sound of little voices speaking their native tongue in my ear.

i wonder how often they are held this way instead of being the ones to hold younger siblings. i wonder if they know how valuable and precious they are. i sway and hold tightly longing for my touch to bring life and hope to these littles. i pray they feel His touch, hear His voice, and know His love. i pray He protects them from hurtful hands and degrading touch.

[lundi]

[christine]

[can't remember this little's name]

yes Jesus, protect them. hold them. love them. speak Your truth into their hearts and minds. let them know they are beautiful and belong only to You—that they are not a possession but a treasure bought with the greatest price.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

mèsi, Bondye

[overlooking the ocean in minoterie]

i am undone. i saw, felt, heard, and experienced so much during my time in haiti last week.

i am overwhelmed with gratitude that God would consider me worthy of the calling to be His voice, His hands, and a picture of His grace to the people of haiti.

"the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
    for the Lord has anointed me
    to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
    and to proclaim that captives will be released
    and prisoners will be freed."

[isaiah 61:1]

i’ll let a few journal entries do the rest of the talking for now…

saturday | 10.25.14
i am so thankful for this opportunity to unplug, reconnect with the Lord’s pulse, and serve His people. Jesus, You are enough. You in me is enough. my very presence here is enough. make me a conduit of Your love, joy, and hope to all i meet. i am your vessel. always.

sunday | 10.26.14
what a glorious glimpse of heaven! songs of praise in multiple languages and the peace of Your presence so evident. the joy of Your people on display.

Combien Diet et grand. | how great is our God

Anyen pa enposib pon ou. | nothing is impossible for You

monday | 10.27.14
the faith of the men and women at 3 cords is nothing short of miraculous. to have endured such devastation and emerge with such joy is astounding and convicting. God does not see color. He does not love based on limbs. we have worth and dignity because we are His. we have value because He made us. why do we devalue others out of our own insecurity and inability to accept our worth in His sight? may i be a beacon of beauty in Him.

tuesday | 10.28.14
Lord, give us words of grace and understanding to share with our haitian friends. may we be Your voice. may my eyes be Your eyes. may my smile spread Your joy. Jesus, You are enough. You are what each of us needs. may i learn to live with the joy and contentment and love of my sweet haitian sisters. their poverty only looks different than mine on the outside.

wednesday | 10.29.14
the ground is level at the foot of the cross. i am no better, just different. Jesus, thank you for wooing and loving me in my filth. thank you for making me Yours. use these women to bring pride and hope to the village of minoterie. rahab acted in faith and was woven into a story of redemption. Lord, do the same through these women. pursue them and use them.

thursday | 10.30.14
the way the women smile when they see us is priceless. who would’ve guessed a bunch of blans would dance with prostitutes in a nightclub in haiti? God, that’s who. only He could orchestrate something so ironic and perfect.

friday | 10.31.14
we can see fires burning in titanyen just down the hill and can only imagine how little sleep our sweet friends at the nightclub in minoterie will get tonight.

Lord, thank you for the rain! You are good and You hear the prayers of Your people.

saturday | 11.01.14
i loved our time of prayer on the cantor outside junior’s house today even though he wasn’t home. we prayed haitian style where everyone prays simultaneously and it was a beautiful chorus of sweet prayer. i could hear gabe’s voice above the others in creole and oh how sweet a sound it was. thank you for the gift of languages. the sights, sounds, and smells of minoterie are etched in my memory and on my heart.

i will post more blogs soon. stay tuned!

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

pray for us

as most of you know, i'm headed to haiti. if all goes according to plan, this post will go live about the time i hit the ground in Port-au-Prince en route to Mission of Hope.

that being said, my team and i would love your prayers. we're a team of seven women on a mission to speak love, truth, hope, and dignity to our Haitian sisters.

i came across this verse during a quiet time this week and i found it so fitting in my days leading up to the trip. God is awesome like that.

 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.

[Ephesians 6:18-19]

and then, of course, the very last day of the Bible study i've been trekking through concluded like this:

"We have our work cut out for us, you and I. We've been called to a hard world. If we turn our backs on it, we forfeit our assignments. Face out, Beloved. Be brave. Be bold. Love big. We won't be here long. Take the torch of the gospel to a land of souls and shadows. For you are children of light, children of the day."  [Beth Moore, Children of the Day]

please pray for me while i'm gone. i'm sure i'll post an update or two once i return. no promises on how soon i'll be able to put words to my thoughts though so hold tight and know it's coming...eventually. in the meantime, my team and i are planning to blog while we're there. if you want to read along, you can do that here. no promises on how frequent the posts will be, but we'll do our best!

here's to joining in on the bigger story of redemption that God is writing.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

because i'm happy

goodness gracious y'all, i can't wait to get my feet on the ground in haiti. one of my teammates passed this video along to us and i can't wipe the grin off my face. if this video doesn't make you smile, then i give up. happy thursday!

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally