The following reflection is from Tori Wentz, one of CBF’s field personnel in Haiti.

Having been home for a total of five weeks in June and July, I have now returned to the work in Haiti.  The demands of the schedule have been great and the difficulties faced have at times been daunting, but not overwhelming. 

 God has given so many wonderful blessings that strengthen me for the work and more than offset the difficulties.  Good team mates and volunteer & staff houses rather than tents are only part of the story.  The biggest blessings by far are those involving relationships between me, the Haitians I have come to serve, and God.

 I love, for example, attending Temple Baptiste Church . . . holding the babies and younger children, greeting the older women and men whom I first met when they came to the clinic for assistance, and watching the joyful faces of young and old as they sing songs speaking of God’s grace and the love of Jesus.  I also love visiting the family and friends that are always present at the home of one special woman who hasn’t been able to attend church for the last eight months. 

I expect that she will be going home to be with the Lord within the next few weeks or months.  You should have seen her face light up when I recited, in her language, a Kreyol proverb I had learned just a few days before one of my more recent visits:  “Jesus is the way to life eternal”.     

In fact, that’s an example of the thing that I love the most about Haiti.  I love the fact that the reactions of the people and even nature constantly remind me that excessive need, real ugliness, and extreme sadness are often accompanied by unexpected resourcefulness, wisps of beauty, and reasons for hope.  

If you would, do me a favor please.  Look for those bright spots in the pictures.  Then, let those images and these reflections guide you as you pray for the people of Haiti.