Our Hearts in Haiti: RLA - This One is for You! : Christa

Chaldana & Milanda // Photo: Ashley Thayer

Today Milanda was more precious than ever and I was so thankful to the Lord that He has me here where my heart explodes with joy! After we danced to some worship songs and I fed her, I unfortunately had to leave earlier than usual. I had her little arms wrapped so tight around my neck with her heart melting smiles and kisses on the cheek. As I told her I had to go, she squeezed tighter and yelled, “nooooo, you stay here! (in Creole).” Of course my heart sank. There is nothing I would rather do than spend time with this child I love. I’ve nurtured her, fed her, held her in times of sickness, prayed over her, danced and laughed with her, she’s even brought me into her home.

Sisters

She decided to go with me where I was walking, so I just walk past her house to drop her off on my way out. As I have her glued to my hip and she is singing little songs along the dirt rocky path home, it dawned on me. What a picture of our relationship with God. We are His beloved children that He longs to spend time with. When its time to go, He longs for us to stay. Unlike my relationships with these kids, God allows us to be in constant communion with Him. My heart sunk when I dropped her off and the further I walked down the path, the louder she yells my name blowing me kisses. The Lords heart sinks when we walk away just for a moment, and we do it so often. How often do I even make a gesture of love such as a kiss from a distance?

Praying with my 2!

The Reality LA team came last week and was a complete blessing to me, my whole staff, along with the Haitian community they came to serve. They were so prayerful in all they did, amongst themselves and over our staff and community. As blessed as we all were, I also got to watch the most beautiful growth in each of the team members. Knowing the Lord brought some of them here to stretch them and grow in broadening their awareness of how deep His love is for them. It was so beautiful to see those who felt fully known and fully loved by our Heavenly Father.

I just want to encourage the team, that this God who mightily showed up on this mission trip for you is the same God in the States. The way you so expectantly waited for the Lord to show up here in Haiti, live expectant for Him in LA. God is here in Haiti moving, healing, redeeming, restoring, providing and always faithful. That same God is there moving too. He is involved in each moment of your life. His presence all around you is a promise, regardless of how you ‘feel’ or how aware of it you are. Free from many distractions, a lot of you felt Him more near and experienced His presence, maybe even for the first time. Keep fighting the things of this world that creep in, so that you will experience Him in radical news ways. In all He does, He wants you. He wants you to dig deeper into His heart. “You keep him in perfect peace  whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4

Don’t fall into the lies that the enemy wants you to believe. As you get back into your normal schedule, the enemy will try to tell you that it’s all on you to DO something. Don’t do anything but be with Him. Press in. Seek His face like you never have before because He is longing to speak to you. If He wants you to ‘do’ anything, He will lead you in His perfect peace. But the most beautiful thing He wants you to gain from what He showed you in that week is Himself. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

sleepin' babes.

The challenging times you will face as you return are opportunities to trust Him. The enemy will try to cause anxieties, but don’t measure your strength against these challenges, He wants you to run to Him with open arms the way those kids at the Feeding Program ran into your arms in reckless abandonment. It’s His strength you are given in abundance. He wants to be in constant communication with you. Surrender those things that rocked your heart last week. Surrender the questions and doubts and give Him thanks for all the joy and blessings too. He will bring justice and He is always faithful. Don’t let the worries of this world take away or drown out all that He wants to do with what He has shown you. “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” Psalm 37:5-6

He has started such a beautiful work in each one of you and He is not finished yet. If He brings some of you back to Haiti, I will be here to welcome you with open arms!! And if not, I know without a doubt He is using you in LA and across the nations elsewhere. I am so thankful for the body of Christ. I will continue to pray for you! Thank you for all your hard work, love, support and prayers. And thank you for showing the love of Christ to these precious children. They are blessed to have been embraced by each of you, as am I.

“[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14