Just Another Day in Paradise

To quote our dear friend Glenda: "Just another day in Paradise" is a mantra that we have been using when we think about our time here. From ants in the tent to the smallest sicknesses causing us to fear the worst, our time here has been trying, but so rewarding. We have to keep reminding ourselves that, no matter what happens, God is in control and this is truly, just another day in paradise.
And yesterday truly was paradise. For a small sum, Kirsten and myself were able to visit a beach resort for the day with some of the teachers and other staff. It was a perfect, refreshing day and it came at the right time, it really rejuvinated us as we were starting to feel a little bit burnt out and anxious to leave. At this point we are both ready (with God's strength) for whatever these next two weeks are going to hold.
As Kirsten has alluded to in the last blog post, we have the opportunity to teach an English class.. This is quite frightening for me as this is the last thing that I imagined we'd be doing but as we prepare and as we pray about how God wants to use this, I get more and more excited!
One of the YWAM initiatives as they respond to the Earthquake is that of 'tent cities.' Tent cities are exactly what they sound like, communites of families that live together in tents placed in random places throughout Haiti. Remember from my blog post about Haiti that 30,000 refugees moved to St. Marc after the earthquake (St. Marc only has a population of 200,000 so that is quite a monumental jump). These families are refugees from the earthquake and many of them own a couple pairs of clothes and maybe a few items to share with one another. YWAM is in charge of maintaining these tent cities (providing water and work) for the people living there. Two of the tent cities are just outside St. Marc and one is right in the heart of the city.
The tent communmity that we are working with is located across the street from the ocean and about 10 minutes from the YWAM base. This community is blessed because, when the city (St. Marc) gave the land to YWAM to set up a tent city, this land came with a health clinic (which used to be used for abortions), but with much prayer and work, YWAM has taken back this land for God. Along with having a functioning clinic directly at their tent community, one of the local pastors has chosen to invest his time into these families, doing BIble Studies with them and teaching them about Jesus. This community is in the process of being transformed by the power of the gospel, and everyone there is open to talking about God.
The English class that we are teaching is with about 16 people (from age 6-40) from this tent city. Mostly youth, this class is extremely excited to learn English and to learn about God. Kirsten and I look forward to not only teaching them English, but teaching them how Jesus can provide them hope in the midst of their very difficult circumstances. Much of these people would say that they are Christians now, but their understanding of God is very limited, so please pray for us and for their community pastor (Pastor Eaves) that God would be continuing to transform this community.
So for the next two weeks, we will be teaching English. Please pray for us as this is scary but we see it as such an awesome opportunity to share the gospel (they are all aware that this is a part of English class also, so it's not like we are shoving it down their throats becasue we can). Also pray that God would be preparing someone to take over for us when we leave, as this is something that YWAM wants to maintain.
Along with English class, our next two weeks will probably be quite random. YWAM St. Marc is involved with so much amazing initiatives here in Haiti including Tent cities (the city just gave YWAM land to build 3 more tent cities for MORE refugees), prison ministry, Homes for Hope (an initiative YWAM started to get people out of the tent cities and into permanent homes), relief work (thousands of articles of clothing, shoes, and food need to be distributed to these people and people in areas surrounding St. Marc), DTS (Haitian youth are being trained as leaders and we have the opportunity to serve them), medical initiatives (clinics, distribution, etc.), and prayer initiatives (regular intercession, prayer walks, visits to places like brothels and Churches to pray) are all different things that Kirsten and I may have the opportunity to be a part of... we also may be in the kitchen, sweeping the dorms, cleaning toilets, mowing lawns, etc. So be praying for us...
And one thing that God's really been teaching me while I'm here (this one's been hard) is that there is really no such thing as an insignificant task. At first I was extremely frustrated when we were in the kitchen because I felt that we came all this way to do something and the kitchen was 'NOT what God wanted us to be doing!' WOW, I Never realized how selfish i was being in thinking that. I've been learning very clearly that everything, little or small, is important in God's eyes, and that a servant's heart means that, whatever is required out of me for that particular day, is doing God's work. This means that washing dishes for a team that's building houses is as important as swinging a hammer and being a part of building those houses. It also means that mowing a lawn is as important as holding a sick baby, as my mowing the lawn enables someone else to do that task as well. I could not tell you what God's purpose was in Kirsten and I being here, but I can tell you that, in being obedient, we have seen that it may need to be something specific. God has been moulding both of our hearts and uniting us as a couple, teaching me how to be a servant and teaching Kirsten to find joy and gratitude in what our lives hold. God has also been using us to be a part of His incredible work in Haiti, to be a blessing to people who's lives were devestated (most of the people in the tent city lost a family member or close friend in the earthquake (as well as everything they own)). I want to encourage you that what God is calling you to do today is as important as that big 'dream' in your heart or that big 'purpose' to which you may believe that you are called. God is just as present in the washing of dishes as He is in the revival services. A servant's heart is one that is faithful in all things... I've known this in my head for a long time, but God had to take me to Haiti to really show me that this is true... I hope that you are encouraged by this!
So be extremely grateful for everything that you have today! Thank God for your incredible circumstances and how incredibly blessed you are. Remember to be praying for us and praying for YWAM! Thanks for taking the time to read this and please know that, if nothing else, this trip has really made Kirsten and I realize how much we love all of our friends and really value the people that we see on a regular basis. Please know that you are loved and missed. WE LOVE hearing from you, so if you have time write us an email or a facebook message. It means a lot to hear from people specifically!
Hope this finds you well, Love you lots!
KD Buyer