Greater than...

I was lucky enough to be in the states for most of the “Greater than” series preached at my church.  Each week, I would walk out of the service and wonder how it was that Drew knew exactly what I needed to hear.  The congregation was all given these bracelets to wear to remind us that in every situation or struggle or fear… God is SO MUCH bigger than whatever we are up against.  And that God’s desires are so much bigger than my own selfish ones.  What an awesome reminder for me this past couple of weeks  back in Haiti.    

It’s so hard to not get caught up in the frustrations here and the helpless feelings that can come when faced with some of the hard stories.  Immediately upon return I met a tiny baby we’ve named Moses who is living in the orphanage here on campus.  Moses was found lying by the river about 4 weeks ago.  He was one day old, naked, and his wrists, feet and legs had been sliced open with a knife.  Left to die.   Anyone else feeling my pain and frustration with that situation???  Ok.  God is greater than that.  Today I sat next to Magdala in church as she lovingly held this sweet baby boy.  Healthy.  Safe.  Loved.

I met a 14 year old boy in the local jail a few days ago.  He was there because he had been caught stealing.  Again.  I sat on the floor of that jail with him for over an hour, separated only by the bars on his cell.  His story was heartbreaking in that this little boy is living on the streets.  He is alone.  His mom lives in PAP.  He does not know his father.  The family that had taken him and his little sister in kicked him out after only a short time of his staying there.  He was stealing to eat.  To survive.  Again…. anyone feeling that same pain and frustration?  I know that God is greater than that too…  Magdala is trying to line up a home for him when he is released.  We actually know the woman who was taking care of him and Magdala has asked her to give the boy another chance.  If not, he will be placed with a family from our congregation.

As I write I have that familiar pit in my stomach… the pain in my heart that comes with feeling the pain of those we are serving.  How wonderful to just look down and be reminded over and over again… God is greater than…  fill in the blank.  Because He truly is.  In order to know the beauty of the mountain you must have first experienced the low of the valley.  Here in Haiti they are sometime simultaneous.

During the greater than series Drew preached about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fact that they were kept safe while actually IN THE FIRE…  not kept from it.  Why should we expect any different?  God is here with us… with a baby left to die… with a little boy locked in a cell… with my sweet brothel girls and prisoners…  with the people struggling to just make it another day…  with the mission staff here as we face our own fires…  Can we learn to be grateful for the fire?  To realize that it’s only when we are truly broken and at His mercy that He can really show His glory?  I think we can.  God is greater than any of our fears, desires, our comfort, our hurts.  Mesi Jezi.

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