I got it.......

Today was Haiti Day at TLC.  Some of us who just returned from the mission trip to Haiti were to speak, and try to instill in others the desire to go to Haiti- to "Come and See".  I am a very emotional person-those of you who know me well, know that I can't even pray most of the time without crying at least a little. That's just me-it's the way my feelings ooze out-and when the Holy Spirit shows up-it REALLY oozes!  I thought before going to Haiti, "Man, I'm going to be a blubbering mess the whole time I am there."  It didn't happen.  I only cried twice-and neither of those times happened when I thought they would-like when I walked into the childrens ward at the Justinein Hospital and saw 17 babies in cribs in a small room. The last stop for some of them.  I didn't cry when I was working triage and saw malnourished babies and moms. I didn't cry when Teresa told me that one of the women we met was trying to give her baby to her to bring home with her; she knew it would have a better life in America.  I cried Thursday morning as we left Acul Samedi, and I had to say goodbye to Pastor Obas, promising him I WOULD BE BACK!  The other time I cried was when we returned to the hotel Thursday night, and after going online found out my daughter's 11 year old dog had to be put to sleep. That night the emotions came pouring out of me, uncontrollably. Bless the poor, precious man there on the patio with me, who came to check on me; one of our team members-David-who assured me that Satan would use anything, anytime to make me doubt my purpose in God's Kingdom.  To try and detract from all the good we had accomplished, and all the lives we had touched.  Still-I must admit-it felt good to get all those tears out. Maybe that was partially a blessing from God-He knew I was about to overflow; but wouldn't allow myself because I had already been so strong.  He knew I needed permission to cry-so He let me.

I worried this morning-what would I tell my church family? How would I communicate to them the poverty and desperation I saw on some of those faces; yet also on some of them smiles.  God has blessed them by the fact that a lot of them have never known it any other way-so they are happy with what they have. We should all be so blessed!  But as He usually does-in my time of need-the Holy Spirit showed up and ran with it.  It was like an out of body experience. I remember thinking "This is NOTHING that I had planned to say-but it's really good stuff!".  I think God spoke through me to others, after hearing their comments, and I hope so.  I don't deserve ANYTHING for going to Haiti. I feel I should be there more, but work won't permit. Wouldn't it be neat if I had the flexibility to  several times a year? I would love that. But I know-if it is meant to happen-God will make a way.  After all the miracles He has given me this year-I know He will make His plan known to me in his own time.

I didn't cry-but I got it. I didn't need to see all the other sick children, in rooms with rats running along the floor to GET IT.  God sent His message loud and clear; to fulfill His great commission-

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

I got it-will YOU get it? Whether God calls you to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, or just your own neighborhood; God can use you too!

In Christ's AMAZING love~
Rhonda