Sarah
My name is Sarah Frank and I am a nursing major at the University of Minnesota.
Indescribable. That is the word that describes the experiences I have had in this beautiful country of Haiti. I cannot imagine being back in Minnesota in a few short days and having people ask me, “How was Haiti?” I do not know how to answer that question other than saying…indescribable.
In the few short weeks that I have been here, I have grown more in my relationship with God that I ever have thus far. I have been tested physically (Back in Minnesota, we don’t have this kind of heat…I am still adjusting to it and we only have 3 days left here!), emotionally and spiritually (James 1:2-3).
God has shown me his beauty in this broken country. Going into this experience, I thought that every IDP camp we visited would be a sobering experience because every person there has lost their homes and someone close to them from the earthquake six months ago. But, this is not the case. Even if this may be the place where they spend the rest of their lives (in a tent), they are SO joyful and hopeful in the Lord. He has been working in the hearts of the Haitian people long before we came here. The IDP camps have been such positive experiences and have left me so encouraged to keep trusting in the Lord.
The earthquake killed over 200,000 people and displaced over 1.3 million people. As an American, I can look at this two ways. I can look at the hopelessness this situation has caused and have pity on this country because they will never have even the smallest of luxuries we have, or I can get to know these people and realize that they are SO much more joyful than the typical American family. These people are rich, while we are the poor. They may suffer from having no money, but we suffer in the opposite way: we have too much money. Life is not about money!!! It is about Jesus and how he died for our sins so that we may spend eternity with our Father in heaven.
If I have learned anything from being here, it is that I will never be able to comprehend how much God loves his children. He loves the poor just as much as the rich and he loves me just as much as my Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ. His love is extravagant.
God has really been working in my heart. While I do see desperation here, I turn around and see so much hope. God can do anything and he has a purpose in this situation. Learning how to share the gospel here has been something God has been putting on my heart. I now see why. We in America need Jesus just as much as anyone here, and I need to become more active in reaching those around me back at home and at college. He has allowed me to become comfortable sharing here, because I know it will be tough back home.
I am learning how to trust in the Lord with ALL my heart, have patience and live out my faith in everything that I do. 1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
Praise God!
I’m so glad to hear of joyful Haitians- if they can be (joyful in Christ in the circumstances the’re in) then certainly I should be.
thanks,
David