Three years ago today, God in His providence, caused my path to intersect with a little guy named Handy. Handy was three years old at the time. I met many, many children at different orphanages that day, but Handy was the one my heart could not forget.
Only God could have known what the future would hold. About six months later, God brought our lives back together. The circumstances surrounding our reunion can only be explained as God's enabling.
When we said goodbye that day in early 2014, we had no idea when . . . or even if . . .we would ever see each other again. But God knew!
In July 2014, our paths intersected again. And this time, Rick and I knew we had to do something. We weren't sure what something was, but we knew we had a future with Handy.
When Haiti Awake was founded in October that year, the very first children's Bible school we did was with Handy and the other children at his home.
Since that first trip, every Haiti Awake team has held Bible schools with the children, and thanks to team members who came and got a vision for the future, we are now doing life with Handy and his friends. The children now have better living conditions and a constant food supply, and they are going to school.
One life encounter has turned into many friendships and lots of love for Handy.
“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”
This photo was taken in January of 2015 as we said goodbye after a week of Bible schools with the children. It was so hard to leave that day because, at that time, we had no communication between trips. This entire team felt so burdened for the children, but we still didn't know what the future would hold. But God knew.
Just over three months later, God provided a way for the children to move to their current home . . . which is roughly a mile away from our Haiti Awake home. He provided funds for monthly food. And He provided a vision of the future.
Just a month after that, God added Polo to our Haiti Awake staff . . . with his primary responsibility being the children.
And one month after that, God provided the finances for the children . . . Handy and all of his friends . . .to go to school for the first time.
Now goodbyes look like this. . . because goodbyes aren't goodbyes. They're "see you later"s. We know there will be another trip soon, and we know Polo, Hudson and Wesly will send plenty of photos in the meantime.
“You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.”