Living Hope - Haiti

Once again my feet have tread upon the beauty of this Caribbean soil - Haiti. It has been five years since I came to Living Hope for a summer internship. Now I returned with my sister, Sveta, to be a witness of the work at Living Hope. My senses are bursting with memories - to see the school children in uniform; to hear the cocking of the rooster and the equally blaring of church music by day and disco much at night; and to taste the fine cooking of Madame Eddy - roasted fish and fresh squeezed juice.

My heart is filled with wonder and appreciation for a people, of another language, another culture, a people who struggle for survival. As the years have passed I also have gained a greater respect and wonder for Mary Jane and Andris. Living Hope has been on the ground for 18 years. Today the fruits of the Jolibois' labor and God's blessing are seen in the growing church, elementary school (400 students), and the trade school (200 students). The elementary school is so respected that registration day people line-up at the gate from as early as 4 AM. There are seven classes of preschool - Kindergarten. The young ones can be heard enthusiastically from across the mission.

This 3 acre compound is literally bursting at the seams. The buildings are filled and many have multiple uses daily. (Mornings for elementary school and afternoons for the trade school). There are also several free-style, pole-barn structures, just covered enough to keep the rain out for several of the classes. And Andris' trees have grown very much providing fruit, shade and make parts of the mission feel like a forest.

What does it mean to do God's work at Living Hope? What does the ordinary life look like? It means sleeping in is 5 AM. It means spending 'free time' on ministry paperwork, corresponding with supporters and leading Bible studies. It means teaching classes, talking to all the people who come in and out of offices, doing new things (e.g. fixing the broken printer or figuring out how to fire a kiln). It also means experiencing the joys of disciplining new believers. It means watching young people grow in the faith and become Haiti's future leaders. It is a life of service to glorify God! I can confirm that Mary Jane and Andris have dedicated their all, not for themselves (had they then they would have retired and moved back to the States) no rather they dedicate their all so that God may be glorified in Haiti. So that these young people may be discipled in the faith and given the skills they need to live well.

There is an abundance of joy in that life - a joy and peace I've rarely seen outside the life of service. I have seen this peace in the lives of people who serve in missions, but not only missions, also in the mother who pours her love, creativity and energy into her children; in the father who uses his hands to build and farm, so that the community has both food and shelter, while he also gets to teach his children; in the family who live with 'open arms' embracing the community; I have seen it in the life of a grandmother who spends her days mentoring prisoners through letter-writing; in the aunt who embraces the young folks in her life, listens to them and believes in them; in the barren couple as they love and teach neighborhood children to fear the Lord; in the priest, the farmer, the teacher, the repentant sinner... It is not being a "missionary" per say, but being a servant of God, wherever that may be - which yields a life well lived filled with peace, joy and strength. To God be the Glory!