Still Processing...

The events of the past week have not completely registered in my brain. One verse keeps running through my head, over and over again: "In his heart a man plans his course; but the Lord determines his step. " Proverbs 16:9. The days leading up to the earthquake were spent in meetings with our board representatives. We spent time praising and thanking God for all the blessing He had given us. We also spent time planning the future goals of Adoration Christian School. The day following the earthquake was to be the launch of our after school tutouring program and our first ever health seminar for our sponsored female secondary students. Now we're wondering which of our students are still alive and how we can possibly help them survive from day to day.
As difficult as it was to leave, I feel much peace about where I am. I feel that God wants me to reserve my energy for now, and emotionally deal with the events from the past week. When the relief teams have provided some stability to Haiti they will leave and that's when my work will begin once again. I don't know what work that will be, but I am willing to do whatever the Lord puts before me to do.
I am so thankful that my co-worker, Randy, is still in Haiti and that we have regular communication with him via e-mail and phone. He is deeply shaken but staying strong. He is focussing on ministering to those in his neighbourhood. Every night they hold prayer services on the street in front of his house, he and our Haitian co-workers are praying with others and showing the love of God through this dificult time. They are experiencing a variety of emotions at this time but are drawing strength from our Lord and Saviour. Their hearts are heavy with the grief they see all around them but they find hope in the fact that God has spared their lives and will direct their steps in the days to come.
We praise the Lord each time we hear of another staff or student who has survived. Many who survived are heading out of the city to stay with family whose houses were not destoryed and food is easier to find.
I am deeply moved by all those who called, e-mailed or "facebooked" me in the last few days. I'm sorry I haven't responded but I did appreciate your notes and especially your promises for prayer. Please continue to pray for Randy and our Haitian co-workers. Pray for their continued safety and on-going strength and wisdom. Pray that in the midst of all the pain and destruction they can be the Light of Christ to the lost and broken.