Missionary's hair, rummage sales, & a changed prayer life.

I have always thought that missionaries have their hair in a bun because its more holy. As a missionary, while I don't wear a bun, think ponytail or clip, I now have some more realistic reasons why missionaries often have their hair in some sort of updo.

1. It is hot...hair on your neck makes you sweat more. 

2. It is dirty. Third world countries are dirtier than you can possibly imagine, unless you camp. Then you have an idea. However it is almost impossible to keep your hair clean when you are outside in a third world country. 

3. At Grace Village in Titanyen, Haiti it is ALWAYS windy. This is wonderful because it cools us off. It makes your hair annoying as it whips around, into your eyes and mouth. 

4. It is difficult to get your haircut (colored) in third world countries. Therefore your hair gets long and needs to be controlled.

5. In Haiti, it is culturally normal to have your hair slicked back or in braids. :) Yeah for us because greasy hair does this wonderfully. 

Those are the reasons I have come up with so far. I bet if I asked some of the other missionaries they would have a couple of extra reasons too. However, now you know that it is not holiness that requires the buns, simple common sense. Ok, done with silliness for the day. On to other business. 

Our organization is blessed with the ability to have donations brought down by almost 900 people a year. I know from my work with donations coordinator that the struggle has been to be good stewards of our goers generosity. At Grace, we have been looking for a way to get our donations out into our very needy community without doing damage or causing dependance.
One thing I am learning about Haiti that I feel is so important to know is that it is an expectation to share something if you have it. This is such a large expectation that it is considered rude and people do not think that you are a Christian if you do not share.

We found a solution to this dilema when one of the other long terms and I were visiting Three Angels, They told us about the rummage sales they have with their extra donations.  They usually sell their items for 10 goudes (unless the item is incredible valuable and then they do it as a silent auction). This allows their employees to be blessed by the donations but still allows them to be responsible and have ownership because they are purchasing the items. Not only does this get the items out, this kind of sale will be perceived as sharing what we have and will help us relate better to the community of Titanyen. 

Tuesday we had our first rummage sale. It was a huge hit! The staff was thrilled and kept telling us over and over how excited they were to be able to purchase these items. They shared that it made them feel more part of the Healing Haiti community and more valued. What a blessing for both sides.

A fun part of this is that our staff knows that the money being raised during these rummage sales will be used to have a Christmas party for the staff. So it truly is a win/win situation. :) 

I wish you could hear the noise and feel the excitement as well as see the picture. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 

The last 6 months have been storm after storm and I have been clinging to Jesus so that I don't drown. I have learned so much about God's faithfulness and about my own shortcomings. My prayer life was and is my lifeline, my lifesaver and I know I could not make it through the day without constant prayer. 

For now, the storm is quiet and I told Shane my prayers are different. I'm not sure what to do. They lack the desperation that I had, yet I still need God and the connection of prayer. Shane told me, perhaps now it is time to be grateful. I thought on these words as I was sitting in the shade of a beautiful tree, listening to the ocean and marveling at the beauty of God's creation. I had a breeze to cool me, a drink with a pretty pink umbrella to hold and a book to read. It continues to bring me to tears with thankfulness. 

Psalm 29:1-2

Honor The Lord, you heavenly beings;

honor The Lord for his glory and streanght.

Honor The Lord for the glory of his name. 

Worship The Lord in the splendor of his holiness. 

Thank you Father God!