How am I going to teach?
How effective can I be without my notes?
How will I ever retrieve my hoped-for materials and belongings?
How am I going to survive without my snacks if I can't eat the food available in Tibouk?
The Holy Spirit shushed me with God's Word to Paul --
"My grace is sufficient for you,
for My power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV
Comforted and strengthened, I told the team leaders that I was ready to leave and we proceeded to go through customs. By then, all the other passengers had already exited the airport, leaving only this group of 21 Americans at the mercy of money-hungry clerks. As I suspected, two head clerks began inspecting our instruments, medical supplies, and anything at all that seemed to scream "money" to them. Soon, the request came -- an astronomical amount of money to let us through.
Others turned to panic.
Yet, somehow, God's sufficiency kept coming back to my mind.
In fact, as I thought and thought about how sufficient God's grace was for me, my heart became filled with a desire to sing. I heard God's voice say, "Sing!"
"Here?"
I mean, with all these people around me in the middle of this airport, could I just burst into song? Would that be appropriate?
Within seconds, I realized that God was not interested in my being appropriate; He was interested in my willingness to praise Him and rely on Him. So, I complied.
Soft and low was the first phrase as I began to sing. Then a second and a third erupted into the air. Slowly, those around me began noticing that I was singing and the deafening noise of incessant talking and bargaining lost a bit of its former intensity. After the song ended, I turned to the worship leader who was on the team and asked him if he would lead the whole team in singing. His response was not unlike what I said to God:
"Do you mean . . . here . . . and now?"
My eyes confirmed his request and he started singing,
"Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name"
Ha! I had not thought of that myself. I had been entertaining the thought of my lack and my want; yet, God is using Matt Redman's lyrics in Haiti to teach me that He is my Shepherd and that He will supply my every need. So, my tenor voice joined in singing:
"Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name"
Indeed. I can certainly relate to the desert. However, this is not a pity party; this is praise.
"Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name"
By now, most of the team was singing. My eyes were closed but I could feel the intensity of the singing all around me and I could hear the bargaining becoming less and less noticeable. The Haitian airport workers were wildly interested in our singing and were paying attention to our faces. Then, I thought: "What does it matter that I have no blue duffel bag with my pre-packaged goods to sustain me?"
"You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name"
As the singing came to a close, several airport workers approached us and began talking to us. One, in particular, came to me and said, "I can tell you love Jesus. Your face looks so joyful." God used that man to remind me that as I choose to praise Him with sincerity of heart, others will come to see Him in me. Soon after that, our team leaders returned from the bargaining booth telling us we were free to leave. In fact, as I understand it, we did not have to pay anything.
So, in the end, much more was accomplished without my luggage than would have been had I had it with me all along.
We were then rushed outside and made our way to the bus awaiting us to begin the long drive from Port-au-Prince to the northern village of Tibouk, Haiti.
It should be smooth coasting from then on, right?
Father, I am so grateful that You are always looking for worshipers and that You will do whatever is needed to get a hold of our hearts. When we are distracted and discouraged, strengthen us with the sustaining power of Your grace. Teach us to stop wherever we are on the road and simply worship You. In Christ, I pray. Amen!
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