Susan and John Fleming & Chuck Whiteside
Haiti 2018 Reflections
John 16:33
Tebow's trials and sorrows.
It has been less than three days since returning from Haiti to the comforts of a familiar bed and a consistently hot shower. A week in a locale that defies most descriptors and where the people speak an unfamiliar language was truly another world to this man. As I learned on the first go-around last year, the return here is akin to scuba diving decompression or an atmospheric reentry by an astronaut. Although there were no time zones crossed, it seems I can feel jet lag. Maybe it is my age?
The first time this scripture from John’s Gospel spoke to me was in 2009, December 5th to be exact. I had been watching the SEC Football Championship and noticed John 16:33 on Tim Tebow’s eye black. I helped establish a Google record that evening. At the time, the scripture reference was the most trafficked Google search for one time ever. Tebow was strongly ridiculed for his open display of faith as well as crying on camera. His Florida team lost the game 33-13. Indeed, this night Tebow was having trials and sorrows (NLT). Maybe it is the when and how I first tasted of this Christ lesson, but it is one of the first I ever memorized.
"Our Boys"
On my first trip to Haiti, my tendency was to view our Haitian guides and translators in a different light, thinking they were better off than the rest of the population there. They could speak our language, were well educated and I just viewed them through a different lens, so to speak. This year our directors, Lori and Charles invited each to give our morning devotion each day. Subsequently they all shared with us their tribulations (NKJV). My lens changed, and I could see this group who the team refers to as “our boys” no different that the rest of their brethren in Haiti, and no different than suffering (HCSB) missionaries that travel to and from in this disparate land.
Joy
On our last and Sabbath day, we went to Church and worshipped together. We rested and played like boys and girls together and the trials and tribulations, the suffering and sorrows washed away. “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). If just for the moment, we were all able to overcome the world.
Agape from our boys.
Yahweh, may we take heart in your Son’s teachings and find peace as if a life preserver in choppy waters. Amen
P.S. – Very early in Patti’s and my relationship, maybe second or third date she gave me an agape card. Inside it had the scripture John 16:33. There are no coincidences and the honeymoon is not over!
Amen Brother’s and Sisters
Bradford Bosworth
October 2018
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