beauty arise.

on january 12th, 2010 i was slightly preoccupied with an upcoming appendectomy that was planned for january 14th. however, as word spread of a massive earthquake that devastated haiti my perspective changed.

i remember driving to the hospital for surgery two days after haiti was in ruins. my mom and i were talking about the people, the brokenness, the hurt, and the pain the country was enduring. i told her how it was hard for me to trust that good would rise from the ashes, but that i knew God's promises could be trusted. i knew my God would rescue. i knew my God would redeem.

and a year later, He still is.

redeemer.

rescuer.

healer.

haiti changed my life on january 12th because it provided a deeper belief in our God who does not shy away from devastation, but rather enters into the depravity. we just celebrated Immanuel, God with us, a few weeks ago. and today as i think back on a year ago and about the people that i love in haiti, my heart is so grateful that He came. in november, i traveled to this country, which changed my heart on january 12th. i fell in love with the people and more in love with our God who redeems.

this picture was taken in november as we drove along the streets of port-au-prince. the devastation is still so real. as i drove through the streets i put my camera away and prayed the words of isaiah 61.

"the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound...to comfort all who mourn; to grant them beauty for ashes, to oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. they shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall raise the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations."

-isaiah 61

beauty for ashes.

as i was driving along these roads full of brokenness and pain, i remembered my friend, pete majors, singing my favorite song beauty arise. i started to hum the familiar tune and the words, "beauty for ashes, can you believe it?" came to my mind.

beauty for ashes. can you believe it?

here i sit on the eve of a year later and i know this:

i believe it. He gives beauty for ashes.

through men like this pastor who is a father to the fatherless in haiti.

and because of this little boy who taught me what it meant to be joyful...

and because of these amazing men who love Jesus and their country...

and little richard who just likes to play ball and let me play too...

and because of the women in the tent cities who are being redeemed and who have forever changed the way i hear whistles...

and because of the precious haitian children who give us hope for a country.

haiti, i love you and i am grateful that He loves you more than i ever could.

beauty arise.