Haiti G.O. Team June 2017 Day 5
We live in interesting times. Within the span of a few short years many of us have come to expect that everything in our lives should be visually documented. We carry around video and still cameras in our pockets and deposit those images into a digital holding tank everyone has access to. It’s almost as if if no one saw it, it didn’t happen. Ironic words from someone that creates some of those videos for a living.
As the men of this Haiti G.O. Team graciously give me space to observe and ponder I’ve been thinking about the unseen and the contentment that accompanies it. Here’s what I mean ... eight men have been working meticulously to make sure everything that they set their hands to is exactly right, and believe me when I tell you that this is no small task when you’re coming behind another’s construction work. They’ve been laboring to install doors, both for classrooms and bathrooms. The thing is, if they do it exactly right no one will notice. How many times have you entered and left a building and commented on how square the door was hung or how easily the door knob functioned? For me? Exactly none. Except when it’s done wrong. It’s not a job you do for credit or glory but because it’s important to do your best work, even when no one is noticing. There is a quiet satisfaction in that.
Lauren Young faithfully and joyfully serves our team a delicious and nutritious meal each night to keep our bodies functioning and our spirits high. And while we all do our best to profess our gratitude and appreciation, no one outside of that room will know or see. Each morning at 6:30AM Mason Young participates in a Bible study with his Haitian workers under a dilapidated shed roof and no one outside of that room will know or see. Luke Perkins, an American missionary working at STEP seminary sits at a small table strategizing and planning how to stretch the limited funds STEP has so that the vision of its leader can be realized and new Christian leaders can pour out into the country. If it comes to pass no one will know about Luke’s work at that table. Wawa, the president of the seminary walks the campus greeting each student and worker offering genuine kindness and interest in their lives — words just for the two of them. No one will know or see. This list could literally go on for pages.
Interestingly, many of us, including myself at times, have been blinded by what we see, as if consuming an image makes it more valid. But it doesn’t. Each unseen kindness builds on the last in the lives of the people it brushes against. The pride of work that speaks to the locals of a hope and standard that’s possible. The kind words that the student receives will be passed along to another because they are being trained that this is the expectation, even from, or maybe especially from, leaders.
Of course, there is One that sees it all. But I don’t think any of this unseen work has been done to impress Him. I think it’s done because all of these women and men have experienced His kindness and sacrifice, and they have been trained that this is the expectation from this Family. Even from its Leader. At the end of this week I’m more convinced than ever that the unseen is what will change the world. Thank you to the women and men that continue to teach me this week.
--Jamie for the team