When we're leaving Haiti.




Anna and I are in our 5th year in Haiti and we are constantly being asked when we are leaving. It’s fine to ask this but the question has made me wonder why myself and other missionaries spend so much time on when we are leaving. 

If someone were to ask you when you are leaving America, Canada, Europe, your corporate job, or your career as a teacher, nurse, businessman, lawyer, etc., what would your answer be? “That's my career” would be the answer of many people. Well, career is defined as "an occupation or profession followed as one's lifework, especially one requiring special training." (Thanks dictionary.com)

My occupation is missionary and I was trained to do that by some amazing people and quite frankly I'm giving the rest of my life to it, therefore, making it my lifework. It's hard for some people to understand but our missionary call isn't just a phase or some nice thing we’re doing in Haiti to help the poor. Rather, this is our profession. We are missionaries and we take it very seriously. Pope Francis wrote ”my mission of being in the heart of the people is not just a part of my life or a badge I can take off; it is not an “extra” or just another moment in life. Instead, it is something I cannot uproot from my being without destroying my very self. I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world." I am a missionary when I'm on the clock and when I'm off, when I'm at my mission base or away from it.  

God called us to Haiti and we will leave when he calls us out of Haiti. But as for leaving missions and this missionary life, that's like asking me when will I stop breathing. Anna and I don't say we will leave Haiti when God says so and then sit and wait for Him to scream from the sky "leave Haiti!” We pray about it and are actually praying about it now but we will not allow it to constantly consume us.

Anyway, what's wrong with a lifetime in Haiti? Mother Theresa gave her lifetime to Calcutta, St. Paul gave his to the Gentiles and Jesus to humanity. They all left home to give their lives so that others might have life and have it to the fullest. Doctors save lives everyday, teachers educate our children, scientists are making life-changing discoveries and Anna and I are making sure that the poor have a chance to encounter Christ and there is nothing better that I think we should be doing. 

To God be the Glory
Paul 

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 25, 2017 at 10:04 AM

    Love it !

    ReplyDelete
  2. Allison GingrasFebruary 28, 2017 at 7:46 AM

    One of your best posts Paul, clearly the Lord has been hearing those prayers and growing in you and Anna's heart great clarity of being a follower of Christ!! <3

    ReplyDelete

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