How I love to look through magazines and check out all of the photos online of gorgeous, breathtaking homes! I love to see the floor plans, the vast assortment of tile designs, wood finishes, and intricate brick work. And, the windows! Oh, I love to see lots of windows that face the morning sunrise. I could spend days on end looking at photos and daydreaming about what it would be like to live in my dream house by the sea.
As the days draw closer for me to spend some time in Haiti, I've been researching what the homes look like in the land where I will be staying. I didn't find my preconceived dream home in any of the photos. In fact, my heart began to fill with sorrow as I saw pictures of falling down structures put together with mud, rotted wood, and tin roofs. There is no tile on the floors. There is nothing even remotely close to indoor plumbing that boasts imported fixtures from Italy, let alone marble counter tops, and French doors leading to the libary and family room.
Rather, I saw photos of decay, clutter, debris, and ruin. BUT, I also saw photo after photo of smiling faces amid the poverty and rubble. There were no signs of smug, self-seeking people who have a deeply imbedded love of things. Instead, I saw beauty in the eyes of people who seemed to say, "Welcome. Welcome, my friend. Please step inside the doorway to my home, my mansion, and I will share with you what I have for the day. What I have is yours. Please, come stay for a while with me."
I'm certain I will not find my "dream house" in Haiti, but....there's a real good chance I might find my "dream home" while there! In fact, I just might find the next best thing to that mansion prepared for me in heaven. (John 14:2) I just might be blessed enough to find a house overflowing with the glory and majesty and wonder of His precious love!
Only thirty two days 'til take off........
Love,
Clara
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