Roses Among Thorns

I wrote this on December 26, 2011 and figured I would post it here. It's another piece of my heart and piece of my journey to the unknown...

roses among thornes
beauty in the midst of pain
joy despite suffering
community within poverty
roses among thorns...
Aren't these paradoxes so intriguing?

 When i went to Haiti these paradoxes became real, it was a bitter sweet reality and awakening. I was awoken from my ignorance and the veil covering my eyes was uncovered.
I always knew I had a huge heart for the poor, widowed and orphans but i had no idea what that entailed. I had no idea that it could absolute desperation and poverty could actually be so real. Then i set foot to the poorest country in the western hemisphere and was utterly broken....
My boat was rocked to the extreme and the passion and compassion that God placed on my heart were now wide open and the floodgates burst.
There's no way to really explain how there can be so much beatuy despite so much pain-spiritualy, emotionally, and physically. In fact, Haiti is sooo beautiful. The mountains are gorgeous and the carribean sparkles in the sun light. And please don't forget those beautiful white smiles!!! Oh my goodness they made my heart smile.
The joy despite suffering....if you look around these people are THANKFUL for the simple things...genuinely thankful. Even though they may not get a meal today or tomorrow they continue to laugh, they continue to smile, they continue to work hard and think positively.
Community...everyone in the village looked after one another. A 6 year old would watch after and carry their 2 year old sibling. They made sure everyone was ok and loved on. They didnt take for granted each others life and the opprotunity to be apart of it.
Countries like Haiti and Swaziland are countries of Roses and Thorns...beauty and freedom despite pain and suffering.

With this in mind it makes me excited for what I will encounter in Swaziland, yet at the same time i fear it...I fear being immersed. I fear being uncomfortable. Oh, but i know that in the fear and discomfort that God is so much greater! He is my hope. He is the Haitians hope and He is the Swazi's hope!  Please continue to pray for me as I prepare each day to step foot on the Swazi soil.
I know that God is preparing me and has been preparing me since before i was even born. haha. That's so cool to me and so comforting. He rejoices and sings over me!! He rejoices and sings over the Swazi orphans who have nothing. He rejoices and sings over the Swazi's dying of AIDS. I know He is still moving and in control. Our God Reigns. He holds them in His loving arms!! They are NOT forgotten.

Laura Beth Harbin