The ministry of presence

I am spending this week with a group of people who both love Jesus and understand effective risk management and mitigation, people who ask me hard questions, people with whom I am comfortable conversing on uncomfortable topics.

This week we all had the privilege of hearing firsthand accounts of captivity from people who have lived through horrific ordeals. Their stories were heavy, sobering. Hearing from them felt like a privilege.

This morning my thoughts are on these matters, as I continue to evaluate my own purpose and future in Haiti in light of the risks associated with travel.

Recently I asked one of our senior staff members the questions I ask before each trip: "Do you still want me to come? And is it wise for me to come?"

His answer was yes to coming. His answer to the second question is that we always need to act with wisdom.

He summed it up by reminding me that my presence is an encouragement to the people we serve at Haiti Awake and to the church we partner with. I was reminded of this quote I wrote down years ago:

“My task was simply to bear witness to the Christ who was already there. We all do this when we listen for the feelings behind the words, sit with others, offer a touch of the hand or a hug, and love them as Christ loves them. That is the ministry of presence—to reflect the presence of Christ who always goes before us.”

- Joe E. Pennel Jr.

What do I do in Haiti these days? It often feels like very little as Haiti Awake has accomplished our mission in many ways - “Empowering Haitian believers to reach their own country for Christ.” But then I am reminded time and again that presence matters, and that it impossible to love people from afar.

I am thankful for this week and the time and space it provides to count the cost of discipleship, and come to the conclusion again: Jesus is worth it.