Esther

My very first trip to Haiti, I met a young girl named Esther. Every time I came back, I got to spend more time with her. Over the past four years, I've had the opportunity to form a friendship with her and her family. She is hilarious, full of joy, and a servant. None of which she fully realizes or understands.  The past few weeks, I've watched as her life completely fall apart, it would never be the same. Esther's mom became ill, now being fully healed and with our Savior. In less than 72 hours after she lost her mother, I saw as her already shaken world become shaken again. As we sat with the family, I heard her father say words no child should ever hear. In front of all the children, he declared that he wanted nothing to do with them. He had other women in his life and he didn't want the burden of taking care of the kids. My heart broke; yet I watched as Esther turned and prayed. Her and her siblings finished that time by praying and worshipping God. I know I likely would not have had the same reaction.

Yet through  this all, Esther's had an unshakeable joy. No situation can steal that joy from her. She has a love of life and people that could only come from Christ. The day after her mom passed she asked to join us on our morning runs. We started doing devotions with the girls after running. She always wants to read the passage for us and pray for us. She has brought so much joy and laughter to our lives. I overhear the kids asking her about her mom. As we ran past the cemetery, I heard one of the girls ask "is that where your mom is?". Without hesitation, Esther responded "her body is but she's with Jesus." What an incredible testament of faith. 

Today, we had the opportunity of taking her to visit her brothers. They were so full of laughter together. When her brother got tired on our hike, she didn't think twice to carry him so they could spend time together. On our drive back, we passed one of the brothel girls. It opened the door to an incredible conversation. Esther said how she saw them come to the mission and spend time with us but she wasn't sure why. She proceeded to ask why were the prostitutes at her mom's funeral. I got to share with her how her mother's love of Christ led her to pour into those women. She prayed with them, she sang with them, she loved them, and she respected them. She talked to them when no one in the market would. She acknowledged that they were no different from her. 

Esther's joy has been such a testament to all of us. She has an incredible love and she wants to share it. I can't wait to see how the Lord continues to work in her and uses her for his kingdom.