A New Creation

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come."

2 Cor. 5: 17

One of my first posts from Haiti last year was about a little boy named Makenzy. We've had a special bond since week 1 of my summer of last year. Makenzy made it his job to protect me every time I came out of my house. If some of the neighborhood children would bombard me and try to take things from my hands, he'd quickly come to my rescue, pushing them away, grabbing me, and escorting me to wherever I needed to go. We'd often spend time playing and dancing together at feeding time. I instantly fell in love with this kid and knew that one of the reasons I came to Haiti was for him.

However, although Makenzy was so endearing and lovable, I quickly learned that Makenzy was also the biggest trouble maker. He'd often get in trouble at the feeding program for getting in fights with other kids. He had problems listening to staff members. So frequently, his face would instantly turn from joy and laughter, to anger...no, rage...from seemingly small problems, like having to share a ball he was using. He had a stare that burned with fuming anger, and, I would venture to say, was demonic. Last time I visited in December, I let Makenzy borrow my camera during feeding program to take pictures for me. When I took it back, he pushed me...really hard I might add, ha. He then started following me around and hitting and biting every child I held or played with. Then he told another staff member I was Satan. I was so dumbfounded, at a loss of how to minister to this child that I loved so much and wanted so desperately to know Jesus.

From my teaching experience, I knew in the back of my mind that Makenzy probably had a really horrible home life with his family. I soon found out that his mother was very distant toward him, his step dad hated him, and every time he ever got something new, his older brothers would take it from him when he got home. It wouldn't surprise me if physical abuse was also a frequent occurrence in his household. It made sense that he didn't know how to respect adults or authority figures. It made sense that he always felt like he needed to fight to keep something he was using or playing with.

By the end of my time in December, Makenzy was back to his sweet self. He hugged me goodbye and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I came returned to the States, praying that God would continue working in his heart. I prayed that God would bring about people that would love Makenzy, teach Him the Word, share the love of Christ...that Makenzy would be healed of all the hurt from his family life, that he would accept Christ as his Lord and Savior.

When I came back to Haiti this last May, I was so excited to wrap my arms around him again. I could hardly recognize him. He had such a calm, sweet demeanor about him. He was soft spoken, kind to me and other people, listening to the adults at the feeding program. He was even a helper at the feeding program!!! Whatt??! My heart melted, I was so thankful that God had been faithful to answer my prayers. A new creation...still in the process of sanctification, far from perfect of course, but my goodness, Makenzy is definitely a different child. I am so thankful for people like Susette Manassero, Alicia Simmons, Scotti Robbins and Ivens Bastien for taking this trouble maker under their wing and loving him, accepting him, being patient with him, and pouring into him. To God be all the glory! May more testimonies of new creations continue!!