Stepping down out of the dusty van, I looked up at the small orphanage in front of me as children poured out of its doors, eager to greet us.  I was covered in a layer of sweat and grime after our six-hour ride across hurricane-ravaged roads, but my heart was overflowing with joy. Jesus was my reason for returning to Haiti.  These precious children were His reason for sending me.

   After a warm greeting from the staff and even more enthusiastic, bounce-up-and-down hello’s from the children, I made my way into the main house to immediately begin taking photos of the adoptive parents’ first meetings or reunions with their children.   I’d been invited on the trip as a photographer – to capture the beauty and need of the Haitian orphans through pictures.  It was my second trip to the poverty-stricken country of Haiti, and the more destitution and hopelessness I saw, the more my heart ached to give my life for this sin-torn land.  As a single young woman, however, I found myself wondering how I could possibly carry out this kind of ministry alone in such a dangerous, forsaken place.

     As I snapped photos in the orphanage that first night, I suddenly became aware of a Haitian man in the room, and something about him stirred an uneasiness in me.  He spoke English, and eventually made his way over to where I was taking pictures.   Unsettled at his approach, I engrossed myself further in my work, hoping that my busyness would dissuade him from

talking with me. But rather than take my hints, this man loomed over my shoulder in uncomfortable closeness, as if straining to see my photos.  Finally, I turned to him awkwardly, deciding to offer at least a hello.  He unleashed countless questions.  Where are you from?   How old are you?  Are you a journalist?  Do you like it here?  Do you want to move here?

        All of it was a bit much for my comfort level and in between his questions I attempted to become further lost in my work.  He was relentless, and with every step he took nearer to me I felt increasingly unnerved.  Avoidance was typically my way of dealing with such unwelcome male attentions, but this man was not deterred by my short replies or turning away.  Never had I felt such a longing for a husband, whose presence would surely prohibit such bold approaches and who could stand for my honor, comfort, and protection.

            I finally left the room and made my way with the others out into the open courtyard to head to our hotel, but while we were waiting, the same man came outside and with a final unsettling advance he began playing with the scarf wrapped loosely about my neck.  Such shocking lack of appropriateness made me push his hands away and firmly say, “No, that is not ok.” 

         That night in the hotel, my roommate asked if there was a problem with the man she had seen me talking to.  I shared only slight concern and suggested we wait to see what he’d be like the following day.  I crawled into bed with the situation heavy upon my heart, but in the quietness of night the Lord’s gentle voice led my soul into the council and peace He so faithfully offers.       

  “My child, you haven’t asked of Me.”

his aggressive pursuit the night before! It was as if the presence of a strong Protector was now seen at my side.  It seemed that any thought he had of approaching me inappropriately was deterred immediately. 

        I was awestruck.  All it took was faith.  A trusting request to the One who boasts in being my everything.  At the plea of my simple faith, Jesus delighted in rescuing His child with a valiant display of how far He can go to keep me in His care. God didn’t want me removed from the situation; rather He wanted to build within me an unshakeable faith that there is no safer place than in the will and love of Almighty God.

        After that day the man became more normal in his behavior.  We would greet each other and even have small conversation, but every ounce of inappropriateness had vanished.  God had allowed one day of such radical contrast to show me how He will mightily intervene in the measure I rest my faith upon His promises.

        This second trip to Haiti had surfaced several moments of longing for the real presence of a husband, but Christ met every one of those longings with the overcoming truth that whether single or married, I rest under the safety of Almighty God.  I am under the protection of my Valiant Rider on His white steed, and the One at whom all knees must bow to His power and authority.   If I stay at His side, then He will never fail to be at mine.

     Psalm 91 paints a truly captivating picture of the safety, shelter, and protection there is in Christ. “Abiding under the shadow of the Almighty...”  “...Under His wings shalt thou trust...”   “...Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall you...”

        Gladys Aylward was a single woman missionary to China in the 1900’s.  While making her way from London to China she had to take a slight detour through Russia.  One night an aggressive man from the hotel staff came to her room and made clear his intention to take advantage of her.  Gladys boldly replied, “God is here.  Touch me, and you will see.  He has put a barrier between you and me. Go!”  At that the man immediately fled.   

            He was right.  I hadn’t even taken this to Him.  I had dealt with the situation by avoidance and held internally my growing burden.  I quickly whispered, “Lord, forgive me.  You are my Protector.  I trust You to be more real to me than the presence of a husband.” 

             The grand realities of all that Christ is came returning to a ruling place in my heart and mind.  For all my longings for a husband and a tangible presence of safety at my side, I knew Christ was more mighty to save than my future husband would ever be.  And for now, in the single years of my life, my jealous Lord longed to show me just how real His promises could be known in my life. 

            As I laid there in the fresh awareness of a love so tangible and matchless, I asked that in the following day God would put a barrier of protection around me and without even a word from my mouth.  I asked God to work in such a way that this man would know that he could not approach me, let alone advance in such an inappropriate manner.  I rested my faith securely in the Lord and fell now at peace into sweet sleep with a great expectancy in God’s promises.

           As I entered the orphanage the following day, I noticed the man off to the side.  He looked over and at seeing me, got up and quietly left the room.  That entire day unfolded with no word from this man and at every opportunity, he would leave any room I was in.  What an amazing difference from

        What could cause such an arrogant, evil man to immediately flee from a seemingly helpless and alone woman?  What can cause a man’s unwelcome behavior to change 180 degrees from one day to the next without any confrontation?

Faith in One who is mightier than all.

        Ever since I first heard this story of Gladys Aylward, a prayer has been stirring in my soul.   I’ve longed that I too could hold such livable faith; and, as Gladys did, unwaveringly stand on the promises of God so richly filling the Bible.  I’ve prayed to see every promise realized in my life as I step further into the endless joys of a yielded life, embracing the challenges, and never flinching at what may cause my flesh to tremble.  My trip to Haiti was one more step of faith on that amazing journey.

        May you too, dear reader, lay hold of this prayer, that you may experience every promise and blessing which His cross has purchased for your life to own.  Whatever life may present before you, be it danger, fruitless indulgences of the world, or challenging demands, walk confidently in the strength of your God.  If you are willing to rise up in simple childlike faith, you will discover just how much His glorious cross has purchased for you in Christ!