My Friend From Haiti

It was another beautiful, sunny

South Florida day.

But this day was different.

I was on my way to pick up 

a friend from Haiti at the airport.

Now you have to know 

a bit of background with this friend.

Earlier this year, we connected

by social media after I found out

we were thinking of moving to Miami.

I'd seen her work,

read about the relationships 

she was building 

and enjoyed the updates.

I'm going to digress a little 

on my digression here.

You never know when you reach out 

to another with an offer,

that it would start a chain of events

that would enrich your future history.

I had no idea then 

that this precious woman

would enter my life

and the lives of my family

and bring a window of perspective 

that is as lush and green 

as this area we live in here 

in Coconut Grove.

And I love this area 

because of the beauty I see each day.

This friend is like that.

So we move to Miami on June 10th.

And my offer given 

back earlier in the year

was now a need I could fulfill.

Today is our 3rd time to be together

to enjoy face to face.

I love driving to the airport.

It's a time to be alone in the car,

to pray for the person 

you are about to pick up,

and so much is going on

in my heart in regards to hospitality

and how one can bless another

in all of Gods love 

that is unique to each person.

And today, 

I decided to take the express lane.

It costs to take this lane.

It doesn't cost a lot 

but there is a cost.

But you get two dedicated lanes

where there is no merging traffic,

no zig-zagging around slow cars,

and everyone is going the same speed

and that speed is fast!

And it's exhilarating.

I wonder if everything in life 

has a parallel message.

When you hear from God

to do this or that,

I think we need to pay attention

to the meaning behind it.

I loved getting to my friend

to pick her up at the airport

in this express mode of transportation. 

Anticipation high 

to enjoy these God encounters.

Terminal 4 is the International terminal

where all arrivals are from out of country.

I waited with others anticipating 

their loved ones and friends.

Beside me, a young lady stands

and we connect and begin talking.

And this kind of thing is rare

when someone looks you in the eyes

and begins to share.

She was there anticipating the arrival

of her nine year old daughter

from Haiti.  

And while we waited 

we got to one another.

We exchanged phone numbers

and then her daughter came

and I got to meet her.

Such a beautiful moment to see

Mother and daughter hug and greet.

I left to go to terminal 3 

to make sure 

I hadn't missed my friend.

On the way back 

to terminal 4, I spotted her

and heart started to beat 

just a little faster.

The sun streamed on her red hair

that was up on either side 

like Princess Leah from Star Wars.

I smiled inside.

I came up behind her and teased,

"Did you come from Haiti

or from Sweden?"

And the hugs, smiles 

and happiness ensued.

Chatting away 

about fourteen things at once

like friends who haven't 

seen each other in awhile do,

we made our way to the car.

Do you ever have moments

where everything seem surreal?

The things are happening

but you feel like you are in a dream.

Yeah, it was totally like that.

"It is so good to see you", she said 

as we were along on the highway.

And it was like that broke the dream

and it was really happening.

Oh how good it is to be able to be

with friends you love.

To pick up, 

where you've left off

and simply be together.

Her and I have history.

And history together is great.

She knows me 

and I'm in the process 

of knowing her.

God has a unique journey 

for each of our lives.

And if only we could be there

for one another

to spur one another on 

in their journey towards 

love and good deeds.

These are the things God Himself

has prepared in advance for us to do.

And when we help one another,

we do just that - advance.

Sometimes we act out of pride

and pride is only concerned with self.

But God prepared an advance.

And I'm pretty sure 

if we do things Gods way, 

oh the things He could do.

This friend is so very precious to God!

And Haiti gets to enjoy Him through her.