It was in the wee hours of the morning when we left the mission house, before daybreak, to meet up with our guide, friend and missionary, Lois Habecker, who was going to lead us to the youth retreat to be held in the remote mountains of Haiti. The hike was going to be long. We put our supplies on a complacent donkey, willing to bear our load, that seemed used to this kind of trip. The donkey knew the way, too. This beast had made this trip many times! We followed closely behind Lois, depending on her knowledge of the path up the mountain, for we had no clue where we were going. She led us with ease, warning us of rocks, holes to avoid falling into and other obstacles in the way. Yes, she knew the path well!

As dawn began to break, I began to see many women and some men, traveling the path down the mountain as we were going up. They were carrying their wares to be sold or traded at market. Lois seemed to know them all. They responded to her with smiles, in reverence and respect. She was “Haitian” they told me later, which meant, though she was a tanned, white American, she lived their culture, knew their language and so was part of their family…she was “Haitian”.

As we continued our amazing hike, crossing streams, jumping rocks and greeting people all long the way, the sun began to rise. Our path, guided by a woman who knew it well, was now full of light so we could see where we were going. The mountains were breathtaking, full of flowering plants with streams bubbling along beside the beauty with refreshment for our tired feet. Our guide got us through the darkness at last to the place of ministry on the side of a mountain in a meadow by yet another stream teeming with women who were washing their clothes while a few cows drank their fill of refreshing water. (Our dishes would be washed in that same stream later, after lunch. Smiling.)

While walking this long hike, I imagined I was a disciple of Jesus, following Him wherever He led. Jesus, the Person of Truth, who looked all people in the eyes and greeted them with love and compassion, grace and mercy, the One who brought Light to the journey.

John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, writes to us to guide us on our journey out of sin and all the obstacles that trip us up, to lead us to Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our lives, the One who paid the debt for our sins, the One who loves us most of all.

“I write this, dear children, to guide you out of sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a Priest-Friend in the presence of he Father: Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus. When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good–not only ours, but the whole world’s.” 1 John 2, Msg

Dear Heavenly Father, What a beautiful memory You have brought to my mind to remind me once again of Your love, mercy and grace. Your Word is truly the Light for our path. Thank you for leading us on, day by day, one step at a time. Thank you for Your forgiveness of all sin, once and for all. In Jesus Name, Amen