Posted in CrossFit Chronicles: The Smith Family , Faith , Haiti , Ministry , Mission of Hope
The summer after my senior year in high school I had the privilege of joining a group of students from northern Indiana on a trip to the Mission of Hope, just north of Port Au Prince, Haiti. The poverty was astonishing, the landscape was breathtaking, but most of all, it was the people that left a lasting impression on my heart. The relationships that I built during this week of my young life will forever remain dear to me. I have been absolutely consumed by the images and stories captured by the media since the devastating earthquake that wrecked Port Au Prince less than a week ago. My heart breaks to think of the challenges this country now faces. It is such a long road that lies ahead, a road that only God alone is capable of repairing.
During my time in Haiti, I spent my days working to help paint a local school and orphanage, handing out food and clothing in the nearby villages, playing games with young children in the streets, and sharing the love of our Almighty God with anyone who was willing to listen. Now, I look at these pictures and I wonder if these young, beautiful faces are still walking the streets. Do they still dream of a better life? When will they smile again?
The funny thing about taking this trip is that I left the comfort of my home thinking that in some way I was going to change the world. I easily convinced myself that God would use me to make a lasting impact in their lives. Really though, God used the people of Haiti to change my life and to teach me to appreciate the simplicity and reality of His love. I remember one middle aged woman who was hopeless by America's definition. She did not have a home, she did not have a family, and she did not have any money. What did she have? She had joy. She had joy that surpassed all understanding. She had a joy that comes from life in the Spirit. I will never forget this woman, but does she even remember my face?
The mother in the picture to the right all but begged me to take her young son, in the blue, home with me. She knew I could offer him a better life and opportunity she could not. This deeply touched my heart and was the perfect definition of sacrificial love. I will never forget this interaction.
I consider myself privileged to have met the wonderful people of Haiti. To my friends in Haiti, the young, innocent smiles in these pictures, my prayers are with you. I hope to return to your homeland again. I long to share in hope filled, joyous moments with you soon.
Friends and family, I encourage you to follow the Blog of Brad Johnson, pastor and director of Mission of Hope, in the upcoming weeks, months, and years, as God works in and through his ministry. If the desire to give, contribute, serve, or sponsor a child, is on your heart, there is not a better place than the Mission of Hope to do so.
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2
funny how you only post this crap about your ****in' missionary career in Haiti when the world is watching....the haiti you remember obviously isnt the haiti that is left so why would anyone care that you took a glorified vacation to play with little ****er babies?????????
Is that why you married one?
and how about you ****ing talk about something that people care about. do you think that anyone gives a damn about supporting these ****s. LIke rush limbaugh said, we have given them support, its called income tax!
@anonymous First of all,
I have censored the words used by whomever you are. I considered deleting the comments, something never done before on this site. Rather, my wife insisted that I posted these veiled and cowardly insults.
I will respond as such: Lindsey Smith is one of the most remarkable individuals that I have ever met. She is a wonderful mother, wife, friend and obviously, she is an exceptional athlete. But thats not why I am saddened by your posts. This is CrossFit Chronicles: The Smith Family and as such, I may need to remind you why we began this post. There are several things that we love, several priorities that we have. None of these are as important as our love for God. This blog was started to communicate how we would honor him through our actions, our abilities, our passions. I'll be the first to say that her love for children and helping the needy, in general, is one of those passions. It is also a God-given ability.
She would be in Haiti right now, if she could. And she wouldn't be on the back lines, she would be at the front of the effort to help these children. I will not waste my time addressing your subtle jab at me. God bless you and good luck with whatever you do in life. If you are into CrossFit and you chose to use this as an outlet, for that reason, I ask you to introduce yourself to us at an event. I assure you that if you meet Lindsey, you would understand the size and the extent of compassion in her heart.
I mean, she married me...
Web Smith
CrossFit Chronicles: The Smith Family
Two things I have learned in my life is that God wants us to love others and be a servant. There is nothing more rewarding in life than doing both of these. It makes me very sad that someone would miss out on such a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Anonymous,
Welcome to CrossFit Chronicles: The Smith Family. This is a place where
we share information regarding health, fitness, life, love, marriage,
relationships, friendships, and most importantly, how God influences all
aspects of our life for His greater purpose. Upon reading your comments, I
am at a loss as to whether your intent is to anger or hurt me, but honestly
it doesn’t really matter. This blog entry is not about me, nor was it
ever intended to be.
Your comments leave me wondering as to whether you actually read my post or
just glanced at the pictures and clicked on the link at the bottom of the
post. The intent of this post was to shed light on these wonderful people
and how THEY drastically impacted MY life. The young faces, you see in
these pictures, likely do not remember me, but I will never forget them.
In light of the devastation they have recently endured, I felt compelled to
share my experience. I want others to know how precious these individuals
are. I did choose to bring this experience to light “when the world is
watching” because these people need our help now more than ever.
The Haiti that I remember IS the Haiti that remains today. It is the
people that make a nation, not the nation that makes the people. The
leading story on CNN this morning displays the people of Haiti most
appropriately in the article, “Haitians everywhere united by faith” (http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/01/18/haitian.faith.in.god/index.html?hpt=T2).
My relationship with my husband is grounded in faith. I married him
because of the “content of [his] character, not because of the color of
[his] skin.”
God bless,
Lindsey B. Smith
The amount of anger I am feeling on your behalf, Smith family, I cannot put into words. Your humility and "love of thy neighbor" is an example of how you put God at the forefront of your lives. Thank you for the showing true character.
Web and Lindsey, I can't tell you how impressed I was with your story and much more so your response to that comment. It would have been completely understandable to go a different direction, but you chose to focus only on the hope and grace and forgiveness that comes from your faith. God bless you both. -Benjamin
Dear Anonymous,
For someone who is so 'brave' as to put their thoughts in writing, then be a bigger person and at least be proud of who you are. Obviously
you feel inner guilt at your attack on this blog, therefore you remain 'Anonymous'.
Here's a thought: Start your own blog and keep your unkind racsism & negativity contained to your own site.
To Smith Family, you inspire me and make me want to strive harder every day.
Hey Linds,
I too admire you for your kind words in response to this attack by a spineless, weak, and ignorant individual. My mom always said this world needs ditch diggers too. I'm sure some village is missing their idiot.
My name is Roy Beaty 281-799-2432. Give me a call and I'll tell you about Lindsey Smith. She is a role model for those who seek the Lord. The Word clearly says that God predestines some to be drawn into His word and some to be examples that He reins His wrath on to prove He is a just God. Oneday your knee will bow. You will be held accountable for your words. I'm not quite as kind as Linds.... I hope you get your medicine and get it soon.
@anonymous(#2)You are absolutely right. It is tragedy that we can refine ourselves and the people around us. I know that somehow, Haiti will be stronger for this because of the love poured on them. And so will everyone that helped them.
@Belinda Thank you, mom. Trust me, we need no reminders but thank you so much for the concern.
@Pili Thanks for making us smile, we want this blog to remain positive and uplifting. Even with comments like that, keeping it positive and reversing any vitriol is and will always be a priority.
@Swan Family: Ben and Katie, congrats on you 13.1 mile run! We are so proud of your recent accomplishment! Having friends like y'all makes it very easy to remain focused.
@Amanda Thank you for standing up for us and taking the time to address this sad instance. The kind words of friends are so important and always are. Especially on difficult days.
@Roy: Thanks for standing up for Linds, Roy. Assuming the individual is a male, I am frightened for the guy if he calls you (and says the wrong thing). I really appreciate your efforts. I hope that all is well!
With love,
Web
@Anonymous:"Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true."
- Martin Luther King Jr., "Strength To Love" (1963)
Smith Family you are LOVE. I/we will pray for Anonymous...
Maria aka Jonze
great post, thanks for sharing. i have been to the mission of hope in haiti and there is no way i gave to those people what they gave to me. they know what loving your neighbor and loving the Lord is all about...something our friend above may need some help on...i came back a changed man and feel a bit like an alien in american culture.
Northern Indiana, I am from Northern Indiana. Are you originally?
Great post by the way. I chose to link your site to mine because, you put God 1st and also because you are crossfitters.
I for one will not remain anonymous. My name is Robert Overton and I am a crossfitter and a publisher of a running magazine (racists need not subscribe) in fact Indiana's only running mag. I am from South Bend, Indiana. I climbed outside the box as well and married a Korean.
I am sure Lindsey like me, does not even think of or see color when she looks at Web or vice-versa, love does truly make you color blind.
@Running Hoosier, First of all, thank you for linking us. I look forward to learning more about your mag. I am actually from the wonderful city (Web would disagree) of Fort Wayne. It is always awesome to learn of God-centered individuals in the fitness community. From one color blind athlete to another, God bless!
@Maria: I love you babe. Nice quote.