Beauty is NOT the physical. It is the HEART.
(Picture by Rose Starr)

I haven’t posted a “DAY” for a while. Not for lack of inspiration or learning, but mostly because I felt what I have been learning lately is something that God is doing in me (not that it won’t be shared later, but for now it is between God and I). However, today I was perusing my FB page and saw a letter that my friend Rose posted. The letter is written by Rose’s 13 year old daughter Hope, who recently came back from a missions trip to Haiti. I found Hope’s view of what true beauty is to be refreshing and very God centered. Her very simply and straight forward point of view, made me realize that God’s view of beauty is truly NOT the physical, but the heart. Here is Hope’s perspective (I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me):

Haiti was not what I expected… Everyone told me how beautiful it was, and yes, parts of Haiti were visually pleasing, but the streets of Port-Au-Prince were not very pretty at all. Dirt, trash, and people did not just line, but filled the hot “pavement.” And oh, the smell! Everyone we saw seemed so poor and I wanted to help them. Haiti IS beautiful, but not visually – Haiti is beautiful in the people. The sweet spirits of the children, who just want to be loved, made Haiti beautiful. And the love the caretakers have for their children. The miraculous work God is doing in Haiti, and His unstoppable, never-ending love for every single person there was wonderful to see. It was amazing to hear unbelievable stories from missionaries living in Haiti. And I loved spending time with the children and doing VBS. Our team was spectacular, and each member has such a strong calling to help people and spread Jesus’ love, which is so inspiring. I love them all so much! Leaving Haiti, I feel sad, as if I’m leaving home, but I know that the experience is one I’ll remember all my life, and Haiti will always be in my heart and prayers. Haiti is a beautiful, yet broken country that needs help. So please pray that the country will be healed. Haiti wasn’t what I expected, it was better. Thank you to everyone on the team!
~Hope Starr

“‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked Him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read from the lips of children and infants You, Lord, have called forth Your praise'” (Matthew 21:16).

So what’s the plan? Child like faith.