I mentioned at small group last night (as I was clearing the stacks of mail off my kitchen table) that I was tired of getting mail. The girls partly laughed, partly groaned...because they totally understood!
I stay at work on Friday afternoons/evenings to clear away each week's paperwork and prepare for the next week...
It's only Tuesday morning, and my desk, media cart, top of the refrigerator, tops and sides (due to the help of magnets) of filing cabinets and the floor around my desk are already a hodge-podge of paperwork.
When it comes to computer files, I am oh, so organized. When it comes to hard-copy paperwork...not so much.
Anyone have any bright ideas?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Rock a Bye...
I didn't sleep very well last night, but it wasn't for lack of trying!
I had been getting to bed later than I intended for the past few nights. God's work in me through Haiti and the readjustment period back to Texas was taking it's toll, and I was exhausted.
I decided I'd go to bed early and catch up on rest. I was in bed at 8:15. (Yes, you read that correctly.)
I got a couple of texts around 10:00.
I was awake at 1:15 petrified I'd overslept for work. Ummm, no.
I woke up again multiple times and finally texted Alison at 3:20 that our 5am walk wasn't so much going to happen. I turned off my 4:30 alarm...hoping to get some sleep between 3:20 and 6, when my alarm would now be going off.
At 4:30, she texted back that extra sleep sounded good to her and from then on, I only dozed.
I snoozed quite a bit this a.m. Something I've been successfully attempting to not do lately. I finally crawled out of bed with a very sore throat (dang allergies!) and feeling a little tired.
Friday is my day to work late...and I depend on that time to stay sane. However, I am praying I will sleep much better tonight.
I had been getting to bed later than I intended for the past few nights. God's work in me through Haiti and the readjustment period back to Texas was taking it's toll, and I was exhausted.
I decided I'd go to bed early and catch up on rest. I was in bed at 8:15. (Yes, you read that correctly.)
I got a couple of texts around 10:00.
I was awake at 1:15 petrified I'd overslept for work. Ummm, no.
I woke up again multiple times and finally texted Alison at 3:20 that our 5am walk wasn't so much going to happen. I turned off my 4:30 alarm...hoping to get some sleep between 3:20 and 6, when my alarm would now be going off.
At 4:30, she texted back that extra sleep sounded good to her and from then on, I only dozed.
I snoozed quite a bit this a.m. Something I've been successfully attempting to not do lately. I finally crawled out of bed with a very sore throat (dang allergies!) and feeling a little tired.
Friday is my day to work late...and I depend on that time to stay sane. However, I am praying I will sleep much better tonight.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Final Clinic Evening...tomorrow is the beach!
This was emailed out Thursday morning, March 17. It is the update for Wednesday, March 16.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonswa from Haiti!
Today we went back to the village of Grand Vincent. The view as we drive up to the villages each day is a sight that I will never get used to and is one that, unfortunately, pictures could never do justice. It was our last day of clinic and the guys make some amazing progress of the roof of the new church. We have loved visiting this village because each time we drive up there are children who have already come down the road to meet us and they run behind the trailer waving with huge smiles on their faces because they are so excited we
are there.
Helping in the clinic has been both an amazing and emotionally difficult experience. There have been some encouraging cases where our doctors have been able to help people who have been sick for a long time. Lacey Stockeland and some of our nurses have gotten the chance to teach some of the mothers how to better care for their babies. What great knowledge that they will be able to in turn share with the other women in their village.
Today, we had one of the more difficult cases. A forty-seven year old man came in with a cancerous tumor in his neck. Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do for him and he probably wasn’t going to live very long. I was in tears as we circled around this man to pray over him, but at the same time
gently reminded by the Lord that all of our days on this Earth are numbered and we must make the most of each day.
The Lord has placed Psalm 139 on my heart this week. The Lord has ordained every day of our life and He knows every step of our lives: past, present, and
future. We spend so much time worrying and stressing over our past or our future that we miss what God’s will is for our present. My prayer for this week has been that the Lord would allow me to make the most of every moment I have here in Haiti and not to worry about what my future in the States might hold. God has called me, for this week at least, to Haiti and I want to use every chance I get to share His love with the Haitian people.
When we got back to the compound, there was a surprise birthday party waiting for Lacey. The pastors of both churches we have visited and their wives, along with some of the Stockeland’s Haitian friends had come to help celebrate. What a fun time of fellowshipping together!
This week has been a life-changing one for me. I pray that I never forget the work that the Lord has done in my heart this week. Dave Stockeland, the founder of the Haiti Bible Mission, said tonight, “You shouldn’t have to go on a mission trip for the Lord to change your life, but if you go on a mission trip and He happens to change your life, then Praise the Lord!!!”
Bonje bene ou! (God bless you!)
Brittany and the Haiti Team
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonswa from Haiti!
Today we went back to the village of Grand Vincent. The view as we drive up to the villages each day is a sight that I will never get used to and is one that, unfortunately, pictures could never do justice. It was our last day of clinic and the guys make some amazing progress of the roof of the new church. We have loved visiting this village because each time we drive up there are children who have already come down the road to meet us and they run behind the trailer waving with huge smiles on their faces because they are so excited we
are there.
Helping in the clinic has been both an amazing and emotionally difficult experience. There have been some encouraging cases where our doctors have been able to help people who have been sick for a long time. Lacey Stockeland and some of our nurses have gotten the chance to teach some of the mothers how to better care for their babies. What great knowledge that they will be able to in turn share with the other women in their village.
Today, we had one of the more difficult cases. A forty-seven year old man came in with a cancerous tumor in his neck. Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do for him and he probably wasn’t going to live very long. I was in tears as we circled around this man to pray over him, but at the same time
gently reminded by the Lord that all of our days on this Earth are numbered and we must make the most of each day.
The Lord has placed Psalm 139 on my heart this week. The Lord has ordained every day of our life and He knows every step of our lives: past, present, and
future. We spend so much time worrying and stressing over our past or our future that we miss what God’s will is for our present. My prayer for this week has been that the Lord would allow me to make the most of every moment I have here in Haiti and not to worry about what my future in the States might hold. God has called me, for this week at least, to Haiti and I want to use every chance I get to share His love with the Haitian people.
When we got back to the compound, there was a surprise birthday party waiting for Lacey. The pastors of both churches we have visited and their wives, along with some of the Stockeland’s Haitian friends had come to help celebrate. What a fun time of fellowshipping together!
This week has been a life-changing one for me. I pray that I never forget the work that the Lord has done in my heart this week. Dave Stockeland, the founder of the Haiti Bible Mission, said tonight, “You shouldn’t have to go on a mission trip for the Lord to change your life, but if you go on a mission trip and He happens to change your life, then Praise the Lord!!!”
Bonje bene ou! (God bless you!)
Brittany and the Haiti Team
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
A break in our regularly scheduled program
I know Elizabeth Taylor and Haiti don't have much in common...yet in a way they do.
Anyway, I'm inserting a small post here about Elizabeth Taylor. I absolutely love her as an actress. I'm sorry to hear this morning that she passed away. I have no idea if she had a relationship with Jesus. I do know she had some addictions in her life and some heartache that I pray no others have to endure. I regret not praying for her then.
I think I will watch Cat on a Hot Tin Roof this weekend...or maybe National Velvet.
Anyway, I'm inserting a small post here about Elizabeth Taylor. I absolutely love her as an actress. I'm sorry to hear this morning that she passed away. I have no idea if she had a relationship with Jesus. I do know she had some addictions in her life and some heartache that I pray no others have to endure. I regret not praying for her then.
I think I will watch Cat on a Hot Tin Roof this weekend...or maybe National Velvet.
Grand Vincent
We sent this out the evening of Tuesday, March 15.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonswa. Komon ou ye? I have no idea how to spell these words, but this
is my attempt at saying good day and how are you in Haitian Creole.
This is Aaron giving an update.
It was another exciting morning at 5:30am when the rain woke up
everyone on the roof including myself. Other than a surprise wake up
call, it was another typical day here: eat breakfast and then take a
45 minute rocky ride into the country.
Today, the team was in Grand Vincent. It was another day for the
medical clinic, but it was really the first time that the construction
team started work on the roof. It was difficult to start building
because a lot of the wood was warped and bowed, not exactly your Home
Depot quality wood to work with. Anyways, we were able to get a truss
built. We'll be going back up tomorrow to hopefully finish the
remaining two trusses while the medical team serves more people in
that area.
Highlights of the day:
A few of the team members got to ride on a motor bike up to Grand Vincent.
Kids chasing the trailer full of Americans back down from their village
Team bonding has been fun and we enjoy each others company.
Our Haitian friends sang a song for us.
It's been a good four days so far and I'm looking forward to the fun and challenges that we will face tomorrow and for the remainder of the week.
Alright, it's time to get cleaned up before devotional/debrief time.
Thanks for all your support!
Aaron
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonswa. Komon ou ye? I have no idea how to spell these words, but this
is my attempt at saying good day and how are you in Haitian Creole.
This is Aaron giving an update.
It was another exciting morning at 5:30am when the rain woke up
everyone on the roof including myself. Other than a surprise wake up
call, it was another typical day here: eat breakfast and then take a
45 minute rocky ride into the country.
Today, the team was in Grand Vincent. It was another day for the
medical clinic, but it was really the first time that the construction
team started work on the roof. It was difficult to start building
because a lot of the wood was warped and bowed, not exactly your Home
Depot quality wood to work with. Anyways, we were able to get a truss
built. We'll be going back up tomorrow to hopefully finish the
remaining two trusses while the medical team serves more people in
that area.
Highlights of the day:
A few of the team members got to ride on a motor bike up to Grand Vincent.
Kids chasing the trailer full of Americans back down from their village
Team bonding has been fun and we enjoy each others company.
Our Haitian friends sang a song for us.
It's been a good four days so far and I'm looking forward to the fun and challenges that we will face tomorrow and for the remainder of the week.
Alright, it's time to get cleaned up before devotional/debrief time.
Thanks for all your support!
Aaron
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
First Village Clinic
We emailed this out the morning of Tuesday, March 15.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good morning, America! This is Katie reporting to you from Haiti. So sorry we didn’t get a blog out last night. Alyssa and I sat with the computer for about an hour trying to get internet connection with no avail. So here’s my attempt to get you guys up to speed on the adventures from yesterday…
We woke up to a typical Haitian morning – roosters cock-a-doodle dooing at 5:30 am, a breakfast of baked oatmeal, and all 20+ of us piling in the trailer to head out to Des Champes for clinic. We encountered a few traffic jams, criticisms from locals, and some very rocky roads before making our first stop at an “orphanage” afflicted with malaria.
As the doctors began to treat those suffering in the home, I made my way to the back of the hut to play with one of the orphan toddlers. I became disheartened as I could not seem to crack even the slightest smile from her after several attempts. This child had been through more loss and abandonment in her mere two and a half years than I had in my twenty-four. What a sobering way to start the day…
My spirit slightly lifted as we pulled up to the church in Des Champes and saw a multitude of parents and children anxiously awaiting our arrival for clinic. As we set up and began seeing our first few patients, I noticed a familiar face – one of the teenagers from the orphanage had made his way to clinic to be treated individually.
After his physical needs were met, he confessed a need for spiritual healing and a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. After coming to the Lord for salvation, I led him over to the church pastor for prayer. Without even the slightest indication, I began to weep and weep and WEEP at the joy of this soul being saved for eternal life!
Two others were also saved later in the afternoon – one being a frail 80 year old woman!
As a young lady who just recently surrendered my life to the Lord (3/13/10), I cannot believe I am witnessing others find salvation in Him. If you told me a year ago, I would be in Haiti planting these seeds of hope and the healing of the Lord in others, I would have never believed you! It is such a blessing to be able to share the grace and life I received when I traded my life for the life and
spirit of Christ.
We view Haiti as a poverty-stricken third-world country in desperate need of our help, intelligence, and monetary resources. In contrast, we view America as the wealthiest land of “freedom” in no need of external aid of any kind. The primary focus God has been impressing on my heart while I have been here in Haiti is how absolutely backward we have it in America. America clings to materialism and pleasure for comfort and fulfillment, while those in Haiti cling to family, the community of believers, and total dependence on the provision of God for sustenance. America sees beauty in sky-scraping lofts, while real beauty is so obvious in the natural landscape and architecture
designed by our God here in Haiti. America stresses over self-inflicted endeavors to gain worldly success, while there is no evidence of selfish worldly gain here in Haiti.
Mark is really challenging our group with going back to Houston and being “radical” for living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s true – the place in which we will all have the greatest impact is in our workplace, amongst friends, and in the comforts of our own home. By seeing the true transformation that Christ brings to those who trust Him and Him alone, we can in turn plant seeds in others. The mission field is not simply in third-world countries. The mission field most available to us (and the one we tend to ignore the most) is our homeland. America is starving for the Gospel, and as each day passes
here in Haiti, this is what I am beginning to realize more and more.
I am so excited to go back to Houston and live radically for the Lord.
My plea to you today is to do the same. Christ never said His way would be easy. In fact, He said it would be narrow and full of persecution. I hope that both you and I can experience this persecution and take JOY in it and in knowing that along with the persecution Christ suffered on Calvary comes eternal life to those who believe and live radically for HIM!
Until tonight’s update,
Katie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good morning, America! This is Katie reporting to you from Haiti. So sorry we didn’t get a blog out last night. Alyssa and I sat with the computer for about an hour trying to get internet connection with no avail. So here’s my attempt to get you guys up to speed on the adventures from yesterday…
We woke up to a typical Haitian morning – roosters cock-a-doodle dooing at 5:30 am, a breakfast of baked oatmeal, and all 20+ of us piling in the trailer to head out to Des Champes for clinic. We encountered a few traffic jams, criticisms from locals, and some very rocky roads before making our first stop at an “orphanage” afflicted with malaria.
As the doctors began to treat those suffering in the home, I made my way to the back of the hut to play with one of the orphan toddlers. I became disheartened as I could not seem to crack even the slightest smile from her after several attempts. This child had been through more loss and abandonment in her mere two and a half years than I had in my twenty-four. What a sobering way to start the day…
My spirit slightly lifted as we pulled up to the church in Des Champes and saw a multitude of parents and children anxiously awaiting our arrival for clinic. As we set up and began seeing our first few patients, I noticed a familiar face – one of the teenagers from the orphanage had made his way to clinic to be treated individually.
After his physical needs were met, he confessed a need for spiritual healing and a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. After coming to the Lord for salvation, I led him over to the church pastor for prayer. Without even the slightest indication, I began to weep and weep and WEEP at the joy of this soul being saved for eternal life!
Two others were also saved later in the afternoon – one being a frail 80 year old woman!
As a young lady who just recently surrendered my life to the Lord (3/13/10), I cannot believe I am witnessing others find salvation in Him. If you told me a year ago, I would be in Haiti planting these seeds of hope and the healing of the Lord in others, I would have never believed you! It is such a blessing to be able to share the grace and life I received when I traded my life for the life and
spirit of Christ.
We view Haiti as a poverty-stricken third-world country in desperate need of our help, intelligence, and monetary resources. In contrast, we view America as the wealthiest land of “freedom” in no need of external aid of any kind. The primary focus God has been impressing on my heart while I have been here in Haiti is how absolutely backward we have it in America. America clings to materialism and pleasure for comfort and fulfillment, while those in Haiti cling to family, the community of believers, and total dependence on the provision of God for sustenance. America sees beauty in sky-scraping lofts, while real beauty is so obvious in the natural landscape and architecture
designed by our God here in Haiti. America stresses over self-inflicted endeavors to gain worldly success, while there is no evidence of selfish worldly gain here in Haiti.
Mark is really challenging our group with going back to Houston and being “radical” for living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s true – the place in which we will all have the greatest impact is in our workplace, amongst friends, and in the comforts of our own home. By seeing the true transformation that Christ brings to those who trust Him and Him alone, we can in turn plant seeds in others. The mission field is not simply in third-world countries. The mission field most available to us (and the one we tend to ignore the most) is our homeland. America is starving for the Gospel, and as each day passes
here in Haiti, this is what I am beginning to realize more and more.
I am so excited to go back to Houston and live radically for the Lord.
My plea to you today is to do the same. Christ never said His way would be easy. In fact, He said it would be narrow and full of persecution. I hope that both you and I can experience this persecution and take JOY in it and in knowing that along with the persecution Christ suffered on Calvary comes eternal life to those who believe and live radically for HIM!
Until tonight’s update,
Katie
Monday, March 21, 2011
My reactions to our first clinic
I'm not a doctor...or a nurse...
I didn't feel particularly useful at our first clinic. My job was to help someone find glasses that worked for them...if they asked for them. I was supposed to keep them bagged up and out of sight otherwise. Soooo, yeah. Basically, I didn't have much to do.
Until a family of three came in. I'm not sure why, but one of the little girls caught my eye. I asked, through hand motions, if her mother would let me hold her and she agreed willingly and smiling. However, the little girl wasn't so excited about it. It worked out okay at first, but pretty soon she wanted mama...and only mama!
Her older sister on the other hand...I could tell her sweet smile was simply her way of asking to be held. I held her, and I rocked by and forth like I love to do...and I sang. I'm not a singer by any means, but I love holding a little one and singing Amazing Grace. It's my go-to song when I'm holding a baby or toddler and I feel...I don't know how to describe it...a special kinship with my inmost being...as one God created to be a mother. A way of connecting with God through worship and adoration while holding a precious lamb of His. Does that even make sense? Anyway, I'm singing...and she falls asleep...and there is no feeling in the world like snuggling with an asleep child. Oh, I love it!
They were next in line to see Dr. Karen, but the little one I was holding wasn't one of her patients today. I could just hold her...and rock her...and be helpful in that way.
Now the mom ended up being a patient, too. She had a very uncomfortable toe, that the doctors soon diagnosed to be an ingrown toenail. It needed to be removed, and she was petrified. Katherine did a fabulous job. But the woman was so scared, she was trembling. At this point, I handed over the sleeping 3 or 4 year old and wrapped my arms around her mama....I never got their names. I just held her, and sang.
It was peaceful...and such a clear-cut way I could be involved...in such a minor way, but a way I will remember. I don't know if she was a believer, but the name of the Lord is calming...and can be called on in times of trouble...anxiousness...excitement...and simply holding on.
I didn't feel particularly useful at our first clinic. My job was to help someone find glasses that worked for them...if they asked for them. I was supposed to keep them bagged up and out of sight otherwise. Soooo, yeah. Basically, I didn't have much to do.
Until a family of three came in. I'm not sure why, but one of the little girls caught my eye. I asked, through hand motions, if her mother would let me hold her and she agreed willingly and smiling. However, the little girl wasn't so excited about it. It worked out okay at first, but pretty soon she wanted mama...and only mama!
Her older sister on the other hand...I could tell her sweet smile was simply her way of asking to be held. I held her, and I rocked by and forth like I love to do...and I sang. I'm not a singer by any means, but I love holding a little one and singing Amazing Grace. It's my go-to song when I'm holding a baby or toddler and I feel...I don't know how to describe it...a special kinship with my inmost being...as one God created to be a mother. A way of connecting with God through worship and adoration while holding a precious lamb of His. Does that even make sense? Anyway, I'm singing...and she falls asleep...and there is no feeling in the world like snuggling with an asleep child. Oh, I love it!
They were next in line to see Dr. Karen, but the little one I was holding wasn't one of her patients today. I could just hold her...and rock her...and be helpful in that way.
Now the mom ended up being a patient, too. She had a very uncomfortable toe, that the doctors soon diagnosed to be an ingrown toenail. It needed to be removed, and she was petrified. Katherine did a fabulous job. But the woman was so scared, she was trembling. At this point, I handed over the sleeping 3 or 4 year old and wrapped my arms around her mama....I never got their names. I just held her, and sang.
It was peaceful...and such a clear-cut way I could be involved...in such a minor way, but a way I will remember. I don't know if she was a believer, but the name of the Lord is calming...and can be called on in times of trouble...anxiousness...excitement...and simply holding on.
Sunday in Haiti
We emailed this out Sunday, March 13, about 7:30 in the evening.
----------------------------------------------
Bon Soel!
(Good Evening!)
I just watched a minor surgery take place! THAT was exciting!
Our Internet connection is very slow, so uploading pictures isn't possible. Do we have some to show y'all, though! (Tom, your safety goggles came in handy!) :)
This morning we went to Des Champs, an outlying village of Jeremie for church. The team had a wonderful time! We (Haitians and Americans) worshipped our mighty God together through song, prayer and preaching.
God is good! This church had just completed an evangelism outreach with the children and were passing out Samaritan's Purse "Operation Child" boxes to all the children this morning. Our team's ladies enjoyed rocking the babies of the room at the back while all the parents crowded around to see their older children open their box. It was a blessing to see. =)
I'm going to give Christina an opportunity to write now from her perspective of the rest of the day. Hopefully a different team member will write each day :)
Our trip has been quite adventurous as we travel on a trailer attached to the back of our host's pickup truck. It is a very, very bumpy ride and you have to hold on tight! But the 45 minute rides have been rather enjoyable as we get to see just how beautiful Haiti is. Today we drove through the town, past the beach, over a river (on a bridge of course), and through the bush before reaching the church.
After lunch, we held a trial clinic in the mission's compound. We had 2 doctors and 2 nurses and saw more than 50 people in about 5 hours!
It was a bit crazy at times, but God gave us the patience and wisdom to handle it. One of our patients accepted Christ near the end of the evening! Praise God! We will be taking what we learned today and applying it tomorrow when we hold a clinic in another village named Grand Vincent. We will also begin the construction of a roof on a church tomorrow as well! Keep us in your prayers!
In Him,
Christina =)
Arriving in Jeremie
As a first time team leader, it was a blessing to arrive with all of our baggage and no problems!
I wasn't sure what to expect from the week. Would we be productive? Would the team feel as if we had wasted time? Would our team continue to serve in unity?
The Lord continued to do more than I could have asked or imagined!
Praise be to the Lord!
I wasn't sure what to expect from the week. Would we be productive? Would the team feel as if we had wasted time? Would our team continue to serve in unity?
The Lord continued to do more than I could have asked or imagined!
Praise be to the Lord!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
We've Arrived!
We have made it to Jeremie! Everything has been INCREDIBLY smooth so far and we are PRAISING THE LORD for that! The Houston team made it to Jeremie with ALL (yes, that's 14 pieces) of our luggage! Don't we serve an awesome God!? The three from Seattle barely made the Miami flight to Port Au Prince due to weather delays, so their luggage will join us tomorrow.
We have spent this afternoon sorting supplies and enjoying the BEAUTIFUL weather! It's maybe 65 degrees and breezy. =)
We are excited to visit a village church tomorrow and then we plan to have a clinic here at the Stockelands house for their neighborhood to come too.
Internet connection is spotty, so don't expect to hear from us each day, but we'll email out each day we can!
A friend shared this verse with me in a sweet note and I have been praying it for our team.
Ephesians 3:14-19 "For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in Heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Thank you for your prayers! We feel them and we are so overjoyed to have you in our support circle!
In Christ,
Alyssa
Haiti Updates...the email way :)
Bon Jour!
I had hoped to blog throughout our time in Haiti, but the internet connection was spotty...and when we did have access, it was very slow. Sending out email updates was the priority, so the blog got bumped. I'm sorry for that, but I want to post our email updates here with a little of my own interpretation thrown in afterwards. I'm not entirely sure what that looks like, yet pray I will be able to fully articulate what the Lord has done in me and through our team over the last week.
I can't find my camera-computer connection cable right now. So I'll add pictures tomorrow!
I had hoped to blog throughout our time in Haiti, but the internet connection was spotty...and when we did have access, it was very slow. Sending out email updates was the priority, so the blog got bumped. I'm sorry for that, but I want to post our email updates here with a little of my own interpretation thrown in afterwards. I'm not entirely sure what that looks like, yet pray I will be able to fully articulate what the Lord has done in me and through our team over the last week.
I can't find my camera-computer connection cable right now. So I'll add pictures tomorrow!
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
T minus 2 days
I bought a wireless keyboard/mouse, dry dogfood and yellow cake mix today. Random supplies, I know...but that's what the Stockelands requested! We're trying to bless the missionary family as much as possible. I know if I was serving overseas, I would be begging for diet coke :)
We have one completely empty luggage container. We're not traveling with suitcases, but instead with black plastic storage containers. They're on wheels and have a handle. We're just going to leave them there. (Which makes traveling back VERY nice!) I know some items Mark and Lacey want, but am waiting to hear back regarding some more items.
There are only 7 items left on the to-do list and they're all very easily (and quickly!) handled tomorrow.
I'm so excited, but I'm SO TIRED, too. I've seriously been going to bed super early, because I'm just exhausted. (When I say super early, I'm talkin' 7:30 on the couch...early!)
I don't have any pictures today, but will take some soon!
MJ and I met another friend for Tex-Mex tonight. As yummy as it was, it made me ready for some Haitian goodness. I can't pronounce most of the food items, but oh. my. word. Good!
Please be praying for our team as we make last minute preparations! If you would like a prayer calendar, let me know and I'll email one to you.
We have one completely empty luggage container. We're not traveling with suitcases, but instead with black plastic storage containers. They're on wheels and have a handle. We're just going to leave them there. (Which makes traveling back VERY nice!) I know some items Mark and Lacey want, but am waiting to hear back regarding some more items.
There are only 7 items left on the to-do list and they're all very easily (and quickly!) handled tomorrow.
I'm so excited, but I'm SO TIRED, too. I've seriously been going to bed super early, because I'm just exhausted. (When I say super early, I'm talkin' 7:30 on the couch...early!)
I don't have any pictures today, but will take some soon!
MJ and I met another friend for Tex-Mex tonight. As yummy as it was, it made me ready for some Haitian goodness. I can't pronounce most of the food items, but oh. my. word. Good!
Please be praying for our team as we make last minute preparations! If you would like a prayer calendar, let me know and I'll email one to you.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Haiti
I knew it had been awhile since I'd posted, but I didn't realize how long it had been. I've thought of things over the last month that I wanted to put on here, but right now their topics escape me.
Tonight, I'm going to post about Haiti. I know I've mentioned it some, but definitely not often enough. I'm leaving for Haiti with a team of 12 from Houston's First Baptist Church this Friday. We'll be gone for 8 days and I'm really excited. And...to be honest, pretty nervous and just a teeny bit scared. Not for my physical safety mind you. I'm not being naive, but we're not going to be in Port Au Prince. We're going to be in Jeremie, a smaller town on the west coast, where crime isn't as prevalent or rampant as is currently the case in PAP. No, my fright comes from wondering what the Lord is going to do. What does He have to teach me? Do I want to learn it? I'm just being honest here...usually the Lord's lessons are hard as I walk through them. It's after I've come through them that I enjoy His smile of pride for a job well done and the wisdom of the lesson learned. During the lesson...well, during the lesson, it just sucks.
My excitement comes from our awesome team. I'm thrilled with the team that God hand-picked. It is so incredibly obvious He put our team together, and I'm over the moon to serve with them. They have each been an immense blessing through this time of preparation. Most of the team has not been to Haiti before, and a few are about to embark on their first mission trip. I CAN'T WAIT to see what God is going to do in their lives and in their walk with Christ.
I'm nervous like I typically feel before traveling internationally. The nerves are mostly due to "What if I forget something?" and this time, I'm worried I'm going to forget something that will affect more than just me. Or what if I mess something up that affects the team? I've led in other areas, but a team overseas is a new experience. I know the Lord has brought me to this time of service. I'm trusting Him for every future step of the way. =) Some minutes I do better at that than others. (Just keepin' it real here, folks.)
I'm packed! I still have some shopping to do for food and miscellaneous supplies we're taking to the missionary family down there. However, my backpack is completely packed. I just made a to-do list and there are 13 items on it...and I just received an email answering one of them! So, it's all coming together!
Praise the Lord!
I plan to blog while we're gone, and hopefully add pictures, too. Be on the look-out for updates!
Tonight, I'm going to post about Haiti. I know I've mentioned it some, but definitely not often enough. I'm leaving for Haiti with a team of 12 from Houston's First Baptist Church this Friday. We'll be gone for 8 days and I'm really excited. And...to be honest, pretty nervous and just a teeny bit scared. Not for my physical safety mind you. I'm not being naive, but we're not going to be in Port Au Prince. We're going to be in Jeremie, a smaller town on the west coast, where crime isn't as prevalent or rampant as is currently the case in PAP. No, my fright comes from wondering what the Lord is going to do. What does He have to teach me? Do I want to learn it? I'm just being honest here...usually the Lord's lessons are hard as I walk through them. It's after I've come through them that I enjoy His smile of pride for a job well done and the wisdom of the lesson learned. During the lesson...well, during the lesson, it just sucks.
My excitement comes from our awesome team. I'm thrilled with the team that God hand-picked. It is so incredibly obvious He put our team together, and I'm over the moon to serve with them. They have each been an immense blessing through this time of preparation. Most of the team has not been to Haiti before, and a few are about to embark on their first mission trip. I CAN'T WAIT to see what God is going to do in their lives and in their walk with Christ.
I'm nervous like I typically feel before traveling internationally. The nerves are mostly due to "What if I forget something?" and this time, I'm worried I'm going to forget something that will affect more than just me. Or what if I mess something up that affects the team? I've led in other areas, but a team overseas is a new experience. I know the Lord has brought me to this time of service. I'm trusting Him for every future step of the way. =) Some minutes I do better at that than others. (Just keepin' it real here, folks.)
I'm packed! I still have some shopping to do for food and miscellaneous supplies we're taking to the missionary family down there. However, my backpack is completely packed. I just made a to-do list and there are 13 items on it...and I just received an email answering one of them! So, it's all coming together!
Praise the Lord!
I plan to blog while we're gone, and hopefully add pictures, too. Be on the look-out for updates!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)