Preparing for Haiti
A couple of weeks ago I heard about a group from our region going to Haiti. I asked if there was room for one more on the trip and was invited to attend. I like to do at least one mission trip a year and until this opportunity came along I thought this would be the year without a trip. While the trip is a little over a month away there are some things I am aware for my journey.
This will most likely be the most difficult mission trip I have ever taken. Between the sheer poverty of the country and the devastation of the recent earthquake much of the infrastructure of the country is broken. Until yesterday we did not know where we would be sleeping. Food is scarce and very expensive so we will be taking some of our own meals. We have yet to hear about the availability of clean drinking water or the type of work we will be taking on but we are going with the attitude of doing what ever needs to be done under the leadership of our hosts in the country.Each person on the trip will be taking two suitcases one with personal belongings and one filled with things for the people of the Haitian Churches. I plan to leave many of my clothes in the country and come back with a fairly empty suitcase.
Because so many questions about the trip are unanswered the need for me to be flexible is the key to my ministry for the 10 days in the country. I believe while being the most difficult of trips I also believe it will be the most rewarding of the trips I have taken. I feel I will learn a great deal from the people of the country. They have been through a great deal and I can learn from their experience as well as minister to their needs.
As I prepare for my trip I need to prepare mentally by being determined to do the things I am asked to do in the midst of the existing devastation. I need to prepare spiritually by listening to the Spirit of God as I interact and share my gifts with the people of Haiti. I need to prepare physically to leave behind many of the comforts I take for granted and be willing to go with out things i would normally have for the sake of the mission. I need to prepare emotionally for the trip to hear the stories of pain the people will share with me and offer the compassion of the Christ in a way that is more than empty phrases but will help them and me gain strength and hope for the days ahead.
I covet your prayers as I prepare and as I go. I thank God for this opportunity to serve.
A couple of weeks ago I heard about a group from our region going to Haiti. I asked if there was room for one more on the trip and was invited to attend. I like to do at least one mission trip a year and until this opportunity came along I thought this would be the year without a trip. While the trip is a little over a month away there are some things I am aware for my journey.
This will most likely be the most difficult mission trip I have ever taken. Between the sheer poverty of the country and the devastation of the recent earthquake much of the infrastructure of the country is broken. Until yesterday we did not know where we would be sleeping. Food is scarce and very expensive so we will be taking some of our own meals. We have yet to hear about the availability of clean drinking water or the type of work we will be taking on but we are going with the attitude of doing what ever needs to be done under the leadership of our hosts in the country.Each person on the trip will be taking two suitcases one with personal belongings and one filled with things for the people of the Haitian Churches. I plan to leave many of my clothes in the country and come back with a fairly empty suitcase.
Because so many questions about the trip are unanswered the need for me to be flexible is the key to my ministry for the 10 days in the country. I believe while being the most difficult of trips I also believe it will be the most rewarding of the trips I have taken. I feel I will learn a great deal from the people of the country. They have been through a great deal and I can learn from their experience as well as minister to their needs.
As I prepare for my trip I need to prepare mentally by being determined to do the things I am asked to do in the midst of the existing devastation. I need to prepare spiritually by listening to the Spirit of God as I interact and share my gifts with the people of Haiti. I need to prepare physically to leave behind many of the comforts I take for granted and be willing to go with out things i would normally have for the sake of the mission. I need to prepare emotionally for the trip to hear the stories of pain the people will share with me and offer the compassion of the Christ in a way that is more than empty phrases but will help them and me gain strength and hope for the days ahead.
I covet your prayers as I prepare and as I go. I thank God for this opportunity to serve.
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