Thursday, April 7, 2016

Update From Haiti #1

Update From Haiti #1

The Haiti team from our church has made it safely to Haiti. The travel was uneventful. Everything worked out as planned. It actually went better than we thought it would. 

After leaving the church about 7:30am Wednesday morning, we set off for Detroit, flew to Atlanta, then arrived in Port Au Prince, Haiti at 6:45pm. It was snowing when we left Ohio, and the weather is pretty hot here in Haiti. We went from a furnace to air conditioning. Don't feel sorry for us. I think we will be able to make it.

As we were sitting and listening to our missionaries prepare us for a good week, they reminded us that it will not be like any other year. So true. This is our fifth trip to Haiti and each one has been different. We began in 2010 right after the earthquake. We were scheduled to come before the earthquake hit Haiti. Needless to say, things have changed for the better over the years. We then brought a team in 2011, 2012, and 2014. We built two churches, a school, and a medical clinic/fellowship hall. This year we are focusing our efforts on the Bible College/Seminary in Petionville. We will be fixing up dorms that house students. Pillows, sheets, paint, new plumbing, doors, and an exterior facelift will be on the agenda. It will be a lot of work in a short period of time. Please pray that we will be able to finish what we start.

My thoughts have turned to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:9-13. It says,

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

As I mentioned earlier, this trip will not be the same as years previous, nor do we want it to be. I don't think anyone is trying to repeat an experience we shared in the past. Each time we come, the Lord does a new thing. Each time it is exactly what we needed for that time. I wouldn't describe it as better, just right. 

Elijah was looking for the Lord in the obvious plac The wind, the earthquake, and the fire. In each place He was not there. You can't blame him for looking at these places because the Lord is the creator of all things and that would be pretty impressive to show up at these places. But after the fire came a gentle whisper. That is where the Lord was found. 

Let this remind you that God chooses to speak in different ways at different times. Don't look for Him to move in a better way. Look for him to move! He is always up to something and is always wanting to speak to His children. Our role is to respond. Be aware, sensitive to His Spirit, and listen. Then respond with all your heart as He wants to lead and guide us into ways that will make an eternal impact on all who are within range.

Be sure and check out our website for updates on our Haiti team. Each day there will be a new update on our progress along with a passage to stretch you right where you are in life.

Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike

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