The clock is counting down quicker than we are
realizing. One moment we are two months away, the next moment we are one day
away from a life shaping experience. The closer it gets to take off, the
greater sense of anticipation forms in us. The interesting thing is that
the reaction of anticipation is different among those who have gone once
before, many times before, or never knew much about Haiti prior to signing up.
On our trip we are taking a very mixed bag of adults and students. Some
students have gone before, some adults have never been. Some adults have gone
multiple times and for some students this is their very first mission trip.
With this kind of group going, there is no doubt that there will be different
experiences.
I want to use this blog post to share some of the
different reactions and stories of people who have gone before and some who are
going for the first time. I want to invite you in to the excitement of not only
myself but the members of our group who are going on this wonderful adventure.
Here are their stories of anticipation:
Jaida Hobbes (Student Ministry Intern - New
Community Church) - Second Time to Haiti
"I am unbelievably excited to go
back to Haiti to see the kids that I formed relationships with last time,
invest in other relationships, serve at the orphanage, and just to be back in
Haiti!
Also, while I prepare for this trip, I am totally blown away with
gratitude to God for giving me this opportunity. Going back to Haiti has been
something that I have continually prayed for over the last two years, so I'm in
awe of Him and struck by the truth that He listens and cares so much. Lastly, I
cannot wait to see all the ways that God is going to work through this trip, in
the Haitian's lives and in ours.
Basically, I'm PSYCHED"
Ashley Cavey (High School Senior) - First Time to Haiti
"About 1½ years ago I found it
cool that kids my age had a meaningful and life-changing experience in Haiti. I
wanted to go. While preparing, I have been fundraising. At first I was worried
about raising enough funds for the trip. As each check comes in, I get more and
more and more excited. I am in awe of people’s immense generosity. The Lord is
surely providing for my trip to Haiti, and I know it is definitely His plan for
me to go on this journey. I’m looking forward to building relationships
with the children, as well as, growing closer to God. I do not know what God
has planned for me in Haiti. I know there will be challenges. I am looking
forward to seeing how God changes my life. I can’t wait for Haiti!"
Kenzie Trader (High School Junior) - Second Time to Haiti
"I know that Haiti had a huge
impact on my life, I learned what is really important in life and that plays a
big part of my everyday life. Haiti has helped me mature as a person and that
has changed me. I really can't wait to go back and be reminded of lifes best
memories and how God works in mysterious ways, even when things get tough I try
and just think about what really matters. Being happy is a big part of life
that people miss and in Haiti people are happy no matter their circumstance. I
want to go down there again and see how much everyone had grown and build
relationships and to see what God has in store. I need a reminder of how much
God is in control, I want to spread the word of God and love all the people
there."
Brad Nanna (High School Sophomore) - First Time To Haiti
"I am extremely excited. I am
nervous, but know that God wont put anything in front of me that I can't handle.
I am also really looking forward to seeing how God has worked in Haiti
already."
Joel Friend (Middle School Director - New Community
Church) - Third Time to Haiti
"This will be my third time to Haiti.
The first two times to Haiti were spent establishing relationships with the
people at the EBAC orphanage. Since that time, I've had the opportunity to grow
those relationships through Facebook. What I'm excited about the most is
spending more time with them and getting to know more of their story. I'm also
excited about the projects we will be working on. We will be fixing up both the
playground in the orphanage and repairing (and adding to) the existing
basketball court. It's going to be hot, sticky, and smelly hard work but I've
seen the joy that it brings to the people of EBAC."
Adam Jackley (Young Adult Pastor - New Community Church) - Fifth
Time to Haiti
"Fourteen years ago, God
implanted Haiti in my heart. On June 22 I will travel there for the fifth time.
What was once an utterly foreign place is now one with which I feel a
surprising comfort. And yet, I often think that I shouldn't feel so close to
Haiti and my friends there. The stark discrepancies between so many aspects of
my life and those of my friends in Haiti inevitably create some distance
between us. My worries so often seem trivial in comparison to those of my
Haitian friends. But God has close the gap between Haiti and me. Those in Him
share a spiritual bond of faith, hope, love care, and concern for one another
that transcends the separation of social, material, racial, and geographic
distance. The differences remain, but they are positioned beneath our
commonalities. What becomes most important is unifying under God's love and
mission in this world - taking God up on His invitation to join in His
redemptive work here and in Haiti. I love that place and its people and feel so
blessed to return in a few days."
Continue to follow us as God works through the lives of the people on this trip. Please be in prayer for us as we go on this journey together to answer God's calling on our lives to help people in the world.
Orevwa!
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