What does my life & ministry look like this month in Grand Guave, Haiti? The short answer is . . . AWESOME! The longer answer is . . .
First of all, I am living with my entire squad of 46 people (including 3 squad leaders) tenting on the Mission of Hope International (MOHI) beach property. While it can be slightly overwhelming to deal with so many personalities on a daily basis, the benefits of the expanded community far surpass any limitations that it may place on us. It also brings me a tremendous amount of joy to fall asleep and wake to the sound of the ocean waves each day. I definitely view our oceanfront accommodations, though they are in a tent, as one of God’s special gifts to me for this year.
Our ministry this month has proven to be equally as special. All of the teams are working on various tasks in support of MOHI, but mostly we have been working on construction. Yes, you read that right . . . construction. If you had told me a year ago that I would be doing construction in a third world country, I would have laughed at the thought. However, I have spent my days over the past few weeks doing tasks such as bending & cutting rebar, bucket pouring cement walls & foundation, breaking rock with a sledgehammer, excavating with a pick-axe, and shoveling/wheel barrowing mixtures of rock/sand/gravel. What would have once seemed like a crazy thought has become the normal activity of my days . . . and I’m LOVING it!
Sure, I am exhausted at the end of each day. I’m even exhausted at the beginning of some of them! However, it is awesome to be able to see tangible results of our contributions to this building. It is a great feeling to be able to DO something in support of MOHI, a ministry that is doing so much for the people of this community.
This building will stand tall in Grand Guave as a symbol of HOPE to this community. The medical care, quality Christian education, and spiritual guidance that will be provided there will cultivate that HOPE. However, the real source of HOPE for this community is the Lord himself, and apart from Him it would never be realized. In Romans 15:13, Paul says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
It is my prayer that the people of Grand Guave, Haiti will be filled with the joy, peace, and HOPE that can only come from the Lord. I am grateful that He has empowered the amazing people of MOHI to foster that change in this community and I feel blessed that I am able to support them in that effort this month.
Thanks so much for all of your prayers and support as I continue on this journey. 
