I’m sorry I haven’t updated more! I have no excuse. This month has been full of blessings. Our ministry site is at the Global Outreach compound in Titayen, Haiti. And it’s GORGEOUS! From my dorm (with beds, electricity, fans, and somewhat sketchy internet), I can see the ocean and mountains. I can also see Port Au Prince, which is beautiful at night with all the lights. It’s the rainy season, so everything is green and lush.
Our being able to come here at all was a miracle. Our team leader, Joshua, has a connection with David and Judy Heady, the couple that runs this place. His grandfather is good friends with them, and has served here as a missionary before. So we were able to come and stay for the month, which was such a blessing, because we couldn’t find anywhere else to go. And we’re so spoiled here. I eat better here than I do at home.
Our ministry this month has been a bit of a mish mash, since they weren’t expecting us. We’ve bagged pills for the medical clinic, Carrie and I have volunteered at the burn clinic, we’ve done a couple of children’s services, Seth’s been doing manual labor and teaching the home schooled missionary kids here. It’s been good. I’ve been sick this month, which is quickly becoming a norm for me. I’m better for now, and I’m hoping to stay better throughout Europe.
Being in Haiti is interesting. The people here are so in need, but they’ve lived their lives being handed everything. It’s difficult to figure out how to help, when what they need are jobs and skills, but there are no jobs, and many times, they don’t want to learn the skills. That’s not to say that all Haitians are lazy people. There are so many people here with a passion to make Haiti a better place to live. The woman who runs the Global Outreach kindergarten is one of those people. Cecile, one of the kitchen ladies here, is another. But there are many more who have no desire. Some have given up hope that things can change. Some truly believe that the world owes them, and they will do whatever they need to get what they are owed. Several children have tried to take my watch; and some have tried to convince Seth to give them his shoes. There are armed guards everywhere around anything of value here, because theft is so common.
It’s somewhat of a different world here. The other day, a goat walked through the burn clinic, right after a herd of cattle went by the door. Chickens wander around everywhere. Haitian people are surprisingly fashionable. I’m not sure if that’s due the earthquake relief donations, or if that was always the case.
Sorry this blog is so disjointed. It’s hard to fit the past three weeks into one page. God has been speaking big things to us, which has shaken us a bit. We’re just trying to seek His face every day, and let Him guide our steps. On Saturday, we will fly to Dublin, Ireland, for the Awakening conference. All the World Racers on the field will be there, and quite a few alumni as well. I’m so excited to meet the other racers, and to see David Stothart, a really good friend of ours on the M Squad.
We do have a support raising deadline to let you guys know of. We need to have 12,000 total by September 13th, or we will be pulled from ministry. That means that instead of going out and helping the community, we will go to wherever there is internet to support raise. If we are unable to raise the money by October, we will be sent home. Currently, we are at $10,923. Please consider giving as the Lord leads. Thanks so much to all of you who have given so far! We have loved being able to serve in the DR and Haiti.
