We got back to the guesthouse and some of the team walked to a nearby hotel and enjoyed some relaxation and fun at the pool. It was so refreshing to cool off as it's been SOOOOOOO hot. We ate our last meal together and answered the question, "What is something you don't want to forget about your time in Haiti?"
Our last team time was very special as we had a guest join us - Ephraim is our new friend who lives in Haiti and is a friend of Susan Hasselquist (from Woodridge). We asked him many questions and it was nice to get to know him better. It was honored to pray over him. We worshipped together and shared our last words of the day (even our new friend submitted a word!):
Abe - REFRAME
Craig - CONTINUE
Sue - PURSUE
Jen - FAMILY
Lydia - MINDSET
Jenny - CLARITY
Amy - GAINED
Annette - PROLUGUE
Josh - CHECKPOINT
Corrina - BITTERSWEET
Maya - SIGNIFICANT
Kate - GLAD
Lauren - BEAUTY
Savannah - ENJOY
Aphton - I DO
Justin - HONORED
Shannon - PHOTO
Ephraim (our special Haitian guest) - THANK YOU
We are currently enjoying our last night by hanging out together, writing in journals and cards, playing games and enjoying popcorn Abe made for us.
We are SO thankful for our time in Haiti - the Lord answered so many prayers and we are forever grateful to Him. May He continue to be glorified even after we have left this beautiful country.
It’s possible some on the team are already saying, “I want to do this again next year”. That would be totally awesome. It’s great for the served and the server to connect in a foreign country. Much can be accomplished in and for both. In fact sometimes it’s easier to serve the Lord in a foreign country away from the familiar and those who know you best. I want to challenge the team to do this not just next year but next week. Help a neighbor. Smile at a stranger. Look for opportunities to direct a conversation to the spiritual realities in your life. Love others intentionally. Find an avenue of service in your church, school, and community.
ReplyDeleteIf you allow the Lord to continue to grow the seeds of loving and serving others that have been ignited this week you will be (the word of the day) CHANGED. And those at work, school, home, and the other contexts in which you live will notice. And it’s likely at some point some will say something like “I’ve noticed ..……………….. about you, what makes you different?” And then, 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.
Wow! The week is almost gone. Where did it go? I think you are leaving tomorrow. One more thought. Perhaps some had some anxious moments like, “what am I getting myself into”. And perhaps you felt at times exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. But, wasn’t it the most rewarding kind of exhaustion you’ve ever had? There is so much satisfaction in allowing the Lord to use you in Kingdom related work. A second word of the day would be BEGINNING. I trust this trip and all that you experienced will simply be a start of growing and serving the Lord. The Lord loves to use the inadequate to accomplish “All things” in Christ’s strength. And for those stretching times remember, if God leads you to it, He will help you thru it.
Bless you for going and serving. Perhaps we’ll meet in MN someday. I’m looking forward to getting a full debriefing from Abe and Joshua.