Clarification - Plan Update

I had dinner last night with a good, long-time friend of mine, Dave, who laid some things out striaght for me (Dave has a blog that focuses on remembering "that we are mortal and like all before us and after us, each of us will someday die.")

One of the topics of our conversation was when he asked me how honest he should be in his answer to my question of "Tell me what you think of what I am doing." On a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being brutally honest, I did not hesitate to ask for the 10. After a lengthy discussion, one of the things that I learned from that part of our conversation was that what I was planning to do at the Baptist Haiti Mission was not all that clear. So the point of this post will be to clarify what I expect to be doing while serving as a missionary in Haiti...

Tina and I have known for quite some time that we have servant hearts - we like to help people and be behind the scenes (i.e., not on the front lines). Tina and I have both taken a couple of those personality/spiritual gifts tests that confirm that this is the way the Lord made us.

That being said, it is my expectation that Tina and I will be servants to the Lord through the Baptist Haiti Mission. At the mission, I plan to do whatever they need done. This includes things like fixing cars/trucks/doors/windows/locks/hospital equipment/generator/water systems/gardening/deliveries/construction... the list is virtually endless. We will take the opportunities to share our stories to those we are with by developing relationships with them first. By helping the mission do the work that they need done, we will be helping them to help the people of Haiti in the name of Jesus. These expectations of mine may not be exactly straight, but they will be very close.

Dave, thank you for your word fitly spoken.

I plan to write in the near future something more about how we were drawn to Haiti. Things like this are really hard for me to get in writing, but I'll do my best (with the help of my wife).

A Meeting with Steve

God is so good! I am just amazed at grand scheme that the Lord lays out. Back in January as I recently mentioned, we met Randy and Pat from World Wide Village (among others). Randy got us connected with Steve who had lived at the Baptist Haiti Mission for one year - right after he got out of high school.

We met with Steve last night and he had many great words of wisdom for us as we prepare to depart to Haiti. He told a number of stories about his time and expereience in Haiti and at the Mission (that we always enjoy hearing to help us understand what life is like there). He had some great suggestions and information regarding dealing with people, managing/monitoring my own family, and how to make it through the tough times that are sure to be ahead of us.

Both Tina and I felt that we were just sitting there like bumps on logs. We both value the wisdom of other fellow Christians that have been through so much. Sitting there and taking in all that people have to say seems like the best thing to do to us (we did this with Randy and Pat, too). We didn't really talk about ourselves or experience much, but rather asked questions to find out more about the people we are with, to sit and be in amazement of our Lord and the things he accomplishes, and to find out how God may be planning our lives in Haiti (however long we stay).

Steve was, and will probably continue to be, a great resource to us and a great blessing from the Lord. All the praise to God, we found wisdom in him.

PROVERBS 3:13-18
13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Blessed and Encouraged by New Friends

Last night for dinner, we were blessed to get together with a couple that we had met in January at the Visa Lodge in Haiti - they are Randy and Pat Mortensen from the World Wide Village.

We learned more about each other and had great conversations about Haiti. We hope to see them again the next time they are in Haiti. They are doing wonderful things and have made great connections that, Lord willing, will help to strengthen the Hatian people.

Randy and Pat, both Tina and I were encouraged by you in many ways. We sincerely appreciate the time you took out of your schedule to meet with us! Thank you for dinner, too!