Where He leads...: July 2012

Three weeks ago, God spoke to me. Was it an audible voice? No. But it was such a clear exchange between He and I that it just as well could have been. Here's the back story...

I've been pondering some things for a while now concerning ministry and my calling--more specifically--what God would have me to do for His Kingdom. As most of you know, I surrendered to full-time ministry in February 2005 with my main focus on missions. I say "surrendered" because it was during that time that I first surrendered to God as Lord of my life. I accepted Christ when I was a little girl, but I never fully realized what it truly meant to be a disciple of Jesus until I was 23 years old. At that moment, I knew that being a disciple meant that God was the One who should lead me in every aspect of my life. And from that point forward, I handed over the reins to Him. It's been a beautiful journey ever since that day and He's led me to serve Him in Mexico, New Orleans, Namibia, and now Haiti--including a few other places in between.

But like I said... I've been doing a lot of thinking and seeking these past few months. What is it God wants me to do for His Kingdom? What ministry is pressing? What is needed most? Whenever I hear of desperate regions around the world--especially concerning a spiritual desperation--and I think of the fact that over 1 billion people have never heard the Gospel--I think, I should be going to those places instead of spending all this time in an "overly saturated" missions destination like Haiti. Perhaps a place like Central Africa, where children are being kidnapped and forced into a brutal army. Or maybe to a country where it's illegal to be a Christian and to even speak the name of Christ. Countries where millions are dying daily without Him. As I turn my thoughts back to Haiti, many of these kids I've fallen in love with here probably already know Christ or are at least living in a Christian environment where they can be fed spiritually. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for missionaries in every part of the globe and I know they are needed, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve here in Haiti. I'm saying all of this now as part of the introduction that brought me the first sentence of this blog entry. Even as I've fallen so deeply in love with this country and the people I've had the privilege of serving, my bottom line question for myself and of course ultimately for God was this... Do I need to be serving elsewhere?

That night three weeks ago during our debrief time, we were discussing many things. While Roland was talking my mind began to wander again to this issue of how I love Haiti and these kids but am I really supposed to be here? Shouldn't I be ministering to kids with less hope for hearing the gospel? But then, why do I have such a heart for these kids? And I began to list in my mind a few young boys in particular who have gripped my heart. As I was thinking on all these things, wrestling with whether bringing new people to Christ is a more pressing matter than serving in an already spiritually positive environment--God spoke two words: MAKE DISCIPLES. Ding ding ding! I knew instantly that is what I'm supposed to do. That is our ultimate mission through Baptists 4 Haiti and our ultimate mission as Christians. Matthew 28:19 says it best in Christ's final words before His ascension to Heaven, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..."

Make disciples. I thought about the disciples of Jesus. His disciples knew Him. They believed in Him. Yes, they had questions and much room to grow, but they were His children, His friends. They had a relationship with Him. They were teachable and their ministries collectively and individually were revolutionary! Make disciples.

These kids God has given me a heart for are important and there is a great and pressing ministry opportunity for me here in Haiti. Perhaps take these children that God has already revealed to me their sweet and caring nature, and grow them into men of faith, radical disciples of and for Christ. So many thoughts continued to flood my mind and I still don't know for sure where all of this is going to lead. But I want to be open and ready to say "YES" if this is God's will. It may be a little scary when I really think about what this could mean. As all of this was coming to my mind Pastor Roland was talking about giving up everything for Christ and I realized this could be my biggest leap yet. Many people already view me as one who lives out her faith radically. Though I do not want to be put on a pedestal, I do hope my life can encourage others to draw closer to Christ. While others may see me as making great sacrifices, to me, these past 7 years of ministry haven't been very difficult. Yes, I've make sacrifices by living this missionary lifestyle, but I don't want to exaggerate them. I'm often gone from my family only for a few months before I see them again. The longest time away was 15 months. My ministry positions have mostly been either 3-4 month assignments or around 18 month assignments. While I know I'm in full-time ministry for the rest of my life, I have had a lot of variety (which I love), I've gotten to live in many different places and experience many different things. This life of missions is my niche and I love it! When I consider people I know who've lived as missionaries in Africa for 20+ years, I was never sure of my own interest in that. To be honest, something that "extreme" would require giving up A LOT. Too much? But I've been convicted recently about how I preach surrender, so I better always be willing to do just that, regardless of what it looks like. That night in February 2005 was not the first and only time God would ask me to say "YES" to Him. And I can't expect every package He has for me to look the same on the inside. At some point there may come a day when He calls me to something that is more radical than anything I could have ever imagined. Will I be willing?

There are many details that came to me three weeks ago that I will not share right now. But I am excited to continue this exploration with God and I'm trying to be patient to wait for Him to reveal to me the big picture and what steps I'm supposed to take. The night after that debrief time, I shared with Roland what God had spoken to me. Maybe this is something I can incorporate with my ministry with Baptists 4 Haiti. Maybe it's something separate for the future. Time (and God) will tell. In the meantime, I will continue seeking His will on this and every part of my life. It's an exciting yet semi-scary time. Not scary because I don't trust God... I do. Completely. But anytime you are faced with the realization that your life may change drastically from the life you'd typically imagine, it's an interesting place to be to say the least!

I want to again thank each of you for following along with my journey here in Haiti. I would appreciate your continued prayers as I continue to walk out God's plans for my life. Pray that I will listen and be obedient to say "YES" no matter how and where He may lead!

I apologize for the long pause I've had in my blogging. Aside from an entry I wrote this week about needing sponsors for two young boys, it's been almost a month since I've written. I've been doing most of my contact through Facebook, posting as many photos as I can of the volunteers teams and what they've been up to. This is our last week of volunteer teams for a while. Roland is heading back to the States Friday. I'm going to stick around a little while longer, mostly because my brother is coming to Haiti in a little over a week and I want to stay and see him here. If I get another chance, I'll write a longer overview of what some of the teams have been doing this past month. Meanwhile, you can continue to follow along with my Facebook page and my Photo of the Day updates. And for now, I'll post some various photos with captions to give you an idea of some of what we've been up to. Thanks for following along with my journey in Haiti!

FBC Elberton did a VBS up on the mountain at Pastor Julmiste's church. We had 80-150 children and adults each day. It was incredible to see the adults who showed up. They were just as interested in the stories, games, and crafts as the children.

This week our crew is from Kingsland, GA. They're going to help start the rebuilding efforts for Pastor Julmiste's church. The same church FBC Elberton did the VBS last week.

Some shots of Pastor Julmiste's church now...

I love watching how two nations serve in unity together to do the Lord's work!

The kids up at the church are just adorable. They hangout, play, and also help us work. They have been a sweet blessing this week!

And we always find reasons to visit the kids at Children of Hope Orphanage

The FBC Elberton crew brought some dolls some of the crafty ladies at their church had made. They were a hit at the orphanage with girls and boys alike!

The Elberton ladies spent some time with the girls at Children of Hope. Here's Kristen carefully giving one of them some bright pink nails. :)

Playing games with the parachute at the orphanage

This is our neighbor Natalee. She comes and hangs out here a lot. I gave her one of the pillowcases I had left. Isn't she so cute? I asked where she wanted to have her photo taken and she said in front of the moto. :) She and her brother went with us on Sunday to the orphanage. She had never been to one before and didn't know who lives at an orphanage. When I told her on the way there, I could see the shock come to her face as she thought about children who don't have parents. She told me afterwards she made three new friends and wants to go back soon.

Haiti is an impoverished nation. This is not news to you. Throughout my years on the mission field, I've learned more and more about the cycle of poverty that exists in countries such as this. Specifically, I've come to understand the impact education (or the lack thereof) can have on a nation. For a while, I didn't realize the significance of statistics telling me that 759 million adults (around 16% of the world's population) are illiterate. I was more concerned about statistics such as over 1.1 billion people in our world don't have access to clean water or over 14,000 children die each day in developing countries because of hunger-related issues. Those were the kinds of statistics that always gripped my attention. Illiteracy and a lack of education in these same nations didn't stand out to me as the most important issue. Through my experiences and research, I now know that there is a cycle of poverty that very much includes this lack of education problem. I have a great and informative book called "Zealous Love". I recommend it for anyone interested in social justice, especially as it relates to our responsibilities in the world as Christians. On their website they explain the lack of education issue like this:

Education is not just about passing exams, getting good grades, or improving comparative national averages. It is about teaching people to think and equipping them with the tools necessary to improve their quality of life globally, nationally, regionally, and personally. A lack of quality education keeps people entrenched in poverty. Poverty is immensely complex, though. A pupil's education depends on more than just their desire for an education. Factors beyond a child's control--such as nutrition, the teacher's ability, and the teacher to pupil ratio--largely determine the outcome of the child's education. If we want to combat poverty--if we hope to see long-term, sustainable development improving the lives of those in need--then we must note the lack of education in our world.

When I think of the unemployment problem worldwide, I realize now that a lack of education perpetuates unemployment, which consequentially leads to poverty within the families and the inability to provide food, shelter, and other basic needs. A statistic from the World Bank website reports that for every year of schooling someone has, there is a corresponding ten percent increase in that person's wages.

Let's look at Haiti specifically... Over two-thirds of the labor force in Haiti do not have formal jobs and I've heard statistics that range from an 80-98% unemployment rate since the earthquake. What are some statistics concerning education here in this country?

50% of primary school age children are not enrolled in school
Approximately 30% of children attending primary school will not make it to third grade
60% will abandon school before sixth grade
98% of Haitian youths do not graduate from high school

As you can see, this is an overwhelming problem that will not be solved in a day. It may not even change much in my own lifetime, though I pray it does! But here's where you can make a difference...

I know two children who need sponsors to attend school for the very first time this coming school year. Their mother I've already introduced to you as my friend NeNe's cousin Maxolyn. She has three boys, Djoubens, Snaïder, and Jeff. Jeff is still a toddler, but the older two are school age. Maxolyn recently asked me if I thought she could put her children in my friend's orphanage. Her biggest reason for wanting to do that is she knew they would have a chance to get an education there through their sponsorship program. Even at barely 20 years old, I know Maxolyn loves her boys. It is incredible to me how she cares and provides for them with the extremely little she has. But she could use some help, as with so many families here.

Djoubens and Snaïder

Maxolyn and NeNe

Here is the cost breakdown for each child to attend school in Despinos.

School fees = $37.50
Uniform = $50
Shoes = $37.50
Books and supplies = $12.50
TOTAL = $137.50 each for one year

If you would like to sponsor Djoubens or Snaïder ($137.50 each) to go to school starting this September email me at hannahsterling@live.com. And I would love for them to be able to be sponsored for years to come. But we can start with this year. If I get a great response, I can put any extra money aside for next year, and so on. And in a couple years, their younger brother Jeff will be old enough to attend Kindergarten.

This is barely one drop in the huge bucket called Haiti, but this is an opportunity of a lifetime for one family here. Thank you for caring for my friends here and for wanting to be involved in making a difference in Haiti!

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