Where He leads...: Haiti: Taking the leap!

Haiti: Taking the leap!

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I suppose I'm a bit overdue for this blog entry. Most of you know that Haiti is still very much on my radar. And some of you know how I've been preparing to head back down that way. But many of you recently have been asking "what's next?" and I realized that I haven't officially made the announcement of my plans. Part of that is due to the fact that I'm still waiting for some final details to come together, but I will go ahead and share what I do know so you can be praying with me throughout this journey.

I'm currently making preparations to move to Haiti in January. Yes, I said MOVE. If you read my blog entry from July entitled "A Great Calling", I mentioned how God was speaking to me about some specific ministry ideas. For months now, I've known that God has been planting the idea of long-term ministry in my heart. Even when I served in Namibia, I thought about the impact of long-term ministry with children... not just a one or two year assignment like I've been used to, but becoming a part of these children's lives--until they are no longer children but adults stepping out into the world around them. That kind of long-term ministry. At first, I wasn't sure if Haiti was the place or if God was going to direct me otherwise. But I received confirmation this summer that I am to continue in Haiti and I'm busying myself these next few months here at home making preparations for that move.

So what will I be doing? I know I will be diving into intentional discipleship ministry, especially with children but I'll be open to however God leads. I want to spend the first 6 months to a year learning more about Haiti. While I'm serving, I want to be a student of that country, to learn more about its strengths and resources, and also its struggles and shortcomings. I want to take my language learning from conversational fluency to professional fluency. I want to dive into the culture, learn more about Haitian traditions, be a neighbor in the community, and establish long-term relationships with those God brings into my life. I look forward to learning about what other organizations are doing and how they are serving the community and alleviating the issues of poverty.

To start out, I am pursuing an internship with a Christian organization serving in Leogane, Haiti and I will be able to provide more information about that organization and specifics of my role with them once all is confirmed. I will need to raise support for my plane ticket and other monthly needs, but I don't want to jump into support raising mode until I can put out more specific information as to what I will be doing and who I will be serving with. I'm hoping to have that information in the next week or two. I'm also trying to put together a quick trip in November--hopefully even including a few friends of mine--to visit with some dear friends in Haiti, have some meetings, and start taking down the shoes and supplies I have been gathering. Thank you again to all who've been purchasing my jewelry or donated towards the purchase of the shoes! I've started budgeting out my needs for 2013 and again, I'll be providing more information on how you can help after I fill in the last few details of my move. But if you want to donate in the meantime, there is a Donate button on this blog or you can visit the "Help for Haiti" page on my jewelry website to donate towards children's items or towards my ministry support.

Even though I've been in full-time ministry for over seven years, this will be my biggest leap of faith yet. I've always had "end dates" with my overseas missions assignments. This will be the first time I'm moving for an indefinite time period of ministry. I'm excited but also find myself overwhelmed from time to time! I know God is leading me and I will trust in that leading even when I don't know where exactly He will take me. I've found great peace in Proverbs 16:9 that says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." I feel like my heart has been charting a course for me in ministry. I know what my passions are and the types of ministry that fulfills the purposes that God created me for. But I don't always know the exact steps I will be taking. And in this case with my move to Haiti, there are many unknowns. Typically by this point I have more details and a very structured schedule ahead of me. This time, I simply know that my heart is set for a course in Haiti, but I'm totally reliant on God to show me what to do each step of the way. I suppose if I take my eyes off Him and look at the vastness of ministry possibilities in front of me and the reality of the living conditions and obstacles in Haiti, I could become doubtful, overwhelmed, and paralyzed with fear. But I will keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith (Heb 12:2) and with joy I will set out for the path He has chosen and of which He walks with me every step of the way!

I appreciate your prayers today and tomorrow as I step out on this exciting journey! Stay tuned...!!