I've heard it said that one needs to find where God is working and join Him there in His work. OK, but there are many opportunities to do that. He is working in many ways and in many places. So, how do I know where I am to work?
Years ago, I would have said I never want to go to _______, but at this point, I can't think of anyplace that I would say, "I will NOT go to ______." I like to travel and experience new places, meet new people, and get a glimpse of what life is like outside of the US when I can. Did you know that only a third of the world lives as we do in America?? Two-thirds of the world lives in ways most of us can't even imagine. We are so blessed and take so much for granted.
I have been to Haiti four times and to Guatemala two times. I will be returning there in less than a month! I am anxious to see new friends, family, and the children at the school that His Hands Support Ministries supports. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would most likely need to focus mostly on Guatemala and limit my trips to there, even though I have have a heart for Haiti, too.
Now I am faced with another possibility of service..... someplace I have not considered because, well..., I just wasn't interested. This morning I was asked if I would consider going to Africa for 2 weeks in Nov/Dec. I would like to see parts of Africa, but have not had the desire to go to where His Hands For Africa ministers. They go to Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. Nope. No desire! Yet, when I see TV stories or pictures of others who have been someplace in Africa and seen the children's faces, I feel a tug on my heart to go.
It makes me think of the Scripture, "Seek your happiness [delight] in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desire." (GNT). I don't take that to mean that we get whatever we ask for, but that if we are seeking our happiness in God, he will put the right desires in our hearts. ... is Africa His desire for me?
In a book I am reading, it said to earnestly desire to be used of God (I do), one must empty themselves of hidden agendas, dreams & desires. Only in being emptied of self can we make room for what God wants to do in and through our lives. It sounds as though perhaps I am being tested. Do I really desire to be used?
Of course my biggest drawback to going and my immediate response when asked was, "I can't go there! I can't afford it!" No, I can't afford it; my Father in heaven can. He's proven it before with every trip I have taken. Either He has provided the needed funds through others or He has given me the funds through other means. Why do I doubt?
It sounds as though I know what I should do, but I know I need to pray. So that is the reason I am writing this - to ask my friends to pray for God's will to be absolutely, without a doubt, revealed to me within the next few weeks. If you have any words of Scripture or if God gives you something else to share with me, please do.
Thank you for reading and for praying.
J-ME
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Haiti Reflections 2010
Since returning home from Haiti, I have been thinking about what I want to share and the lessons learned while there.
The main purpose of the trip was to update children in the His Hands for Haiti sponsorship program. The team visited six schools and interviewed, measured, and photographed 661 students. Three of us took turns with the photography. It was such fun to see each child, speak to them, and try to make them smile. Sometimes it was easy and other times not so, –at least not until we were done and gave out a piece of candy. Then we saw smiles!
Many have asked about what we saw in terms of the Jan. 12th earthquake. The area we visited was not directly affected, but many people have moved away from Port au Prince to be with family in other towns. One new student we saw was a 15 year old boy, a survivor of the Port au Prince earthquake. He lost 7 siblings and both parents. He is now living with a relative and attending school in Terrier Rouge. One of the ladies on our team has become his sponsor.
The joys of sponsorship were made evident to me. I was able to see two of my children and give them hugs. I was so please to see one looking happier and healthier that he had last year when he first went into the program. I also saw the boy my church sponsors. He remembered me from last year and wondered if I had a card for him! (I did, but it would be given to him by his pastor in a more private setting so as not to cause other students to have hurt feelings because they didn’t get anything. Letters and cards are special to them.
Another purpose was to deliver funds for relief efforts which were given to those in positions who would best know who to help and how. One recipient we know of was a young woman whose husband was killed in the earthquake. She now faces delivering her first child in May as a single parent. She is currently living in Cap Haitian with missionaries.
One of the most exciting things we were able too do is to deliver funds to Pastor Noel for his church to start a permanent orphanage and home for abandoned children in Terrier Rouge. There is currently a house mother and 12 orphaned or abandoned children living in a rented building. The goal is to build individual houses; rather than a large complex. Each one would have a house mother and 10 children. Once the first house is completed, and more money comes in, the next house will be built. It is my understanding that they will share a kitchen and courtyard. It is an effort that entirely relies on faith in God’s provision and timing. We were blessed to see the land with nothing on it, have a dedication service there, see the first strike of the pick/hoe, and then to see the work that had resulted by the time we left. The foundation was already about three feet above ground.
Since the earthquake, I have heard many reports about revival taking place in Haiti - people turning to God, and praising him for their survival. Interestingly, some of the Haitians we talked with believe that the earthquake was indeed a sign and a judgment from God. We were able to see one of these “revivals” when we visited Cap Haitian. On a main street there was a long procession of people singing and carrying signs referencing 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
The group stopped in the middle of the busy street, and with UN peace-keepers present, a man preached on the same Scripture. Afterward, they continued on their way, singing and praising God, passing right by us. It was a special event for all of us to observe.
Each morning we started the day with team devotions, where we were challenged by God’s Word and then ended the day with a team time in which we discussed the day and a reading from a book on short-term mission trips. These were two very important times of each of our days there.
One thing I learned is that I don’t want to be a “monkey”. In one chapter, the author told a story about a zealous and courageous monkey who tried to help a struggling fish trying to swim upstream in a typhoon. His way of helping was to remove the fish from the water and place him safe on the ground! He was unaware of the true needs of the fish, thinking what would be “safe” for him, would be OK for the fish, too.
How often do missionaries and well-meaning Americans go into a country thinking they have all the answers? They think that what works in America will work elsewhere too. We have to be aware of cultural differences and be willing to be humble, to listen, to learn and to work with the nationals who know best the true needs of the people.
On this trip, I learned even more of the importance of not giving money or a gift directly to a person. At first it seemed a little harsh and unloving, but now I understand so much better. We think it can be a good thing, but in actuality it could mean harm to that person (or self) or chaos and confusion. Why do we think we must give something to someone personally? The Bible says not to let your left hand know what the right hand is doing. (Matthew 6:3) If we insist on giving personally to someone, what is the benefit? The benefit is only to oneself ~ feeding our pride and feeling good about ourselves. When we allow what we have brought to be given to a person in leadership, who can disperse as needed, then we allow someone else to share in the blessing, too, and the focus is off of ourselves!
Which brings me to giving…….. why do we give? Are we giving for the sake of giving (Oh, look at me and what a good thing I am doing.”) or are we giving for the sake of serving Jesus, and giving not just what we don’t want, but that which is just as good, or better, as what we want for ourselves. These are some lessons God has been working on in my heart.
One of my favorite authors, Michael Phillips, wrote about this very subject in his book, Dawn of Liberty. He says that many times western Christians go into a country looking to do a work that they can put their name on. They aren’t interested in working with or under an existing ministry. They are too busy trying to do their own thing that they don’t take the time to sit with, listen to, pray with, talk to, help or support their Christian brothers and sisters –- they very thing they need!! Many times they arrive with boxes of stuff and with an attitude of “Just look at what we brought you! Aren’t you grateful to us?”
Phillips writes, “It’s not a giving of sacrifice, but a giving of pride. There is ‘giving’ and then there is ‘giving.’ There is pretended sacrifice, then there is sacrifice. There is the appearance of servanthood, then there is servanthood. Appearance counts for more in many people’s estimation than they even know themselves. What does it cost - what real personal price is there in the way of death to an individual’s self to serve another? That is the question.”
(p. 449)
I don’t want to be a monkey, and I don’t want to have only an appearance of giving and of servanthood. One of my prayers in Haiti was, “Lord, give me eyes to see and ears to hear….” I want to be aware, I want to be a help, not a hindrance to those I go to work with. I want to keep an open, compassionate heart and not become hardened to the poverty and injustice I see. God is teaching me more and more about humility and what it means to die to self.
The goal in going on a missions trip is not to be so task and agenda oriented that we miss the opportunity to be a blessing to others. We need to take the time to build relationships. In order to do this, we must humble ourselves and allow those we seek to serve, to also serve and bless us. In doing so, we will be obeying Christ’s command to love one another.
There were many other things that I saw or experienced that made an impression on me, but if I shared them all, I’d be writing a longer book!
holding an orphan...
Love is color blind....
Visit www.hishandsforhaiti.org
The main purpose of the trip was to update children in the His Hands for Haiti sponsorship program. The team visited six schools and interviewed, measured, and photographed 661 students. Three of us took turns with the photography. It was such fun to see each child, speak to them, and try to make them smile. Sometimes it was easy and other times not so, –at least not until we were done and gave out a piece of candy. Then we saw smiles!
Many have asked about what we saw in terms of the Jan. 12th earthquake. The area we visited was not directly affected, but many people have moved away from Port au Prince to be with family in other towns. One new student we saw was a 15 year old boy, a survivor of the Port au Prince earthquake. He lost 7 siblings and both parents. He is now living with a relative and attending school in Terrier Rouge. One of the ladies on our team has become his sponsor.
The joys of sponsorship were made evident to me. I was able to see two of my children and give them hugs. I was so please to see one looking happier and healthier that he had last year when he first went into the program. I also saw the boy my church sponsors. He remembered me from last year and wondered if I had a card for him! (I did, but it would be given to him by his pastor in a more private setting so as not to cause other students to have hurt feelings because they didn’t get anything. Letters and cards are special to them.
Another purpose was to deliver funds for relief efforts which were given to those in positions who would best know who to help and how. One recipient we know of was a young woman whose husband was killed in the earthquake. She now faces delivering her first child in May as a single parent. She is currently living in Cap Haitian with missionaries.
One of the most exciting things we were able too do is to deliver funds to Pastor Noel for his church to start a permanent orphanage and home for abandoned children in Terrier Rouge. There is currently a house mother and 12 orphaned or abandoned children living in a rented building. The goal is to build individual houses; rather than a large complex. Each one would have a house mother and 10 children. Once the first house is completed, and more money comes in, the next house will be built. It is my understanding that they will share a kitchen and courtyard. It is an effort that entirely relies on faith in God’s provision and timing. We were blessed to see the land with nothing on it, have a dedication service there, see the first strike of the pick/hoe, and then to see the work that had resulted by the time we left. The foundation was already about three feet above ground.
Since the earthquake, I have heard many reports about revival taking place in Haiti - people turning to God, and praising him for their survival. Interestingly, some of the Haitians we talked with believe that the earthquake was indeed a sign and a judgment from God. We were able to see one of these “revivals” when we visited Cap Haitian. On a main street there was a long procession of people singing and carrying signs referencing 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
The group stopped in the middle of the busy street, and with UN peace-keepers present, a man preached on the same Scripture. Afterward, they continued on their way, singing and praising God, passing right by us. It was a special event for all of us to observe.
Each morning we started the day with team devotions, where we were challenged by God’s Word and then ended the day with a team time in which we discussed the day and a reading from a book on short-term mission trips. These were two very important times of each of our days there.
One thing I learned is that I don’t want to be a “monkey”. In one chapter, the author told a story about a zealous and courageous monkey who tried to help a struggling fish trying to swim upstream in a typhoon. His way of helping was to remove the fish from the water and place him safe on the ground! He was unaware of the true needs of the fish, thinking what would be “safe” for him, would be OK for the fish, too.
How often do missionaries and well-meaning Americans go into a country thinking they have all the answers? They think that what works in America will work elsewhere too. We have to be aware of cultural differences and be willing to be humble, to listen, to learn and to work with the nationals who know best the true needs of the people.
On this trip, I learned even more of the importance of not giving money or a gift directly to a person. At first it seemed a little harsh and unloving, but now I understand so much better. We think it can be a good thing, but in actuality it could mean harm to that person (or self) or chaos and confusion. Why do we think we must give something to someone personally? The Bible says not to let your left hand know what the right hand is doing. (Matthew 6:3) If we insist on giving personally to someone, what is the benefit? The benefit is only to oneself ~ feeding our pride and feeling good about ourselves. When we allow what we have brought to be given to a person in leadership, who can disperse as needed, then we allow someone else to share in the blessing, too, and the focus is off of ourselves!
Which brings me to giving…….. why do we give? Are we giving for the sake of giving (Oh, look at me and what a good thing I am doing.”) or are we giving for the sake of serving Jesus, and giving not just what we don’t want, but that which is just as good, or better, as what we want for ourselves. These are some lessons God has been working on in my heart.
One of my favorite authors, Michael Phillips, wrote about this very subject in his book, Dawn of Liberty. He says that many times western Christians go into a country looking to do a work that they can put their name on. They aren’t interested in working with or under an existing ministry. They are too busy trying to do their own thing that they don’t take the time to sit with, listen to, pray with, talk to, help or support their Christian brothers and sisters –- they very thing they need!! Many times they arrive with boxes of stuff and with an attitude of “Just look at what we brought you! Aren’t you grateful to us?”
Phillips writes, “It’s not a giving of sacrifice, but a giving of pride. There is ‘giving’ and then there is ‘giving.’ There is pretended sacrifice, then there is sacrifice. There is the appearance of servanthood, then there is servanthood. Appearance counts for more in many people’s estimation than they even know themselves. What does it cost - what real personal price is there in the way of death to an individual’s self to serve another? That is the question.”
(p. 449)
I don’t want to be a monkey, and I don’t want to have only an appearance of giving and of servanthood. One of my prayers in Haiti was, “Lord, give me eyes to see and ears to hear….” I want to be aware, I want to be a help, not a hindrance to those I go to work with. I want to keep an open, compassionate heart and not become hardened to the poverty and injustice I see. God is teaching me more and more about humility and what it means to die to self.
The goal in going on a missions trip is not to be so task and agenda oriented that we miss the opportunity to be a blessing to others. We need to take the time to build relationships. In order to do this, we must humble ourselves and allow those we seek to serve, to also serve and bless us. In doing so, we will be obeying Christ’s command to love one another.
There were many other things that I saw or experienced that made an impression on me, but if I shared them all, I’d be writing a longer book!
holding an orphan...
Love is color blind....
Visit www.hishandsforhaiti.org
Friday, February 26, 2010
12 days and counting!!
Our trip was recently in our local paper.... praying for funds for the orphanage and feeding program. I hope people will also check out the sponsorship program too. It is blessing to have the freedom to have this printed. Funny, I don't think about myself as a "missionary" and was surprised that the writer used the word. I expected it to say "Two Teachers plan trip to Haiti"!
http://www.sunjournal.com/node/802663
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Returning to Haiti
Yes, it's true! I will be going back to Haiti March 11 to March 23. I will be going back to northern Haiti and working once again with His Hands for Haiti. We will be updating children in the sponsorship program and we will also be taking in needed funds for food, clothing and other needs for those refugees from Port au Prince who are seeking help from Pastor Noel in Terrier Rouge. We will also be taking funds to help get an orphanage built on land that was bought 2 years ago. It is an exciting event - to see the beginnings of this project.
I am anxious to see our friends there and to spend time with the children who visit the house we stay at, loving and hugging them! Please pray for this trip and our team of 14, from Maine, Maryland, and Utah.
I pray we may be open to God's leading and that He will use us in ways we never dreamed of.
Blessings ~
jamie
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Haiti - a helping hand
It all over the news. It's in our hearts. How can we possible help the victims? I want to be there so much.... I wish I had medical training in times like these. But I don't.
I will return to Haiti in March with His Hands for Haiti to help them update the children in their sponsorship program.
Thankfully, these children and their families were not hurt in the earthquake since they live in the Northeast of Haiti, but they will suffer from the after effects - lack of supplies, food, etc. and they will most likely see refugees moving to their areas who need care, housing, food, and jobs just like the others.What can we do?
Pray. Give if you can.
Visit these sites www.hishandsforhaiti.org - Donations and child sponsorship
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ - Text SP to 85944 to make a $10 gift.
http://www.missionaryflights.org/field-reports/up-to-the-minute
I have been amazed at the singing, raised hands, and praises to God in the midst of tremendous suffering. It's a lesson for us. They don't just need us; we need them. We need to learn from their resilience, their hope for salvation, their survival in spite of such great tragedy. Many in Haiti still need to hear the Good News. Let's not leave them in despair.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
On the "road" again!
A view from Pastor Mario's home in Magdalena Milpas Altas.
I am so excited - a month from today I will be back in Guatemala!!! I certainly did not expect this opportunity. His Hands Support Ministries has been given the go ahead to start a sponsorship program in a small village outside Magdalena Milpas Alas. I can't wait to go back and see the people we met in August.
It will be a short trip as we need to process only 25 children who will be starting school for the first time.
I saw a quote today that I really like.
Blessings to you.
I am so excited - a month from today I will be back in Guatemala!!! I certainly did not expect this opportunity. His Hands Support Ministries has been given the go ahead to start a sponsorship program in a small village outside Magdalena Milpas Alas. I can't wait to go back and see the people we met in August.It will be a short trip as we need to process only 25 children who will be starting school for the first time.
Pastor Merari with some of the children from El Membrillal.
A dear lady we met in El Membrillal.
A grandmother and grandchild.
One of the many roadside markets.
from a friend currently in Haiti & her devotion of the day: If we aren't serving , we are just existing. Rick Warren stated," Life is meant for ministry." God wants us to love and serve others unselfishly.
Blessings to you.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Election Day
Choose this day whom YOU will serve - as for me, I will serve the LORD. (paraphrased from Joshua 24:15) Today is our chance to stand on the Word of God and what is right in His eyes. Remember - we are to strive to be holy (separated from the sin of the world) because God is Holy. (1 Peter 1:15, 16 & 2 Corinthians 7:1)
Today we have to vote on whether homosexual marriage should be legal. It has been quite a battle for our state. Earlier this year, our legislature voted that it should be legal. Some voters took offense and brought it to the point of putting it on the ballot.
Today, I voted for God and His unchanging Word. I pray there are more who beleive marriage is for man and woman than those who think it's OK because "after all, God is love." They ignore that He is also a God of righteousness. A holy God. God who will judge.
May He be glorified today.
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