Haiti, October 2013

At some point in our journey with God, we realize that not only is He guiding us somewhere, but he is training us for something. I have reached that point.

I knew that when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I would be changed. Just a couple of years ago I also realized that I was willing to go where He led me. Since then, Christ has opened my heart to serve where and when I am able. Since then, Christ has taken me and broken me down so He could build me up again. Since then, Christ has lit a flame in me that thrives on the oxygen of the life He has given me.

Then, here comes Haiti. I have said before, a little over a year ago, I would have never considered Haiti as a destination, much less would I dream that I would have allen in love with that nation and its people. But, our Lord has plans that we cannot fathom. If we are willing, He will lead us on a journey so remarkably splendid we cannot help but be completely overwhelmed.

It is interesting to note that, having now been there three times, each time has been markedly different; each has taken me down roads that were not even on my map. All three times, though, God has shown me something new, and put His stamp on me and my spirit. The Lord has, in fact, continued His work in me, building upon each past experience to increase my faith, my strength, my desire to serve Him and my dependence on Him.

This latest trip to Mission of Hope – Haiti, we brought a team of people that was very diverse: in age, background and experience. We left home as a group of individuals, and were molded into a family of brothers and sisters in Christ. So much so that I, who have never allowed many to become close enough to me to consider a true friend, much less family, can lay claim to a new and entirely real circle of friends.

I went to Haiti to again experience the blessings of serving others, but was surprised and delivered from things that I carried with me. It seems that this trip, for me, was grandly designed by God to let me leave behind things that burdened me, things that kept me from walking forward with Him. Again, He broke me to rebuild me. Again, he widened my eyes to see a vision of Him so vivid that I could never deny Him or His desire to have me walk with Him. Again, He loosed in me a longing to be a better man; a better man of God; a better husband, father, son and brother.

It should now be obvious to any who know me, or who have only met me, my love for the island nation. It should also be obvious that I love my Lord, and will go anywhere for Him. I am not yet the man He has set out to mold, but eagerly look toward the day when I can sit at His feet and see the portrait He prepared of me, long before time, and well before I was born, and see that I did all I was asked, and gave all of myself, knowing that I am His.