Thursday, January 10, 2013

Destiny

We have these appointments with destiny. We wonder, will I be up to the task? Can we go the distance? We falter, we stagger under the load of the responsibility, we consider if there is a way to not show up. What if we show up and fail. So many times I have suffered strikes against my personal pride in Haiti. My ambitions, plans, and wishes have often ended up at my feet in ashes. Surrender is key, ego must be slain, and Haiti is great place to go and have your expectations realigned. But be warned, it is often messy, crushing, terrifying on certain levels. Not terror as in physical trauma, although the heat, and dust, and filth can terrorize your senses here, but rather the terror of the spirit. We are all so spiritual, I know, we need never fear, your faith can move mountains, just speak the word, it will cast itself into the sea. But what happens when you speak, and it doesn't? Perhaps your timing is off, or your speaking to the wrong mountain? Or you apparently don't have enough faith, your seed is smaller than a mustard seed. What then? We have all been there, but not today. Today we arrived at our destiny moment on time, all the right people, and all empowered for our stations. The former tent is down, and the new tent is up! It is amazing. It's big, and there is so much excitement in the air. I don't feel worthy of the moment. I'm tired, I'm sore, but so content. I am so delighted with our team, every player, every brush stroke of our lives seemed in harmony today, carried on the wings of prayer and support from home, we succeeded in meeting this moment, rising through the grace given us, we have erected a new worship facility. I can't wait to post pictures, we have effectively covered the church property with a much bigger tent than before. I know Paul of scripture was a tent maker by trade, we have become tent setters! You couldn't pay me enough to do it for a living, but when you get commissioned by a Higher Authority, well, pay no longer matters, cooperation does! And it all came together today. Tonight we are all weary in well doing, I can tell you it is very hot working on top of white canvas in the bright Haitian sun. But our reward is not contained in words tonight, it's revealed in the hugs, the smiles, the thanks of grateful Haitians. Our mission that was stalled for several weeks, is now a reality. We are grateful and amazed! More details to follow, but rest in the knowledge that an endeavor of many months, and great sacrifice has finally come to  pass! Rejoice and be blessed!

8 comments:

Autumn said...

YEA!!!!! Praise God that you got the tent up. Thank you everyone for your willingness to put your own selves less so that God can be glorified through you and the people of Haiti bless! I am off to Cambodia saturday night so stay tuned to the blog! Isn't it a blessing that we get to serve along side God! We get to partner with the creator of the universe and of you and me! Thank you God! Love you all more than you know and God Bless!

Jake T. said...

Wow, so glad to hear that the new tent went up! Great job team Haiti! Was there a cloud of smoke or a pillar of fire to guide you? All kidding aside, you all have been on my mind a lot and I will continue to pray for the lot of you. May the God of heaven and earth go before you today and everyday for the remainder of your trip, blessings and prayers from the frosty north. All my love!
Isaiah 66:22
“As surely as my new heavens and earth will remain, so will you always be my people, with a name that will never disappear,” says the Lord.

Anonymous said...

Praise God! I can only imagine the happiness of the Haitian people! The power of prayer is amazing! We are a blessed people to have a direct line to God thru Jesus Christ. Prayer opens the door for God to work and clearly he is at work with you all! Stay prayerful! Love&Blessing
The Walker's

meelee said...

God's glory rising via a tent, both amazing and simple. I will share the news with our Keswick family. There will surely be one big "Hallelujah" and many "well done faithful servants"! Rest well, friends, will look forward to seeing any photos you can share! Lee

L said...

AHHHHH YEAH!!! Tent up baby! Love it! Praises to the One and Only!

'Hi' everyone. So glad to hear of your steadfast commitment to see His work through and the reward it has and will bring. Thanks for bringing our Lord's Kingdom ever closer.

Love you much and will leave you with this: Zephaniah 3:17

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Anonymous said...

Dearest Haiti team,
Joy and sadness accompany us side by side all our lives. Ethan and I learned that a friend and former church member died yesterday. He was younger than we are, and passed away from recurrent cancer. A man with strong faith and mighty character, he leaves behind a beautiful wife and son. We are grieving. As the tent has been going up, I've been contemplating how we're made for worship-it's what we were created for. Really, everything distills down to this: to know God and to worship Him. We do it imperfectly here all our lives, and yet there's a someday when we will be face to face with our Savior doing it perfectly. Forever. Our friend Aaron is there! He has arrived! As I rock Michael, I hear Michael Card singing: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and give you peace...forever." This is my prayer now for those left behind grieving. And it beautifully describes the reality our friend is in this moment in heaven. Its my prayer for the people of Haiti. You guys are living life to the fullest, giving the very best of yourselves, because you know what truly matters. I am so proud of each one of you! I have to give a special virtual hug to you, Karen! Thank you for stepping in to do to the children's services! My heart so beats for those kids. :) You brought an amazing message of hope to them today! I heard you rocked!! I am so very excited about that...Ethan passed along a few pictures that were so cool. Bunches of love to each of you precious team members!
Heidi

Anonymous said...

A recent sermon in our church was based on Thessalonians 3:13: "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." That verse came to me as I read "Destiny". I can understand how the building of the New Large Tent must have provided all of you such joy and such closure of your group efforts for weeks before but also such weariness. Yet it strikes me as I read of your team work, that there are also the gifts you give each other, and therefore others, of a smile, or a whistle, a hug, or something so natural to you that it brings with it no recognition of its power and no knowledge really that someone might have seen this and been changed by it. This is more than a "simple act of kindness"; it is instead something which is inherent, I am certain, from within most of you and wells up from your faith, your optimism, your love, your cheer, and your determination. Often I think it is those qualities not purposefully expressed and planned but instead part of our individual spirits and beliefs that are such a gift to others. Our sons, Ethan's cousins, told us after college which things from their childhoods had meant the most with lasting effects. They were not the big things, though they did matter, but rather the moment after school one day when they needed to talk, or a time one of us broke a promise to them, or a hug and a cookie we gave one of their friends. Neither my husband nor I had any memory of most of these things. And I add this here because I have such a sense from your blogs of what you as a team are sharing, and I think the spirit of it all has a strength and an impact all its own. Love to you, Ethan and all of your team. Aunt MC

Anonymous said...

Dear Team-a little problem with our computer Wed. but fine now. "He hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad." How I would have enjoyed actually being with you all when the "big tent" was finally up! You certainly can't beat the Lord's timing, can we? Much prayer going up for you as a team & as individuals. Sweet time with Eric & Nancy & children last evening-& very special lunch time with Alaina & S.D. today. -checking the mail & trying to surprise Bob. Hug for each of you & especially big one for Bob. Love, MDJ.