Frenzy

As we ready for our next trip into Haiti, final preparations are under way. No matter the amount of planning, foresight, organization, and preparation, there is always a crunch as we get to the end and leave. The needs are ever changing, last minute requests to fill, things to gather that you use right up until you leave that have to be transferred into a place for safe keeping while you journey into this foreign land. You prepare to change the way you think, act, and even eat. You ready for physical changes, spiritual changes, emotional changes, and even mental changes. Life is uncertain at best, and now you are going to fly right into the teeth of it all! It is daunting and fierce and enthralling all at once, the seesaw of emotions and faith and circumstances are very challenging to say the least. Missions of mercy are also missions of courage. They test your faith and patience and resolve! So bring it on! This trip brings upon us another unique set of circumstances for this time our kids (young adults now!) are staying behind in Haiti when we leave. They will stay to minister in the church and orphanage and any other capacities they can over the course of three months. Are we ready? When are you ever fully ready for the big moments in life. When are all the loose ends tidy, when do you fully have it all under control? So much submission and humility is part of this journey, so much of trust in God and His faithfulness to meet the needs and provide the way. You need only say you are going to go to Haiti, and the mere mention of it brings about a strike of offensive by the enemy of all that is good, crashing into your life in such force you often wrestle just to breath spiritually, and maintain balance and direction. And so it is, after so many trips now, after having fairly extensive knowledge of what to expect and prepare for, tonight the force of frenzy assaults me, a mere four days to go, and I am wondering how we will tie up all the loose ends, where the money will come from, how it will go on the ground, whose lives are to be impacted and changed? What danger will need to be averted by God's mighty hand, what does He mean to accomplish through my vain little plan, and will I be ready to move when prodded! Beneath this frenzy though a peaceful stream courses through my battered frame, a calm in the midst of the storm, for faith pierces through the thunder of distractions and I am reminded that I need not be in control, but keep submitted to the one who controls all! Destiny lies straight ahead for the obedient, and in this moment I am reminded to fret not, nor give in, but to step forward in faith, and the soul calms, and ready's itself, peace tempers the surface waves, and stillness settles upon the heart, and I lay down beside still waters. And into Haiti we go again! Blessings to all!