Imitation

This is a post by a new traveler who will be with us on our January trip, we are delighted he is sharing his thoughts!

"I first heard about Christ Community Church’s Haiti ministry when my church, West Side Community Church, was asked to help purchase a new tent for the growing congregation in St Marc.  At the time I didn’t expect to actually travel to Haiti and help put it up.  About seven weeks before the original departure date, this changed when Pastor John, the Senior Pastor at West Side, encouraged me to go with the team.  However, a few weeks before Pastor John approached me, I had already begun to pray privately for the opportunity to go to Haiti. Why?

You see, like most people growing up in the United States, I grew up unaware of the larger world around me including Haiti.  I found myself worrying about what movie to rent while people across the globe found themselves worrying about finding their next meal.  When the earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, I became aware of a people who literally had nothing.  I read then that going from having nothing to having even less is impossible, but for the people of Haiti it had become a reality.  My heart broke, and the heartbreak wouldn’t go away.  For the first time, I gave money to directly help people in need.  I became gripped by a strong desire to go to Haiti someday.  I wanted to have images and memories that would stay with me, to help me remember how blessed I am no matter what life throws at me.  I wanted to pray with people and give them hope.  I wanted to show them my love and the love of the God who created them.  Though time went by and life got complicated, Haiti remained on my mind. And now, it’s time to go, to see, to hear, to touch, and to give.

 I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve had doubts and hesitations about the trip: knowing my heart will be changed permanently, but also experiencing the natural human tendency to resist change, even if it could be for the better; the desire to share the experience with my wife; and the unease of joining a team of people already mostly familiar with one another.

However, as the trip draws near, I find my mind turning to the things I hope to accomplish, trying to be aware of God’s will and direction.  I look forward to visiting with the orphans.  My heart has always broken for the defenseless. Indeed, the Bible calls us to be fathers to the fatherless.  I am also looking forward to helping put up that new church tent and telling the folks at West Side all about it when I get back.  I am also looking forward to building relationships, both with the team and with the Haitian people. Finally, I am really looking forward to capturing photos and stories to inspire others when I return, and to inspire myself for a lifetime.

I have been focused on and inspired by The Great Commission (Matt. 28:19).  When I think about the communication barriers and short timeframe of the trip, I look at Jesus’ simple yet powerful example of being full of joy and showing love.  I want to imitate my Savior. I want to follow His example. This is my true calling for the trip.  All the tasks along the way will just be opportunities to show this love in action." Stephen Scott