Currents

The morning here in Chicago is splashed in glorious sunshine. The turbulence over Traverse City gave way to some of the smoothest air I can remember in my short flying history. We received a wonderful blessing at the TC airport early this morning (details to remain private) that set our morning on a joyful strand. We sit here chatting among ourselves and with Krystle via text who is anxiously awaiting our arrival this evening. She went out late with Rob last night and bought our luxurious meal of hotdogs that we will eat sometime tonight. Having started the day so early, the hotdog will taste delicious, I can tell you this from past experience. These travel days’ burn through the calories. The pre trip jitters are pretty well gone as we settle in for our journey to St. Marc. We are so grateful for this team that is carrying the torch with us this time around. This trip is unique; we travel without one of our staples who has raced ahead of the pack into Heaven this last year. Ray, we miss you! The suddenness of life change still is a daunting challenge, even when faith is strong, the human frame resists change, inflexibility seizes the soul, and we stiffen. But by grace we adjust and carry on the mission for those left behind. The air currents supplied by the Almighty lift and carry us south today. We carry precious cargo of sustainability for our beloved friends, and so many have gathered and collected, labored and packed and made this trip possible. We remain so grateful for all the support and care given to help these people in a struggle almost a lifetime removed. 101 kids are now attending school this year! Its an increase of almost 25% over last year. Krystle has met with almost every child now gathering their new photograph, and a signed thank you card. It’s a lot of work, and on top of the hard work, this part is being done in Haiti. It takes a tough nut to pull this off, so she gets the tough nut award of the day! These trips are often about building bridges, each trip building on the last one, all with some great ordained plan. Each time we glimpse more of the pieces coming together, each time we witness the outcroppings of hope seeded in grace and Christ. It’s incredible to be a part. The wheels of time will churn us through the next few days, some moments will crawl at what will seem an interminably slow pace, and other will flash by like lightening. In it all a purpose is being fulfilled, not our own, but one greater than we may ever understand this side of eternity. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the outcast, the forgotten, the stricken, and the empty. We go to fill in the name of Him who is love, and we know His pool will never run dry, that every life can drink deeply and without reserve. And as we accomplish that for which we are sent forth, great joy is our reward. Blessings via the Haiti pathway today!