Returning to missions

On January 12, 2010, at 4:53 in the afternoon, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the richter scale hit the small country of Haiti. In the days following, an additional 33 aftershocks measuring from 4.2 and 5.9 were recorded. Over 300,00 people perished as a result of that. Millions more Haitians were affected as homes were destroyed and lives forever changed. Little did I know, at that time, that those events would change me, too. Shortly after, I felt lead to head down to Haiti and offer my assistance. I went down and made my way to Jacmel, on the southern coast of the island. It was a place I had visited previously, but this time would be different. I spent 3 months there helping clear rubble (they don”t have a lot of heavy machinery…we broke concrete up by hand), building homes, a school, and a church. I assisted medical clinics, played with kids, and generally did everything I could to help bring some normalcy back to the country, in whatever way I could. And something happened that I never expected. I fell in love with them. It became a second home to me. The people in that community became my family. I even learned to speak a little Creole (I can tell them I’m hungry….) Those 3 months changed me in ways I’m not sure I can ever fully explain. I have always known since that I would eventually move to doing that full time. It just felt natural.

That time is now. After months of deliberation, discussion, and prayer, I will be moving into full time missions with Conduit Mission, the same group I went to Haiti with 2 years ago. Through them, I will work not only in Haiti, but Gbentchal, Togo, Africa, as well, along with any other place that might need help. Conduit is a 501(c)3 non profit based in Middle Tennessee. Not only do they work in Haiti and Africa, they also work with Place of Hope, a Christ-centered drug and alcohol rehab facility in middle Tennessee. In addition, when disaster strikes (such as the tornados in Alabama and Joplin, MO), Conduit has sprung into action delivering financial support and supplies. I will be providing support in any of those areas deemed necessary. I will go with supplies, assist in the upkeep at Place of Hope, and do anything else that needs to be done. This is a project I am very excited about. My spiritual gift is acts of service, and it’s such an incredibly natural fit for me.

So, where do you come in? Well, first and foremost, as I will be traveling and working in less-than-ideal situations, I ask for prayer. Secondly, there is a financial side to it. I need to raise the support to be able to do this. My monthly financial needs are approaching $2500, once you include the costs of the flights, visas, etc. I would request each of you prayerfully consider a monthly support over the next year. Each gift is tax deductible through Conduit Mission. Thank-you to each of you for reading this. God bless!