Missio Dei

This spring I will once again be traveling across cultures to grow in faith and service internationally in Haiti. 

To dive in. To immerse. To get a little dirty, to see, to hear and feel
the uncomfortable grit of human life and the gaping God-shaped
hole therein... “and preach the Gospel to all creation.”
This is the Mission of God, the missio dei**

**Taken from our Haiti prospectus.

The reason for this mission trip for me personally is:

• To watch God work in and through people in both those going on this trip and those we encounter along the way.
• To get outside my own comfort zone
• To help grow and mentor a love for missions in those I am traveling with.  

We will be leaving March 31, 2012 for Port-Au-Prince, Haiti where we will be working with a group called Mission Lazarus to serve and share in the lives of the Haitian people for one week. 

Our job:  to serve and connect with the Haitian people by building a home and helping with orphans.  

Our purpose:  to connect with the Haitian people with the story of God.

When I went to China the purpose for me personally was to force myself into a situation where I was faced with teaching God's word to someone who hadn't heard it.  It was a powerful experience that taught me how God can use inexperienced vessels such as myself to further his purpose.  It also taught me the power of the gospel and how God can still move today.

When approached about going on the Haiti trip, I couldn't come up with a good reason NOT to go.  Fear and being uncomfortable were at the top of the list of reasons and I don't want to live my life with those ruling it.  So I signed up because I could.  The things that intimidate me most about this trip is: 

1. Being outside my comfort zone:  In getting older one gets more comfortable in their lifestyle.  I love my bed and my dry climate.  
2. Fear of not connecting with people:  Both the Haitians and within the group of 26 that are going.  I want to make sure I leave an impression of being a Christian before leaving the impression of being American.  It is hard to see Christianity outside the perspective we are given in our culture.  Being born American I have different glasses to view life than someone born and living in Haiti.  Being 10 to 15 years older than most of the group I am traveling with I have different glasses to view life than someone younger than me.  

God please grant me the thoughts, words, and actions to bring you to the people and not my own ideas of how things should be.  May my actions, words, and story be an encouragement to those in my group and those I meet in this journey.  Let my hands be your hands, Let my heart be filled with your love, Let my eyes see the world through your eyes.  Let it not be about me Lord but about you.