haiti 3.0

i leave for my third trip to haiti in 14 months time in less than 36 hours... i need to be asleep at this moment, but of course, my mind won't stop running through things i may forget or maybe i am starting to get a little nervous.  it is funny with each trip i am a little less nervous, but with this one adds a new element, as i am not going back to cambry- the orphanage where i have spent my time the previous two trips.  i am going with my church this time, new charlotte, and i am excited, but my heart is heavy that i will not be able to see jasmine.  that sweet little girl, with a little sassy on the side (which i absolutely love) will not be there to greet me.  so, let me start by asking you to pray that i am reminded that our loving Heavenly Father is watching over her and that i can go to cambry another time.  for this time, God has called me to a new orphanage and a new place in Haiti to meet new people and for that i am very excited. 

when i was trying to decide, going back and forth, trying to think of the logistical reasons why i shouldn't go twice in one year, God kept nudging me and saying that he would work it out.  i had many friends who were also sources of encouragement, but i am always so thankful when God sends us tangible reminders of His plan.  when i went to check my vacation time at work, even after entering my desired days off for christmas and thanksgiving, i still had exactly one week left of vacation that i could not carry over that i would have lost (coincidence, yeah right... He was saying... i'm moving the obstacles).  when i worried about the money, he helped me come up with a great idea to raise money without having to ask for just donations.  i love kids, as we all know, so i babysat and instead of paying me, they gave money towards my trip... i even had a family i used to babysit for all the time in raleigh donate (they are so special to me) and they wanted to help.  teresa, my friend's mom, with whom i lived for a few months also wanted to help and gave me money (she repeatedly told me, there are senders and there are doers or people who go)... and last i donated some clothes to a family member and she donated to my trip.  i added it all up and would you believe i had exactly the right amount, i shouldn't be shocked, because God is always going to provide the way, when it is in His will!!!  tonight, one of my close friends even gave me additional money as she knows herself how expensive preparation for mission trips are, so that paid for my food/snacks for the trip, cannot thank her enough.

with all of this, i am so excited, there is a lot of love to give and share in this heart of mine.  i am so thankful that God has provided this opportunity, and i cannot wait to share this experience with you all when i get back, for now my hope is that i will be able to share Christ's love to a country who needs it.  will you please join me in prayer for the following::

1. pray for safe travel
2. pray for no sickness
3. pray that we are able to help in whatever capacity or need mission of hope has for us... whether it be construction, painting, cleaning, playing with the kids, etc...
4. pray that we will be able to visit the villages and the people and serve them by showing them Christ's love

i also have an additional prayer request::  my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer again this week, this time it is skin cancer, but the type that spreads.  he will have surgery to remove the cancerous nodule on monday, while i am away.  please lift him up in prayer, that he will be comforted, rest while in the hospital next week, and that the cancer is localized and that it has not spread.

thanks for all of the support, prayers, and if you would like to follow our team blog while we are in haiti, please click on the following link

http://www.newcharlottechurchtohaiti.blogspot.com/