Almando and I just delivered messages from a team in Washington to the kids they fell in love with while they were serving here in Haiti. Seeing these relationships continue to grow and the kids light up when they hear the messages is such a blessing. This is how partnership looks. This is how lives are impacted, not just here, but in the states as well. In fact, I have been thinking about that a lot lately as I look at how our time is divided up.
I have found that our ministry has changed some to being a missionary not only to the people of Haiti-- working with pastors churches and orphanages-- but also being a missionary to the teams who come to serve as well! It sometimes surprises me--even though it shouldn't--how many of them leave changed and more in fire for God. Helping them through the culture shock experience, assisting them to serve and learn as much as they can while they are here, and preparing them for their journey home is really rewarding! I find myself encouraging them to continue to minister when they return to the states because their mission trip doesn't end in Haiti. It's just part of the mission that God has called them to. I pray that they remain changed and serve God more in the states now.
We have begun to encourage the pastors we work with and our in-country staff to share their stories and encourage the short-term missionaries to continue to grow in their faith and be bold in the US as well. Almando and I are grateful that we are involved in such a ministry--encouraging pastors, church and community leaders, orphanage directors, teams, and our staff as well as many others to continue to serve the Lord well! Praise God for giving us such an opportunity as this!
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