Christmas Update

It has been far too long since I posted an update here. Please accept my sincerest apologies! There are not good excuses.

 

This past year has been full of surprises for me. I thought that I would have surely returned to Haiti by now. I thought I would have helped lead a short term missions team there through A Child’s Hope. I thought I would have finished raising the money for Hope Hill. I thought ACH would have broken ground for their academy already.

 

But I am so thankful to serve a God who is omniscient (all knowing.) His plan is always better than mine. My understanding is finite!

 

So what is happening in 2014? I continue to raise funds for A Child’s Hope. So far, $25,000 out of $70,000 has been raised. We’re only $10,000 away from the halfway mark! Even though the fundraising has gone slower than I expected, God has continued to provide.

 

I also hope to return to Haiti this summer, if God keeps the doors open. He so clearly closed the doors this past year. But I trust that He has burdened my heart for a reason, and I am willing to follow after Him wherever that leads. I am praying that He leads me back to Haiti sometime this year. J

 

A Child’s Hope continues to press on in their fundraising efforts. The money raised for Hope Hill is ultimately going towards their effort in Haiti, because we are working together for the same goal. ACH is planning their 2^nd Annual Fundraising Gala in Houston, TX for April 4^th. If you are interested in attending, you can visit their website and purchase tickets here.

 

Thank you all for your continued prayers for this initiative! I cannot wait to see how God works in 2014.

Mission

“God scatters to reunite.”

That quote came from the book I’ve been reading lately called “Finish the Mission” by John Piper and David Mathis. The discussion in the chapter was about the Gospel in the Old Testament, and the way that God scattered the nation of Israel on multiple occasions. In the New Testament, we also see the disciples being scattered into all the world in order to preach the gospel.

Biblically speaking, we have so many examples of people GOING in order to spread the gospel. We too, are called to GO outside of our comfort zones for His honor and glory. Even though we are sometimes baffled as to why God seems to break up a “good thing,” often it’s for a better thing! God scatters to reunite.

An Adventure

“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.”

--G.K. Chesterton

Fundraising Update

Finally! A moment to post an update on Hope Hill and what’s going on with things! Life has been extremely busy lately, so I’ll keep this update short and sweet:

1.) Funds. I am still working to raise funds for Hope Hill, and the numbers have continued to go up! Later this week, I will update the thermometer on the right.

2.) Where Funds Go. As a result of our move to Texas and my partnership with A Child’s Hope, we now have a new place to direct funds! Rather than going through our church in Michigan, donations can now be made out to “A Child’s Hope” with “Hope Hill” in the memo line. Those checks can be mailed to:

A Child’s Hope

16545 Village Drive, Bldg A

Jersey Village, TX 77040

3.) Valencia. My precious little girl continues to do well in Haiti! With her sponsorship, she is now being tutored and is catching up in school. I am anxious to see her again, and am praying about a return trip to La Montagne in 2014.

That’s all for now! I appreciate all of you who are praying for this project! Soli Deo Gloria!

Soon

Sorry if it seems like this blog died over the past few weeks! Life has been extremely busy, and I still haven’t been able to come up for air. I promise to post an update next week when things lull a little bit.

Meanwhile, I’ve been thinking about how much I miss this time, this place, and these people. I pray that in God’s timing, we will reunite, and return to Haiti together!