Finally!

Well, the time has come! God has rewarded our persistence! I know it's short notice, but we want to let everyone know that we leave Thursday, October 2nd. All of our required forms, visas, passports, vaccinations, funds, and assignments have been completed and received! A huge sigh of relief can probably be heard as you read. We are still packing and wrapping up the last minute details this week. Thank you to all who have provided support along the way. It is truly amazing and a testament to God's character of provision. When we needed a vehicle, someone said "this is for you". When we needed funds, others said "this is yours". When we needed discipleship, wise people said "listen to this". It's because so many people said "Yes!" that we are in this position waiting in confidence and full of faith. Thank you God for providing the way for our family.
As we experience new things and grow in the faith and knowledge of God, we want to update as often as possible. We don't know the details of how that will work out, but know that you all will be in our hearts.  Please continue to pray for our family over the next few months specifically for health and safety. Leave a comment if you would like to choose a date for us to share in praying for each other. We are happy to add to the list. 
We are going to be somewhat vague with the details of our trip purposely, but we can explain some of what we anticipate. Because of some changes that have taken place in Mozambique, we will spend more time in South Africa.  Our trip will start and end there, with Mozambique sandwiched in between. Our return is expected to be December, 23. During the school our schedule will be quite busy. Monday through Thursday will be mostly classroom and lecture time, while weekends will be community outreach and church service. We look forward to the many speakers and teachers we have the great privilege to hear. After 2 months, we will travel to South Africa and begin a time of extended outreach. The extended outreach has aspects of both agriculture and school, which Carolynn and I are most interested in and purposely chose to do.
It's with a sad heart that we leave so many family and friends behind for a time, but we carry with us the memories that easily comfort and sooth the heart, as well as the hope of our return. As much as we cherish these relationships, we also carry the hope we have in Christ and the reward of giving up all things for Him. Be blessed!

Haiti Shining Bright

Mike here-I was sitting amongst 40ish shining lights who call the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere their home.  They were children from ages 3-16 that attend a church involved with a partnership orchestrated by World Orphans, an organization devoted to caring for orphans throughout the world. My home church is the other end of the partnership.  A group of 10 of us traveled to Haiti to continue building a relationship that began about 3 years ago.  We were all damp with sweat and rain, basting in the 90 degree tropical heat.  With the ocean to our fronts, and mountains to our backs, the scene was surreal.  I couldn't help but think about the beauty of Gods creation all around me. I watched the children as they ate as much rice, chicken, and beans as they wished.  The joy radiated from their eyes as we enjoyed our first meal together. A little girl that I guessed was about 4 caught my eye as I finished my meal and returned to my seat at the long table. She had gotten a second full plate after quite simply causing the first to disappear. Her body leaned over the plate with her face set hard. A look of determination settled in her eyes. Soon the second plate was finished. Most of the other children had gone back to playing with members of our team or found a ball to kick or throw.  Adults began to clean the dining area. Lovescar, (pronounced Luv-e-skuh) who is actually 6 years old went back to the counter for her third plate.  As she began eating, a member of the caregiver team approached and suggested that Lovescar had enough to eat.
My heart melted for her and I couldn't help but wonder what a normal day in her life is like.  It was suggested by a translater that maybe she hadn't experienced being full before and just didn't recognize the feeling.  She had become accustomed to eating whatever was put in front of her.  Over the next three days I was able to see Lovescar's personality come out, most notably when we had to leave the camp to resume our trip.  The children would be staying for the rest of the week.  As we said our farewells, emotions poured out through our tears. Both adults and children alike couldn't suppress our desire to stay together just a little longer. We hugged and cried, being careful not to miss any of our friends.  My wife nudged me in the side with a smile and said "Somebody isn't happy."  Lovescar stood close by our side with arms folded across her chest.  Her face had once again been set hard with determination.  How dare we leave her after all the fun we had together.  We gave her hugs anyway, knowing that she would soon give up her disappointment and find joy in playing with the other children.
As I finished building paper airplanes for some of the kids to fly, I noticed the pastors from our partnership walking toward the area I was at. They had told us they would come to camp to check on us at some point.  Pastor Lomondre strolled up next to me and we sat down on a ledge while we watched the children play. We soon struck up a conversation with Pastor Lemondre working hard to use his best English.  Our conversation was a delight!  We talked about church in America, the children in our partnership, my life, and his life.  He motioned to a little girl with beads at the end of her braids and said "She's mine." I said "Oh, your granddaughter?"  To which he replied "No. My daughter. She's the last one." Surprised, I came back with "You hope!"  Our conversation revealed that he has eight children and his daughter is ten years younger than the next youngest. She really was a surprise! His wife gave birth at age 46.
There are all kinds of mission trips and ways to support those in need, but one thing I have learned through experience is that relationships go a long way in making a lasting difference.  I thank World Orphans for encouraging support through relationship because it works. Though our church sends regular financial support, I believe the greater impact is happening when people such as myself take matters to God in prayer.  We have been alongside our friends when they struggled to learn how to float in the ocean, and we laughed as a silly skit about David and Goliath was played out, and we were filled with joy when we worshipped the same God who loves each one of us.  It's because we were there and each of those experiences have been etched into our memories that we remember and think often about our friends in Haiti and pray for them regularly.  God is gracious and abounds in love and mercy.  He hears each one of our pleas and answers.