Aja, Seth & Jordan, Haiti 2012

The Story of Christ in the Face of a Child

My two oldest children got back from a mission trip to Haiti last week. Seth, my oldest son, took his first mission trip when he was 15. Going to Mexico was a life changing experience for him. He was bitten by the mission bug and has gone on a mission trip every year since. This was Aja's first mission trip. Being in the Navy has made her a well seasoned traveler, but a mission trip to a Haitian orphanage is a different experience. The stories they came back with are such a joy to listen to, but nothing tells the story of Christ like the face of a child.

He captured her heart. Brought to the orphanage just days before they arrived, he was so malnourished he didn't have the strength to cry. Through those with a love for missions, this child went from being passed from stranger to stranger, into the arms of loving adults who will nurture not only his body but his soul. When you give to missions, your money is used to help children like this become all that Christ created them to be.

Kirby is deaf. Funding has been raised for him to receive a hearing implant.
Hopefully he will be coming to the U.S. soon for his surgery

This is the Future of Haiti

These bright faces are the future of Haiti

"Jesus saith unto them, come and dine" John 21:12

Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

Deuteronomy 28:47
Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

Psalm 37:7
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:

Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Headed to school

"He ain't heavy, he's my brother"

No longer alone

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

More of a Hero

When I was in 1st or 2nd grade, I joined a softball team. I remember riding my bike to the school for practice and looked forward to the first game. My stomach twittered with butterflies when it came my turn to bat. To my own shock and awe, I hit the ball and sent it soaring. I ran to first as the coach waved me on toward second. I hit second base with a determined thud and looked up to see that everyone was going nuts. I misinterpreted their excitement, and hung my head as I began walking off the field. When I stepped off the base the place erupted and the second base girl tagged me out. I had given up on myself just a tad too early and was out of the game for real. This would have been a great opportunity for a coach or someone to put their arm around me afterwards and assure me that no mistake is fatal. That didn't happen, and I never went back. I bet I missed a lot of good games because the fear of failure kept me from playing.

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!"

- -A Cinderella Story

When I had kids I did not want them to live with fear of failure.  I certainly don't need to worry about them not living their dreams. This week Aja and Seth are off on a mission trip to Haiti. Each of them have been to different countries, but never together. This will be their first mission trip together and the last trip before my son walks down the isle to start the adventure of marriage. They have stepped up to the plate to face their fears more than I could ever imagine. Each one is very different but with every step they take, they become more of a hero in my eyes.

Africa 2011