I’m still trying to wrap my bald head around the events of this week, on a few levels. Today, my son graduates High School…which just can’t be as he was just 2 years old yesterday, watching Toy Story 1 and 2 (back to back on DVD), sitting in his Elmo chair, with his blanket and pacifier. (AKA, the “Mookie”)
Then…early Saturday morning, or very late Friday night if you will (3:30am is still night to me) we start our journey to Haiti.
23 of us from GPBC, and a few extra friends, will be traveling to Cap Haiten, Haiti. We will be going with Deep River Mission to work at a school there putting on a Vacation Bible School program, teaching some ESL, and also cooking humongous pots of rice and beans to feed to people in the town. For most, it will be their only meal of the day, and many will share one plate with their whole family.
This is not my family’s first time there, we went in 2013, so I know exactly what we are in for. (Above is a picture of the soon to be HS Graduate from the 2013 trip entertaining the locals with a marathon game of “Slaps.”) When I look at pictures of our trip last time and was instantly transported back there – the sights, sounds, smells…last time it was all new to me, I was sort of in shock. This time, there is a very real sense that I know full well what I’m in for.
We would love for you to pray for us:
- Travel. Let’s face it. For a guy who thinks caravanning is a result of the Fall, traveling with 23 people to another country is a challenge. Please pray for smooth and safe travel, and for us to grow in unity through all the ups and downs of the journey.
- Finances. We still are a tad short of our goal. Please pray that the funds come in. If you are so inclined, you can give online. (Select “2015 Haiti Missions Trip” in the drop down.)
- Team. I am super excited about this team. Last night at our final prep meeting (yes, there were spreadsheets involved) there was a sense of love for each other and joyful anticipation. Flat out – this is a great group of people going and I can’t wait to be there with them.
- Ministry. Pray for us to minister well to the people we come in contact with. Pray for compassionate love for the people, for opportunities to share the gospel, and most of all for God to open the hearts of those who hear to know the freedom he brings in Jesus. Last night, we were reminded of God’s word fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 4) of the nature of the rescue mission of the Messiah —
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” (Isaiah 61:1 ESV)
I will try my best to keep up on blogging when there…you can add “wifi” to the prayer list. 🙂
Mike Ruel 