One of the teenagers stood up and asked, “Why are you crying? My own mother doesn’t cry for me. My own family doesn’t cry for me. Why would you cry for me?”
Hi I’m Devyn… Pratt 🙂
Hey Friends and Fam, miss y’all so much. As many of you know, this is my first mission trip. Considering I had no expectations, this has been incredibly life changing. The culture is insanely different and the way God’s showing me His Love and the way His Heart pounds for every single soul across this earth is very inspirational.
These people prove that materialistic desires aren’t the cause for true and consistent joy. It’s so awesome to hear testimony after testimony, smile after smile about why life is worth living. “Jezi” is moving and it’s such a blessing to be a part of a movement that’s headed toward Eternal Glory in His Kingdom.
The way that God begins to change hearts and bring true understanding and seriousness in our daily small groups with the teens has had a real effect on these brothers and sisters in Christ. I know these seeds of encouragement and maturation toward obedience and righteousness will pour into many other souls with God’s Living Water. God’s Fire is burning bright and these people are feeling it. The prayers are definitely bringing fruit. Please keep them coming.
These kids have my heart. It really does break for them. They are so beautiful. It’s so hard to interact and feel God’s compassion flowing to them like they may have never felt before and then leave thirty minutes later. I know they recognize Christ’s Love through this but I really feel encouraged toward long-term missions with constant relationships and more intentionality. Mom and Dad, I know you love to hear that! 😉 no, but it’s really been awesome. Such great opportunity and I feel direction more toward who God is changing me to be.
Thanks to all who supported and prayed and continue to do so. This has changed my life drastically. His plans are good. He is so awesome and I love you all 🙂
Every day, I look forward to the Tech post. Your experiences will stay with you the rest of your lives! You guys are amazing.
Much love,
Erin’s mom
I watch and wait for these posts! Shannon Tumy, I miss you so much but my heart is FULL seeing you being the hands and feet of Jesus. What an opportunity to serve with such an amazing group. I wish I could meet you all and thank you for being such an important part of Shannon’s life.
Keep up the good work!!
Love,
Elaine Tumy
It has been a blessing to read the blogs every day. Know that you all are being covered in prayer so what ever hardships you face just call out HIS name. You time there is coming to an end and I know y’all won’t want to leave you have will have left an impression on everyone there and they will have left an impression on you. You will forever be changed…Praise God! We love you all!
Landon…Missy is in Labor…should have a colt by tomorrow 🙂 Love you!
Cindy
Landon’s Mom
It is so great to see y’all being lights of Christ and examples of who He is and how He loves everyone. It amazes me to read of all of the encounters y’all have had with witch doctors. We are praying hard over here for them and for y’all, for God to overwhelm y’all with His love to share with them, for wisdom on what to say to them, for your words to be God-breathed and not your own. I am so encouraged by y’alls obedience to follow God’s calling and your dependence upon Him and trust that y’all have in Him. He is truly taking care of y’all and is providing. He is providing strength, energy, rest, love, wisdom, and so much more. Keep depending on Him and trusting that He will provide. I can’t wait to see what else He has in store for y’all. Can’t wait to see y’all! Miss all of you so much, especially you David! Y’all are constantly in my prayers. Love y’all!
I am really encouraged to see God moving through you all in such big ways!! His love is moving through the nation of Haiti and He is rejoicing and pleased with all of you! He is doing bigger things than you can even imagine or expect. The Lord is faithful to all of your prayers and His Kingdom is at work. We are praying for you all!
PS-Jenna wrote a nice long letter before this and when Kelly posted after her it deleted her comment, so be expecting a letter from Jenna tomorrow about something different just in case that comment actually went through…because that would just be embarrassing if I attempted to rewrite it and it was worded differently and whatnot. Love all of you so much! Praying for y’all. I second what Kurtis said for David, I assumed you just didn’t make it until I finally saw a picture of you from yesterday. Miss you tons! Can’t wait to see you Sunday!
Love,
Jenna
I read your posts every day — I know you are doing great things and this will be a part of who you are for the rest of your lives. Landon, Grandy says Hi. Today was his and Grandymama’s 68th anniversary so he was kind of sad – but hopefully, I can get him to come over tomorrow and see your pictures again. We are all praying for you.
It is so heartwarming to hear what each of you have to say every day. God is truly working through each of you. Abbey, we can hardly wait to talk to you face to face when you get back. We love you and pray for you and the others every day. Gran and Pepaw
It is such an incredible blessing to hear about your journey in Haiti each day. I am thankful for all God is doing in the hearts of your team and the people there in Haiti!
I pray for you each morning and as God brings you to mind through the day.
I miss you Abby and love u much!
He can do more than we can imagine…
Abby’s mom :))
I pray that you god will continue to move through you while there. I look forward to reading how you are doing and how God is continuing to plant seeds through you. Marie we cannot wait for you to get home so we can here all about it. Love you and miss you. Mom dad Morgan
The stories and pics are so amazing-I can’t wait to hear more-love and miss you so much Steph-keep up the good work!!!!
not much time left, soak up all you can, you are doing an amazing work, i can’t wait to hear more stories, miss you SOOOO much but so very proud of the work you guys are doing, keep up the good work.
love you!!!!!
Every morning I get up and read these inspired posts and begin the day with a thankful heart. The joy God is bringing through you, the message of hope is life changing for those you come into contact with. We are praying for your continued courage and peace.
Love to you all,
Julee Becker (Devyn’s Mom)
And wahtever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians3:23-24.
Sarah Love: we miss you. I can hardly wait to see all of your pictures and hear the stories. Love you to the moon!
The blogs are wonderful. We can see how God is working in each of you.
Good morning you all….God will rain down blessings on you today like a spring shower. Your lamps are brimming to overflowing and the light of Jesus is shining through you and illuminating the darkness and bringing hope to each and every soul you encounter…yes, even the witch doctors. The pure, clean water that flows through the cistern you are building will remind each and every one who drinks from it of the love that the body of Christ has for them and each time they drink from it their thirst will be quenched physically and spiritually. As you pour yourselves into this village and its people, God claims this holy ground and will continue to pour his living water abundantly into the footprints that you leave. Forever changed – the people, the children, the village and your hearts. Dance in the puddles and shout for joy!!!! I love you…. Chris’ mom
What a blessing it is to hear about how God is moving in and around you all. Nothing more exciting then getting to be a part of his kingdom work. Kelly Brooks seems to know what she is talking about so I’d stick pretty close to those words but outside of that-
To Josh: I’ve actually stayed fairly consistent in my prayer for you, i suppose that means you are inspiring miracles in Lubbock as well. Keep the beard combed and ready for battle. may the words of gimli bring comfort to you tonight and tomorrow.
” Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for? ”
To the cliftonian smithsonian: Can’t wait to hear stories upon your return. soak it in, write it down. Be not like the israelites (and us so often for that matter) and forget what God has done for and through you the past few days. When it ain’t all sunshine and roses will you lose hope because your creator has not made himself so obvious? or will you remember what has happened in the mole?
To Ms. Coutts: I have been around the house on 45th enough to have made sure that its kept to your standards of cleanliness, i hope that’s ok. I’m pretty pumped about how God is using you in the holey moley this year, perhaps it doesn’t always feel like it but he is SO interested in using you for his kingdom. My hope is that you have less weird roommates as you sleep in PAP. I heard it got pretty crazy.
To Elise: AHHH! your smile in all of the pictures is just electric. I am so sure that you have been inspiring the rest of your team in body language alone, not to mention your beautiful way with words. Continue to encourage, continue to hope for the little ones who have not the strength left to do so. What a champ you are!
To the rest: you guys are great. Josh bragged about you all for some time before you all left
I’m sure the king of the universe will do the same as he watches you sleep under his stars tonight.
“Look at my kids, aren’t they something?”
Elise – you are as beautiful as the flowers you hold – I so love and miss your face! Josh climbing to retrieve the flowers is priceless. You make the world so small and our God so big! Keep up the good work, sweetie girl. I cried reading that you cried during your prayers – you know I’m the crybaby! We are no longer saying “crybaby” at our house – it is “wilty flowers”.
Continuing to pray for you and this work the team is doing. Our God is such an awesome God!
Love you!
Mom
I am moved to tears almost every day by reading these posts and looking at these pictures! I have been praying for y’all every day, that you will be the guiding light for these people and that they will see God’s love through your beautiful faces! I miss each and every one of y’all so much and I can’t wait to hear even more about it in person. I truly believe that because of the work y’all are doing that the Haitian nation will never be the same!
Love y’all!
Lindsay Schaum
Rachel, You are in our prayers morning, noon, night and many times in between. What a blessing to read your team testimonials every day and hear how you are changing lives in Haiti and being changed yourselves. My heart rejoices with every photo I see of my precious girl! Wish there were more. We know God is using you in ways you may never see or know. We are so proud of you. Keep up God’s work there and we’ll keep you lifted up in prayer here. Can’t wait to see you face and face!
Love,
Madre and El Papo