Here in Haiti & made it to the Mole!
http://circlehaiti.wordpress.com
So I got a little behind in my blogging and haven’t blogged in a while so this post is kind of summing up a lot of my recent thoughts and experiences. Currently I am in Haiti! Woo hoo! In case you forgot, I’m serving as a NWHCM summer intern again for about 12 weeks. I, along with the other NWHCM summer interns, made it safely and smoothly to St. Louis du Nord last Sunday. We spent last week preparing for the upcoming summer with some intern training and bonding.
Though I battled some sickness that kept me from participating in all the activities, I am glad for the time I got to spend there in St. Louis. I’ve only been there for intern training last year and this year so I’m not too familiar with the town or the campus. But I love being able to catch glimpses and be involved in some of the ministry that goes on there. I’m amazed at all the many programs of the mission and the many people involved in serving as well as being served. I enjoyed being able to connect with and learn more about some of the mission staff at the St. Louis campus during my time there.
Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to do God’s work in Haiti. Pray for endurance and strength to continue to fight the good fight and pray that they would be fully equipped with the armor of God so they may stand strong against the devil, as he is tirelessly working against them in trying to gain a foothold in the hearts of many here. Pray also that God would give them joy and peace anew each day, that they would be filled with the Spirit so they can pour it out on those they meet and serve. Also, pray for the summer interns who are staying in St. Louis, that God would grant them guidance and wisdom to know best how to lead the teams that come in for short-term trips. Pray that they will serve boldly with confidence and compassion.
Early Monday morning, the 3 Mole Saint-Nicolas interns (Morgan, Patrick, and I) left the St. Louis campus/staff/interns and headed to our Mole home. We made it safe and sound and have spent the last few days settling in and preparing for these upcoming months. I’m working on figuring out some technology issues so blog and picture posts might be kind of scarce this week but hopefully everything will get sorted out soon enough. Because not only do I want to keep you all updated but writing out these posts really gives me the opportunity to process and put into words everything I’m experiencing and all God’s doing in and through me. So I know I’ve said it multiple times before but this all is as much for me as it is for you!
Please continue to keep me and the other interns and staff here in the Mole in your prayers as we start off this summer. Pray for strength and good health, pray that we will start off strong so we can continue to run the course God has laid out for us this summer and ultimately finish it strong. I’m not sure what He has in store yet but I know He has prepared opportunities for us and that He is daily equipping us. Pray that I would be open to whatever He has planned and that I would fearlessly follow the Spirit’s prompting during my time here.
My biggest prayer is that God would multiply the love that we lavish on a few, on those right before us, to reach a community for Christ, that we would not grow complacent or apathetic as we create our schedule for the summer, but that we would continually look to God and let Him guide us and plan our days for us. I pray that we will love recklessly, give generously, pray faithfully, and believe fully, that we will be filled with the Spirit each morning and be able to pour that love generously out for others. I pray that we will not look to the future with fear or anxiety but that we would keep our eyes fixed on Christ. I pray we will not hold too tightly to our own plans but that we would let go and let God lead us. Hopefully I will be able to post more again soon but for now, know that I am alive and well in Haiti and am looking forward to another crazy, amazing summer here!
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Start to Summer!
Posted on June 9, 2014 by EMILYGSPRING
I’ll update you more on our typical weekly schedule for the summer soon but first I just want to reflect a bit. It’s been a whirlwind of events and preparation to get to this point but I just wanted to stop to prepare my heart for what lies ahead.
We’ve been in the Mole for about a week and in Haiti for 2 weeks. It seems like we been here forever but also like it’s flown by all at the same time. I can’t believe it’s June and I’ll be here for 2 more months; but I don’t want to think about the end, I just want to take it day by day. Seriously, I feel like summer hasn’t even begun! I’m in between being excited for what this summer holds and actually doing all the activities and ministry opportunities we have planned!
My daily prayer is that I will be all here, that I won’t worry about what tomorrow, next week, next month, or the next season brings but I’ll be completely 100% present here and now. I’m praying that I’ll follow the Lord’s leading in my life, not only in the big things but in the small everyday moments as well. I’m also praying that I rely on God through all this, not on my own strength or abilities because I know I can’t do this alone. I’m praying that God would help me completely trust in Him.
To give me the love I need to pour out when I can’t love people unconditionally.
Romans 5:5 – “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
To give me the renewed strength I need to keep going when I can’t seem to take another step.
Isaiah 58:11 – “The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”
To give me the sense of peace I need when I can’t quiet the anxieties and fears I face.
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Because I’m facing these things and I can’t do it on my own and the truth is I don’t have to, and really I was never designed to go it alone. So I’m turning this summer completely over to God to do with it what He will. I have followed His calling that led me back to Haiti for a second summer as an intern here, and He has provided all that I’ve needed to get to this point. He has equipped me for what’s ahead and I know that He’s always holding my hand. Therefore, I go forth, ready for yet not completely sure what lies ahead, just resting in the knowledge that I know who goes before me.