Another trip is in the making!

It's February, and we at Covenant UMC are already underway with plans for a return trip to Gonaïves, Haiti to the Tabernacle of Christ Methodist Church! I am so very thankful that our church (just barely two years old!) is already planning it's SECOND international mission trip! Of our original 12 mission team members - 9 are returning! (we are losing 1 to a move across the country & 2 to college summer school) :-(  ...and before we've even announced the new date to the church, we already have 3 (additional) committed members!

I've been able to keep in touch a bit with some of our friends via Facebook, emails and through Pastor Guercy. We held an Angel Tree drive at Christmas to collect clothing, toys & school supplies for the orphans AND we had an Alternative Gift Fair to help us raise money for educational support & food for the orphans & the church. We collected a TON of gifts & $2800 for educational support & food! (not too shabby for our 1st time out!)

Please find time to lift our Mission Team up in prayer from now (in our beginning planning stages) through our return on June 21st. "The prayer of the righteous is powerful & effective". ~James 5:16

A mission trip is usually more life changing for those that go than those that are being served. Our trip last August was no different. Our purpose was to be available as God's servants, His hands & feet to every Haitian we encountered that week. I pray that seeds were sown and lives were touched in Gonaïves as much as Gonaïves touched our lives and our hearts.

I'm thankful that God was so persistent in calling me to go to Haiti. I can't believe I once doubted (fought!) going to this incredible place. It will be so exciting to once again see our sweet friends & those precious children!!! God has not put out this flame in my heart to help the people of Haiti & I am looking forward to what He will show me through our next trip... I return with a desired mission!

A picture of our sweet orphans sent to us with an email update late in 2013!

I found this poem, written by a young woman who went to serve in Haiti for the 1st time... such beautiful words that so exactly mirrored my thoughts and heart!

To Haiti with Love ~Lacie LaRue

Where could I begin to tell you the love that I have for you,

In song, in dance, in laughter,

You stole my heart,

I cry for your needs and I pray for your spirits,

Never will I forget what I saw or how you endure,

Soon I hope to return to you and share in the love of our Lord,

You are my brother, you are my sister, my friends that I hold dear,

My heart will never be the same,

I long to return to you my friends and share in simple life,

May blessings abound and peace be plentiful until the day of our Lord,

Where we ALL will feast, in love, in health, and joy, as ONE.

"Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love."

 ~Mother Teresa