Learning Patience - Haiti Open House

“Patience” and “wait” are two words that are not especially popular in our busy American culture.  We want everything now, or yesterday.  Today in Sunday School, our class was discussing the importance of waiting on God’s plan as we studied Joseph in Genesis 40-41. He had to wait two more years in prison, even after he had asked the cupbearer to put a good word in for him before the cupbearer was released from prison.   Imagine how long those two years must have been for Joseph in that prison cell, as he wondered what was taking so long for God to accomplish His plan for Joseph’s life.  And yet, God WAS accomplishing His plan, even in that prison cell. 

Our family feels like we are in a similar time of waiting, although we certainly are not facing the difficulties that Joseph faced in prison.  God has given us a vision of where and how He wants us to serve in Haiti, and yet, He is not finished with us here, in Greencastle, PA.  He is molding us here, refining us, teaching us, and preparing us for ministry in Haiti. 

While we are here, experiencing the waiting, He has called us to minister to, and alongside, another wonderful congregation of people, as well as, continue the work at Pregnancy Ministries.  He has given us tasks to do, although some days we have to wonder exactly what those tasks are, we know that there is purpose in our being here, now.  We are thankful that our plan is not His, and yet some days, as Joseph probably did, we wonder why this part of the journey needs to be so long and hard.  He is molding us, refining us, teaching us, and preparing us for the road ahead.

Do you hear a recurring theme here . . .

However, God has also given us another task in this time of waiting.  He has given us the responsibility to share the ministry that we are a part of with Reciprocal Ministries, Intl. (RMI).   Few people in south central PA have ever heard of RMI, and our job during this time of waiting is to share the mission, passion, and strategies of RMI, which have also become ours over the past three years.  Last night, we took an opportunity to share just that, as well as a little bit of the flavor of Haitian life. 

We are so thankful for the incredibly supportive group of friends that have come around us and helped us to bring a little bit of Haiti and RMI heart and passion to Calvary Bible Church last evening in Greencastle, PA.  The last week was a testing ground of some new Haitian recipes to share with friends and family as we also shared our excitement of serving as a part of RMI.  Between 40 and 50 of us gathered in the gym with the smell of Haitian rice and beans, pikliz (spicy coleslaw-like condiment), pan patat (sweet potato pudding), banana fritters, and other Haitian-like treats filling the air as Lee expressed RMI’s mission of sharing the gospel through C3 Partnerships. 

A third responsibility that God has given us during this time of waiting, is fundraising.  Although this certainly isn’t our favorite part of the task before us, it is certainly essential.  We need a network of people, here in the States to support us both prayerfully and financially.  Many times a week, we are asked when we will be leaving for the field, and many times we respond with the answer, that when we are able to raise the needed financial support, we can answer that question better.  We wish we had a better answer, but we don’t, other than to say, until the fundraising is complete, we have God’s answer about our moving to Haiti, “Wait”.   Although that isn’t exactly the answer that any of us want to say or hear, that is where we are for now. 

Many of you have joined our financial sending team, and for that we are so grateful.  Many of you have joined our prayer team and for that we are equally, if not more thankful.  You have blessed our lives, whether we have known you for  a short time or all of our lives.  Thank you for being such an incredible part of this journey.

We would love to share what God has called us to with your family, friends, and/or community as well.  Please contact us about sharing with your small group, church family, or just a gathering of family and friends.  We are excited about what God is doing through RMI in Haiti, we would love to share that excitement with you.