I just returned from a week-long medical mission trip in Haiti last Monday (03/22). Now after having time to reflect and soak things in, I'm prepared to write about my experiences.
I will begin with the story behind what brought me to Haiti... I had the opportunity to serve in Haiti with GCOM (God's Chosen One's Ministries http://www.gcomintl.org/) for 8 days last June. GCOM is a small, non-profit organization founded by two native Haitians in their twenties (Bobby W. and Garry D.) who were studying in the states but had a heart for their homeland. They have been sending short term medical teams of people from all across the U.S. 3 or 4 times a year since 2004.
Since my time in Haiti last June, I knew I would return, but was unsure of when that would be. The moment I learned of the Earthquake on January 12th (my Dad left me a voicemail), my heart sank. I thought and prayed for the safety of my dear friends in Haiti and their families and all the orphans I left behind in June... I wanted to hop on a plane right then and there to go help the Haitians, my extended family... I, as I'm sure many of you did, applied online to join the work of larger organizations with no success... When I learned that GCOM was returning to Haiti sooner than I expected, I made a request for time off of work for their March trip.
I'm ashamed to say that I nearly let worry, and my"responsibilities" at home get in the way of me going to Haiti. I worried about the seeming "lack of time" I had to prepare for the trip, and carried the burden of desiring to do things "decently and in order," instead of having faith and trust in God to provide all my needs! I'm soooo thankful for those friends who encouraged me to go, and for God's hand that gripped me one morning and COMPLETELY turned my priorities upside down! It was as if God was saying, "Listen Lydia! Your new roommates will survive without you, the broken garbage disposal can wait another month, the job search and studies can wait, and all those other little details can wait, but LIVES can't wait! You must go now!"
Yes, being prepared and doing things in order is good, but we must also be flexible. Just as Jesus took the time to stop his own agenda to heal the blind beggar on the side of the road in Luke 18:35-43, we must be sensitive to and yield to God's leading in our lives... Be malleable clay in the palm of His hands, so that we, in turn, can become "His hands and feet" to a world in need.
I'm thankful that God gave me, his initially hesitant and doubtful servant, the opportunity to serve the Haitians, and for his MANY provisions along the way! Let me tell you of how he BULLDOZED the path for me to go to Haiti! Hopefully what I learned will encourage you to take "leaps of faith" in your life for the Lord!
I believe it was Friday, February 26th when I sent my letter of intent/support to my church, friends and family. God moved quickly from that day forward! There were slim pickings for affordable flights to Haiti booking within two weeks of my departure and travel dates around the busy spring break season. However, after trying for hours to get in touch with Southwest airlines, the kind persons in customer service opened-up seats for me to use my free flight voucher to Ft. Lauderdale, making my travel expenses FAR less expensive!
I had made plans the month before to attend church with friends in Philadelphia the Sunday before my departure. Knowing this, Lori, our church secretary, arranged for a dear friend to speak on my behalf! Our church responded overwhelmingly to her "call to arms," they brought in DOUBLE the amount I needed for the trip, PLUS a manifold amount of supplies for the Haitians! Half of the monetary donations and supplies were used in support of my friend Ginny, another nurse in my church who would be working in Haiti at the same time! Thank you to the members of NCPC for your faithful and generous support of world missions!
I will begin with the story behind what brought me to Haiti... I had the opportunity to serve in Haiti with GCOM (God's Chosen One's Ministries http://www.gcomintl.org/) for 8 days last June. GCOM is a small, non-profit organization founded by two native Haitians in their twenties (Bobby W. and Garry D.) who were studying in the states but had a heart for their homeland. They have been sending short term medical teams of people from all across the U.S. 3 or 4 times a year since 2004.
Since my time in Haiti last June, I knew I would return, but was unsure of when that would be. The moment I learned of the Earthquake on January 12th (my Dad left me a voicemail), my heart sank. I thought and prayed for the safety of my dear friends in Haiti and their families and all the orphans I left behind in June... I wanted to hop on a plane right then and there to go help the Haitians, my extended family... I, as I'm sure many of you did, applied online to join the work of larger organizations with no success... When I learned that GCOM was returning to Haiti sooner than I expected, I made a request for time off of work for their March trip.
I'm ashamed to say that I nearly let worry, and my"responsibilities" at home get in the way of me going to Haiti. I worried about the seeming "lack of time" I had to prepare for the trip, and carried the burden of desiring to do things "decently and in order," instead of having faith and trust in God to provide all my needs! I'm soooo thankful for those friends who encouraged me to go, and for God's hand that gripped me one morning and COMPLETELY turned my priorities upside down! It was as if God was saying, "Listen Lydia! Your new roommates will survive without you, the broken garbage disposal can wait another month, the job search and studies can wait, and all those other little details can wait, but LIVES can't wait! You must go now!"
Yes, being prepared and doing things in order is good, but we must also be flexible. Just as Jesus took the time to stop his own agenda to heal the blind beggar on the side of the road in Luke 18:35-43, we must be sensitive to and yield to God's leading in our lives... Be malleable clay in the palm of His hands, so that we, in turn, can become "His hands and feet" to a world in need.
I'm thankful that God gave me, his initially hesitant and doubtful servant, the opportunity to serve the Haitians, and for his MANY provisions along the way! Let me tell you of how he BULLDOZED the path for me to go to Haiti! Hopefully what I learned will encourage you to take "leaps of faith" in your life for the Lord!
I believe it was Friday, February 26th when I sent my letter of intent/support to my church, friends and family. God moved quickly from that day forward! There were slim pickings for affordable flights to Haiti booking within two weeks of my departure and travel dates around the busy spring break season. However, after trying for hours to get in touch with Southwest airlines, the kind persons in customer service opened-up seats for me to use my free flight voucher to Ft. Lauderdale, making my travel expenses FAR less expensive!
I had made plans the month before to attend church with friends in Philadelphia the Sunday before my departure. Knowing this, Lori, our church secretary, arranged for a dear friend to speak on my behalf! Our church responded overwhelmingly to her "call to arms," they brought in DOUBLE the amount I needed for the trip, PLUS a manifold amount of supplies for the Haitians! Half of the monetary donations and supplies were used in support of my friend Ginny, another nurse in my church who would be working in Haiti at the same time! Thank you to the members of NCPC for your faithful and generous support of world missions!
