Turbulence

During my husband and my week on short-term mission to Haiti our kids had fun at VBS and spent time with grandma and her adopted son our kids’ age.  My life up until that week was focused on my husband and two little lives (Matthew & Jordan) – their past, present and future.  Then we were asked by our church to go to Haiti with a month to get ready.  By this I mean writing the THREE page “note” of instructions for grandma (a mom of 4 and former foster mom, so SUPER capable to take care of our children) and not to mention the note I wrote concerning the care of our children in case we died, etc.

So as we stepped on the plane at the end of the week to go from Haiti to Florida it down poured!  Lift off was fine.  Up, up, up.  A little bumpy but that’s to be expected where clouds and rain are present.  And then…THE DIP.  This dip was like one at Disney on Thunder Mountain – enough to give you a thrill but nothing too crazy.  Except on an airplane it didn’t warrant the “YAAAYYY” reaction.   Then we REALLY did a nose-dive that prompted most on the plane to break out in prayer and supplication like never before. 

During this awful event after calling out to our GOD in utter urgency our kids were on my mind.  What would their lives be like if we didn’t make it home?  I felt so sad for them.  Even on Curious George when Hundley the dog was lost in the city, he thought of the Doorman feeling sad that Hundley never came home.  Oh the despair.  What hope we have in Jesus (Romans 8:34-39).  Read it sister and be encouraged.  I was comforted because most in our family are believers and most likely they’d be surrounded by believers who would guide them to the Comforter.

When turbulence hits your life, take comfort in Romans 8:34-39.  Not even turbulence can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

Walking in the Light

As our son was reading his devotional book one morning this week about Isaiah 2:5 I was reminded of our recent mission trip to Haiti.    

"...come and let us walk In the light of the Lord." Isaiah 2:5

We are all walking on the same soil of earth.  However, how we walk is what makes the difference.  Some are walking in the light and others walk in darkness.  Walking this life with God is walking in the LIGHT.  At one time or another we are all faced with the choice to walk with God or choose to walk in darkness, apart from God. 

Last week my husband Ryan and I went to Haiti with a group from our church.  Our duties there were diverse but in general we went to help two churches and a medical clinic in the Jacmel area of Haiti.  One portion of our trip was to organized cargo shipping containers packed with supplies from generous donors aiding the 2010 earthquake victims.  There was also a container on the church property that had ministry supplies we inventoried, etc. 

As we went about the tasks at hand each day, we’d find ourselves going in and out of these containers multiple times.  There was an apparent vast contrast between the darkness of the container verses the intense sunlight from outside.  The dark seemed to get darker the more we were exposed to the light. 

"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." John 12:46

While we were in Haiti we were faced with many ministry opportunities such as street evangelism; elderly, children’s and hospital ministries, and interpersonal growth opportunities within the group.  Each moment stretched us.  But as we came back to the US, I realized we have these ministry opportunities all around us here too.  May we walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7) whether we are here, there, or on a plane getting there.  The darkness is NO PLACE where I want to be!  Let’s not leave those around us in the dark.  Talk out loud about Jesus and the light our salvation brings to our lives.   Let's do Deuteronomy 6:5-9 together mommas.

Calvary Chapel Beaudouin

Calvary Chapel Jacmel

Angel Wings Intl.