Update:
Last Wednesday, after I updated, we had a prayer meeting. I was able to share what I felt God was challenging me with and showing me how I need to change to be more like Him. I talked about one of the Discipleship Essential chapters. I can’t remember which one it is, but it was challenging us to be servants and to always have our eyes searching for opportunities to serve others, but not only that. It said that we should be humble enough to accept other people’s good deeds to us. On the surface, it seems like that’s a no brainer. You’re probably thinking, “Well, duh, Renee, of course I let other people serve me. It’s not that hard to be served.” But think about this. Do you let people help you when you’re trying to build something or make something and you want it done just the perfect way, but the person who’s helping you is messing everything up? Are you humble enough to let it go or kindly help correct the person? Are you humble enough to let that person serve you even though they may be an “EGR” (extra grace required) type of person? I know that I’m quite an independent person and I like to work alone a lot of the time, unless I know I can’t handle it. I need to be willing to allow others to work with me or serve me even when I’m not in the mood to talk or work with anyone else. It was challenging to me. I hope it challenges you (and I hope that all made sense).
Thursday and Friday last week, I did practically nothing. I read, played Wii, read, played solitare, read, played scrabble, read, slept, read, you get the idea haha. I did nothing relevant or important. Oh! Except I did talk to a Haitian for a couple hours because he wanted to practice his English and, well, it’s not like I had anything to do. I had fun though. He taught me some Creol and it came in handy this week.
Saturday I went to the beach again. What a tough life, right? ;) I had a good time. It was just a couple of us missionaries that went so it was incredibly relaxing! I literally laid in the sun, napped, and listened to my Ipod all day long. So awesome!
When I was a teen in high school, we would do this thing at youth group where we would write our sins in sand and then wipe them away because not even a scientist could figure out what was written in the sand. It’s as if it was never even written in the sand. There are some things in my life that I am having an awful time of giving to God. I think this trip has really helped me to see what I’m holding onto in my life that God wants to take care of. So, at the beach, I took some time and wrote those things in the sand and gave them to God. Of course, it’s only symbolic and the real giving up of those things needs to be a heart and head thing, but I was glad I did it. I gave them to God and I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. God, it’s in your hands. I no longer want control.
Sunday we went to church here on the compound. It was a pretty long service, but I loved it. I was trying to take it all in as my last Sunday in Haiti.. It was cool because I now know so many Haitians here and they all come up to me and talk to me. I love it. I feel like I belong here almost, like I’m part of their culture. I’m going to really miss how friendly everyone here is. Sorry, but people in the states are not this friendly, no offense. But, I do like to think CCG is like that though. I really feel like CCG is quite the friendly place. Thanks to all who make it feel like that.
Monday and today we did VBS in Goden. It’s a crazy ride out there. Only 5 miles, but the bumpiest five miles I have ever experienced since I’ve been here. And, we had to walk the last half mile about and I swear to you it’s like mountain climbing and brilliant me decided to wear flip flops the first day. I couldn’t have been sorrier for that decision especially since I bruised the bottom of my foot like a week ago and it still isn’t healed completely yet. Oh well, live and learn.. VBS was so much fun though! I got to hang out with the kids and I can actually talk to them (a little, if they talk slow). We played hand games and they all wanted to sit on my lap and the other girl’s lap in the group. Today, they walked the half mile walk with us. They were waiting for us to pick them up and give them a ride the whole way, but since we had to walk, they grabbed my hands (like 5 kids hung on to me as I climbed the mountain, slight exaggeration haha) and we all walked together. I loved it. I’m seriously going to miss this place and the love the kids show towards all of us here. The team that I’m helping out with the VBS is so funny and I absolutely love that I have gotten to know them and gotten to be a part of VBS for a couple days with them. Hannah, one of the girls on the team, spent 6 months this past year in Kenya. I have been drilling her with questions about the whole experience and how she coped with being gone for so long. I asked how it was for her to transition back home. I was so fascinated with her story. She’s 20 years old and I am astounded with how much she is doing and how willing she is to follow God anywhere and everywhere. I want to be like that some day.
Now, I’m about to start packing and getting ready to go home. I leave at 7:30 am tomorrow morning. My flight takes off at 9:00am. I’ll arrive in Indianapolis at 10:50pm. I’ll see you all soon (hopefully at church on Sunday). Don’t be afraid to ask me about my trip. I’ll keep the explanation as short as you want it, but if you want to know details, you’ll have to ask for them because my typical answer when someone asks me about my trip will be, “It was great. God does amazing work in Haiti and I’m glad I was even a small part of that work.” But, since you all have been keeping up with me on my blog, you probably won’t even need to ask about the trip. You’ve been experiencing it right alongside me. Thank you so much for your support and your prayers. I can honestly say I could not have done this without all of you. I needed the prayers and I especially needed God to help get me through this and you all were a big help in that.
That’s it. See you soon. Bondye bene ou!
Shout out to Jaclyn Adrian. I’m praying for you and your family. You’re so strong and I’m glad we got to know each other. You can get through this. I know you can. Keep your eyes on God and know that I am praying for you and your family. I miss you, Roomie.
Last Wednesday, after I updated, we had a prayer meeting. I was able to share what I felt God was challenging me with and showing me how I need to change to be more like Him. I talked about one of the Discipleship Essential chapters. I can’t remember which one it is, but it was challenging us to be servants and to always have our eyes searching for opportunities to serve others, but not only that. It said that we should be humble enough to accept other people’s good deeds to us. On the surface, it seems like that’s a no brainer. You’re probably thinking, “Well, duh, Renee, of course I let other people serve me. It’s not that hard to be served.” But think about this. Do you let people help you when you’re trying to build something or make something and you want it done just the perfect way, but the person who’s helping you is messing everything up? Are you humble enough to let it go or kindly help correct the person? Are you humble enough to let that person serve you even though they may be an “EGR” (extra grace required) type of person? I know that I’m quite an independent person and I like to work alone a lot of the time, unless I know I can’t handle it. I need to be willing to allow others to work with me or serve me even when I’m not in the mood to talk or work with anyone else. It was challenging to me. I hope it challenges you (and I hope that all made sense).
Thursday and Friday last week, I did practically nothing. I read, played Wii, read, played solitare, read, played scrabble, read, slept, read, you get the idea haha. I did nothing relevant or important. Oh! Except I did talk to a Haitian for a couple hours because he wanted to practice his English and, well, it’s not like I had anything to do. I had fun though. He taught me some Creol and it came in handy this week.
Saturday I went to the beach again. What a tough life, right? ;) I had a good time. It was just a couple of us missionaries that went so it was incredibly relaxing! I literally laid in the sun, napped, and listened to my Ipod all day long. So awesome!
When I was a teen in high school, we would do this thing at youth group where we would write our sins in sand and then wipe them away because not even a scientist could figure out what was written in the sand. It’s as if it was never even written in the sand. There are some things in my life that I am having an awful time of giving to God. I think this trip has really helped me to see what I’m holding onto in my life that God wants to take care of. So, at the beach, I took some time and wrote those things in the sand and gave them to God. Of course, it’s only symbolic and the real giving up of those things needs to be a heart and head thing, but I was glad I did it. I gave them to God and I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. God, it’s in your hands. I no longer want control.
Sunday we went to church here on the compound. It was a pretty long service, but I loved it. I was trying to take it all in as my last Sunday in Haiti.. It was cool because I now know so many Haitians here and they all come up to me and talk to me. I love it. I feel like I belong here almost, like I’m part of their culture. I’m going to really miss how friendly everyone here is. Sorry, but people in the states are not this friendly, no offense. But, I do like to think CCG is like that though. I really feel like CCG is quite the friendly place. Thanks to all who make it feel like that.
Monday and today we did VBS in Goden. It’s a crazy ride out there. Only 5 miles, but the bumpiest five miles I have ever experienced since I’ve been here. And, we had to walk the last half mile about and I swear to you it’s like mountain climbing and brilliant me decided to wear flip flops the first day. I couldn’t have been sorrier for that decision especially since I bruised the bottom of my foot like a week ago and it still isn’t healed completely yet. Oh well, live and learn.. VBS was so much fun though! I got to hang out with the kids and I can actually talk to them (a little, if they talk slow). We played hand games and they all wanted to sit on my lap and the other girl’s lap in the group. Today, they walked the half mile walk with us. They were waiting for us to pick them up and give them a ride the whole way, but since we had to walk, they grabbed my hands (like 5 kids hung on to me as I climbed the mountain, slight exaggeration haha) and we all walked together. I loved it. I’m seriously going to miss this place and the love the kids show towards all of us here. The team that I’m helping out with the VBS is so funny and I absolutely love that I have gotten to know them and gotten to be a part of VBS for a couple days with them. Hannah, one of the girls on the team, spent 6 months this past year in Kenya. I have been drilling her with questions about the whole experience and how she coped with being gone for so long. I asked how it was for her to transition back home. I was so fascinated with her story. She’s 20 years old and I am astounded with how much she is doing and how willing she is to follow God anywhere and everywhere. I want to be like that some day.
Now, I’m about to start packing and getting ready to go home. I leave at 7:30 am tomorrow morning. My flight takes off at 9:00am. I’ll arrive in Indianapolis at 10:50pm. I’ll see you all soon (hopefully at church on Sunday). Don’t be afraid to ask me about my trip. I’ll keep the explanation as short as you want it, but if you want to know details, you’ll have to ask for them because my typical answer when someone asks me about my trip will be, “It was great. God does amazing work in Haiti and I’m glad I was even a small part of that work.” But, since you all have been keeping up with me on my blog, you probably won’t even need to ask about the trip. You’ve been experiencing it right alongside me. Thank you so much for your support and your prayers. I can honestly say I could not have done this without all of you. I needed the prayers and I especially needed God to help get me through this and you all were a big help in that.
That’s it. See you soon. Bondye bene ou!
Shout out to Jaclyn Adrian. I’m praying for you and your family. You’re so strong and I’m glad we got to know each other. You can get through this. I know you can. Keep your eyes on God and know that I am praying for you and your family. I miss you, Roomie.