Friends,
Thank you all again for your involvement in the MVCC Haiti Team trip scheduled for January, 2012.
The team is at a critical stage of organizing this week and I must admit that my tension involved with it is a little high. On the other hand, I fortunately have an overall calmness because I have been blessed to watch God put together all of the logistics in miraculous ways on prior trips and similar activities. Still, the size of the team, the scope of our plans and the uncertainties seem to be at a critical mass at this point. It's a very strange combination of emotions. I covet your prayers and thank you for all of your support in prayer, logistics, encouragement and finances.
We appear to have more than 20 serious participants on the team. The availability of facilities at CHI's wonderful new guest house should accommodate this but it is still a lot. It is a few more than MdL is geared to host and it is almost 10 more than we have taken on the largest team. It's also wonderful that God is weighing this need and opportunity so heavily on so many hearts. The goal is to purchase the air tickets this week. The prices have stayed low so far but the number of people and the use of miles and other logistics seem to be pulling us to have people flying on multiple flights. This requires that some team members will have to wait in the PaP airport for the rest of the team to arrive. It will be interesting to see how God uses this to expand His message.
Another miracle that is pending is to have the food from the OC Meal Marathon arrive before or while we are there. One shipment is going to Dominican Republic this week but the shipment to Haiti is expected to go in early 2012. It is not necessary that we are there for it's arrival but...
We are also excited about having another dental hygienist on the team this trip. This will hopefully allow the dental team to treat some more of the children outside of the MdL home. We are hoping to bring a small compressor with us to use and to leave for the home as well. The other equipment that was donated last year is still ready for our use and it has been augmented by a few more donations this year.
We have historically bought the shirts for the muTch program through Mary Okida. Her service has allowed us to obtain them at a great price and to be able to do it at the last minute when funds have all been raised. The designs that she has created have also been great. We are attempting to do it through the CHI/MdL Transition Program's sewing and screen printing operations this trip. This requires that we fund it earlier. The price is similar and it will be great to give the teens and young adults in the program the work and the experience.
We are also excited about the plans to host a VBS for the children in the muTch program on this trip. We have done several VBS type events in the past but this one seems a little different. It will be awesome to see the plans God has for it.
The team's devotions are currently in the Proverbs. Today it is Proverbs 16. How apt that it shares in verse 1, "To human beings belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue." And verse 9 says "In their hearts human beings plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." How wonderful to remember that every endeavor is ultimately controlled by the Lord and that all of the challenges are opportunities for us to learn to pray and to seek His wisdom so that we can see His miracles as He solves the issues. I must admit that I had written most of this email before I stopped to read this Proverb. It would seem that just the providence to have this be the daily reading that the Holy Spirit arranged some 6 months ago is wonderful to behold since it gives me a great comfort in remembering that it is His plan that we are working in and that He has always used these logistical issues and concerns to help me grow in my faith and confidence in His love.
Thanks for coming along with us and allowing us to share the current circumstances with you so that you too can experience the miracles of God.
There are a couple of fund raisers occurring if you are interested. Aahmees is arranging a jewelry party just in time for Christmas presents and the hostess has committed for all of the proceeds to go toward the trip. Keith also has an amazing new Rock Cross design that is available. A picture of an example is below. His standard designs are still sold to100% benefit the muTch program.
May God Bless you for providing muTch through the LORD who provides it all.
Jim
