How does one begin to describe the myriad of thoughts, emotions, anxieties, hopes, spiritual excitement... Perhaps the best solution is to simply allow the tangle to be just that - a tangle.
So many questions! What happens if...? When will we...? How will they...? And my inadequate, unhappy answer is this: "I don't know!"
And yet, that answer is what makes a trip like this so important. While most of us, especially those of us who are parents, prefer absolute clarity, we are not granted it. Not because of a lack of preparation... we simply can not know what the full itinerary of God's Purpose will be. Some of us grow frustrated, others begin to feel the pains of anxiety. While these are natural human tendencies, we must remember to adhere to the old WWII British motto, "Keep Calm and Carry On".
It's called Faith.
We preach it, sing about it, even occasionally "amen" it. But when the moment comes we often get a tight knot in the throat and allow the fear of the unknown to paralyze our spiritual movement. This mission trip will test our faith, our ability to move past the knot, past the paralysis and reach out.
Twenty people are leaving for Haiti tomorrow, July 18. Twenty people, of which none can predict the divine itinerary: the struggles, the moments of apprehension, the moments of victory, the sights, the sounds, the temptations, the laughter, the cries, the grit, the beauty, the hands of a prideful people, the plight of a broken nation...
May God give us the courage to keep calm, to move forward, to have faith and carry on.
Pray for us on this journey! We will have limited access to internet service (if at all) and will do our best to update our blog... but regardless, we rely on the prayers of our family, our church.
Thank you for your support, your encouragement, your prayer!
-JonDavid Partain, youth minister
So many questions! What happens if...? When will we...? How will they...? And my inadequate, unhappy answer is this: "I don't know!"
And yet, that answer is what makes a trip like this so important. While most of us, especially those of us who are parents, prefer absolute clarity, we are not granted it. Not because of a lack of preparation... we simply can not know what the full itinerary of God's Purpose will be. Some of us grow frustrated, others begin to feel the pains of anxiety. While these are natural human tendencies, we must remember to adhere to the old WWII British motto, "Keep Calm and Carry On".
It's called Faith.
We preach it, sing about it, even occasionally "amen" it. But when the moment comes we often get a tight knot in the throat and allow the fear of the unknown to paralyze our spiritual movement. This mission trip will test our faith, our ability to move past the knot, past the paralysis and reach out.
Twenty people are leaving for Haiti tomorrow, July 18. Twenty people, of which none can predict the divine itinerary: the struggles, the moments of apprehension, the moments of victory, the sights, the sounds, the temptations, the laughter, the cries, the grit, the beauty, the hands of a prideful people, the plight of a broken nation...
May God give us the courage to keep calm, to move forward, to have faith and carry on.
Pray for us on this journey! We will have limited access to internet service (if at all) and will do our best to update our blog... but regardless, we rely on the prayers of our family, our church.
Thank you for your support, your encouragement, your prayer!
-JonDavid Partain, youth minister
We are praying for your safety as you travel. We know that God will bless each of you from this experience just as he will bless each of the individuals that you will be working with. We are so proud of you and your willingness to minister to others. Please be careful, take care of each other, show the love of our Savior to everyone he puts in your path, and enjoy the opportunity he has put before you. We love you all. Roger and Suzann Smith
ReplyDeleteI sure hope you can find a connection to update us on your trip. You are all in our prayers:
ReplyDeleteLuke Rottier
Matt and Michael Newlin
Tripp Durden
Hannah Smith
Challyn Spriggs
Sword Donnell
Hunter Dolan
JR Nettles
Anna P. (Intern)
Brian and Kelvin (Intern) Walker
JonDavid and Lana Partai
Katie Partain
Richard and Yancey Benjerman
Abbey Stewart
Korey Loft
Karen Loyd
Have a great time, stay safe and don't get sick. I pray the Holy Spirit will be with you as you share your stories and that you grow stronger in your faith and walk with Jesus.
Sharon
Elizabeth Newlin heard that they arrived safetly. She may comment on the blog too. She said that if anyone does get sick they are taken to an American Dr. Everyone is doing well.
ReplyDeleteI miss you guys already! I am too addicted to talking to my kids many times throughout the day..cell phones and all! Can't wait to hear how ya'll are doing and will not take daily conversing with Korey for granted again! I will pray for you all!!
ReplyDelete