The Justice Palace that was flatten during the
January 12th earthquake.
Talking to some locals in front of the Justice
Palace. They shared with us their experiences since the earthquake.
Many are looking for jobs and of course, food and more permanent
shelter.
Signs of revival are everywhere in Port Au Prince. This crisis has
brought thousands of Haitians to God. They can be heard singing his
praises daily.
Coming home to family under tarps.
Pastor Wilnaord is one of the pastors that is in AIM's
church-to-church program. The goal is to pair up a Haitian church with
an non-Haitian church to encourage and support each other.
Pastor Wilnaord's church also has an elementary school attached
with it. These children are privileged to go to school because there is
no public school system in Haiti.
Pastor Edward is another pastor in the church-to-church program.
We met with him inside his church to hear his vision for his church and
how God is moving in his congregation.
Praying and encouraging pastor Edward after we met
with him.
I really dislike writing these support blogs, but my situation has gotten to the point that I must do so. I need your help with support. I have not been meeting my monthly support goals, and as a result I am in the negative with AIM, $1,148 to be exact. At this point it is AIM's policy that I take a cut in the amount of support I receive until I can get back in the positive. I have about a week to do so. In addition to that I need $2000 a month, which is my monthly support goal.
My request is simple. Pray and ask God about supporting me.
I know God is faithful, and he provides. I believe so strongly in that, and I believe in what he is doing at Adventures in Missions and around the world. I have personally watched peoples lives change because of the work done here at AIM. but none of that is possible without you.
If you are able, consider giving monthly, that is the most sustainable way to give. Even if it is $10 or $20 a month, it truly helps me reach my goal. I need you. I need your support to go to Haiti. I need your support to continue working for AIM. I need your support to fulfill what I believe God has called me to do.
At a very appropriate time in my life I am reading a book called The
War of Art, by Stephen Pressfield. The book
is about how to break through those walls that so often keep us from
achieving our goals. Whether it be procrastination, writers block, or
laziness, there is always something that keeps us from reaching our
goals. This phenomenon he calls "Resistance".
Imagine a canyon, about 200 yards across. It is infinitely long, so you
can't go around, and incredibly deep so it is virtually impossible to
go down into. The winds above are so fierce that flying over is
impossible, but you have to get to the other side. You have unlimited
resources at your disposal. How do you do it?
Maybe you don't have the physical scars from the rubble, or your home didn't
crumble on it's foundation, but did you sigh a sigh of relief that your
family was safe, or say a quick prayer of gratitude for the food and
roof over your head instead of a tarp. Maybe there was a story that
touched your heart on the news like the survivor who was pulled out of
the rubble 14 days after the quake.
This week, I met with "Masha," a bright
young
lady who visits our Ministry Center in Kostroma. She told me about the day some
professional women came to her technical school in Kostroma and
promised her a new job with lots of money, clothes, and jewelry.
Instead, they trapped
her in a rundown apartment, beat her when she asked questions, and
forced her to work in a strip club.
I always had a plan. A plan for the day, for the weekend, the month, the next year. Up to about two years in advance, I had a general idea of what I was doing and where I was going. Sure God could change those plans, but I won't lie, it was always a fight getting me to change the plan. As long as I knew what I was doing, when I was doing it, life was good, I was in control and there were no surprises.
While I was on the Race I was stretched everyday because I didn't know the plan. I wanted to know every detail of our team finances, what our ministry was for the day, where we would be next month. I often got frustrated when plans changed (as the inevitably, and often do on the race) and I dreamed of the day I could get back into my routine, gain control of my life and have some structure again.
However, I've been back for almost eight months (wow), I'm here in Ga, not really sure exactly what God is doing and I still haven't gotten any set routine down. Daily I get thrown surprises and plans change, and I'm strangely ok with it. I know I'm going to Haiti for the summer, but after that, who knows where I'll be. The more I work on this whole trusting and letting go
controlling the world around me, the more I'm realizing I'm actually
very spontaneous and rather laid back. As a kid I remember being
incredibly carefree, almost to the point it was dangerous; you called
them strangers, I called them friends I have yet to meet. I can now see
where over the years my insecurities and mistrusts led me to this
controlling nature.
I've been helping two friends figure out God's plan for their futures. Neither of them have any definite answers, but the words they both keep getting are trust, abide, and be patient. God has it all figured out. I find that as God is showing these friends how to trust in his future plans, he is reiterating the same fact in me and showing me how far he's brought me in this. I still have moments where I want some answers and make some plans, but I remember much quicker now that if I really trust God, and if I am completely focused on Him, life kind of figures itself out. God will get me to where I need to be and I can enjoy the ride instead of fretting over the details.
I like the Steph on this side of the race. I enjoy the spontaneity, the fun and the relaxed attitude I have now. I just hope and pray that when it comes time to making a big decision and I need answers, I will maintain this new reality and trust that even to the last minute, God is faithful.
I am an avid soccer fan. Of course I would be, I've played it my whole life. The World Cup is almost here and I could not be more excited. Unfortunately, with all the excitement and increased tourism in South Africa, human trafficking and sex slavery is also rising as thousands of women and children are being brought into South Africa during the tournament. This is a blog from my old team mate, Elizabeth Adcock who is currently serving in Swaziland, a nation that is landlocked by South Africa and faces the impending rise in human trafficking.
"Beware of strangers."
This is a common phrase taught to children. When taught in America,
parents usually teach this phrase aware of what could happen.
In Africa, parents teach this phrase aware of what is happening.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup will occur in South Africa between June 11 and
July 11. This will be the first time the tournament has been hosted by
an African nation. Because the government of South Africa recognizes
that prostitution will skyrocket during the World Cup, and the
government makes a profit off of prostitution, they have legalized
prostitution during the time it will take place.
A higher demand for prostitution means increased human trafficking and
slavery. Parents in Swaziland are being urged to keep a close eye on
their children, as some have already been taken and other attempts have
been foiled. I can't help but think of all the children I see wandering
the dirt roads - even babies - just wandering by themselves. They are
utterly vulnerable and helpless, and if taken, some may not be missed
until days later.
I hope this strikes a chord of righteous anger in you like it does in
me. Pray for heavenly protection. Pray for justice. Ask God what you
can do to help.
I am a support raised missionary. It may not seem like it since I work in Georgia behind a desk doing marketing for AIM, but I am.
And I'm in Need.
Since moving to Gainesville to become a part-time employee of Adventures in Missions, I have struggled to raise the support I needed to stay here. In February I barely hit the $2000.00 mark that is required before they can release anything, but it was enough to start receiving a pay check every two weeks. However, since then, support has been coming in inconsistently.
Now, I face an even bigger challenge.
Beginning this week and for the next four months I will no longer be a part-time employee at AIM but a full-time one. As we continue to move forward with the Story Telling School, my role at AIM has grown, and some opportunities have arisen to help me fulfill what God has called me to do:
Tell stories from the Nations.
In addition to my new full-time position, beginning at the end of May, I will spend two months this summer as a media correspondent and project leader for our relief trips going to Haiti.
That's right, I'm going to Haiti.
My new challenge is to raise $8000.00 for the next four months ($2000.00 per month). I am asking that you will partner with me as I continue to follow God's direction, both here in Gainesville and in Haiti. The Story Telling School is gaining momentum as we move towards a summer conference, and serving Haiti is something I have prayed about since the disaster. If you would like to give to this ministry you can click on the Support Me link on the left hand side. You can give a monthly donation or a one time gift but every little bit helps.
I need You.
I need you to join in this ministry with me. I need you to join with me in prayer. I need you to believe big things from God. Our God is a God that provides. He provided the full amount for the World Race, He has provided for my living here in Gainesville, and he will provide once again.
has gotten to the point that I must do so. I need your help with support. I have not been meeting my monthly support goals, and as a result I am in the negative with AIM, $1,148 to be exact. At this point it is AIM's policy that I take a cut in the amount of support I receive until I can get back in the positive. I have about a week to do so. In addition to that I need $2000 a month, which is my monthly support goal.
Imagine a canyon, about 200 yards across. It is infinitely long, so you
can't go around, and incredibly deep so it is virtually impossible to
go down into. The winds above are so fierce that flying over is
impossible, but you have to get to the other side. You have unlimited
resources at your disposal. How do you do it?
Were you affected by Haiti? 
weekend, the month, the next year. Up to about two years in advance, I had a general idea of what I was doing and where I was going. Sure God could change those plans, but I won't lie, it was always a fight getting me to change the plan. As long as I knew what I was doing, when I was doing it, life was good, I was in control and there were no surprises.
've been helping two friends figure out God's plan for their futures. Neither of them have any definite answers, but the words they both keep getting are trust, abide, and be patient. God has it all figured out. I find that as God is showing these friends how to trust in his future plans, he is reiterating the same fact in me and showing me how far he's brought me in this. I still have moments where I want some answers and make some plans, but I remember much quicker now that if I really trust God, and if I am completely focused on Him, life kind of figures itself out. God will get me to where I need to be and I can enjoy the ride instead of fretting over the details. 
"Beware of strangers." 
