Haiti Update August 2010

Hi friends!
I know it has been a while, so here is the latest and greatest, August Haiti Email Update!
Read on so that you are in the know… :-)

Update on…the Earthquake
Progress in the rebuilding efforts is happening, slowly but surely. There are GREAT programs in place like Reciprocal Ministries International’s Homes for Haiti, where they are on the ground helping people get their lives back to some semblance of normal. More of what they are doing can be found here. Also, here is a link to a story that shows the reality of the situation. Haiti certainly still needs all of our prayers and help.

Update on…Fundraisers
The Tupperware fundraiser was a great success! A lot of people from many areas of my life got involved, and I even had the parents of students selling Tupperware on my behalf! Total sales were over $300, so the amount that went toward Mission:Haiti was around $150.

At Mission:Haiti Vision Night, I had the opportunity to share about God’s call in my life to Haiti with some awesome people! I really enjoyed sharing my story with everyone, and just getting to hang out and catch up. We had close to 25 people who attended, and with the leading of God, $800 came in!


Last month, Amber and Ray Hollister hosted a yard sale to benefit Mission: Haiti. Several people on my Mission:Haiti team helped make it an amazing success. It was really cool for me to hear my friends sharing the vision for Mission:Haiti with our shoppers. They are as committed to this as I am, which is awesome. $350 came in from the yard sale, but the coolest part was this: When it was time to pack up, it was decided to mark everything as free, for donations. Then Ray went and stood at the road with a sign which said the same. Mass chaos ensued, and people asked about the motivation for such an idea. A little while later, the proceeds had grown from $200 to the $350 total! That means that $150 came in when everything was marked as free, because people wanted to be a part of what we are doing! Praise God! :-)


Update on…Transitions
So since my last update, I have relocated to the lovely Riverside part of town. I am not fantastic at change, though I have a good attitude in the midst of it, but I am finally starting to get routines and schedules going now that I have been here a month. But I love it here for many reasons. :-)

Recently at Forward, the post college gathering that meets at CrossRoad on Monday nights, Derrick talked about waiting, out of James 5. I got my butt kicked by this message. The keys of the talk were to: be patient with yourself, be patient with others, and be patient with God. My next thought in that moment was, “Well, I am 0 for 2!” But God is merciful, and even since that night I have followed more His rhythms of grace, waiting better.

I am starting, too, to see how God has placed me in areas for preparation. I will totally use the skills I am learning while working at Kumon when I get to Haiti. And I could give you more examples of just how intentional our God is, in placement and timing. I only saw it when I slowed down and looked for it, and God has impressed me with His attention to detail… :-)

Update on…Finances
In both one-time costs, and in monthly pledge commitments, my current level is 15% of where it needs to be for me to go to Haiti. I am so excited for everyone who has shared the vision and wanted to be involved! I am also looking forward to seeing how God brings this beautiful journey together, with more people being a part of what God is doing in Haiti. Who do you know who loves Jesus and would listen to my story? I want as many people as possible to know about this opportunity to serve some awesome, potential-filled kids in the south of Haiti.

Praises/Prayer requests
• Continued provision, both here and in the preparations for Haiti.
• God’s perfect timing, where I will be adequately prepared, and not too impatient.
• My mom – she recently had surgery and a hospital stay. Pray for complete healing.
• My niece – We are hoping that she will have a seamless transition into the coming school year. Please pray for God’s care and provision for her.
• Praise – I found good FREE Creole learning software. It’s really cool!

Thank you, meci, meci, meci, for praying! Please also let me know how I can be praying for you!

Mission:Haiti email update Spring 2010!

Hi everyone!

Happy Spring!

I know it is making me happy to be outside these days, in spite of life being so crazy! On that, I do apologize for the delay in this update getting to you! The delay has been more from lots of activity happening, rather than less activity, so without further waiting, let’s get to it, and I can tell you more of the latest news!

* Earthquake/Timeline

As you know, Port au Prince, Haiti, and the surrounding area, suffered a devastating earthquake on Tuesday, Jan 12th, late in the afternoon. While some needs have been addressed in the past two months as Haitians look toward rebuilding, they still have so far to go. Here is an article which points out a not so visible loss to both Port au Prince, and Haiti: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wirestory?id=10065808&page=4

Many residents of Port au Prince have left forever, either to go stay in the overcrowded homes of extended family who live in other regions, or they have hopped planes to other places, to just start over. Since most can barely afford the elevated food prices, there are few in that second category. There are now tent cities in many other communities, even in Les Cayes, which is over 100 miles away, and only suffered minimal damage. Since Port au Prince is a port, actually THE main port for imports, it has been difficult to get supplies anywhere in the country without their cost skyrocketing. That aspect has improved some, and there is talk (and I hope action by now) to get the port at Les Cayes running more business while Port au Prince is rebuilt.

Other communities suffered extensive damage as well in the earthquake and aftershocks. Many of those communities are also devastated.

I tell you all of this, not to depress you, but so you can pray. There is hope for Haiti. The Haitians have hope. Pray that their government will steward resources well. Pray that it can be figured out how we can stimulate the Haitian economy in the rebuilding process, but with the money kept out of corrupt hands as much as possible, so that each dollar can do the most good. Also, here is a photo essay, updated each day, which shows many Haitians’ hope: http://voicesofhaiti.com/photos

The Earthquake in Haiti does change things for me some, but more in how I come around the new needs when I get on the ground. My departure date is a little flexible, and the main thing affecting it is the amount of support that I have. When I have all of my financial support, I can go. So in that way, the earthquake has not changed anything for me. My goal now is to get to Les Cayes when I can this summer, so that I have time to get settled and prepare for the upcoming school year which will start in August.

* Ministry Overview/Personal Support Grid – brochure

The pictures you see are a brochure I’ve put together. It talks about why I am going to Haiti and answers some other “why” questions, and it also contains a snapshot of what my Haiti budget looks like. I hope you’ll check it out! If you would like a print version, I can send you one – just let me know. I plan to send them out with the prayer cards.

* Prayer Cards will be on their way soon!

I haven’t forgotten about sending these to you! I am still working on the logistics of getting the Prayer Cards printed. They will be on their way as soon as I can get them in my hands. I hope that is able to happen by the beginning of next month. If you want one, and I do not have your address yet, you should give me your address.

* Fundraisers

Fundraising for my one-time costs has been going well! I have had two fundraisers in 2010 so far. The first was a Hair Cut-a-thon hosted by my good friend and cosmetologist, Kadi Drennon! We had a great afternoon hanging out, saw a good turn out, and Kadi cut lots of hair. The event raised over $250 towards my one-time costs.

On Friday, my second fundraiser will be coming to a close, and there has already been an overwhelming response! I have partnered with Tupperware, your mom’s favorite brand! They will give 40% of the profit from what you sell to your cause. Right now, sales are over $350! So I am very thankful for how well the sale has gone, and for how generous people have been. If you want to get in on the Tupperware action, here is a link where you can buy direct: http://order.tupperware.com/pls/htprod_www/!twx$eparty_ctl.p_guest_welcome?pv_eparty=096e7b87e8859ea25a490cc37064bc7f&pn_guest=

* Prayer Requests/Praises

Finances – I still have a loooong way to go before I will be buying that plane ticket to Haiti. But God is already showing how faithful He is and will be in this, as I rely on Him. Pray that I am open to what I am supposed to learn through this process, and that God will continue to bring people alongside me in this ministry.

Mission:Haiti Team – This awesome team of people are a HUGE help to me as I am preparing for Haiti. Some of them have been through crazy stuff lately. Please pray for them, that God will protect them and give them strength.

Health – Right now, I am working a LOT. Please pray that God will sustain me as I make sure I fulfill my responsibilities. I am doing all I can to stay healthy, but I cannot do it all.

Car – I was able to find a good, honest mechanic who was able to get my car working well for a reasonable price. It still needs some work, so I am saving in that direction.

Holidays – The holidays can be a rough time for me, but this year was good. Not easy, but good. I took some time to do some soul searching, spending some extra time in prayer and singing. I really tried to take the carols to heart, and really sing them. Out of this time, I composed a sort of "Life Mission Statement" which I will share with you now.

“Placing myself in the service of others to benefit the last, the least, the forgotten and the lost; leveraging influence and skillset on behalf of the voiceless.”

I also spent several days with my paternal grandmother. You may remember that I just recently found my father and his family again. This was the first time that I have spent any time with her, and only the second time that I remember ever seeing her. It was a really sweet time, and she is an awesome lady. I hope to get to visit more with her soon.

Thank you as always for reading and praying! I value your part in my ministry, and I cannot do any of this without you! Please let me know how I can pray for you, and I will do it!

Nov/Dec Mission:Haiti Update!!!

Hi friends (and family, too!)
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that all is well in your world. It is Mission:Haiti update time! So let me not stall for time here…read on! Here is some of what you can read about in this update:
Updated, spiffy blogsite. (which you just found! :-))
Prayer Cards are coming!
What is a Ministry Overview?
Conversations with Dan Shoemaker of RMI.
Dreaming about the future classroom…
Thanksgiving thoughts.
Prayer Requests/Praises
AND MORE!

So….just read on! 

Updated, spiffy blogsite –
I have updated the blogsite, and it is almost like having my own website! It now has more than just the content of the email updates. I am very excited about it, but I’ll let you tell me what you think...

Prayer Cards are coming! (for your fridge, or where you wanna stick ‘em) –
If you want one, I need your address! Thanks to all of you fast responders. If you sent your address, I got it! For all of you new to the updates, if you would like me to send you a Prayer Card, I need your mailing address, and they will be sent in the next couple of months.

Ministry Overview –
I have been writing my Ministry Overview as of late. This is a document that answers the following questions:
Why Haiti?
Why the CLCS (Cite Lumiere Christian School)?
Why World Team?
Why Geri Bass?
Why Now?
I am putting the finishing touches on this document, and I hope to have it soon to share with all of you! I am sure it will answer many questions and clarify any preconceived notions about me teaching in Haiti.

PSG (Personal Support Grid) –
Something else I have been working on is my personal support grid, which details all of the financial goals for Mission:Haiti. It is currently being finalized. Please begin to pray that the finances will be provided in God’s perfect timing. Unless there is a surprise change, I anticipate a monthly need of about $2800, which covers my daily expenses, insurance, and other benefits. (If you are curious to see more of a breakdown, just ask.) I will also be responsible for about $24,000 in one-time costs, which covers many things, from training to relocating and all associated expenses.

Conversations with Dan Shoemaker of RMI –
I recently had the opportunity to chat with a career missionary, Dan Shoemaker of Reciprocal Ministries Int’l, who spent (I think) 20+ years in Haiti. He is a veritable fount of knowledge, and funny to boot! He had much wisdom to offer, and he also was very encouraging as we talked about some of the fine points of the process of moving my entire life to another (third world) country. Dan also strongly advised that I obtain an ATV for my Haitian transportation. I previously planned to purchase a bicycle, but he gave several quality reasons why that was not a practical idea. So, though it added a chunk to my one-time costs, I heeded his advice and added a four-wheeler to my one-time cost list. I know he knows what he is talking about, and I trust his judgment on this one.

Dreaming about the future classroom –
I have been coming up with all sorts of equipment ideas for my future classroom. I hope to be able to make subjects like science interesting and fun, by having them as hands-on as possible. I am investigating the costs of getting a couple microscopes and some magnifying glasses for the school. If you are a teacher (or remember cool things you did in science class), I am taking ideas! (And the ideas can be for any subject area…)

Thanksgiving thoughts –
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We all have so much to be thankful for! My Thanksgiving included some downtime, since I finally have some much needed time off from work (I actually have FIVE consecutive days off. CRAZY!) I also got some quality family time having dinner with my mom, step-dad, step-sister, niece, and uncle. It was good family time.
I have something special to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I recently found my father on Facebook, and we have been talking. I am probably driving him crazy by peppering him with a thousand questions, but I am enjoying getting to know who he is, who his family is, and ultimately understanding more of who I am and where I come from. It has been really cool. Fun fact: I might have gotten my slight obsession with deviled eggs from my father. He made like two dozen for Thanksgiving. 

Churches partnering with Mission:Haiti –
As I begin developing Haiti partnerships, I hope to partner with a few local churches (or at least investigate that possibility). So, if you go to a church other than CrossRoad Church (my home church), I would love to know what church community you are a part of. As I consider different churches to contact, I would love to have members with whom I can partner as I speak with your church leadership. Also, I would love to come and share with your Sunday School class, small group, or other gathering about what God is doing in Haiti, and how you and your group can get involved!

Fundraisers! Everyone’s favorite topic –
Obviously, fundraisers help in raising support to reach a one-time financial goal. Several fundraisers are in the works. So, as those come together, I will get you the details! The FIRST fundraiser supporting Mission:Haiti is for Christmas Photos. Check out the prior post's flyer for more details, but the proceeds from the sitting fee all go toward Mission:Haiti.

Mission:Haiti Accountability Team –
As I am working toward moving to Haiti, there is a LOT that has to be done. World Team, in their great guidance, asked me to put together a team of people who can help share the burden of work, and encourage me along the journey. This small group of folks is a GREAT asset, and they are AWESOME people. Anyway, if at any point you get correspondence about Mission:Haiti, and it is not from me, do not be alarmed. It is one of the team members.

Prayer Requests
Car – My car needs about $1500 in work. So I am trying to determine whether I should invest the money into car repairs when I will not need the car in less than six months. If I am not going to fix it, I need to come up with alternate transportation that is not my mom’s car (which I am currently using). I’m not sure what the best solution is, so please pray for God’s guidance and providence concerning this issue.
Holidays – The holidays are an interesting part of the year for me for so many reasons. Just pray that I keep focus on Jesus and have a good attitude as we go into December.
ACCESS218 CD – (Shameless plug)  ACCESS218 is putting out a CD project called “Freedom Songs,” which I was able to be a part of. I am really excited about the message and the mission within it. The CD Release will be on Dec 6. Pray that it will be more than just a concert, that it will be the beginning of something much bigger – world change. And if you are in JAX, you should come! Dec 6, 7pm, Murray Hill Theatre.
Finances – As fundraisers and letter writing, etc. all get going in earnest, please pray that God would begin to bring in the finances for Mission:Haiti. I have been on many mission trips where the money came in at the last minute, and God comes through, always faithful. However, in this situation, especially because of the monthly support dynamic, the last minute scenario can’t successfully work. I am trying to change my mindset so I can work ahead on the things I can, but I ask you to pray for God to work out the things over which I have no control.
PLEASE send me your prayer concerns so that I know how to pray for you!

Praises
Getting back in contact with my father, and finding that my paternal grandmother is still living.
Good, quality time off from work.
A good Thanksgiving holiday.
My helpful and supportive Mission:Haiti team.
Good friends who are patient with me.
And YOU, who are willing to pray for and with me as this dream becomes a reality! 


God is SO FAITHFUL, in everything. He just leaves me dumbfounded in so many circumstances. May we each follow him closer each day. When we do, we are in for the most incredible life journey. So fasten that seatbelt, hold onto your hat, and keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle, ‘cause it’s gonna be a wild ride!


Love you all!

The First Fundraiser! Check it out!

Hey hey friends! Wanted to get this info out to you, as it is the season for Christmas Photos! :-)

In case you can't read all of the small print, it follows:

• Various times available at the location of your choice!
• All sitting fee proceeds go to Mission:Haiti.
• Photos will be uploaded to an online account for you to purchase directly.
• Contact Cindy Coates to set your appointment: (904) 887-7125.
• Call soon for best availability!

Sept/Oct Update (Reporting on the Summer)

Hello to all of you, my dear friends and family members!

As we enter the fall months, I have been thinking that it was time for a Haiti update, so here it is!

Since I last wrote you, some good ground has been covered in working towards Haiti. I recently was released to begin Partnership Development (PD). PD is the phase of my preparations where I can raise support. Naturally, prayer and relationship building goes hand in hand in the whole process.

So I hope I can still count on you all to pray!

I will be networking to forge new relationships as I figure out what this all will look like, and some other ideas are coming down the pike as well. I am excited for this season of my life, but I am intimidated by it on several levels.

I just want to be a good steward of what I am given, and to be faithful to God's call. But that is a little more difficult in practice I guess, than in theory.

Other than this exciting news, not too much has been new over the summer. I have just been working a lot, and trying to bloom where I am planted, learning all that I can, from work, friendships, and life. I am still hanging out in Forward, the post college gathering of ACCESS218, and at CrossRoad Church.

I am very thankful for new friendships which have grown over the summer with some of the Forward folks. It has been great to have people who are in the same season of life to do life with! They have been more of a God-send than they probably even know.

The summer was not empty of challenges, but God used them to draw me closer to Him, and to make me grow up more. God challenged me in some areas to take new risks, and I was obedient. For one example, God challenged me to open myself up to growing my relationship with my step-family. He asked me to do specific things along the way, which weren't so significant in themselves, but they were HUGE steps of faith and trust for me. And God was faithful; I have no regrets.

Thank you again for your willingness to pray for and with me as I take this journey (both to Haiti, and the longer one of life). I would like to update you on the prayer requests in my last email and share some answers to prayer, as well as share some new prayer requests. Please let me know, too, how I can pray for you! Also, for those of you I don't see that regularly, I'd love to hear how you are doing, and what is new in your life!

Updates on prayer requests:

I am still trying to figure out a job solution...I will go more into this in new prayer requests.

It looks like I will be able to stick with my current living situation (as far as I know). That was uncertain before. Yay God!

Prayer requests:

I am still working at Kumon (tutoring) and subbing, but I am unsure if I should try to pursue anything full time (I have had trouble finding anything). But I may have a new part-time job that will be more consistent than subbing. I will find out in the next week. It would be good for the consistency, but I would be working 2 jobs 5 days a week, and working still at Kumon on Saturday. So pray that I can figure out what is best, so that I can take care of myself, too.

Please continue to pray for spiritual protection. It is amazing what weaknesses you realize you have when working to grow in faith. God is faithful and merciful, but stumbling blocks can come at any time. So please just pray that I would be able to keep relying on God's strength as I run the race before us all. :-)

Pray that, as I begin raising support, that God would lead me to the right places and people at the right time, and that it would help all involved to continue to learn how to be the hands and feet of Jesus on the Earth.

Lastly, please pray for focus as I tackle all of the aspects of this process, and for calmness as I try to keep it in small chunks (not looking at it as an insurmountable mountain). I know that God will give me what I need to do what needs to be done each day. I just need to do my part consistently. So please pray that I can do that.

Praises:

God growing me in Him this summer.

Getting to start Partnership Development.

Growing closer to my family in recent months.

Great friends, new and old!

Again, thank you sooooooooo much for partnering with me in prayer! I value your prayers more than you know! And I hope to, in one form or another, hear from you soon!

Blessings!