In twenty-five days I am venturing out and traveling to Ouanaminthe, Haiti. This trip is guaranteed to fulfill a lot of "firsts" for me. My first time going out of the country. My first time going on a missions trip. ... going to a third-world country. ... visiting a completely different culture. ... being surrounded by people who (mostly) don't speak English. In the couple months leading up to Haiti, many have told me what to potentially expect on a spiritual or emotional level. Expectations such as, I'm going to experience and see things I've never seen before. Or my heart will begin to have a burden for the needs of Haiti after I come back home. Or I will begin to have a renewed faith instilled in me. These are just a few of the examples among others. The most common expectation friends have warned me of is that going to a country, such a Haiti, will change my perspective. While I completely agree with that, I want to leave the airport the night of August 14th, with a very open mind and heart and sense of perspective. I am sure and convinced that my heart will be stirred and my perspective and mindset will be shaken and potentially changed while in Haiti. The problem with expectations is that I have a tendency of being disappointed when they are not fulfilled. I start looking forward to something, or an idea, or an event. Then when it doesn't happen, I wonder why. I wonder why I didn't have this experience or that realization. I believe the better idea is to travel to Haiti hoping for certain things instead of expecting them. Expectations seem to hold high standards. I don't think it's about what God can do in my heart and mind before I go, but more so what He can do in me while I'm there and after I come back.
I'm deciding that my mission for the week in Haiti is about having a need introduced to me in such a country and living a life representing Jesus.
1 Comment
Stephen B.
7/24/2014 11:51:15 pm
Biblical Hope; The Joyful anticipation of known Good.
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This is a blog about the ups & downs of early
adulthood, God's goodness & faithfulness, & life in other countries. “Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
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