In the past few years, in our preparations to go to Haiti, I asked God for two big things, and this past January he said yes to both of them.
The first of the two things was to have staff join us that would not only be on fire for Jesus but also love our kids and feel like a family. God answered this request by bringing our current staff. We are a strange bunch and are still learning more about each other. However we all genuinely enjoy hanging out together and they all love our kids.
The second thing I asked God for was a place for us to call home. I honestly was so anxious about this. I wanted not only a place to welcome those who we hope to disciple and love on, but somewhere where I knew that my children would be safe. I wasn’t expecting God to say yes in such a crazy way!
During outreach for the DTS last year, we stayed in Port de Paix for 3 weeks doing vacation bible school, street ministry, and small groups
After about an hour of talking together, she looked at me and said. “So, what do you need to start this organization?”.
“Well,” I said, “we are actually looking for a house for us to stay and do ministry in”.
“Ah. Follow Me” And she proceeds to lead us out of her gate, around to the next street (which was just as equally nice and quiet as the first street) and into the gate of another house. “ This is my sister’s house. She moved to America and this house has been empty for a long time. Do you want to rent it?”
I looked at the house. I brought Jay to look at the house. We talked. We Prayed. We talked to the Aunt. We talked to each other. And looked at the house again. Aaaaannndd… we said yes!
The house is perfect, with many big bedrooms to house staff, students and teams. As I said before the street is calm and quiet, but yet its still in the middle of town. It’s close enough for the youth we desire to impact to walk to. It is also within walking distance to the markets, and a coffee shop ;).
So, all though the summer we have kept in contact with the Aunt. Building relationship, talking about preparing the house. She is making plans to fix it up a little for us, and we are fundraising for our rent. I love how this relationship began and continues to flourish, and how God said “YES” to my request in such an amazing way!
