Blessings of a Bean Counter - Jonathan Storie

Blessed

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.– Psalm 1:1-3

As I sit here writing this, I am looking across my pasture on a bright winter’s day at the trees by the stream.  I think how fitting this beautiful verse is to my life and how thankful I am for the blessings I have received.  I also feel energized to share these blessings with my new friends at Matthew 28 and in Haiti.

I am truly blessed to be going to Haiti with such a talented group of people. 

A teacher, a preacher, a doctor, a nurse, a speech therapist…and a bean counter?  I have often wondered why Hein would need a finance guy in Haiti? Surely, he does the books in the USA, not in Haiti?  I vividly remember his eyes surveying the room, while asking who would be interested in going to Haiti and what was your background.  In his response, there was always a need for a person’s particular talent.  For me, this was a major revelation – you can actually share your talents outside of work!  And they are desperately needed in Haiti…sign me up for that, what a blessing.

I offer these thoughts, from the blessings I have received (from the perspective of a “bean counter”):

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;
Love your neighbor as much as yourself.

And so this opportunity has been placed in my path – either to follow it or ignore it.  It seems like the world has ignored Haiti forever – one of the poorest nations being so close to the richest.  The voice in my head says follow it.  And I will.

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.  All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:  You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. – Deuteronomy 28:1-3

Privileged to find PEACE in PROVIDENCE - Joe Geer

PEACE.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in PEACE; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

PEACE I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

​

 PEACE.  I have felt since my kids grew up and left the nest  that God had plans for me as I turned the page and started that final life sprint us older folks all have to make. I gave serious consideration to a number of opportunities but none “felt right”. With Hein’s presentation

 I knew I had found what His plan was for me. It has been a few years since I practiced pediatrics and I am EXCITED to have the opportunity to put my experience, training and my life long passion to such wonderful use. WHAT A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY AND WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE GOD AND MAN IN THIS WAY!  WHAT INNER PEACE!

 Decision made.

Preparations nearly complete.

READY.

EXCITED.

CANNOT WAIT.

A contest offered a valuable prize for the best illustration of the concept of PEACE Many artists entered. There were renderings of beautiful sunsets over calm seas and hazy scenes of tranquil rivers in lush valleys. The prizewinner's depiction was very different from these tranquil scenes. Painted in black and gray, it depicted the terror of a violent storm. Lightning split the clouds; rain and hail pounded the ground. In the center of the painting was a storm-tossed oak tree. Holding on with all its might to one of the limbs of the tree was a little bird, singing at the top of its lungs. That's true PEACE.

You see, ultimate peace is not the absence of storms, but INNER PEACE amidst storms. And man never finds lasting INNER PEACE until he finds PEACE with God. When you find PEACE with God, you begin to experience PEACE within.  

As a postscript,  I was  doing my ymca thing and heard a country song by Carrie Underwood………”Jesus take the wheel. Take it from my hand. Cause I can’t do this on my own” then I looked up and on the opposite wall I saw (as Paul more eloquently said), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” .

PROVIDENCE.

 I know you all will give me a lot of help. I will need it. I know I cannot do it on my own. It is all of you and your unique skills and your incredible faith that will make it happen. So glad to be part of this great team………  I’m just glad Jesus is at the wheel.

Patience in all Circumstances - Hein VIngerling

I know you have not asked me to give a word but after reading all of your great devotions I feel that I need to add a short one. My word is Patience.
I wrote a song once and part of it goes like this:
 time goes by,confusion grows, you don't know what to do. You feel so ready but for what you don't know where does your life lead too.

I know I was inspired by a dear friend who was struggling with the call into the mission field, and that combined with my own experience made me write that.

I see in all your devotions that you are preparing spiritually for the trip, and that's great. To be honest not all groups take that so serious. Most of the prep is focused on the physical things. One thing that is even harder to prepare for is the unexpected. I have seen perfectly planned trips go totally upside down because there is something else going on. There is spiritual warfare! Ask any missionary who has been in Haiti for a while and they will confirm this. Not that it is unique to Haiti, it is everywhere, but it is very visible in Haiti.

Just an example from last week. Lauralynn was scheduled to come teach and I was going to meet up with her in Port au Prince so she could ride with us. The day before she contacted me to say that she had to cancel. Not just for a little thing, but because she had to go to a funeral of her best friends cousin.
A 24 year old young man who visited their mission in  Haiti last year, and who ended his own life the day before. This came just weeks after the sister of another missionary in the same group killed herself. This stuff is grave, it is enough to make you want to give up. We can plan our lives all we want but these things are never foreseen.
Now we are doing school this week, no big deal, but for instance for Debbie it would be a bummer.
That's what I would like you to prepare for:

Dear Lord give us patience so we are prepared for a total different agenda. 

looking forward to be here with you,
From Bohoc,
Hein

Love is all we need - Lauren Culler

LOVE

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:34-40

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophecy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, then do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12: 6-13

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

I LOVE being a nurse. I LOVE my church. I LOVE going on mission trips. I LOVE children.  I LOVE making a difference in someone’s life. I LOVE Haiti. If you haven’t caught on yet, my word that I am choosing is LOVE. Love can take on so many meanings and apply to so many aspects of life. Whether it is loving a significant other, a child, a best friend, or a favorite candy, love is something that everyone needs to give as well as receive. My goal for all of us is to travel to Haiti in a few short weeks with hearts full of love for these beautiful people.

Everywhere in the Bible, God calls us to love one another and stresses over and over how much He loves us. In the verse above, He calls us to love the least of these and explains that every time we help someone in need, we are also glorifying and loving Him as well. We all have various talents and gifts that we are taking to Haiti that, along with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, equip us to do just this. By providing medical and speech care, teaching skills, pastoral support, financial advice, and a general willingness to serve, we carry more than enough potential to touch many many lives in the ten days we will be serving in Haiti. 

When I was in Haiti last year, I was overwhelmed with the amount of love that the Haitians we were working with and serving showed us. Children who are complete strangers came running up to us with open arms simply hoping for a loving hug in return. Adult brothers and sisters in Christ, opened their hearts to us sharing their whole life stories including many heart-breaking struggles they have encountered along the way. The Haitians showed more love towards Jesus during worship than I have ever seen, praising and thanking Him for the very little they have.

My hope for this trip is to show everyone the love of Jesus Christ, serve as many people as we can, constantly be aware of our Father’s love that always surrounds us, and savor/learn from the wonderful love that the Haitians share.

Lauren Culler