Ap r i l 2 0 1 6
The SPIRE Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church
Surprised by
Haiti is a paradox! There’s really no other way to say it. It is country of incredible poverty mixed with deep spirituality, of broken social and political systems in the midst of warm welcoming people. Over the years many people have asked, “Why Haiti?” A good question for which I don’t have a very good answer other than to echo Philip’s response to Nathaniel, “Come and see…” [John 1:46]. Philip’s invitation changed Nathaniel’s life just as my journey to Haiti each year has changed mine and I believe it can change yours too if you choose to let it. Over the years I’ve found that my relationship with God is far more complicated and challenging than I like to admit. You might think a church-guy would have figured that out by now, wrong! Hindsight tells me that when my world starts getting a bit too comfy-cozy, predictable and easy, God gently nudges me forward by opening a door to a whole new world, a fresh perspective, and a steep learning curve. This is how my relationship with Haiti began. Six years ago my faith was running a bit dry and I was in need of a spiritual awakening, when I had a ‘chance’ meeting with an amazing couple, Barb and Jim Richter, from Bethel, OH. Jim is a retired UM pastor and Barb is a mission minded dynamo. During breakfast I learned Barb created, runs and supports an orphanage in Haiti by raising awareness and igniting a mission passion in others. During our conversation, she invited me to “Come and see…”. I took her up on the offer and I have been learning and growing ever since. Since that ‘chance’ meeting, I have been making a pilgrimage of sorts to a small orphanage on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince called the House of Faith. The orphanage is home to about 17 boys, the caretaker Bato and his wife Gina and their children. Over the years, I have learned not only their names, but their unique personalities, dreams and struggles. We support them with our prayers, gifts and presence and like any family we’ve shared more than our share of adventures, some I can share and some I better not! My relationship with the orphanage has expanded to include Denise, Pastor Drix, and countless others as part of my Haitian family. What started out as a mission to help less fortunate people, has revealed more about my own faith. Someone once said “You will never know God is all you need until God is all you have.” Haitians live that truth in very personal and profound ways. In ways I cannot describe here, I feel I am a better Christian, pastor and person because of my Haitian connections. I realize I have not shared very much about this side of my faith journey, but I feel you need to know this important part of who I am. Of course, I would also like to invite anyone who is also feeling God’s nudge to come and rediscover the Gospel in a whole new way, only 90 min from Miami. I would like to introduce to my friends who will touch your heart and give new meaning to your faith. Please take a look at this video to see what we’ve done in the past. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW0txmC2Puk] There’s really so much more I could say than space allows. So I would like to invite the entire church to a fellowship lunch following church on April 10th. This is not a fundraiser, but a “Thank You” lunch. Mark your calendar, show up and let God open the door for you. Blessings,
304-489-1965
mtpleasantumc2014@yahoo.com
www.mympumc. net