With Everything, By Margaret Carpenter

Hi my name is Margaret and I am going to Haiti this summer to hopefully spread the love of Jesus. I actually wanted to go on the 2012 Spring Break Haiti trip but unfortunately I didn't have the same Spring Break as the Mecklenburg county kids therefore, I couldn't go. Obviously, God did not want me going on that trip. Since I didn't get to go on that trip I prayed for a long time about if God really wanted me to go to Haiti. For months I kept praying hoping to just feel God telling me that I should go on the 2013 Haiti Spring Break trip. Thankfully, one Sunday morning at church, during the sermon, Pastor Chadwick showed a video of an amazing Haitian Singer named Claudell singing the song "With Everything". The video brought me to tears and I could feel God telling me that He wanted me to go to Haiti. Every time that I watch that video now I get chills. I could listen to it over and over again. While I'm in Haiti I just want to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I'm hoping He will work through me and amazing things will be done. One thing I'm scared of happening while I'm there is getting sick. I know when you go to a foreign country the chances of getting sick are a lot higher because the water and such isn't as clean. Hopefully God will keep our whole team safe and no one will get sick while on the trip! Blessings, Margaret

2013 Spring Break Meet the Team

March 30-April 6th, another student team is heading to Mission of Hope in Haiti. We are excited to take another 20 students and leaders to love of the people of Haiti. Some you may have seen before and others are first-timers. As always, we eagerly await to see what the Lord will do on this trip. Here is your team:

Margaret Carpenter

School: Weddington High, 11th Grade
Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: swimming and violin
Secret Talent: I don't exactly have a secret talent but I do have really odd looking thumbs - they are really short and stubby
Most Excited About: To play with the orphans
Favorite Bible Verse: "For it is by grace you have been save, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9


Sam Steyl

School: Ardrey Kell High, 11th Grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: Soccer, Advance Student Leadership, Committed Young Christians Club,  Friends Club

Secret Talent: I am really good with kids.

Most Excited About: I am excited to see the progress made since the last time I visited Haiti. I am excited to learn more about the culture and meet more people.

Favorite Bible Verse: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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." Philippians 4:6-7


Lauren Nalevaiko

School: Ardrey Kell High, 12th grade
Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: Soccer, Advance Student Leadership, National Honors Society, Friends club
Secret Talent: I'm double-jointed in my shoulder
Most Excited About: Seeing everyone I met in Haiti again, and seeing how the country has progressed.
Favorite Bible Verse: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives our fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18


Amanda Blackwelder

School: South Meck High, 12th grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: making cupcakes

Secret Talent: playing the saxophone

Most Excited About: finding out if I get to see the child I am sponsoring.

Favorite Bible Verse: "For no word from God will ever fail." Luke 1:37


Chase Ferguson

School: Providence Day, 12th grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: hunting, fishing, football, hanging with friends

Secret Talent: shooting sporting clay

Most Excited About: I have never been on a mission trip, so I am excited about the entire experience. Also, I have never left the country before, so it should be interesting to see what the Haiti lifestyle is like.

Favorite Bible Verse: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

Nicholas Rhodes

School: Providence High School, 12th grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: Jamming with friends and participating in multiple school clubs such as French Club, Interact Club and FBLA.

Secret Talent: I can play 6 instruments: Alto Sax, Bari Sax, Bassoon, Guitar, Bass, and Mandolin.

Most Excited About: I am always eager to get out and volunteer. When I heard about the Haiti mission trip a few years back I knew it was something that I had to experience. I really want to go to another country, get completely out of my comfort zone, and make an impact on the people there while growing spiritually.

Favorite Bible Verse: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Ephesians 1:7  "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

Grant McGarity

School: Providence Day, 12th grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: football, fishing, reading, spending time with family and friends

Secret Talent: being easy to talk to

Most Excited About: I've never been outside the country nor have I been on a missions trip, so I am excited about seeing how different everything is than my everyday living. Also, I'm excited about reaching out to the people of Haiti in any way I can.

Favorite Bible Verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13


Dylan McCready

School: South Meck High, 9th grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: Soccer and tennis

Most Excited About: Exploring a new culture. This is my first missions trip and I can't wait to go and to deepen my relationship with Christ.

Favorite Bible Verse: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only begotten son, that whosever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16


Sam Grover

School: Marvin Ridge High, 9th grade

Extra-curriculars/Hobbies: football and track

Most Excited About: Serving God.

Secret Talent: Singing in the Shower

Favorite Bible Verse: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only begotten son, that whosever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Leaders

Matt Barcalow

Occupation: Student Pastor>>Advance Ballantyne

Hobbies: spending time with family, spending time with students, football, taking naps

Most Excited About: Watching God work in the hearts and minds of students

Secret Talent: I can push my stomach out like a pregnant woman.

Favorite Bible Verse: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Acts 20:24

Ryan Carson

Occupation: Advance Student Pastor >> South Park

Activities: Bethany, Anna Grace and Caleb; basketball and fishing, corn hole

Most Excited About: seeing students grow in their faith with Jesus through serving and seeing Atian, one of our interpretors from the Spring trip

Secret Talent: at random times I turn into a horsie for Anna Grace to ride

Favorite Bible Verse: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Acts 20:24


Meredith Jolly

Occupation: Volunteer Coordinator >> Advance South Park

Activities: Listening to music and creating awesome playlists, indoor cycling, reading

Most Excited About: meeting, praying with, and encouraging the Mission of Hope team

Secret Talent: playing the tambourine

Favorite Bible Verse: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Aaron Ligon

Occupation: President of Ligon CRE, co-founder of Charlotte Succession 

Activities/Secret Talent: Ultra-marathon trail running, and collecting modern and contemporary art. 

Most Excited About: I am hoping God will use this trip to challenge me to grow as a Christian and allow me to help the afflicted in Haiti any way I am able.

Favorite Bible Verse: "But now, this is what the Lord says-he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Isreal; 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Isreal, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.'" Isaiah 43

Chip Ferguson

Activities: Hunting, fishing, and working out

Most Excited About: I am excited to be able to help others on my very first missions trip.

Favorite Bible Verse: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13


Robbi Fischer

Occupation: Associate Pastor at Ballantyne

Activities: My Family and Friends, Music, Books, Theology

Most Excited About: Seeing my 12th grade guys on the mission field

Secret Talent: As a youth pastor, I used to have all the kids' in youth group phone numbers memorized.

Favorite Bible Verse: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

Kingdom Work

It is so sweet for our souls when we see fruit from our efforts, isn’t it? We have spent that last 4 mornings loving on 400 Haitians kids, ages 3-16 at VBS in Bercy. Today was our last day and though they have been presenting the gospel each day, 20 children accepted Christ as Savior. It is because these 19 students from Forest Hill have been unconditionally loving these kids.

At one of our team meetings back in the spring, we did a spiritual gifts test. To our surprise about 75% of the students have the spiritual gift of Mercy. This was perfect for this trip as we were asked to be intentional with our love and words and generous with our touch.

The MOH staff has been phenomenal this week! Our intern, Jackie, is passionate, a hard-worker, and has led us well. The VBS director at Bercy, Bailey, told us that our team was the best team that has come through this summer. Not only have the students served without complaining, but have gone above and beyond what has been asked of them. Also, we have had peanut butter and jelly on hotdog buns for lunch every day this week. AND we have refreshed and encouraged the staff here. They said this team has been a breath of fresh air, good for the soul, and leaving a lasting impression. What an amazing influence this students have had!

We are so proud of them! We get to rest tomorrow and enjoy Haiti as the beautiful country it is at the BEACH! Please pray for good weather so that we can enjoy the entire day. This will more than likely be our last post until we get home! See you then!

Heavenly Encounters, An Update from Haiti

Words seem insufficient on days like these. It is hard to explain what we have experienced and felt today. To sum it up for you seems to cut short the glory due to God. However, we will try.

We were in Leveque again this afternoon. We were there for something special. Something we do not usually get to do. We went to play soccer. Just to play soccer. But this wasn’t any child’s soccer game. You see, in the village of Leveque, there are two communities living amongst each other. Those who were living in slums and those who are deaf. MOH has combined these two communities to bring hope, life, Jesus, and permanent housing. The first soccer game was Haitians versus Americans. The second was the Deaf community against the hearing. The hearing won the game, which we were told doesn’t happen often, if ever.

After the game, all 200 short-term missionaries, people from the community, MOH staff, and interpreters gathered in a circle to pray. A deaf woman led us in prayer. Her prayer was translated to Creole and then to English. We prayed the same prayer in 3 different languages at the same time. What an amazing experience!

Later this evening, we went to church for a worship service. This is my favorite night of the week as it turns into unabandoned, joyous worship. We congo line in church! What is more moving is to watch one of our students weep through the worship. After service and talking to her, she didn’t know why she was crying. I knew. She was experiencing God, the Holy Spirit, in such a way, that she couldn’t sing. The only way to express her worship was through tears. It was beautiful!

So many times, those of us who travel on short-term missions trips think we are going to come and help all these people and build the Kingdom. And we do, there is credibility in that. But the most impact made is typically on our own hearts. It is fun and a privilege to watch this unfold in the lives of our teenagers at Forest Hill.

Quick update!

As you have heard, we have arrived safely in Haiti. All team members at this moment are healthy and happy.

On Sunday, Misson of Hope (www.mohhaiti.org) took us, among others, on a vision trip. We visited the village of Bercy where MOH has been given beach front property by the government to build a home for the elderly. Also on this property is a school, and will be a church, cafeteria, pastoral conference center, and resort for vacasions (vacation and mission trip combined). They hope to open the conference center at the end of August. The vision is enormous and the execution has been excellent.

When the Advance team was here in April, half of us laid foundation for one of the pastoral conference center buildings. Yesterday, we were able to see this building almost complete. All it needs is furniture! It is amazing to come back just months apart and see the fruit of our labor.

After our visit to Bercy, we went to Leveque. As we drive in on the dusty, dirty road, children excitedly chase us. We are then greeted by a swarm of kids who want to be held, chased, and loved. Standing on the hill that sits in the middle of the community, you can see the 401 homes that have been built for families who were living in tent homes after the earthquake in January 2010. Today, we painted 2 of those homes in olive green and canary blue that were in the Deaf community. Only 99 more homes for the vision of MOH 500 to be complete!

It is amazing to watch how God is making this country new. After years of being dedicated to Satan, the Lord Almighty is moving quickly in the country. Not only this, but the lives of our students at Forest Hill are being changed. They are being made new. They are wide awake, embracing every sight, sound, and smell. They are working hard and not complaining. They are at peace. They are alive. Our hope and prayer is that each of these 19 students, and ourselves, will be new in some way. That we would live wholly, holy and fully when we arrive home. That we would be a church who lives for Jesus, and Him alone.