Safely in Haiti!

Just heard from the team and they have arrived in Haiti safely!
Continue to pray for the team as they are the hands and feet of Jesus this week!

Mosquitos and Giving, by Mary Snover

My name is Mary Snover and I will be a senior at Myers Park High School. As a Charlotte native, I am one of four children and I spend all my time playing lacrosse, eating Bojangles, being with friends, and watching movies. I tried very hard to somehow fit Batman into this post because I am beyond excited for The Dark Knight Rises. Almost as excited as I am for this Haiti mission trip. Almost.

A lady named Bette Reese (not even Google could make it clear why she is famous) once said, "If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito." The phrase stuck out to me, especially after buying my new mosquito net, malaria medicine, and uber-protective insect repellent. The quote also rang true of how I think of service. The main reason that I am venturing to Haiti is to make a difference but it is very easy to become discouraged. Haiti is but one nation of a struggling world and I am only giving up one measly week of my summer. At times, I do feel small and very much ineffective. After turning to random inspirational quotes involving mosquitoes, I also looked into God's word. 1 Peter 4:10 states, "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." His word is a reminder that each and every one of us has the capability of impacting another's life and each act of love, service, or humility will expand God's kingdom. I am ecstatic about becoming close with each team member and soaking up all that God has to offer me in Haiti. I pray that I will not only be able to touch someone's life, but that my own life will be transformed. I am also praying that the mosquitoes will leave me in peace.

A post, by Madison Williams

       Hey everybody! My name is Madison Williams and I am going to be a senior in the IB program at Myers Park High School.  I love to play tennis, but my competitive sport is one that not many people know about- rowing! I am on the Charlotte Youth Rowing team, which is a team of about forty students from all over Charlotte and we  practice everyday at Lake Wiley. It is a lot of fun and most of my free time is spent with my team.

I have gone to Forest Hill Church for as long as I can remember, and going on a mission trip was something that I have always wanted to do before I graduate. When I first heard about the trip, I immediately wanted to go. I have talked to so many people who say that mission trips are life changing and something that everyone should experience. I am SO excited to go to Haiti with this awesome group of people. I feel so blessed for this opportunity and I know that God has something amazing planned for all of us.

Naturally, it will be a little scary leaving the country, and being somewhere so different than the lifestyle I am accustomed to. My biggest fear is probably getting sick while I am there, but other than that I know it will be such an incredible trip.

I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this trip. I can't wait to spend more time with our team and to spend time with the children I will meet. I am praying everyday for this trip and for the impact we could have while we are there. I know it will be awesome!

A little about me, by Chandler Hillman

Hi my name is Chandler Hillman, I am 15 years old and I am a junior at Myers Park High School. I am an only child, but I have four half siblings. I absolutely love children. So I’m really looking forward to going to Haiti, meeting the people and playing with all of the children. I always have had a heart for helping others and I love to give. I’ve never been on a mission trip before, or even been out of the country, I’m so pumped. The only fears I have are flying and getting sick while in Haiti, other than that I am totally excited.

Here are two of my favorite bible verses:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Matthew 15:16

Casting out Fear, By Liz High

Hey Ya’ll! My name is Liz High and currently I live in Charlotte, North Carolina, but I am originally from Greenville, South Carolina. I am 17 years old and a rising senior at Ardrey Kell High School. I love playing sports. I have been playing soccer since I was 5 and it is by far the best. sport. ever.

      I am very excited to go to Haiti because it will be a whole new experience for me. I have been on a mission trip before, but I went when I was 7 and it was to France (I don’t remember much). I know going to Haiti will be challenging for me, especially when it comes to stepping out of my comfort zone. I know that this will be something that God will be challenging me with on this mission trip, but I know that if I give all my fears to Him, I wont have to be afraid.

Romans 15:13 says: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” This is a verse that will help me through my challenge of stepping out of my comfort zone during my trip to Haiti. Whether getting to know my other team members or working with the children I know that if I give it all to God, he will discard any fear I may have.  

Confidence in the Lord, by April Purvis

       My name is April Purvis and I live in Charlotte, North Carolina. I'm sixteen and this coming fall I'll be a junior at Charlotte Catholic High School. I love playing tennis, guitar, acting, and cooking. I'm really excited about spending time with the Haitian children, like everyone else, because I have a heart for kids, but one of the things I find really exciting is being prepared to do whatever asked. Typically, in America, when someone asks, "Can you do me a favor?", most people's immediate response would be somewhere along the lines of asking what the favor was. It'll be different when we get to respond, "Sure, how can I serve you?".

My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 17:7, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord whose confidence is in him." It had always been my favorite verse (this is going to sound bad) simply because it was the first verse I had ever memorized that stuck with me. Up until recently, I didn't really understand how it could be applied to my life. As we embark on our sojourn to Haiti, we must put all our trust in the Lord, just as Jeremiah states. We have to trust him to prepare our hearts, to open our eyes, to keep us safe, and to make our work mean something.

Hi by Andrew Purvis

My name is Andrew and I live in Charlotte. I am 16 and run track and cross country at Charlotte Catholic High School. My twin sister April is also going on the trip. I enjoy going to the mountains and hanging out there. I enjoy fishing, hiking, running, and kayaking in mountains. Also I like going to Appalachian State football games.

I am very excited about the Haiti. I’m excited about building relationships with the people I’m going with and also the Haitians. I can’t wait to serve the Haitians as well. My only fear of going to Haiti is getting sick from the water.

A reason I am going on this trip is to share the Gospel with the Haitians.  Psalms 96:3 says, “Declare his glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people”. Matthew 19:19 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. I am excited about going to Haiti