Finally Going! by Donna Elyea

I have been an Advance Life Group leader for the last four years and have really enjoyed interacting with some wonderful young ladies. In the last year I watched as many of “my girls” have gone to Haiti and returned with such joy and longing to return. This stirred anew within me the desire to make a first overseas missions trip of my own. I didn’t have such an opportunity as a teen though I grew up in church and a Christian home. In college I was too cautious and practical, involving myself in internships rather than travel. As a young adult I had a demanding career and after the career there have been the demands of four children and family life and other obligations. Finally, though, I am going! A couple of my life group girls are returning and it will be a treat to travel with them. I am fully ready and willing to love on children, paint buildings, share the Gospel, or serve in whatever ways the Lord prepares. I suspect that as I am working to bless others, God will bless me in ways I do not expect or imagine. His word teaches me that I, just as was Abraham, am blessed to be a blessing so I want to be obedient and use my time and talents on this trip. His word also tells me that He will do far more than I can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) and so I finally go, excited to see what God will do through our team to impact His people in Haiti and expecting that God will grow in me a greater capacity for love, compassion, global awareness, and more that I cannot yet imagine.

Back Again, by Lauren Nalevaiko

I'm so thrilled to be going back again to Haiti. To serve with Forest Hill and see what has changed since I was there last. I looked through all my old pictures from last spring break, and although the poverty is hard to witness, the joy of the Haitians remains consistent in every photo.  Most of us see ourselves as loyal Christians who may be able to recite our favorite verse on command.  But you can see the light of Christ shine through the people of Haiti. While we might throw a few dollars in the offering hoping to look like a good Christian, these Haitian people have given their whole lives to Christ and have done it willingly. They give cheerfully rather than out of obligation.  This opportunity to return to Haiti mean so much to me. Haiti was the first and only place I  have ever gone to on an overseas mission trip.  Last time I was able to build strong relationships with the people I went with as well as the Haitians.  I am so glad that this where I will spend my senior spring break and Easter. There isn't anywhere else I would rather be on Easter than at a Haitian church service.  

Joy Through the Eyes of a Child, by Amanda Blackwelder

I have always loved volunteering and serving other people. I also love working with children. This summer I worked at the Harris YMCA as a camp counselor. My favorite part was seeing the joy in their eyes when their favorite camp counselor would play with them. When I was little and went to camp, I thought that my counselors were the coolest thing on the Earth. I wanted to be like them when I grew up. I was always joyful when they would play with me because they were my role model. That is what I believe the kids today see in a counselor/ role model.  I am very excited about working in the orphanage. I want to be able to play with children and see that same joy in their eyes as well. Romans 15:32 "says so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed". I feel that if I go to Haiti with great joy and excitement I will make a difference in a child's life. I believe that they will see my joy and then become joyous because they will see that there is a God and there is hope.

My Return to Haiti, by Michael Freije

My name is Michael Freije, I am a junior, I go to South Mecklenburg High School. I met Jesus when I was in the first grade back in the old “Black Box Theater” in Kidstown at Forest Hill South Park. Ever since then I have been living my life for Christ. Of course there have been many bumps and obstacles on my journey but my faith remains strong in Christ. I went to Haiti last year on the summer trip and it was a true life changing experience. There is nothing like going to serve those less fortunate than yourself, especially when they turn out to have stronger faiths than you. It amazed me how they were so happy to know Jesus even though they deal with struggles every day that are far greater than ours. The relationships I made there are everlasting and I am so excited to further my relationships with my friends there. Also I am excited to make more memories and relationships with a new team of students and leaders. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Ephesians 2:1-10, this is the same verse that I shared on the summer trip, but I want to share it again because it means so much to me.

           

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ²  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body^[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.^{[b] 4} But^[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

- Ephesians 2:1-10

To me this verse is the Gospel in a nutshell. The most important thing we can take with us to Haiti is the Gospel, because it is the ultimate life changer and our goal is to change the lives of those in Haiti through Jesus Christ. As I have learned, it is not good for the people of Haiti for us to just go in and do everything for them, because they need to know how to stimulate their own economy. However, what we can do is bring the most important thing of all and that is Jesus. I am sooooooo excited to go back to Haiti again. I wish the best for everyone while in preparation for the trip and I pray for our safety in travel and while we are there.

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!