Forget Hollywood... I'm Going to Haiti!

Over the past 48 hours, the Lord has completely rocked my world. A trip that was only on my radar peripherally a couple of days ago has suddenly become a reality in a very short time.

I will spare you the lengthy details, but the nutshell is that I am joining a team from our church that is partnering with Sweet Sleep and Global Orphan Project. We will be leaving three weeks from yesterday, heading to an orphan compound outside of Port-au-Prince. The orphanage housed 75 orphans before the earthquake and now has over 200. By the time we get there, that number could be as high as 500. The folks in charge of this compound are literally getting calls every day to come and pick up more kids. It is an overwhelming task.

Our team will spend four days with the orphans, doing whatever we are asked to do. Mostly we'll be entertaining them and attempting to minister to their sweet hearts that have been permanently altered by the events of the past several weeks. So any ideas for entertaining a big group of kids are definitely welcome!

There are many uncertainties about this trip, not the least of which is where we will actually be sleeping. Right now there's a good chance that will be outside. You may not know this about me, but I'm not much of a camper. I'm not a complete girly-girl, but the idea of sleeping among the things that might be creeping around the ground in Haiti at night is something I just have to compartmentalize if I'm going to be able to do it. But I keep telling myself, this is these kids' reality. If they can do it, then I better just suck it up and get over myself.

The way this has come about is so random that it can be none other than the hand of God. I believe I am supposed to be on this trip. I have no idea why, but I know I can trust Him. I feel like a rubber band that He has been steadily stretching a little tighter over the past few years. It seems like he's chosen now to pull me towards that next peg. I pray that I am up for the challenge.

I know that many of you have already given generously to Haiti. So please don't feel solicited. But I am attempting to raise a certain percentage of the funding for this trip. If you feel led to help, you can write a check to Brentwood Baptist Church and put "Haiti trip" and my name in the memo line. Mail the check to Brentwood Baptist Church, c/o Jamie Bennett, 7777 Concord Road, Brentwood, TN 37027. She will put it towards my costs. Thank you in advance for prayerfully considering if God wants you to be a part of this.

Most of all, I covet your prayers. This is a journey into unknown territory for me. It is way out of my comfort zone. I know the Enemy is already formulating schemes designed to distract me from the purpose at hand. I ask that you pray for protection over our team in every way: physical, emotional and spiritual. I have no doubt that what I am about to encounter is going to break my heart, and I promised Jeff that I wouldn't come home an emotional wreck this time. :)

Until then, let me astound you with my mad Creole skills:

Jezi rinmin ou. Babay!

(Jesus loves you. Good-bye!)