Home Again Home Again - Haiti 2012

Last night, the people that were leaving got to meet Brad Johnson, the founder and president of Mission of Hope.  He shared some interesting things with us...  They have over 300 full time Haitian staff.  $6million yearly budget.  Growing schools in the villages is their #1 priority.  Right now they have 2500 students.  They have 1500 people attend church weekly, with 230 first time commitments in the last few months.  And they use 3000 gallons of water daily with a $120,000 year water bill.  (It probably doubled the week the sickies were there)

He was fantastic.  Reminded me of Craig Groeschel (Senior Lead Pastor of Lifechurch).  Brad has a vision and a goal, and he is reaching it.  He wants to lead, teach and empower Haitians to have better lives.  He is teaching these people how to have more, and not settle for less.  You won't see a ton of "American" people there....just the basic staff that is there to help the "Missionaries" and that is about it.  At the clinic the volunteers were American,  but the staff was Haitian.  Dr. Jenny was Lacey's doctor and she was fabulous.

Here's the deal though.  We all need to live intentionally.  We need to make everyday a mission in our lives.  We need to show Christ to people everyday.  The thing is, I don't need to go to Haiti to do that.  I can do that right here.   Make EVERYDAY a mission day, and you will be surprised how much happier you are.  When you do for other people, I can't explain the joy that gives you.  Working with them, loving on them, being with them, dancing/loving/singing with them?  Missions happen everyday, if you just let it.  Be a foster parent.  Volunteer at Children's Hospital.  Volunteer at OKC Compassion.  Get involved with J.D. McCarty Center for Children with Disabilities and go read to a group of kids.  Be a Big Sister/Big Brother.  Don't just settle for an ordinary life.

"Give your life to things that MATTER.  Not things that will just waste away.  Leave a LEGACY that's worth something. "   -  Brad Johnson, Mission of Hope.