Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, or his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, The LORD is my portion, therefore I will wait for him. The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him
-Lamentations 3:21-25
Our Motivation
Your overriding motivation each trip must be a realization that God has called you to provide service to the Lord and the hurting and lost of Haiti. We are going to communicate in whatever way we can that Jesus Christ is Lord and He has saved us personally. We are going to Haiti because of a realization that an understanding of the Great Commission has made it imperative for you to help bring the good news of His salvation to every man, woman and child.
In order to discharge this privilege it is critical to closely examine ourselves. We must pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and emptied of “Self”. Pray that God would help personally empty you of all visions of self glory, improper motivations, problems, worries, and ego. We need to learn how to be as transparent as possible so that when the people to whom we are ministering see us and our actions, they see Jesus Christ. We must rely as completely as possible on the Holy Spirit in order to face uncertainty and live in a way honoring to Christ. In Haiti, with language and cultural barriers, we may be the only Bible that these people ever read.
Our Comfort
While the challenges and needs are great, take comfort in in our Lord.
- God knows exactly what and who you are, and you will not surprise Him.
- You can do all things beyond your own abilities because you can do them through Christ’s power. (Phil 4:13)
- You are not responsible for the results, only the attempt. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do – Eph 2:10
Other ways of Preparation
The following additional things can help put you in the right state of mind and spiritual readiness:
• Learn a simple way to lead someone to Christ.
Personal witnessing opportunities will present themselves. It is out job to be ready for the opportunity. Your responsibility is to tell what God did in your life and what He is willing to do in theirs.
• Read stories of faith and missionary biographies and reflect on the unchanging nature of God. If He did it before, He can do it again.
• Read books about missionaries that have served or are serving in Haiti
• Start a journal to chronicle you experiences of what God is doing and continue it through the trip to record both the physical and spiritual journey
Read more about the spiritual situation in Haiti
Please take time to read the following articles concerning the current spiritual situation in Haiti. These are the best articles I have found dealing with these topics, specifically tailored to Haiti.
Poor Assumptions by Missionaries
Understanding the General Worldview of a Haitian
Haitian’s Understanding of Sin and Moral Responsibility
Towards a Biblical View of Sin and Moral Responsibility
Essential Shifts in the Haitian Worldview