NVM Field Day

We had another "field day" on campus after church two weeks ago. Unfortunately, I am just now posting the pictures! These "field days" are awesome...so great to have tons of kids on campus having fun!

A couple of my friends and myself!

This is only a small portion of the kids that were on campus.

What is a field day without basketball?

The kids ALWAYS like to take pictures with my camera. This one ended up looking pretty cool!

One of the nicest kids I have met since I've been in Haiti.

Posing with the basketball

"Yeah, this is my horse. Whassup?"

The lovely Sherlonde dancing!

Cute little guy on the slide!

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Work in Onaville

A couple guys from the GAiN team and myself added some final touches yesterday to the new NVM "satellite" campus church tent in Onaville! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of the kids showing off their skills. Love these kids in Onaville!

Don't Lose Your Sight in the Rear-view Mirror

You're probably wondering what I mean by the title of this post, "Don't Lose Your Sight in the Rear-view Mirror". Let me explain...When you are driving along in your vehicle, what is more effective; looking AHEAD at what's in front of you or looking in your rear-view mirror at what is BEHIND you? I think the majority of you will answer the correct choice of looking ahead at what's in front of you. Although, the things behind you are important, you should never allow them to take your eyes off what lies ahead of you (for an extended period of time). Now, let's apply this to our lives: don't become solely focused on past occurrences (what is traveling BEHIND you), so that you may concentrate on what is facing you (in your future).

I personally have struggled with letting go of things in my past; whether it being past relationships, sports, cars, etc. It is something that each and every one of us have had to deal with and/or ARE dealing with. I believe that Satan uses our past pessimistically, in order to stray us off the path that God wants us to take, that leads us to a life of righteousness. Maybe you don't necessarily MISS a particular event/time in your past; maybe there is something that you are ashamed of. Satan also uses these types of events to restrict us from letting go of it all; restricting us from letting the blood that Jesus Christ shed for the sin of ALL humanity do what God intended for it to do: CLEANSE us.

If you, like myself, have struggled and/or are struggling with this; I greatly encourage you to put your PAST behind you, where it belongs. I also encourage you to spend time in the Word of God, and to also check out a book titled, "Chasing Daylight", by Erwin Raphael McManus. Here is an excerpt from this book, that sparked me to even write this post:

 "One moment in the past continues to haunt every moment of your life. A moment in your history that steals from you all the moments in the future. Is there a moment you keep reliving again and again? To relive the past is to relinquish the future. If you are willing to let go of the past, then you are ready to step into the future. When you choose to remain stuck in a moment, you become incapable of seizing divine moments."

I will end this post with encouraging verses from Scripture: 
 

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3: 12-14

Fight the Good Fight

I was sitting in church this morning, like a typical Sunday...When God spoke to me and had thoughts churning through my head. Decided to take a note of what I was thinking:
  
"If we do not die to self and as a result die to sin, we will continue to live in the darkness in which we are currently consumed. I have lived in that darkness. It is a place that I shall never return to. Basking in God's light is where I will be; for all of eternity. It is not an easy process. Escaping from the darkness does not happen overnight. You will fail; it is inevitable. However, how you RESPOND to those failures determines your trust in God, to provide and shine in your inefficiencies. I encourage you, from one sinner to another, to take up your cross daily; fight the good fight of faith. This is the only fight that if we die, we are victorious. Therefore, will you ignore your arrogance and pride, to give your life to the One who sent His only Son to die for OUR sins; or will you continue to be swarmed by the norms and ways of the world? The choice is YOURS. Be humble. Let the Holy Spirit work in you; to lead you from where you are, to where God wants you to be."

I greatly enjoy writing...especially when God puts things like this in my mind and in my heart. I love the feeling of "zoning out" and letting my pen scribble the words that God wants me to share. I plan to start sharing more posts like this on my blog. I pray every single day and night that God uses me as tool for the Kingdom in any way/shape/form that He wants. If simply sharing these posts on the internet can help benefit the Kingdom, and/or encourage a person who needs guidance....then I am all for it.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

        Matthew 16: 24-28

Two Month Update!

A lot has been going on over the past few weeks. I really need to start updating this blog on a more regular basis. NVM has been packed since last Saturday with numerous teams: Appalachian State CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ), UCONN CRU, GAiN, West Point Cadets, and Kanakuk (8th graders).

Had a great time working with the Kanakuk middle school team this week. Spending time with these 8th graders has got me even more excited to do more with youth ministry in the future.

It's always great to go to the NVM childrens home in the village to hang out with the kids.

Had a great time working with the Kanakuk middle school team this week. Spending time with these 8th graders has made me even more excited to get into youth ministry in the future! 

 I worked with the Kanakuk team yesterday at one of our satellite locations, in Onaville. We had a VBS day camp for 100+ kids. Had such a great time with the games, skits, and worship.

I was in Onaville again today...replacing the old white and blue tent that was currently being used for church, vision clinics, and other activities. Replaced it with a new tent that is at least triple the size. So excited to see God fill this much larger tent beyond its capacity, like he did with the white and blue tent. Had a great time working on this with the Haitians and West Point Cadets.

I am making it a priority to update this blog on a more regular basis. It is hard to believe that I have already been serving in Haiti for two months. Already a third of the way done with this internship. Excited to see how God is going to work through Nehemiah Vision Ministries and myself over the next four months. I appreciate all the prayers and support from everyone. I am so thankful for this opportunity for God to use me in Haiti as a tool for the Kingdom, via this internship.

Roadtrip to Fort Jacques

Last Friday, our NVM staff decided to take a little "roadtrip" to visit Baptist Haiti Mission and Fort Jacques. Baptist Haiti Mission originated in 1943; BHM spreads the Gospel of Christ through evangelism, medical services, education and other services in the Republic of Haiti. Their main focus is directed toward the establishment and the development of indigenous churches through evangelism and education. We all enjoyed a little ice cream in their restaurant, then headed further up the mountain, to Fort Jaques!

View of the gorgeous mountains from the truck

In the back of the truck at Fort Jacques

One of the buildings at Fort Jacques

Awesome view of Haiti, from Fort Jacques

NVM Missions Team Coordinator Brandon Hutchens & his wife Katie

Musical genious, Clersondy. NVM church sound & music tech

The NVM Staff at Fort Jacques