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Showing posts from June, 2013

ONE DAY Last Week…

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We stay pretty busy.  We came to Haiti to work. Recently I was reminded that it is indeed important to celebrate victories!  We at RMI have been working hard to exponentially increase our quantity and quality of ministry.  As I was reflecting upon the importance of celebration, it hit me…  One day last week, one day, RMI facilitated 2 teams doing a Dental Clinic at Miserne, a Dental Clinic at Laval, a Food Distribution Batte, a Food distribution service at Laval, an Open Air Evangelistic Service at Laval, a Deworming Clinic in Dorlette, a Ladies Gathering in Lievre, a Worship Service in Lievre, and a Deworming clinic at a Dorlette.  ONE. DAY.  The RMI Team, along with our 2 churches visiting, dug deep and made it happen.  Unbelievable. Thank you Galion Alliance Church and Petersburg Bible Church . We are so privileged to be here.  As I have been saying a lot lately, we are so blessed to have a team of supporters standing with us, helping ...

All You Need is Love…

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The Beatles sang it.  I believe it (as long as Love = Jesus of course).  I don’t think that is what the Beatles meant, but you get the point. This past week, my family has been going through a “little” trial.  In light of Eternity, it’s a little problem.  In light of what many others are going through, it’s a little problem.  But, for us, right now, it’s significant. If I have learned one thing through this, it is that WE ARE LOVED !  So. Many. People. communicated with us that they are praying for us.  So. Many. People. communicated their support.  This is love. We have been raising financial support for almost 10 years.  We have always shared with people.  We are not just looking for financial supporters.  We are looking for people to join our team.  To encourage us.  To pray for/with us.  To share their lives with us.  To be ONE with us.  God has blessed us with SO. Many. People. who love us.  Who...

I signed up for this?

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Being a missionary requires lots of sacrifices, but even more blessings.  My family is living proof.  Because we have moved overseas to serve, we are not only where we believe God wants us, be we are blessed beyond measure. Becky is 1453 miles away, in a hospital bed, awaiting surgery.  I’m not by her side. I committed to always being by her side. I want to be there.  But, I can’t.  God can and will.  I choose to trust, but that doesn’t mean it is easy.  Yep, I signed up for this, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Rob

Top Ten Things (NOT) to do When Coming on a Mission Trip…

I have personally heard every one of these, but from my vantage point, these all represent bad advice… Don't prepare, just come ready to be led by the Spirit.   Truth:  Ok, there is a balance between preparation and being Spirit led.  I firmly believe that you must be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, but I also firmly believe that to be most effective you must plan well.  Be strategic.  We have all heard it, if you don’t plan well, you are planning to fail.  Prepare your heart/spirit.  Prepare your schedule.  Prepare by studying the geography, people, culture, language where you will be serving. Bring lots do stuff to help the nationals (candy, equipment, dollar bills to hand out, clothes, supplies, as much stuff as you can fit in your 50ish lb suitcase, even purchase extra bags).  Truth:  Careful with this one.  I am not saying it’s always wrong to bring stuff (if done well it can be great), but please avoid being Santa Claus. ...

Value #2: Teachability / Volonte pou Aprann

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This is Post #2 in a series of 20 Values/Motivasyon that I am teaching to my team here in Haiti.  These values are the roots or anchors of the 3rd Culture we are creating together. I will continue to teach these, and I pray model these. This is who I am, and I want my team to know how I think, what I expect of myself/them, who I want us to be, and why/how I/we do what I/we do. Value #2: Teachability / Volonte pou Aprann We must remain teachable, or willing to learn.  No matter our “rank”, we should always be looking for opportunity to learn from others.  Those “above” or “below” can teach us new ways of doing things, insight, other things beyond our current capacities.  We must constantly remain teachable.  Missionaries learn from Haitians and Haitians learn from missionaries.  Pastor’s learn from lay people and lay people learn from pastors.  Followers learn from leaders and leaders learn from followers.  We should be always learning.  If...