When we moved to the Mole I knew immediately who I wanted to take this ‘missionary journey’ with. I just wasn’t sure if they would want to come with me. Sometimes I think if they knew then how hard it was going to be – maybe they would have had doubts about following me here.
I told the staff that they could take Thanksgiving off and enjoy the rest. As soon as I told them to take the day off they were like “Great. Now we can clean the orphanage depot!’
Wait. What? It’s like they don’t know how to ‘not work’ – how to just be still. FYI – they didn’t clean the depot yesterday but they still ended up spending the day doing their laundry.
If a truck full of supplies arrive at midnight – here they come – helping us unload everything. If a team shows up at 3am – they’re here to help us welcome them. I have never met a group more dedicated or loyal than the staff we have now.
We have SO much fun together. You’ve seen our posts where we play games and most of them cheat! Lol! Yes there are times where we get annoyed with each other, step on each other’s toes, take a joke too far – but that’s with any family. We also show each other compassion, give each other more grace and mercy, and really rally behind one another.
I knew the staff I brought very well but had no idea that I would become just as close to the staff we hired in the Mole. I lived in St. Louis most of my life but there are some very precious staff here that I am very close to. It’s as if I’ve known them my whole life.
I often get the credit for the teams we host, programs we lead, activities we engage in, and the love/compassion we pour into this community. But the truth is – I’m a very small part of our successes. There’s absolutely no way my family could do it alone. Our staff work tirelessly, sacrifice more than is required, and give all they have to this ministry. They take full ownership in playing their part to advance the Kingdom.
So today I am so thankful and so blessed for the staff God has surrounded me with. A staff who would die for each other. A staff who truly beam the face of Christ to everyone they meet. A staff that enjoy and take great pride in being the hands and feet of Jesus!
Pic taken from hide-n-seek game last year.
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SO Thankful…Day 27
When God called us to the Mole we knew we needed “back-up”! We needed a crew of people that would not only see this move as an adventure but as a huge ministry opportunity. I needed to find Haitians that would be willing to be missionaries along with us. That would be willing to make sacrifices by living together (so we could afford their rent). That would be willing to leave everything they’ve known to come alongside us.
The Staff we have is incredible! Their hearts and their love to serve is beyond measure. The staff sacrifices so much for the ministry and here is the CRAZY THING – our staff are treated as outcasts in the Mole. The people charge them more money at the market than their locals. No one will lend them money if they’re a little low. No one will give them “credit” to pay back something a little later. This is something they ALWAYS could do in St. Louis du Nord. When we give things away – the people say that our staff decided who got things and so blame them if you didn’t receive whatever it is we had to give away. They are constantly blamed for everything.
Yet their spirits are not defeated. Mr. Nene told me that Christians have been persecuted since the beginning of time and so why would they expect to be treated any differently!! They continue to rise above it – and little by little they are seeing the fruits of the efforts! They walk the streets and walk to villages just to bring the Good News to their fellow Haitians. They participate in all the church services that are offered all week long. Jocelyn and Pierre lead the youth. They are like Youth Pastors. Momma Gigi and Mme Nene are always singing in choir and leading the Women’s Bible Study Group. Tizzie is showing the Mole how to love on special needs children and will be running our orphanage this spring! Mr. Nene preaches in several churches each month. Our Pastor disciples every single day! Bena – will sacrifice his own comfort and time in order to help us with teams. He’s become a vital part of our team ministry!
We couldn’t pull of the ministry we do in the Mole without this dedicated staff. We learn from each other and draw strength from each other. We are a family! That doesn’t mean we’re drama-free and life is rainbows and sunshine! But what it does mean is that we stick together through the good and the bad! We don’t run away when the ministry feels too much! Instead we rally together – realize who we’re really battling – and we head to war!
So today I’m thankful for the Mole Staff!
For fighting alongside us everyday so that others may know Him better!
