The Great Escape: Part II

So. I've realized that I have let the world get ahead of me big time. Its obvious. Lack of blogging is a clear example. I am pretty sure that both of my new job(s) {Yes plural and both involving photog} as well as trying to still have a summer & preparing for Haiti have left me a little stretched. I have had a lot on my mind that I am still trying to process.

Tomorrow I will be heading to the lovely (and much needed) beaches of North Carolina. ah.

I feel like God seriously wants me to rest. whatever that looks like. Rest my body, rest my soul, rest in His glorious creations or simply just to rest in Him. The motto for the trip is the following:

Rest. Restore. Rejuvenate.

I know I want to fellowship with Dave & his lovely family as well as take lots of pictures and maybe have an adventure? But I also intend to  be still for once, removed from daily routine and see/ hear what God has to say to me about the coming month. July is going to be super involved. I need to get some of my ducks in a row before it gets here. Not to mention major ducks before Haiti gets here... its only about a month away now.

I look forward to diving into some of what I discover on here when I return. Stay tuned. Stay in Him.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul. Psalm 23.

<3 me

Perspective

I have been so intrigued by this song lately. The words speak straight to your heart. It's convicting & motivating at the same time.

Perspectives. Kutless.

It feels like your life's crashing down all around you
Let me ask if it's really so bad?
Look at the world in it's suffering
Can you honestly tell me that know one else could understand?
All of the hurting inside

Yesterday, you really couldn't see
By changing your angle a new world would be
Revealed to your once blinded eyes by moving a few degrees

Why can't you see that freedom is sometimes just simply another perspective away
Who could you be if your lens was changed for a moment,
Would you still be the same?

Ayiti, m 'ale

Not too long ago, I stumbled across the opportunity to take part in a short term Mission's trip to Haiti through my church. I must say that when I had the first meeting a few months ago, I did not realize how rapidly this time would approach... I leave in 7 weeks...

Haiti is located in the between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Coast, Just about 3.5 hours from our home in Maryland...

We live 3.5 hours away from the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. 80% of the population is below the poverty line. Just about half of the population is unemployed. There are over 9 million Haitian Citizens.

In January 2010, A massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti in with an epicenter about 15 km southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince. An estimated 2 million people lived within the zone of heavy to moderate structural damage. More than 300,000 people died as a result of this.

The entire country is smaller than the state of MD

The country is also set at a high risk of major infections diseases, some of which include, hep A & E, typhoid fever, dengue fever, malaria, & most recently, they are experiencing a ravishing outbreak of the waterborne bacteria, cholera.

August 6th, I will be embarking on a journey to this nation. I, first hand will be meeting these people, serving in their community. Hearing their stories, learning their language. Seeing their faces, trying my best to demonstrate Christ's great love, for this struggling country.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Psalm 23:4

Am I afraid? Yes. Uncertain? Yes. Even Terrified? Yes. More than I can express to you. I have legitimate fears of being subject to illness & injury.
- But I can not deny this stirring feeling in my heart to go. & to see. & to tell these people, who are exactly like you and I, that their is a Savior who holds their hearts in His hands & will help them through this tough time. They are you & me. This is my moment to go out and to be the hands and feet of Jesus...

But I can not do this alone. I need YOUR help. I am currently in the process of raising money for my trip. I need to raise 1300$ by mid July. I ask and pray that if you feel so lead to aid me in order to go out and serve this community, that you would please get in contact with me. Donations do not have to be astronomical amounts. The smallest amount will add up. Please only give what you feel lead to. And in doing so, know that I will be a good steward of your money. & that every dollar collect is going directly to helping me get to this nation, to serve this community.... That means you will be there with me too... <3

We are called to be servants of Christ, in all nations. Sometimes, that means taking a road less traveled, or should I say, Wout la Mwens Vwayaje. 

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me. Matthew 25:40

This, The Rescue. The Rescue.

Rescue: to free or deliver from contempt, violence, danger... or evil.

Most recently, I have been captivated by a band, interestingly enough called, "This, The Rescue." Despite biased circumstances as to why I might chose to listen, I can not deny the strength found in these words. I find myself singing lines through out my days. & am able to derive context from which I find encouragement. Below is an assortment of lyrics from a variety of their songs, all of which have spoken immensely to my heart. Perhaps they will speak to yours.

How long has it been love, since you last could breathe?
How long has it been love, since you last could dream?
How long has it been love, since you sang like you believed?


Just say you're holding on,

& Catch your breath

Something good is going to come from all of this

& someday we will learn to feel again

Everything will change

& Catch your breath

& all that you could love,

all that you could trust,

& all that you held close,

will stare you down

But this is, "don't let go, and I won't let you down" 

This is the sound, This  is the sound, 
this is your heartbeat
This is how it feels to come finally come alive

Something's gotta change, somethings bound to break


When we were beautiful & brave 

we were so close,

we're skin & bones

But we are just ghosts.... of when we'll be beautiful & brave... 

Believe, Believe & Catch your breath

& if you could see truth, you'd know, you're such a lovely soul

you're low- but you're such a lovely soul....

Am I dreaming that all these broken pieces will fit?


something else will come,

something else will lift your weary soul

Steady Hands will life you to your knees
Steady Hands will bring you to your feet.
Just Hold.
& All your trouble will find its own way home

& All your trouble will follow its own road....

Such truth. All words that point to one thing. A rescue. This life will leave us nothing but weary, empty, wandering souls. But Hope, Hope and Faith will be our rescue.

This...

The Rescue.

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the 

Son, He loves. Colossians 1:13.