A Heart For Haiti: A Missionary’s Mission Statement Revealed

James 2: 14-17:

"What good is it my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you say to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep well fed' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, by faith itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

What does this say to you? Read it… let it sink in. How does it apply to you? As you may have noticed, this verse is the header to this blog. What could be a better Mission Statement to a missionary?! It’s easy to lose sight of the task at hand when you’re faced with the many emotions that overwhelm you. Beyond the emotions are the doubts and hurdles that take hold of you. These are the times that this verse can be a light in the darkness. It’s a reminder that helping your fellow man isn’t meant to be easy but it is necessary.

Preparation is more than packing your bags and clinging to your passport. Preparation takes soul searching, prayer, research, team meetings, doctor’s appointments, family discussions, financial planning, supply purchasing, travel planning, and so much more. As in life, these preparations don’t always go as planned. There are only so many hours in the day and so many responsibilities that require your time. (Keep in mind that we don’t get paid to do this. This all happens in our free time.) Where do you place your attention each day? There is no perfect science to balancing your life between your responsibilities and the calling God places in your heart. Defeat starts to close in on you and doubt plays with your mind. These two go into play while you find yourself in the field as well. As a mother, I found it very difficult to keep thoughts of my own children separate from the faces of the children we saw each day. The devastation lingers and creates a feeling of hopelessness. You wonder how far your current deeds will carry. Can you really make a difference? Are you truly a key player in bringing hope and opportunity to a community so deeply wounded?

Then, that moment comes along. Smiles from the children that love you already, just because they know that you are there for them! The open arms of an elderly woman who is thanking God for you and won’t be satisfied until she has hugged you tightly! Witnessing the walls come down in a young mother who only wants to know that she is doing the best thing for her children, and being confirmed by your smile! The happy work of a man with a shovel in his hand because, for the first time in a long time, he feels like a proud provider for his family! The reality of your hard work comes to light! These are the seeds that you are planting. Positivity, hope, strength, opportunity … separately, these are just words. The actions behind these words make them tools! Actions make them affective!

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Missionaries have a strong calling in their heart to act. It is due to this calling that we can take your kindness, love, and support, and give them life in a world very different than our own! We do it because deeply rooted in our souls and tied to our hearts is the message found in James 2: 14-17.

Thank you again for reading!!

~ Genia

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