Hello Everyone! Here is some information regarding my Haiti mini outreach.
I was asked to answer some questions, so here we go:
-where exactly is our group going? We are going to the YWAM base in St. Marc, Haiti
-what are the needs of the people there? Haiti was hit by 3 hurricanes within 3 weeks and has a lot of damage due to these. Most of the country is very poor.
-what are your needs as a group? For us students, we are preparing our testimonies and for the group as a whole just that we have a lot of preparations before we leave on Monday.
-what type of ministry will you be partaking in? VBS, Disaster Relief work
-what are you hoping to accomplish there? Anything specific? We want to share the Gospel with the people of Haiti, right now we feel that we are going to try to impact the children the most.
-what has God shown you all to be praying for so we can join with you...give us the specifics? We have been shown that we need to pray for the people and their willingness to be open to the gospel, for the children, and that we can be a light and sow seeds of love.
-what are the dates and times of your flights so we can cover you all in prayer? Flight to Puerto Rico leaves at 6:30 am on Monday (we did not go through daylight savings time) We return in the evening on Thanksgiving Day.
-will you be joining another organization/ministry while there? Who are they - names, ministry, needs? We will be working with YWAM Haiti
-how are the finances of your group...for the school, outreach, and the next one? Right now we all have our money up through our mini outreach, some people have all their money but there are some needs yet. The base as a whole is very tight on money and could use any extra funds.
-do/will you have an outreach itinerary/schedule that we can follow along with dates/activities so we know what to be praying for and when it's happening? We do not have any itinerary/schedule yet. We will most likely not have access to the internet while we are gone, so I'm not sure if I will be able to let everyone know either.
-how about you? How can we pray specifically for you!? I am really nervous about speaking in front of people and sharing my testimony. We will be utilizing a translator and I am worried about using words that will not translate well.
Thank you all for your prayer support!
About Me
- Kathy Beth Zoerhof
- Over the last year God has been doing amazing things in my life. I strive daily to wait on God to see what He has next for me! Right now I am in the process of moving to WA where my husband has found a job. Once I am there I will be looking for a job, hopefully I can find something ministry related. If not I trust that God is going to use me in new and unexpected ways :)
St. Croix DTS Equip 2009
St. Croix DTS 08/09
Christiansted Morgan, Jonas, Me, Hannah, Alyssa, and Bob
Beauty in Frederiksted
8 comments:
Kathy,
Thanks so much for the info, although I think about you often I'll be sure to make an extra effort during the next two weeks while you are in Haiti. It has been wonderful to read your blogs and to hear how God is working in your heart. We love you and miss you a lot. What is your address if I want to send you something?
Hugs and Kisses from us to you.
Karen
Fantastic! Thank you so very much Kathy-ryn!
I've met the director, Terry Snow, of the base you’re going to a couple of times and his story is truly amazing. I'm quite certain he's starred into the barrel of a gun at least once for the sake of Christ. I'm sure you'll hear some of his/his family’s story and be amazed at what God is doing with/through them.
In terms of being worried about a translator, don't be. They're probably seasoned veterans in the translating field and most translators with any experience are generally very good at getting across what you’re trying to say, even if it isn't using the exact same words. God and Terry know the importance of what you and your team have to say; their translators will be up for the task.
On top of that, in terms of nervousness (this won't totally put you at ease, but it may help) having a translator can come in handy because you'll have more time to think about what your going to say next while their translating your last sentence. I always enjoyed speaking with a translator cause those pauses for translation allowed me to look at my notes or gather my thoughts for my next sentence.
And even more on top of that (again, not total ease, but hopefully you’ll find some comfort/courage in this), it is simply amazing at how much God's grace flows in any/all areas you feel deficient. Case in point: remember when Moses was trying to wuss out? (not that you’re trying to wuss out or anything:) Here's Moses’ take:
BibleGateway to the rescue!
Ex 4:10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
Here's God laying it down for him (and you):
11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
If He did it for Moses, you can bet He's up for the challenge with you;) So go Kath, go knowing He - the King and Creator of eloquence - will HELP YOU speak and will TEACH YOU what to say. Trust Him, He’ll never let go!
Have a safe and servant filled trip! Bring hope to the hopeless and love those kids - give them everything you’ve got! May His light shine bright in and through you and may your life be forever changed!
I will pray for you and your group often,
Love you much,
Your friend,
Matthew
Just picture everyone in their underwear. That always takes away the butterflies.
You are going to be amazing! Praying for safe travel for the entire group. Love you much.
Jules
I have to say I’ve never done that before. For lack of a better explanation, I’ll go with fear of either giggling or being aroused - both I feel being counterproductive for most speaking engagements…though I guess if I were doing improv comedy (they can generally get away with a giggle or two) or the only attendee was my future wife (arousal would be totally fair), then I might give it a try:)
I love you KJ! Hopefully we can do skype when I get back :)
My Address is:
Kathy Miersma
YWAM/DTS
4030 Diamond Ruby
Christiansted, VI 00820
Hi Kathy!
Not sure if you'll get this before you leave, but wanted to say hi! thinking of you often and my prayers are with you!!
I'm sure you didn't think the Lord would send you to Haiti to use your administrative skills did you? :) :) Love you soooooo much!!!
I wanted to post this message we received from Lori (she is our "contact person" from Kathy's base) for anyone who checks for an update... :)
Hello everyone,
We just finished an amazing first day in Haiti. We arrived safely, although late (plane delay) and after dinner and orientation we had to learn a documenting system for today's ministry before heading to our rooms to settle in and sleep.
Today we went to a village of several hundred people who had major flooding from hurricanes Hanna and Ike. Though the hurricanes happened in Sept, the road to La Grange only opened last week. These people have had no relief as of yet. Today we went and documented who lives in what house and how many people are in their families... etc. In the next couple of days we will go back to organize and deliver food. Bob, TJ, Veronica, Jonas and Ligia went and "inspected" houses, Luke, myself, Alyssa, Morgan and Kathy entered data into computers and the Hannah's printed and laminated ID cards for everyone.
We had a blast. The road out to La Grange is another whole story... one I don't have time for right now. We are all a little sore and tired. I'm sure we will sleep good tonight!
Lori
Thanks for the update Nancy!!!!
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