Haiti by way of France

About a month ago a team came to talk to our community group to raise support and share their vision. One aspect of their plan/vision is to attend language school in France next year (2018). That night in the first 5 minutes of my drive home I felt God just kind of whisper to me that I would go to French language school. I checked when I would need to be in Haiti to teach pediatrics and take students for the first class and then realized I would need to attend language school at the same time as the other mission team (January 2018-December 2018)... so as is typical for me I started looking into it.
The issue at the time was that I was planning on supporting one of my Haitian friends through school here in the States, but his transcripts were never delivered and so we could not finish the application process for school. Over the next two weeks as I prayed over the two options I felt strongly that he was calling me to language school, so that I could teach the students in the PT/OT programs in French, which is the official language for education in Haiti. I began to see God put all the pieces together, the desires, the plans, the financials. After praying over it I asked my missions pastor to meet. I wanted to get wise advice on the plans I felt God had laid out before me on whether or not the church leadership I choose to submit to would be able to spiritually support and back where the Lord was leading me. After two separate meetings I felt even more confident that this was the adventure Jesus had asked me to take with him. I am now in the process of applying for the French language school, so there is still a chance that I will not be accepted or that the term will be filled as they maintain very small class sizes. I am confident that this will not be the case. This is the first time I have had peace and confirmation in my many "ideas" for missions.

"My plan for your life is unfolding before you. Sometimes the road you are traveling seems blocked, or it opens up so painfully slowly that you must hold yourself back. Then, when time is right, the way before you suddenly clears—through no effort of your own. What you have longed for and worked for I present to you freely, as pure gift. You feel awed by the ease with which I operate in the world, and you glimpse My Power and My Glory.

Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly. As you persevere along the path I have prepared for you, depending on My strength to sustain you, expect to see miracles—and you will. Miracles are not always visible to the naked eye, but those who live by faith can see them clearly. Living by faith, rather than sight, enables you to see My Glory"

Jesus Calling December 21

"Failed" Missionary Ideas...

• Move to Haiti in September 2016 to do more administrative role in PT school
• TIMO program with African Inland Mission
• PATMOS reality discipleship
• Saudi Arabia as a PT
• Start an orphanage in Africa (this one makes me cringe a little now, but I was young and naive)
• MOH Internship
• Special needs missions in Uganda

I don't list these because I actually believe they were failures. I list these because these are all the opportunities that were before me that I felt the Lord say "no", "not yet", or I just did not have peace with. The only one I still feet the Lord MIGHT be calling me to is PATMOS discipleship program. When would be a big question, but I just still feel the Lord saying "not yet" but not "no" for that one. These opportunities are what grabbed my attention as I read this devotional. I have waited for years. Not patiently, but none the less I have waited. I have tried to convince myself that He is calling me to do something, but could never convince myself well enough to actually take action steps. There was also resistance in my heart and so in the end I waited.

I'm not going to lie, reading Jesus calling sometimes feels like the Christian "horoscopes". But this time I felt like every word was one more confirmation from the Lord because He knows that right now my mind is a bit anxious and starting to self doubt. Not doubting what the Lord can do, but if he really wants to take me on such an adventure. But every time I question he brings people, verses, or a devotional that give me confirmation. Just a quite voice and peace in the midst of chaos of life changing plans. The certainty and clarity of what he is calling me to do makes me feel like this has been planned for years, but in reality it all just fell into place in the last month. Then, when time is right, the way before you suddenly clears—through no effort of your own. Although I don't know exactly where or who I will be working with, watching what has been laid out in the last month and the confidence of my church leadership in the plans the Lord has given me has put me at ease for future plans.

There are still a number of question marks and yet to be made plans that I ask you to pray with me about. 

1) That I would be accepted into the French Language School

2) Friendships that are being made with the other 5 adults (and 7 kids) that are attending the language school from our church.

For the short term trips I go on this year... 

3) One of the biggest concerns of my church leadership that I totally agree with is that I am basically going into Haiti "alone". This is obviously not the biblical model. It can be done, but I am really praying to meet like minded rehab professionals prior to moving to Haiti. The first opportunity was this past September when I went with STAND. I met a pediatric OT that lives in the country, she connected me with another therapist that is having a health fair for special needs children in February. I am going to help in February, mainly to assist in the health fair, but I am also very excited to meet other rehab profession missionaries living in Haiti. 

4) There is very tentative and early workings of a short term trip with one of the pastors from my church who has been very involved with a organization that has been working in Haiti for ~10 years now (help one now). This would be a trip where I would get to meet one/some of the Haitian community leaders that have partnered with this organization and hear how/where they feel rehabilitation would best serve the people of Haiti. 

5) Mission of Hope Partnership: I finally got the courage to email Mission of Hope and am also in the early phases of building a partnership with them to start a PT clinic for the amputees and communities that they serve. 

6) Raising Support: I thought I had financials all figured out (I could just save the money and come back to work as needed), but after talking with the pastors I realize that I also should raise support. After praying through it more over the last couple of weeks I realize that although it is breaking down my pride God wants to teach me through the year of preparation ahead of me and part of that is raising support and connecting with people who can see how God is moving through this opportunity. I will still be saving through this year and spending wisely, but I just have this peace and assurance that God wants to teach me something through raising support. I am excited for the lessons and relationships whether I raise $100 or $100,000. 

7) Leaving my current job: I currently work for my mother, which is way better than I ever imagined it would be. I have learned so much in the last year by working and living with her. It's nice as a new grad PT to live with a therapist that has 30+ years of experience and knows every one of your patients. I also have fallen in love with some of my patients and families. Leaving them will be one of the hardest parts about moving. 

Live Foolishly

^Rachel