One Step at a Time...

Goals. I live for them. Big ones, small ones – I just need them to keep me moving…and in the right direction. A day without a “to do” list is not a good day. So, when I’m focused on a goal or a task, there’s very little that can distract me or pull me off course.

About 15 years ago, I set out to achieve the goal of becoming a tenured faculty member at research-focused university. Well, last week, that goal was realized. The Mississippi IHL Board approved the recommendation by the Mississippi State University President to tenure me and promote me to Associate Professor.

Monday, I resigned.

You see, I had MY goals and MY life plan (for about the next 20 years, if I’m being honest) but in those plans, had forgotten to account for God’s plans for my life.  A few years ago, He began to subtly change my course. When the earthquake struck Port Au Prince in 2010, I couldn’t turn away from the news coverage. It had an impact on me like no other natural disaster. I was 9 months pregnant with sweet Eli and knew going to Haiti (at that point) was not exactly an option (and if we’re being honest, wrote most of it off to pregnancy hormones!). But the desire to help didn’t subside and I began to look for other avenues to help…and found plenty (including learning how to sew, but that’s for another post!).

As my baby boy got older, I knew it was time to start exploring the possibility of going, and I traveled to Haiti for the first time in June 2012 (Thank you, Fairview Baptist for saying “Yes!” to me crashing your trip!). God allowed my heart to be completely broken for the people of Haiti, specifically for the area of Anse A Pitres. I fell in love with the organization I traveled with as well, as its mission fit my heart’s desire. When I returned, I began to volunteer my skills and time to help the organization grow and increase its visibility. I returned to Haiti in February 2013 (again, thanks to those who let me crash their trip!) with Hispaniola MountainMinistries (HMM), and that was when HIS plans for me and my skills, my talents, and my time began to become more evident.

 

HMM Medical Mission to Recif - February 2013

In just a few days, I will leave for my third trip to Haiti in the last year. It’s hard to believe (and I’m finally not crashing a trip! I helped plan this one!) and it’s amazing to see how God has continued to open doors for me to serve in this country. I am thrilled to (finally!) be traveling with my sweet husband as well as 20 other amazing people!

 

FUMC Louisville Haiti Mission Team - May 2013

When we return to the U.S. on June 1, I will be the Director of Communication for HMM. There is no job description. No salary line (YIKES!). No clear expectations or neat list of things "to do." At the same time, there is also not a lot of  “We’ve always done it this way." or “The person before you did this way.” either (YAY!). I am excited to see how God uses the HMM team He is putting together to continue to improve the lives of the people in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Leaving the security of an academic appointment (especially one I have worked so hard to earn) was likely the most difficult decision I have ever had to make. I prayed for ‘burning bush’ moments or big billboards from God to affirm my direction and assure me I was on the right track. And He came through – oftentimes in bigger ways than I could have imagined. I wish I could say that His affirmation made writing that letter of resignation and leaving my position easier…but I’m human, and giving up comfort and security is not easy. But God continues to place the right people, situations, songs, verses, etc…in my life and in my heart at just the right moment to continue to move (ok, sometimes push) me in the right direction. Further, He opened doors for me to continue my halftime employment with the MSU SSRC.

I am anxious about so many things and the first time Jeff used the “m” word (missionary), it terrified me – the responsibility of that word is heavy. But then I remembered, He calls us ALL to be missionaries. Every day. In every situation. At home. At work. At the baseball field. At the gym. At the beach. In the checkout line at the grocery store. Our lives should reflect His amazing love and mercy in every situation so I’m (slowly) becoming more comfortable with that word…even though Jeff still jokes I’m going to be eaten by a lion. :-P

God doesn’t call us to live an easy life; He calls us to live a life where our weaknesses are revealed so that His power can be made clearly evident to others (2 Corinthians 12:9). Will these next steps be difficult? YES! Will raising support be trying and oftentimes frustrating? It’s likely. Will there be days when I miss the security of my old job? Maybe. But I am confident He has this and that I'm acting in accordance with His will for me and my family...and I’m trusting that even in the difficulties, He will be there.

Walton Family-
May 2013

So, here we go on this journey. A journey like none I’ve ever taken before…where the steps are not clearly laid out and neatly arranged (like I'd prefer it).

I humbly ask that you pray for my family as we begin this journey, and also that you be in prayer for the ministries of HMM. We will be sending more information about ways you can partner with us soon, and I hope you will prayerfully consider supporting this amazing ministry!

Until then…it’s one step at a time. 

Anse a Pitres, Haiti - HMM Promise Land Project

Winter Vacation...to Haiti

In February, I had the opportunity to join a medical mission team VERY last minute and travel back to Haiti. I am so grateful to have a husband and two bosses that were all on-board with this impromptu adventure because I literally started talking about going two weeks before we left (booked my flight 10 days before departure, no big deal!).

The team was much smaller than the one I "carpetbagged" with in June - only 7 of us - but it was great to be a part of the medical side of the mission experience. I know God opened those doors to better prepare me to lead our team in May as there was so much I was NOT prepared for that I learned in February. I know that I am still in NO WAY fully prepared, but pray that through my weakness God's glory will shine!

We worked in a VERY remote village about 15 miles from Anse-a-Pitres, called Recif. Although it was only 15 miles, it took us over 1 1/2 hours to get there (and back!) each day. Needless to say, we were not exactly traveling on well-paved roads. Recif is a fishing village and located on possibly one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen! The people were amazing - so grateful and appreciative. They do not currently have access to clean water in their village, and I pray daily that God will work out the logistics of getting the equipment in to the area to drill a well soon. 

When I look back on the past year, I am awed and humbled at the evidence of God's presence in my life (not necessarily in my everyday actions, but rather the overall picture! :-/ ). If you had told me five years ago I would be traveling multiple times a year to the poorest country in the world, I would have likely laughed in your face. Haiti was on the map...but certainly not my life map. But our plans are not always God's plans and I am SLOWLY (and I do mean, SLOWLY) learning to surrender my plans to His. 

I hope to write more about the upcoming trip in May and share some of the things God has already done for and through the team. Would love to hear some of your experiences of God's faithfulness to your surrender!

"How, then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Romans 10:14-15

Clean Water for Haiti!

Clean water is commonplace for most Americans.


In Haiti, however, waterborne diseases are a serious concern - especially for children. One report indicates 16% of the deaths of children under five were "directly related to waterborne diseases, before the earthquake" (International Action, n.d.). Since the October 2010 cholera outbreak in Haiti, nearly 400,000 cases have been reported...with over 5,000 deaths.


The Hispaniola Mountain Ministry (organizing the trip I'll be going on in June) celebrated with the people of Anse-a-Pitre as they inaugurated a new well system for the village. Our group will be working in this village in June.

This video brings tears to my eyes. 

What if we got this excited about the blessings God gives us each day? 

If you listen closely (toward the end), you can hear "Mississippi" and there's a great looking maroon shirt in some of the shots (HAIL STATE!).

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-36