It's the little things...

Josh Morin joined our team later than everyone else. He only learned about this trip when Steve sent him a support letter. We were thrilled to have Josh join the team and we're especially glad that he’s a light packer. When we checked in at the Charlotte airport, we discovered that 2 team members had bags that were overweight. Everything from makeup and toiletries to the first aid kit and laundry detergent were eventually stuffed into Josh’s suitcase.

Before leaving GSO, Pastor Lynn and Judy came by to pray w/ us. Pastor Lynn told us a story about a woman who gave him a hot water bottle to warm him during an extremely cold mission trip. Although it may sound like a small gesture, he vividly remembers the gesture and the lady 26 years later. He encouraged us to look for the small ways we could be a blessing to those we encounter on our trip.



Carolyn has such a God gift to comfort babies. Our flight had an abundance of young children – many of them very fussy. What a blessing she was to the parents of those fussy children as she played games w/ them and even took one little boy into her arms for a while to quiet him. Maybe in the whole scheme of things that sounds like a little thing but to those parents (and many of the rest of us), she provided the peace of Christ.


We've been SO busy here. Up early, quick breakfast, load the van and off to the job site where we stay til around 4. Then about a 30 min drive back, quick showers, dinner, debrief w/ staff, debrief w/ team, have team devotional and I'm ready to crash. But it's so rewarding getting to know Marie and her daughter Amy.

There’s still a huge need for rebuilding work here. Lots of hurting people were already living in deep poverty even before the hurricane, so you can only imagine what things are like for them now. Marie has been w/o power for 8 months. I get cranky when I’m w/o power for 2 days after an ice storm! Marie says you just have to let go of things and let God take care of you. She’s become very accustomed to doing that – and she’s obviously quite good at it. She has so little to hold onto and yet she’s able to let it all go and not worry. Compared to her, I have so many things to hold onto and I often hang on for all I’m worth. Oh, how I hope to learn from Marie! Lord, teach me to hold tightly only those things that have eternal value and to let go of everything else.

Jan, for the team