For eight days, from July 17—24, 10 team members from Harbour will travel to Haiti. Our team will join with youth from PACE ministries Kenya and others from around the US. This diverse team will build homes for 2 families that lost theirs in the 2009 earthquake. During the evenings we will minister to youth in the local church and community. Our desire is that this time away from home in a different culture and environment will provide life changing spiritual growth opportunities for the team.
Here is a Testimony of one of team members.
My name is Jacqueline. I am Cole, Kaleb and Olivia’s Mom. Harbour has been our Church home since 2004. I have been involved with Power-up for the last several years.
I am from St. Catharines but had moved away from the area in the 90’s. It was during this time that I started seeking God. Although I had always believed in God, I wasn’t saved and being raised in the Catholic Church, I had no idea what that meant until I was in my late 20’s.
I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 29. I was baptized at Harbour in 2000
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Since that time, life of course has dealt its’ share of good and bad times. In the last couple of months God has been showing me that through my trials His plan is to simply change me. Even when I have argued that ‘I am not at fault’ or ‘why not change them first’, God has made it clear that it is me He wants to change. What a revelation and light that has been for me. It has allowed me to truly forgive and trust God and remain peaceful with whatever the outcome. Even though circumstances and the world may suggest I should do otherwise. It has also solidified my belief that it is especially through difficult times, when I am stretched the most, that God is right there with me as I am molded and shaped into whom He has already known that I am.
For many years, even before I was in relationship with God, I have known that He has put it on my heart to do a missions trip. I didn’t understand this calling on my heart because I believed in my head that people who did missions were ‘special’ and trained and ‘Godly’. But I finally decided this year to step out in faith and fear anyways, and I started asking questions about going to Kenya. Then Pastor Washira, from Kenya visited Harbour and put out the challenge for Parents with their teen to serve God in Haiti. For me, this could only be God lovingly nudging me with an opportunity to start serving Him and still be somewhat within my comfort zone.
And now, just a few short weeks from leaving, I am a little apprehensive but also very excited to experience God at work in Haiti and to see what this will mean for myself and Kaleb. As with all my travels, I take along Joshua 1:9 which is where I started my faith journey in Christ.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
“And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.”” Isaiah 12:4 NASB
My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you make this journey, obedient to what God calls you to for today. Thank you Jacqueline for sharing your story. I look forward to reading more when you return.