WELCOME
“I’m going to lead by example,” I thought to myself. I went over to where the locals were mixing cement and
picked up a 90lb bag to bring over to the pile. As three Haitian men stood there, mixing methodically, I heaved
the 90lb bag off my shoulder onto the previously dumped out bags. POOF! My Haitian brothers stared in
disbelief, as the cloud of dry cement met their dripping sweat and stuck like glue. As they looked at me, faces
frozen in shock, my perspective changed.
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The world is getting smaller. You can board a plane and arrive basically anywhere in the world within 48
hours. Contacting someone in the rainforests of Costa Rica or in the mountains of the Dominican Republic
is as simple as dialing their cell phone. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter seemingly
reach the ends of the earth. Never before has the world been so connected.
As we look at the changing world around us, it’s clear: the global Church has an opportunity we can’t
pass up. An opportunity to unite like never before. An opportunity to encourage and assist each other. An
opportunity to link arms and serve together. An opportunity to reach the world and do the work that God
has called us to.
That is what you have signed up for.
hen you rst felt the call to step into this adventure, the trip you were planning was likely months away.
Now, it’s ust around the corner You’ve fundraised, worked, planned and prepared. You’ve bought ights,
lled out forms, and counted down the days. erhaps you’ve had doubts, or maybe you’ve never doubted at
all, convinced that this is what the Lord has called you to.
Wherever you are at, this is worth it.
When I dropped that bag of cement off my shoulder in Haiti, God did a work in my heart. He revealed to
me how I was missing the faces in front of me as I pushed forward with the task I was accomplishing. He
used that moment to change my perspective; not only for the trip, but for the rest of my life. Ministry is not
about what you do; it’s about the relationships you build.
I’m grateful that you are oining us on the mission eld this year. I pray that God does an amaing work
through you as you serve alongside local believers around the world. More than that, I pray God does an
incredible work in you, molding and shaping you into what He has called you to in this life. Welcome to the
elican Family
Jim Noreen
ice resident of Development and Marketing
raying elican Missions
PRE-TRIP
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