Haiti | July 2013 | Blog 9

From the church building, it is about a half mile hike to the river. It is arduous enough in sneakers but add a dress, flip-flips, and a five-gallon bucket filled with water and you are in for an experience. Lartigue is on a mountain so as you may assume the trail to the river is a hike filled with rocks, uneven ground, and lots of room to fall. This experience is one that the children and families of Lartigue face multiple times a day. As water should be, the river is central to the community. It is where people go in need of a drink, to bathe or simply clean off from the dust of the day, to wash clothing, or bring water home for any of the many reasons we use water. 

Many of us have heard stories, seen a movie, or read a blog painting us the picture of children walking miles to get water. It all became real for me this week as I watched little children carry bottles that once held oil or clorox and now provided the perfect container for water. The vision of little barefooted kids balanced between two bottles as they journey to their homes will be forever etched in my memory. 

I am still amazed at how easy the women made it look. They gracefully carried 5-gallon buckets of water on their heads as if they were full of feathers. The second day in Lartigue and I found myself surrounded by Haitian children as I transported the water on my head from the river to the church building. I must not have been a normal sight in the village because it felt as if every living thing was chuckling as I struggled to walk up the mountain with the water. I must have looked really awkward because a few kids about half my size offered to carry it for me. By the time I made it to my destination, my arms were shaking.

Marilune, Nnieka, and myself. Got to be great friends with this mom and daughter.

SoapBox Soaps gave a bar of soap to each child!

Watching and living the effort that goes into getting water around here has made me understand why Jesus’ promise of living water carried such weight to the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus offered water that would make her never thirst again. If my every thirst for water required the kind of work it does in Lartigue, I would be very interested in this living water. He then says that He is living water and that those who drink of him will never be thirsty again. I am so thankful that our striving can cease and trying can end when we can simply drink of Jesus. He is more than enough. 

Waiting for their turn to be seen by the doctor at the medical clinic we held on Thursday.

Davidson.

Thank you for sending us, supporting us, and praying for us. Thank you for being a group of people who seeks to advance the kingdom of God all around the globe! So honored to be a part of you, Church! 

Blessed to be a part of you.

- Holly Aman

Haiti | July 2013 | Blog 8

Monday, 7/22/13

The Lord is so awesome. I don’t just say that as just some passing fancy, but with a testimony to go along with it. I remember I had a thought once back in my childhood in which entailed me traveling on a missions trip to a distant country to help those in need. Of course this was just one of those thoughts that quickly came and went. Not once did I ever conceive that this little school boy dream could become a reality later on, with the events leading up to it laying the foundations and preparing me for exactly that. Thats the way God works. He strategically places people and circumstances in our lives in a certain order to directly influence us and make decisions based on His calling.

It has truly been and honor and a blessing to share this past week of worship and praise with the awesome people of Haiti. There are those whom I have not had the pleasure to meet and the ones that I have met, I have not had the time to get to know as much as I would like. However, what started out as a simple greeting with a handshake, has transformed into a fellowship that I can carry with me now and forever.

Andrew coloring with the kids before the morning began. 

Andrew made a close friend - Gwendy. She adored him.

If there is anything that I can bring back from this experience, it would be the self-confidence in knowing that I achieved what the Lord called me to do and the encouragement to continue to answer the call. For this is just the end of the chapter. Another turning of a page with much more yet to be written. Much more seed is yet to be sewn.

I thank the Lord for all that He has done and all that He continues to do through me. I don’t care to receive recognition for what I do. I do what I do because I care. It is who I am. My holy discontent. And I give all the glory to God.

- Andrew McLemore

Haiti | July 2013 | Blog 7

Monday, 7/22/13

Daily kissed by the sun, sweat my companion, the mountain is steep, and the path rocky. Communication is slim, but the message simple: Jesus loves you!

I never imagined I would ever hike a mountain in a a dress, but when your walking with Christ, anything is possible. Having witnessed an adult or child give their life to christ after sharing the gospel, it is worth the climb!

The steep hike to reach those who have never heard the good news of Jesus!

Ana and her new sister - Tamara.

If I were told to describe my trip to haiti in one word it would be “Family.” Upon arriving to Haiti i didnt know one word of Creole or what to expect. Now towards the end of my trip over Half the church calls me by name, greeting me with love as if they had none me all my life. How great a God we serve! Let’s continue partnering and connecting in Christ. Who said we had to wait to experience the benefits of Heaven? Let’s be a church that calls Heaven down to earth and live as princes and princesses of the kingdom!

 -Ana Alicia Reed 

Haiti | July 2013 | Blog 6

Sunday, 7/14/2013

As if almost on cue, the thought, “Was this going to work?” raced through my mind. Standing in front of the uneven courtyard filled with large rocks, sharp broken tile, wood, and trash, the vision of what the place could be almost became unclear. Often times that happens: when looking at the circumstances, the “what could be” can seem daunting. 

There was still uncertainty as I invited the team to join me in a “project.” After surveying the land and establishing a plan, we got to work. With both wheelbarrows broken and no shovel to be found, we began moving everything by hand to the agreed upon location - the back of the dump-truck. Cleaning and leveling the Wings of Refuge Children’s Home courtyard would provide a different location for the party we were planning for the kids the next night. This deemed an adequate reason to clean up the space no matter the non-verbalized doubts that were running through our heads. Only a few minutes passed before Josh found a bucket and only a few more before we were joined by our new Haitian friends. The kids did not miss a beat. They jumped right in, watching us and then imitating accordingly. As more people joined in, more tools came to the surface. Adelin brought a shovel head, Keslourna found another bucket. Everyone did what they could do and did not apologize about what they could not. As each played their part, the job moved from insurmountable to an opportunity to make something better together.

The courtyard after we had cleaned and leveled it. 

What began as a few of us shifting rocks concluded with many of us proud of a cleared and leveled courtyard. As kids danced the next evening in the new space, I remembered the work that went into making it possible and found joy in the impossibilities that become possible when we work together, silence our doubts in the light of the vision, offer our tools, and get our hands dirty. 

Erinel and Darvinsley in front of our photo-booth at the party!

Renelson and Migelite at the paty!

Keslourna, Holly, Erinel, Josh, and Wilson at the party.

Jesus is building His Church and you are a part of it! 

Much love, Church!

- Holly Aman

Haiti | July 2013 | Blog 5 | Off to the Gym with Chris.

Saturday, 7/13/2013

Yesterday morning, I had just finished stuffing myself with an extra portion of oatmeal when I overheard that “the guys” were headed somewhere. My curiosity was naturally aroused as, after all, I am a guy. Marckens, who lives with Pas and Mommy Pas, told me that he and the rest of the guys at the house were headed to the gym. I was in. Let’s just say that I need all the extra muscle mass I can get.

Ana, Chris, and Marckens in Pastor's kitchen. 

As we set off down the dusty street, I couldn’t help admiring the cool morning breeze. I knew it was only a matter of time before, whether from the heat of the day or the exertion of my workout, I would be sweating so much that people would start commenting about it. That has happened every day, by the way.

Anyway, back to my story: we turned sharply into a narrow alley, descended several flights of uneven stairs, and found ourselves in a garage-sized space between buildings filled with an eclectic mix of workout equipment. On the ground, next to a rusty (but completely functional) bench press, sat an old car axle, perfect as a bar for squats or dead lifts. 

As we joined the already large group of men who were working out, I was struck by how this brief experience captured the essence of Haitian culture. The all but unannounced trip to the gym, the use of an obscure and unassuming space as a gym, the utilization of old car parts as workout equipment; all pointed to the spontaneity and creativity of the people of Haiti. Nothing seems planned, but it all works out just fine. Superficial appearances are recognized for what they are. And nothing is wasted. I mean nothing. It’s only a shame that the rest of that car was nowhere to be found...I could have used the A/C to cool myself down.

- Chris Rowekamp

Haiti | July 2013 | Blog 4 | Singing with Sarah and Ana.

Friday, 7/12/13

As the song ‘Here I Am to Worship’ fills the room a little girl named Sarah sits next to me; in her hand a ball of yarn and a crochet needle. As she needles through yarn she starts to sing, “Hallelujah, Hallelujah” as her voice gets higher in pitch I can’t help but smile. Her face full of joy, and her laugh contagious. Though the language barrier can be a bit difficult, I love that Jesus has no barrier. When the children begin to praise God whether in English or Creole; I am excited to join in, because we are all unified in Christ!

-Ana Alicia Reed 

Ana and Erinel.

Deborah and Ana in the cage with the generator.

Manje! (Food!)

Haiti | July 2013 | Blog 3 | Obtaining Balance with Deborah.

Thursday, 7/11/13

A gentleman selling medicine.

I am completely blown away by the posture and strength of the Hatian people. As we drive swiftly through the streets while weaving in and out of big trucks and pedestrians, I cannot help but smile as I see a woman walking on the street with 50 pounds of supplies on top of her head. I cannot imagine how heavy those bags and baskets must be, but there is something about seeing a young lady run quickly across the street (around vehicles and other pedestrians who are on their way to work or school) without her basket moving an inch out of place that intrigues me. When I was in high school, I was in the band and my teacher would always place emphasis on having decorum and sitting up straight as we played our instruments, but WOW do I know what decorum is now! Every time I see a person walk through the street with a heavy load to bear, I imagine what it would be like to try and carry just about anything on my head and long story short, it would probably end with a hospital visit! The people of this country however walk proud and tall (young and old, male and female I might add), not afraid of dropping anything or missing a step, and it makes me want nothing more than to be like them: to not be afraid of falling or missing a step. Watching them every day has been a lesson for my life and my Christian walk as well. I am learning that if I put my trust, faith, and confidence in the Lord instead of worldly things such as the approval of others or my own abilities as a human being, I will be able to walk tall and not worry about falling or missing a step. Thank you Haiti, for what you are giving me, and I hope to keep learning!

-Deborah Christian

Ana, Ben, and Deborah on the roof of the WOR Home.

Haiti | July 2013 | Blog 2 | Dishes with Ben.

Wednesday, 7/10/13

Never loved doing the dishes so much.  Who would’ve thunk that taking a bucket down the stairs, cautioning each step due to past stories of Holly Aman’s mishaps, would be such a joyous and relationship building time.  Haiti is a different place, but dishes after a meal are still common, and it is still fair that the person who cooked should not be the one laboring over the soap and water.  However, in Haiti, dishes are different because they are done outside of the house and with a soapy bucket and a bleach bucket.  Therapeutic is a common word to describe the process.  Holly said that I do the dishes diligently, and for good reason.  I take my time and do it right, but I also make sure that my partners are enjoying the experience as well.  Discussing our mornings, meals, and happenings, all the while happily (big key word there) cleaning the dishes in what in the States would seem like a much more laborious process. As of now, in Haiti, I would volunteer to do the dishes at any time, especially at the children’s home when the seven year olds are teaching you how to do it properly.  And when we return to the States, hopefully it becomes less common to throw the dishes in the dishwasher haste fully and more common to have a great time digging deep rooted relationships while scrubbing with some elbow grease!

Ben working the dishes with Michleene at Pastor's Wilson and Mommy Pas' home. 

- Ben Cottingham

Haiti | July 2013 | Blog 1 | Arrival for Josh.

Sunday, 7/7/13

The July 2013 Team: (from left) Ben, Andrew, Holly, Ana, Deborah, Josh, and Chris.

Awestruck, by the improvement, by the culture and by the amount of need still prevalent in Haiti. This being my second time in Haiti I am overwhelmed with the feeling of being able to pick right off from where I left last July. I am most excited to see the kids tomorrow. Lynny tells me to expect the same little faces but on bigger bodies. There will be more to report in the next days but for now that is all. Eager for tomorrow and literally up for anything and hopefully everything!

- Joshua Aman

Ben and Josh after arriving in Haiti at the airport waiting for our bags. 

NYC/NJ | High School | Spring Break 2013 | Blog 2.

 This has been my first missions trip. I knew as soon as I saw the announcement board at church one Sunday that I would have to be there. I know that God has given me a passion for people and a heart for giving my time and efforts to better those around me. I was also very excited to have an opportunity to interact with the other youth throughout our church. We spent the entire first day in the car; that was the perfect chance to get to know everyone. I found out that I was surrounded with really nice individuals and I knew that this would continue to be a great week. 

On Wednesday, we went to Staten Island. Aside from transporting sheet rock from house to house, we met with a man named Pastor Steve from the Movement Church and the Convoy of Hope Organization. He told us how a few weeks after Hurricane Sandy took place, all of the relief that was previously helping the citizens just left. Truly, prior to this trip, I thought that everything that had to do with the hurricane was over; that it wasn’t really that bad. I was proved wrong very quickly, the deeper that we went into neighborhoods and houses the more devastation we saw. 

On Thursday, we went to Breezy Point to partner with The Legacy Center. I had never heard of that place in my life, the residents even acknowledged that it was not a well known area prior to the storm. There was so much debris and and just piles and piles of sand everywhere. We later found out that it was actually a sandbar where people decided to build really nice houses; 60% of which were absolutely destroyed. A man named Gerod told us that he had to rebuild his entire first floor because when he stepped out of his door, he saw six foot waves and knew how badly the storm was going to end. He also brought it to our attention that FEMA was not very willing to give more than a few thousand dollars to each house, when they individually accumulated at least thirty thousand dollars in damage apiece. I wasn’t super surprised, but I thought that people would at least have had a little more to sustain them. 

On Saturday we went back to Staten Island, to a different set of houses and met this lovely woman. We repainted her living room, primed her kitchen, her hallway, and did outdoor cleaning. It turned out beautifully, but what was even more beautiful was the look on her face when we said we were finished. She said that she had not seen wood framing on her windows in five months. It's crazy how much I take for granted. Physically, I worked hard this week, but that was nothing compared to the hard work that God was doing for me spiritually. I really thought that I was giving back to other people, but it seemed like God was giving everything to me. Many of the residents of the places we visited spoke so highly into my life and were really ministering more to me than I was to them!

Ultimately, I feel like God does everything for a reason, even reasons that we may not understand. New York is such a large area and its composed of people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. I sort of had the harebrained idea that maybe out of disaster, hope and joy could arise. Maybe this would be the thing that would bring people together and bring people to better know the love of God. Peoples' stories and how they responded to all of the help that was still being offered to them, even five months after the storm, was just amazing. People were so thankful and grateful that anyone still cared. I felt like that was just God. He took us to a place that no other help bothered staying. The best part of everything, was the looks and the joy on peoples faces'. Never once did we bombard them with the love of God, they knew that we were with Christian organizations, but they just thought that we were serving them out of the kindness of our hearts. Often, they brought up God first, and how good He is and how he saved them; even through the storm and the trauma, their faith in God never wavered. Only God can take something as simple as painting a living room and turn it into ministering into a disheveled life. 

I would love to continue going on missions' trips, inside the United States and outside of it. I love serving people through God. But I also realized, people are right in our city, yearning for a deeper connection with God. As I continue to develop the skills that I learned on this trip, I certainly plan to just continue sewing seeds in people's lives and just helping where I can. 

- Ivana Marshall

NYC/NJ | High School | Spring Break 2013 | Blog 1.

Throughout the mission trip the one thing that has really stuck with me is, perspective. We’ve helped in Staten Island rebuilding homes with sheet rock and going to Breezy Point and digging 4 feet deep trenches. Though those big things were much needed the smaller things made much more of an impact. Not just because it was needed but because the smaller things made the biggest impact on my heart. In Staten Island not only were we putting in sheetrock but we were organizing a shed and a garage. When we had finished moving all the sheetrock Pastor Steve then asked us to organize and inventory the shed and garage. We broke off in groups and I looked at the garage and just had a bad attitude. Not wanting to count any of those things I put in half the effort. Not until a little while through it someone said “can’t we just approximate the number? Does it really matter?” Jen, our NYSUM leader, then looked at us and told us “Guys, we’re here to help, we don’t want to give only half our energy. Everything will help, lets do everything to the fullest! “ At that point my whole perspective changed, even for the small things that impacted Pastor Steve and his church. I then started to give full energy and not only did it help, but man did it get the job done faster! Though it took a little while we counted everything! There were 5,698 face masks! After we were done we went to sit in the office with Pastor Steve and we gave him the list and he looked at it in amazement. He looked up at us and just said how thankful he was and how much even this small task helped so much. At that point it really just made me realize, why am I only giving half of my effort for something that deserves all of it. 

- Briana Royster

Haiti with The City Church Interns| Holly Aman

Jesus has commanded each of us to make disciples of all nations. Making disciples takes time. It doesn’t happen through one decision to follow Christ. It comes through many steps of choosing to follow His lead. That is why I believe that partnership is the best way to fulfill the great commission. Partnership thinks long-term. It is not fixed on one trip, giving stuff, or even seeing people’s needs met. While all of those may be pieces involved in partnership, partnership is really about the local church making disciples globally by partnering locally.

Partnership is not a one-sided relationship with one Church on the receiving side and the other on the giving side. Both are givers and both will receive. This will come in different form and fashion but what comes through partnership is a strengthening and building up of the Church. It really is a beautiful thing. 

This week I was able to engage in partnership in a unique way by facilitating The City Church Interns (from Washington, DC) as they served Pastor, Mommy Pas, and the whole family in Haiti. It was so neat to watch an exchange of ministry happen all week whether through Pas and Mommy Pas praying healing over one of our sick team members or the team cleaning and sorting the storage room. They did anything and everything to serve what God is doing in Haiti. But, even more than what they did, they took time to invest into relationship - relationship that encourages, gives life, offers hope, and refreshes. 

Lets continue to be a local Church who thinks globally! Blessed to be sent out from you and love what God is doing all over the globe. 

Love you dearly, Church!

Holly

Atlanta, GA, Mercy Community Church | Chris Rowekamp

“The mystery of ministry is that we have been chosen to make our own limited and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and unconditional love of God.”

-Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus

This is the story of Mercy Community Church. Ministry is messy - especially when ministering to those on the margins. Our patience is tried, our prejudices challenged, and ultimately the depth of our love is revealed.

Mercy Community Church is unique, although Pastor Chad repeatedly says that it shouldn’t be. Over 95% of its congregation is homeless. Mercy Community Church doesn’t have a homeless ministry; it is a church made up of homeless people.

If I had to choose one word to describe this small, unique church in Atlanta, it would be “community.” Homeless people don’t go to Mercy to receive food or clothing, although they find both there. They go to be part of a close-knit, safe, and thriving community.

That community isn’t always pretty. Just today, a homeless woman who attended Mercy’s morning fellowship, worship and Bible study time was found in critical condition in a back alley near the church. An ambulance was called, and the woman was taken to the hospital for treatment. Many members of the church still struggle with addictions to substances and mental illness. Many days it is hard to see the progress that is being made.

Remember, ministry is messy.

Today I asked Maggie what she saw as the ideal outcome, or “win,” of Mercy Community Church’s work. She retorted, “Why do we need to have that?” After I pressed her further, she made a profound statement: “I love for the sake of loving. I’m not in this for results.”

Needless to say, this has been a challenging week for me. I have much to process, much to pray about. A multitude of questions remain: “Do results matter? What does it mean to serve on the margins of society? What should the church look like? What should we be doing?”

These are answers that we, the local body of Christ in Williamsburg, VA, must answer together in our own context. It will look different in Williamsburg than it does in Atlanta. Regardless, this is a work that we must do together, relying completely on the leading and power of the Holy Spirit.

I part with another quote from Henri Nouwen, which reminds us of the power of community, a fundamental truth we must never forget: 

“It is Jesus who heals, not I; Jesus who speaks words of truth, not I; Jesus who is Lord, not I. This is very clearly made visible when we proclaim the redeeming power of God together. Indeed, whenever we minister together it is easier for people to recognize that we do not come in our own name, but in the name of the Lord Jesus who sent us.”

Church family, thank you for sending me to Atlanta - it has been an amazing week. The joyful thing about partnership is that this will not be our last visit to Mercy Community Church…this is only the beginning!

Washington, D.C.| Presidents' Weekend

Here are a few thoughts from a few of the students who were sent out this past weekend to serve The City Church and Washington, D.C. The team of 14 students and leaders worked hard and gave it all. They served, encouraged, and strengthened all that God is doing in and through The City Church. Thank you so much for your prayer, support, love, and desire to be a Church who reached beyond our own zip-code. 

Jonah Hamman, 6th Grade:

This weekend, I went on my very first mission’s trip, ever.  I went to Washington, D.C. to serve the City Church with a team of other students and leaders from my church, Christian Life Center.  I took a couple things away from this trip.  

One:  “it’s better to give than receive”.  We were basically servants to the City Church.  Usually, I hate work, but in D.C., I thought what we were doing was; ‘helping God through work’ and so if I thought about what I did like that and then it really didn’t feel like work.

I also took away the feeling that we made a difference.  One job we all did took five minutes to finish, but the man from the City Church said it would have taken him forty-five minutes to finish the task.  Some of the staff at the church remembered some of us that came in the years before and some of us remembered some of the staff there at the church.  We did big jobs and small ones.  Whatever and wherever there was something to be done, we did it.  Some of us even worked in their “City Kidz”, their version of our toddler nursery and Jr. Kids program.

I also took away what another church is like.  They were somewhat similar to CLC but had many differences, too.  Many of the songs they sing in service are the same. Many of the ideas they express as a church are the same, too. But, there are a few differences: some in look, some in song, and many in people. We, as a church could easily learn from them. They have some good ideas that we could benefit from.

And finally, I took away how much CLC cares.  Not just the people who went to D.C..  Not just the leaders, who went too, but the whole church, the ones who sent us off to D.C., the ones who prayed for us, the ones who had faith.  So, I say thank you to you all!

Summer Zacharias, 10th Grade:

Church family, 

I love times that are set aside to partner with other churches and what they are doing in their city. It is so cool to work alongside and lift up and encourage others working to expand the kingdom of God. 

On Saturday, we did all sorts of in's and outs at the church building. Some of our team did cleaning while others helped out in the offices. After we finished everything we were able to do there, we were sent out into the streets with a stack of what is called "reach cards." We split up into 3 groups and all walked in different directions to hand out the cards and invite people to church. That night, we took the metro to Chinatown and grabbed dinner. On Sunday, we hung out and had the opportunity to be a part of the services going on.

Although the whole weekend was tons of fun, the highlight of the trip for me was on Saturday afternoon when we handed out the reach cards. My group had the opportunity to talk and pray with some people and invite them to check out the City Church. Through this experience I learned that you don't have to know much about someone to pray with them. I also learned that praying doesn't have to be this long, extravagant and complicated dialogue. In fact it is meant to be simple. Nobody that we prayed with broke down into tears and excepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior right there, on the spot. As great as it would have been to have seen someone come to know the Lord, I know i'm not called to produce results but to be obedient and let him handle the rest. 

Jordan Lee, 7th Grade:

To me this missions trip was really a time of being a helping hand to The City Church and the city itself. Helping out by cleaning was one of the things we did, and during the time that we spent cleaning I just kept reminding myself that we were being the hands and feet of Jesus. One of the things I was personally praying for was opportunities-no matter how small- to help with any and everything, mainly in-between jobs. And that prayer was fulfilled when Isaiah and I were walking downstairs to get something, when a man came up and ask us to hold the door for him while he got something from his car, and Jesus just told me “No matter how small of a thing this is, it can make a big impact,” and by the time he came in he was very thankful for something very small. What I got out of this was just to take the small time out of what you’re doing to help people with the small things. What really matters is where your heart is and doing what you can to help, not the expectancy of reward.  

Haiti, Holly Aman | Back, again.

Well, another two weeks in Haiti has come and gone and I am still amazed that I have room to love a place and people so much. Every time when I think that I have reached my limit in how much I can love people, God takes me to a new level.

And every time I feel Him expand my heart for Haiti, I am amazed at how my love for Williamsburg grows. You would think that as you love one more, your love for the other would diminish but it is quite the opposite. I guess in God, most things are the opposite. 

Besides who would want a passion for one thing if it diminished your love for others? That would not work very well for a growing family. Or a growing Church.

I am so thankful that Jesus’ heart is for all people and all nations. Church - we have been called to all nations. All languages. All peoples. Lets fall in love with people. Lets fall in love with our City. Lets fall in love with being Jesus to our neighbors, our co-workers, the Wal-Mart cashier, and those who sit with you in class or on the bus everyday.

Right now, I am sitting on the plane overlooking the sunset and the one phrase I keep hearing God say is “greater things.” “Holly, I want to do greater things.” In my life. In Wings of Refuge Children’s Home. In Haiti. In Williamsburg. And in Christian Life Center. 

The best is yet to come. Lets love well, give it all, and lay it all down! Nothing is too expensive when you know that God gave Himself for you!

Blessed to be home in OUR City and believing for Jesus to be exalted through us! Thank you for all your prayers, support, love, and encouragement. It means the world to me.

The best is yet to come, always.

Much love!

Holly 

Haiti, Holly Aman | Blog 4.

When accused by the Pharisees of eating with sinners, Jesus simply responded with, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:7). Everywhere Jesus went, He healed the sick. He attracted the sick. People recognized Him and brought all their sick for Him to heal.

How easy it is to say that we desire the sick to find healing, the broken to find wholeness, and the lost to be found, but how do we respond when the sick, broken, and lost come walking through our doors? Do we rejoice, accept, and embrace or do we act as if they are preventing us from the real important things, like oh, say, ministry? What a sad day when the Church rejects who they are called to be to go after those who think they are healthy and whole. The sick, lost, and broken are not an outreach but the purpose of the Church and the whole body (not the staff, the pastors, or the administration) has been equipped to meet every need that arrises.

This is what I love about the ministry of Pastors Wilson and Gladys. They seek out the sick, broken, and lost. They don’t sit blindly back and pretend to not see the needs all around them but rather, run headfirst into the hopelessness, recognizing that God will meet the needs that He calls them to. 

Let us always be a Church who meets the needs of the sick, broken, and lost in Williamsburg because we know that we are no different. 

Much love to you, Church!

Holly

Haiti, Holly Aman | Blog 3 | A Tour of WOR!

While many of you have seen pictures of the new home and even some footage of the kids, I figured that next to you personally visiting the ministry here in Haiti, a video is the next best thing. 

Here is a quick tour around the new home: http://youtu.be/xktbBLUG0lQ

Also, please let me know if you would like to be a part of a team this summer to serve this Church, family, and ministry. God is doing big things and it is exciting to be a part as He builds His Church all over the world!

Haiti, Holly Aman | Blog 2 | Quilts 4 Kids.

Yesterday, I had the honor of watching the children open up and see their quilts for the first time. At first, they seemed to have no idea what the large bundle of bright fabric in their hands was and seemed more interested in the laminated picture tied to their quilt. As I took Fadelin’s out of his hands, all eyes followed. I opened the quilt and hung it around his shoulders like a cape. All the kids erupted in excitement, realizing that this same look was now available to them. 

Quickly we began untying and hanging each quilt on the matching little body while showing them their name monogrammed on the blanket. They rejoiced at the sight of their names, realizing that this really was their very own. 

Thank you so much Church for not only giving of your money but choosing to give of your time and skill. Your investment is and will continue to give hope as it tells Adeline that he is thought about, Januise that she is cared for, and Sarah that she is loved. You, Church, are the hope of the world. I believe it.