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This is the first installment of a ten-part series on my trip to Haiti—the things witnessed, the relationships formed and the experiences shared. And how God revealed His glory through it all.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4:19-20)

Of the four mission trips I’ve been on, the “roster” for this one was the most unsettled. Our team continually fluctuated as folks signed up, cancelled, re-registered and added on at the last minute. Plans changed. Minds changed. Circumstances changed. I didn’t know who or how many people would end up in Haiti.

Thankfully Bob, our leader, remained flexible through the flux because by the end of the trip I saw how God had specifically called each person to be there—in His own timing and for His own purpose.

How remarkable that out of the hundreds, if not thousands, of people who heard testimonies by or received personal invitations from former Haiti missionaries, this exact group of 18 ended up together in Haiti. Certainly divine guidance played a role, but each of us also had one important thing in common—our willingness to say “yes” to that guidance.

That “yes” required letting go—of time, money, comfort, convenience and more. Many received criticism and questioning about their decision to go. Yet each of us persisted and knowingly made sacrifices. Sacrifices like:

… saying goodbye to sad children (and spouses) who didn’t want us to go away for ten days.

… traveling to a place that might be unsafe and dangerous.

… leaving behind the comforts and conveniences of home.

… missing important family activities.

… trading in vacation time and money.

… having no idea what we were getting ourselves into.

… setting aside business opportunities and possibly losing income.

… going even though we felt completely unqualified.

But doesn’t Jesus ask for personal sacrifice—and a bold response—from His disciples?

In Matthew 4:19-22, Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee and called out to Andrew and Peter as they fished, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”

“At once they left their nets and followed him.” James and John respond the same way: “immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Let the disciples' response sink in. Their boldness is truly remarkable.

Jesus didn’t tell them where they’d be going. He didn’t give them time to make a decision. And He wasn’t clear on what they’d be doing (because “fishing for men” doesn’t make sense).

And the disciples didn’t offer any qualifications for their calling. They had no religious pedigree, advanced education or prior experience. Truly, it seems their only credential was their willingness to say, “Yes.”

How easy it would have been to say, “No.” Or, “Not now.” Or, “Let me think about it.” To have considered calendars, comfort, commitments, convenience or common sense in making a decision. Surprisingly the disciples didn’t do that. They dropped what they were doing, left their work and their families, and followed Jesus.

Perhaps a few family or friends supported their decision, but somehow I doubt it. In fact, I bet plenty of folks said they were crazy!

But just as Jesus invited the disciples, He invites us: “Come, follow me.”

We cannot be a follower of Jesus if we’re not willing to actually follow. If we’re not willing to set down our “nets”—our work, families, fears, plans and expectations. To boldly step out of our comfort zones.To say, "Yes."

To follow Jesus we have to move—from where we are, to where He is. Wherever that may be.

Saying "yes" to Haiti was a bold step, but I want to live with this same willingness to follow in my day-to-day. Even still I cling to comfort. I cherish convenience. I applaud common sense. And I crave control. Yet with each “yes” to follow Him to places like Haiti, I let go a little more. And in the letting go there’s a finding that initially frightens but ultimately frees and fills.

One of my friends took a LONG time to say “yes” to Haiti. In the end she said, “God put a call on my heart that was so strong I just had to follow.”

Where is Christ calling you to follow Him? What is keeping you from setting down your nets and taking bold—and obedient—step just like the disciples…just like my friend…and following Him?

Sunrise from the roof.

Mountains upon mountains. With people living in poverty.

Rural houses

Camp Hope

Following up the mountain to Balizaj

A Matter of Control

How much of your life does GOD control and how much of your life do YOU control?

That’s the question posted over at Heart Reflections for the first installment of her weekly blog carnival, What’s On Your Mind in ’09. Here are my thoughts on the topic:


In control. Controlling. Control freak.

For many of us, control is something we’re reluctant to relinquish. We want to be in control—of everything. Our emotions, our finances, our schedules, our bodies, our personal style, our children, even our spouses. We want things the way we want them and we do what it takes to make things happen as planned. We often acknowledge our control “issues” but dismiss them with a “Well, that’s just the way I am” attitude.

However, we’re not quite as forgiving when we’re on the receiving end of such behavior. “She’s such a control freak!” is NOT a compliment.

According to Wikipedia, a control freak is a derogatory term for a person who attempts to dictate how everything around them is done. Professor of clinical psychology Les Parrott wrote, “Control freaks are people who care more than you do about something and won’t stop at being pushy to get their way.”

A few weeks ago Dan and I invited over a few neighbors for a pre-Christmas gathering. Before they arrived I busily made last minute preparations to get everything “just so.” Dan, the good husband that he is, offered a helping hand. But everything he did clashed with the carefully concocted plans in my head. “No! Not that way,” I squawked repeatedly. The last straw came when he lined the bread basket with a flowery, pastel napkin. A spring napkin for a Christmas party! Are you kidding me?! Upon my freaking out, he countered with equal enthusiasm, “OK…which EXACT napkin would you like me to use and how PRECISELY would you like me to place it into the basket?”

Such a fuss over a napkin. I chuckle about it now, but my desire to control is systemic. If we're honest, I’m sure each of us probably has us plenty of examples where the stakes were higher than a napkin and we held on even tighter.

Yet, where does God fit in all our planning and preparing? Are His plans an afterthought we retrofit to our carefully controlled lives? Is there even room for them at all? What happens when God's plans directly clash with our own? Because, if we’re not “in control” where does that leave us…out of control?

I know what you’re thinking, “Yeah, but God’s not going to do everything for me. I’ve got to take the bull by the horns.”

Do you?

Contrary to popular wisdom, the phrase “God helps those who help themselves” isn’t biblical. It’s pretty clear Jesus’ message wasn’t self-sufficiency. Again and again He entreats, “Follow me.” And in doing so, the follower must give up something: money, occupation, habits, plans—and most of all, control. Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

So how do we balance obedience and submission with our God-given abilities, future plans and natural inclination to “just do it?”

There’s a scene in the movie Facing the Giants that sums it up:

The main character, Coach Taylor, is at the end of his rope. Everything in his life is falling apart. No matter what he how he tries to control his situation, bad news awaits at every turn. He’s praying but doesn’t see God at work in his life.

In the movie’s pivotal scene, Coach Taylor’s wise spiritual mentor tells him, “You have an open door here and until the Lord moves you, you are to bloom right where you’re planted.”

To illustrate he shared a story of two farmers who desperately needed rain. Both prayed for rain, but only one of them prepared his field to receive it. The mentor asked, “Which one trusted God to send the rain? ...Which one are you? ...God will send the rain when he’s ready. You need to prepare your field.”

As a follower of Christ, you and I are just that—a follower. God’s planted each of us in a specific place, with specific gifts and specific circumstances. Our job is not to control the outcome, or even co-pilot, the venture. It’s to prepare our fields. God will send the rain.

Do you trust Him?