How flexible are you?

For the most part, flexibility has never been my thing.  I don't like change; consistency is my friend.  I also like a schedule in order to plan and mentally prepare.  It's just how I'm wired.  In fact, I'm not even that physically flexible.

But rule #1 in mission work in Haiti is flexibility.  Our team was up close and personal with that rule today and living it gave us some great memories and even bigger blessings.

Let's start with the Sunday morning church service.  In America, at least in our church, we have an hour for Sunday School and an hour-plus for worship service.  Sunday morning worship service is definitely conducted on Haitian time.  We arrived at the church about 9am, and it was my understanding that Sunday School was already over.  The worship service was going on, but I don't don't think we'd missed much.

What was in store was four hours of worship to God on a small wooden pew with no cushion (I missed out on the nice plastic chairs that some of our team got to enjoy).  We sang (a lot), honored their Sunday School teachers and high achievers, listened to the message from our pastor, honored the high achievers from our discussion session teams during the last week, shared the Lord's Supper, witnessed a baby dedication, and helped serve lunch to the congregation.  Our church is pretty busy for it's size, but that's about a calendar month's worth of activities.

Then, we were able to present to the church funds that would help in their purchase of land to expand their ministry.  Having the opportunity to stand on that little plot of land on the side of a hill deep in the Southern part of Haiti and pray for their church, the leaders, and the future God has for them was a very humbling experience.  You truly do see God when you serve Him with a full, loving heart.  In His power, I can only imagine how God will use that land for His glory.

After lunch, we had the opportunity to visit the home of one of the guys who has become like a son and brother to the team.  His house was different than any house I'd ever seen, but it was also a home like I've rarely seen before.  The sense of family was immediately evident.  Love flowed throughout and was seen in the way they spoke to each other and how they immediately welcomed us in.  His mother beamed and smiled from ear to ear as her son's friends has come and visited their home.  He even climbed a 20-foot tall tree to cut down coconuts for us to sample.  There was a sign that in Creole read, "Jesus is the answer."  Without all the luxuries as Americans that we perceive as important, that simple yet powerful phrase encompasses the true foundation of a home.

At this point, we thought we just had a short marriage conference some of our team was putting on and then an early quiet evening.  Then, flexibility happened.  As we neared the church, the two back rear tires went flat.  As our team left the truck and walked the remaining way to church, the Haitian pastor, me, and another guy from our team stayed with the truck.  This immediately became a scene as a truck was stranded with two "blans" nearby.  Probably two dozen kids flocked in the road to stand witness.  As a couple of Haitian guys changed the tires, there were more than a few moments when I thought I was going to witness a truck crushing a Haitian man.  Using a giant rock under the axle to balance the truck didn't seem like the safest way to complete that project.  By the grace of God, they were able to change the tires and there were no injuries.

Little did we know, the most entertaining portion of the day was yet to come.  It sounded easy enough.  All we had to do was return some borrowed speakers and drum set that we used for the conference we helped put on.  Then, flexibility really happened.  All was going well as we loaded up the equipment, but we could see lightning flash in the distance.  We traveled on and eventually hit what I refer to as the highway in Cayes-Jacmel.  We had one of the Haitian pastor's friends following us on a motorcycle.  Along the way I saw the headlight on the motorcycle go out, and the bike stalled.  That seemed like a problem.

We traveled on and drove to a remote destination that seemed to be sparsely populated.  The church was large but clearly unfinished.  The pastor and his two Haitian friends walked along the side of the church nearly out of sight with only the full moon lighting the area.  The truck was left running with the headlights on, driver's door open, and four "blans" standing in the back.  We were quickly and quietly making escape plans.  I'm sure I wasn't the only one lifting up a few silent prayers.

After a few minutes, a guy rides up on a bike and parks near the front of the truck.  Uh oh, here we go.  We quickly recognize him as a kind gentlemen that we'd prayed with earlier in the day.  Eventually things were settled, and we unloaded the equipment into the church.  It was unlike anything I'd seen.  I'm sure in the daytime it was a beautiful structure, but at night in the light of the moon, it was super creepy.  However, we were able to unload it all with no issue, and we were once again on our way back to the compound.

Then, flexibility struck again.  We were going down the highway when the truck started to slow, and we eased onto the side of the road.  We picked up a guy that was walking down the road.  Great, a hitchhiker.  Turns out it was the guy who's bike had broken down.  The four blans started singing "Mock, yeah.  ing, yeah.  Bird, yeah...". Not sure if our new Haitian friend was a fan of Dumb & Dumber.  We made it about a half mile down the road when we began to slow again.  I looked to the side of the road and realized we had to pick up his bike.

We put the bike on the back of the truck and were off again.  I had to chuckle as four blans, a Haitian, his broke-down bike, and a generator were all hauled on the back of the truck.  When we got back to the compound, we had to get a picture to memorialize the moment.



It was a long but fulfilling day.  We seen people come to Christ, we'd seen a church and families challenged to follow God's ways, and we'd rode on the back of a tap-tap with a broken-down bike.  Every bit of it was filled with flexibility that can only come from the Lord.

Have you ever attended a Haitian wedding?

I just attended my first Haitian wedding.  In doing so, I broke about every rule I have on attending a wedding.

1) I didn't shave.
2) I wore shorts.
3) I had on tennis shoes.
4) I didn't have on a tie.
5) I hadn't had a shower in at least 24 hours.

That's a pretty exhaustive list.  Keep in mind that it's August Haiti in so a different set of rules apply.

When we arrived for the ceremony, we received a special surprise. My wife and I and several other couples from our team were asked to take part in the ceremony.  Gotta love surprises like that, but one of the motto's of a mission trip to Haiti is "Be flexible."  We walked down the aisle prior to the ceremony as examples of what love and a marriage look like.  That's a little humbling to be used as examples of marriage.  But in the Haitian culture, their views on marriage differ from ours.

So back to the story, we were essentially the groomsmen and bridesmaids.  We got to sit up front right behind the groom and bride.  It was a very interesting contrast.  The local Haitians were dressed in their Sunday best while we "fortunate" Americans looked like we were about to go play a round of putt-putt.  A contrast indeed, but a huge honor to us also.

It had about all you'd expect from a Haitian wedding (if you had any predilections).  Stopping the service because of feedback in the mics from all the cellphones plugged in near the soundboard?  Check.  Service being stopped because the picture slideshow had to be stopped because it was creating a distraction?  Check.  Service being stopped because the kids playing right outside the church were too noisy?  Check.  As you may be able to tell, there was no organized timing for the service (keep flexibility in mind).  In Haiti, they tell time with an -ish on the end.  For example, we are going to leave at 8 (that's heard as 8-ish).

All jokes aside, it was a wonderful ceremony in which two people in love joined their lives before God.  It helped me appreciate my own marriage more and enriched my experience with the Haitian people.

And why are you going to Haiti?

Turns out that's a pretty common response when you tell people that's the Caribbean Island you chose as the destination for your time off work.  Going on a mission trip?  Going with your church?  Also common questions to which the answer is always, "Yep."

So why am I going to the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere?  Let's back up just a little.

As I worked through the "Follow Me" study from David Platt earlier this year, I began to realize something.  I'm just a fan standing on the sidelines.  I know all about the game.  I know the rules, the players, and the history of the game. I devote my time and money to the game.  I even make the game a family event.  But I fall short of making a real difference in what happens on the field.

Jesus's first and last commands on Earth were to "Follow Me." Very simple in nature, but we allow excuses to stand in the way.  Using my sports analogy, that is what I was doing.  I was using every possible excuse to not cross the line and get on the field.

Digging into God's Word in that study gave me a greater understanding on what exactly it means to follow Jesus.  It goes beyond Church attendance or memorizing Bible verses.  It's a commitment to serve Him in every area of your life.  We can't pick and choose what we will give up and what we'll hold back.  Jesus requires a full trust of your life to His service.

So this is the first step in fully living out that commitment.  It feels like learning to swim in the deep end of the pool, but our faith in Him will grow when we see His strength in our weakness.

I pray that every step is made in His direction, and that those I meet may know Him better because of my journey.

Who is your hero?

My heroes growing up were the type to have highlights on ESPN.  I loved Michael Jordan, Don Mattingly, Tim Brown, and anyone wearing Carolina Blue for the Heels.  My six-year-old now dreams of being a Jedi Master.  His heroes have gone from Woody, Buzz, and Lightning to Luke, Obi Wan, and Anikan.  Sometimes our heroes evolve over time.

Over the last couple of days, I've thought through something that I've really know for a while now.  My real hero didn't dribble, hit, or catch a ball for a living, carry a light saber, or have his daily highlights shown on SportsCenter.  My hero wore khakis, drove a station wagon for the large portion of my childhood, and slept in the room next to mine.  He is my dad.

After 42 years of service to the same company, he worked his last day for that company today.  He was given a party, a lunch, several dozen golf balls, and a fancy new driver.  However based on what I heard from those he worked with, he gave a lot more than that.  He gave many nights, most weekends, and everything he had.  Of course, I didn't need someone else to tell me those things to know that.  He's the hardest worker that I know.  That work ethic that he displayed inspired me and I'm sure countless others to always strive to achieve the best.  He never spent money that he didn't have and always sacrificed for others.  There are traits that I've always admired.

He's the first person I call when I'm unsure on something or need advice.  He's the realistic voice that keeps me from making a choice that I know I really shouldn't make.  I'm sure he's worried about the future ahead.  It's all he's known for 42 years.  I hope he enjoys the time that he has remaining; he's earned it.  He's basically worked his entire life so it's time for him to enjoy the fruits of his hard work and sacrifice.  That includes more baseball games, more tee times, and more time with the grandkids.

I love him, and I could not be more proud to call him my father.  And hero...

Where have I been?

When I started this whole blog thing, I thought it would be fun to share my random thoughts from time to time. Then like everything else I start, it got pushed to the side. I have been just a little busy in 2011 in the near 5 months since I had a posting.

I've turned 34, trained for a half marathon, ran my first half marathon, had my second child (ok, my wife handled that one), and sold my house. That's in addition to all of the other stuff that I was already doing to keep myself busy.

That's where I've been, but let's talk about where I am. As I write, I'm in a vehicle with my wife, in-laws, and my 2 boys. Everyone expect me (and the driver) is asleep so I have a few quiet minutes with my thoughts. No babies to feed or change, reports to catch up on, or meetings to run to.

We're headed west for my niece's high school graduation. This trip is as grueling as the half marathon I ran a month ago. It's a test of endurance and patience. The scenery is beautiful, but some stretches are oh so boring. Plus, it's made more difficult with a 4-year old in the back asking, "Are we there yet?"

We started our trip with an unknown noise coming from somewhere that one in our traveling party was sure was the wheel bearings. Not sure if she really knows what wheel bearings do ir look like. We decided to not let that detail the journey and traveled on. Luckily that noise has gone away.

After all this, I still wouldn't trade this trip for anything. I've learned to enjoy the ride of life no matter what unknown noises pop up from time to time.

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Why am i up at 6am on my vacation?

No, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, or Sarah Palin are not coming to the Graham Library for a book signing.

I'm going deer hunting. I'm currently camo'ed up and about to go out into the 22 degree weather to sit in the middle of the woods to find the ever elusive white-tailed deer.

I didn't grow up a hunter so this has been a fun learning experience for me. Lucky for me, I have patient in-laws that have joined me on the journey these last eight years. To some, it may seem mean or barbaric or just a plain waste of time. In fact, I accidently made a coworker cry one time just bringing up the subject. However, there is much more to the actual experience than the casual observer would expect. It's refreshing to be in the woods with absolutely no sounds. No airplanes, no cars, no radio or TV. It's amazing to hear the silence in nature just before the sun presents itself for the day or just before it disappears to reveal the darkness of night.

It's called a sport, but it's much more than that. Like anything, it can be abused or given a bad name. But it reaches back to the early days when man had to hunt their food. They may have not had high-powered rifles or Scent Lock clothing, but it's the same in nature. It's taking part in God's design that man care for the other beasts of His creation. Plus, it's just fun to go shoot guns with the boys.

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How cool was that?

The answer is very cool. This is a response to the last posting about President and Mrs. Bush's visit to Charlotte. The good news is that in day 2 of my line-standing journey, my experience was only a little over 2 hours long.

The whole event was very interesting. All the local news guys were there so you had that big event feel. As I was standing in line, I looked up and saw Greta van Susteren from Fox News. I found out later that she'd done an interview with Billy Graham and Pres. Bush.

We were still in line outside with no view of the W (if I may call him that with all due respect). However, things were surreal with all the secret service agents around. It was clear they were not going to mess around.

After about 2 hours in line, we made it up to the metal detectors. No pictures because cameras were not allowed inside and cell phones had to be turned off. Once you made it inside, it was a little like Disney World with the zig-zag rope lines. I eventually made it near the end of the line. I was about 20 people back when I just casually stuck my hand in my pocket. It was more out of nervous energy than anything. At that point, the secret service agent beside me kindly asked, "Sir, can you please take your hand out of your pocket?" "Yes sir" was my quick and alarmed response. As I waited for my heart to start beating again I finally approached the table. Mrs. Bush was first greeting everyone with a "Thank you for coming and have a Merry Christmas." She was as graceful as you'd imagine based on what I've seen on TV.

At the end of the table sat the man who less than two years ago was the most powerful man on earth. He shook everone's hand and offered a pleasant greeting. He looked up from signing a book, stuck out his hand, and said, "Thanks for coming. Have a Merry Christmas." It wasn't my wedding or the birth of my child, but that was one of the coolest things i've experienced. That may sound dorky, but for me, it's true.

He's just a man. But he's a man that I respect for his morals and integrity. Think of him what you may, it can't diminishy experience.

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