This verse from Proverbs most accurately sums up the 34 days recently spent in Haiti:
"A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
God determined each step. Even though our ministry team had planned out the three teams and all of their activities, God had other plans day-by-day. We visited places we did not plan to visit. We were unable to work with ministries we had planned to partner with. And . . . We made new friends and made lasting memories.
In the end, it was clear: Each of the three summer teams was put together by God with each member having special talents and abilities that complimented the group and allowed the group, as a whole, to learn more, experience more, be more effective in sharing the Gospel through daily living
Team 1 was exuberant and lively and constantly in motion. Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!"
Team 2 was characterized by love and hard work. I John 3:16-18, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Team 3 exhibited great unity of purpose and spirit. Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. "