So tonight was the night I was originally supposed to come home from Haiti. As it turned out, I've been home for a week after never actually being in Haiti (having spent all my time in Santiago helping with the back end of the operation). Now that I have had some time to look back on things through a clear lens, I have really been able to see one significant truth above all else: God is very intentional about who He sends where and when He sends them there.
The more I think about how our little cartel worked down there and the part that each of us played, the more I am truly amazed at how choreographed the whole thing was. The point I made in a previous post about how we all have our own gifts but God uses them all for His purposes is becoming more and more evident to me. At one point, I was really not sure why I had gone done there, for I felt like they didn't really need me. Now, though, that feeling has turned into one of such gratitude that He specifically called on me to play a part in what He was doing for those He loves.
It's always amazing to me how quickly we can forget the things we learn in our "moments of clarity". As I look back at the reasons I was going on this trip, I realize that I had totally forgotten what this was supposed to be about. Now that I have had time to look back on both the trip and the re-entry into regular life, I can see that 1) I really did need to show obedience to God's call, because He had a specific purpose for me down there; and 2) He really has shown me how He will take care of me, for He brought me back to a totally manageable situation at work (unlike I ever could have expected) and He further unveiled the magnitude of the love and support that resides in those He has put around me. And though I wasn't seeing any of that earlier this week, I feel like He has really opened my eyes to His intentionality and faitfulness these last few days. And for that, I sit here tonight feeling incredibly grateful.
And I sit here wondering what He's going to ask of me next . . .
Sunday, February 14, 2010
A Christian Cartel
As promised in the previous post, I want to provide a brief overview of how our little Haitian supply chain worked. How was it that this little operation managed to efficiently and effectively get stuff to where it was needed while the efforts of the big players were stifled and bottlenecked?
It all hinged on two key factors: 1) the relationships of Matt McCormick at the northern border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic (Matt is an American missionary who lives in Ft. Liberte, which is the Haitian city at that northern border); and 2) the connections with a Dominican distributer named Lorenzo in Santiago.
Most other operations struggled because they were trying to go directly into the airport at Port au Prince (PaP) where everything was being held up due to the sheer volume of stuff trying to get in there. And if they weren't trying to fly directly into PaP, they were trying to push stuff across the southern Dominican/Haitian border (which was very close to PaP). But again, just like with the airport at PaP, there was a huge volume getting pushed through that portal, so things easily got bottlenecked.
Matt and his group, however, were able to operate effectively because they were going through the northern border, where he had incredibly strong relationships with the UN, the border patrol, and the local Haitian government. Granted, it meant that the goods had to be shipped over a much greater distance. But at least they were able to keep stuff moving and therefore the supplies could eventually get to their destination.
Here's how it worked: the local organizations on the ground in Haiti would communicate with their home offices in the states and let them know what supplies were needed. Those home offices would then contact a group in Miami and "place an order" for the needed supplies. The folks in Miami would enter that order into an online collaborative document (using Gmail and Google Documents) where the team in Santiago would get the request and go out and get the supplies. This is where the Dominican distributor, Lorenzo, played a key role. Because of his connections in the city of Santiago, he was able to help the Santiago team procure almost anything they needed, and he helped them get it in record time. The phrase that was used to describe Lorenzo was, "He could pull a pink elephant out of his butt if we needed him to." He was truly invaluable.
Once the team in Santiago had the supplies purchased, they would stage them, load them onto trucks, and then ship them up to the border. The forward team would then get the shipments through the border and transported across Haiti down to PaP. This sometimes had its challenges, as the road from the northern border down to Haiti was a rough and treacherous one. The drivers were almost always escorted by armed UN forces. And even though it was only about 100 miles they had to travel, it could take almost 8 hours because the roads were so bad. It didn't help that the trucks they were using would break down ALL THE TIME. Every shipment ended up making it to its destination, though. Near the end of the operation, the focus shifted from PaP to the border town of Ft. Liberte, where thousands of refugees had fled.
Our operation ended up coming to a close sooner than anticipated for a couple of reasons: 1) the big boys were starting to get it figured out and were able to more effectively provide supplies to those in need, and 2) Matt, who was the key to the relationships at the border and with the Haitian government in Ft. Liberte, had to fly back to the States because his wife was already there about to deliver their third child. In all, there were 22 orders filled in a little over 2 weeks. Each of the organizations getting supplies was serving, on average, about 1,000 people. And they say in Haiti that each person being served by these organizations really represents about 8 people who he is taking food and supplies back to. Thus, it's estimated that over 176,000 people were being helped by this little supply chain cartel. All told, we shipped almost $200,000 worth of supplies across the border into Haiti. And lives were saved because of it (especially early on when the fuel shipments were being made to the hospitals to keep them up and running).
Matt posted an entry on the blog of the Miami team today that does a great job of wrapping up the operation. Check it out here. You can also see some of the photos that were taken by the team here.
It all hinged on two key factors: 1) the relationships of Matt McCormick at the northern border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic (Matt is an American missionary who lives in Ft. Liberte, which is the Haitian city at that northern border); and 2) the connections with a Dominican distributer named Lorenzo in Santiago.
Most other operations struggled because they were trying to go directly into the airport at Port au Prince (PaP) where everything was being held up due to the sheer volume of stuff trying to get in there. And if they weren't trying to fly directly into PaP, they were trying to push stuff across the southern Dominican/Haitian border (which was very close to PaP). But again, just like with the airport at PaP, there was a huge volume getting pushed through that portal, so things easily got bottlenecked.
Matt and his group, however, were able to operate effectively because they were going through the northern border, where he had incredibly strong relationships with the UN, the border patrol, and the local Haitian government. Granted, it meant that the goods had to be shipped over a much greater distance. But at least they were able to keep stuff moving and therefore the supplies could eventually get to their destination.
Here's how it worked: the local organizations on the ground in Haiti would communicate with their home offices in the states and let them know what supplies were needed. Those home offices would then contact a group in Miami and "place an order" for the needed supplies. The folks in Miami would enter that order into an online collaborative document (using Gmail and Google Documents) where the team in Santiago would get the request and go out and get the supplies. This is where the Dominican distributor, Lorenzo, played a key role. Because of his connections in the city of Santiago, he was able to help the Santiago team procure almost anything they needed, and he helped them get it in record time. The phrase that was used to describe Lorenzo was, "He could pull a pink elephant out of his butt if we needed him to." He was truly invaluable.
Once the team in Santiago had the supplies purchased, they would stage them, load them onto trucks, and then ship them up to the border. The forward team would then get the shipments through the border and transported across Haiti down to PaP. This sometimes had its challenges, as the road from the northern border down to Haiti was a rough and treacherous one. The drivers were almost always escorted by armed UN forces. And even though it was only about 100 miles they had to travel, it could take almost 8 hours because the roads were so bad. It didn't help that the trucks they were using would break down ALL THE TIME. Every shipment ended up making it to its destination, though. Near the end of the operation, the focus shifted from PaP to the border town of Ft. Liberte, where thousands of refugees had fled.
Our operation ended up coming to a close sooner than anticipated for a couple of reasons: 1) the big boys were starting to get it figured out and were able to more effectively provide supplies to those in need, and 2) Matt, who was the key to the relationships at the border and with the Haitian government in Ft. Liberte, had to fly back to the States because his wife was already there about to deliver their third child. In all, there were 22 orders filled in a little over 2 weeks. Each of the organizations getting supplies was serving, on average, about 1,000 people. And they say in Haiti that each person being served by these organizations really represents about 8 people who he is taking food and supplies back to. Thus, it's estimated that over 176,000 people were being helped by this little supply chain cartel. All told, we shipped almost $200,000 worth of supplies across the border into Haiti. And lives were saved because of it (especially early on when the fuel shipments were being made to the hospitals to keep them up and running).
Matt posted an entry on the blog of the Miami team today that does a great job of wrapping up the operation. Check it out here. You can also see some of the photos that were taken by the team here.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Not What I Was Expecting
Wednesday Night
When I wrote the last post, I explained the two reasons why I thought I was coming to Haiti. I failed to share (because I was trying not to reveal too much of where my heart really was) that one reason I really wanted to make this trip was because I really wanted to have a powerful, impacting, life-changing experience. And of course, I had my own preconceived notions of what that would look like.
Well, it turns out that my role here and my experience here will be nothing like that preconceived notion. No powerful, impacting, life-changing experience. Instead, I am helping with the admin/office/accounting aspect of the back end of the operation from Santiago, Dominican Republic. (At some point, I will create a post describing the whole operation and what it has done.) Our command post is a hotel room in a rather nice hotel chosen because of its internet connectivity, which is vital to the operation.
All in all, it's not a lot different than a business trip. Every now and then, I do get out of the "office" to help offload or stage or load supplies. Sometimes that can even be incredibly strenuous work. Yesterday and today, for example, we have been shlepping these 125 lb bags of rice or beans or sugar around. My back aches, my arms ache, my legs ache. It has been hard work, to say the least. But life-changing? Not so much.
This is where I get to tell you how incredibly lucky I am to have a wife who truly does put my life in the proper perspective for me. After sharing with her my role here and the significant difference between what my role is and what I had envisioned, she said, "It might not be the life-changing experience that we had hoped for you, but I think you just have to remember that it was never about you anyway." Man, how right on is she?!
I look back at the previous post where I explain why I was coming here and, sure enough, nowhere in there is it about me having some life-changing experience. It's about me being obedient to God's calling and showing him that I am willing to step into that. And it's about me allowing Him to show me how dependent I am on Him and how I need to lean into and trust Him--how to rely solely on Him. Didn't take me long to forget about that.
Since then, I have really been hit by 1 Corinthians chapter 4, especially verses 4 and 5: "There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord." I realize that God uses us all very intentionally. He has put me, an accountant, here in this spot at this time for a specific reason. Part of it may simply be that it's because they needed someone with an accounting mind to help them pull a lot of their stuff together. Part of it may be that it was to allow me to be around these guys who live in community together back home in New Orleans, learning from them what it truly is to be living communally. And part of it may be that God wanted to try and help me develop a humble servant's heart and get rid of my "check out what I'm doing for God" attitude.
But those things may not be why I'm here at all. And it may be years before we actually realize why God brought me here. Whatever it is, I know that He has done it with a purpose. It's really cool to think about that and realize how intentionally He directs our lives, especially if we just let Him.
When I wrote the last post, I explained the two reasons why I thought I was coming to Haiti. I failed to share (because I was trying not to reveal too much of where my heart really was) that one reason I really wanted to make this trip was because I really wanted to have a powerful, impacting, life-changing experience. And of course, I had my own preconceived notions of what that would look like.
Well, it turns out that my role here and my experience here will be nothing like that preconceived notion. No powerful, impacting, life-changing experience. Instead, I am helping with the admin/office/accounting aspect of the back end of the operation from Santiago, Dominican Republic. (At some point, I will create a post describing the whole operation and what it has done.) Our command post is a hotel room in a rather nice hotel chosen because of its internet connectivity, which is vital to the operation.
All in all, it's not a lot different than a business trip. Every now and then, I do get out of the "office" to help offload or stage or load supplies. Sometimes that can even be incredibly strenuous work. Yesterday and today, for example, we have been shlepping these 125 lb bags of rice or beans or sugar around. My back aches, my arms ache, my legs ache. It has been hard work, to say the least. But life-changing? Not so much.
This is where I get to tell you how incredibly lucky I am to have a wife who truly does put my life in the proper perspective for me. After sharing with her my role here and the significant difference between what my role is and what I had envisioned, she said, "It might not be the life-changing experience that we had hoped for you, but I think you just have to remember that it was never about you anyway." Man, how right on is she?!
I look back at the previous post where I explain why I was coming here and, sure enough, nowhere in there is it about me having some life-changing experience. It's about me being obedient to God's calling and showing him that I am willing to step into that. And it's about me allowing Him to show me how dependent I am on Him and how I need to lean into and trust Him--how to rely solely on Him. Didn't take me long to forget about that.
Since then, I have really been hit by 1 Corinthians chapter 4, especially verses 4 and 5: "There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service but the same Lord." I realize that God uses us all very intentionally. He has put me, an accountant, here in this spot at this time for a specific reason. Part of it may simply be that it's because they needed someone with an accounting mind to help them pull a lot of their stuff together. Part of it may be that it was to allow me to be around these guys who live in community together back home in New Orleans, learning from them what it truly is to be living communally. And part of it may be that God wanted to try and help me develop a humble servant's heart and get rid of my "check out what I'm doing for God" attitude.
But those things may not be why I'm here at all. And it may be years before we actually realize why God brought me here. Whatever it is, I know that He has done it with a purpose. It's really cool to think about that and realize how intentionally He directs our lives, especially if we just let Him.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Off to Serve the People of Haiti
SUNDAY NIGHT
On my way. The last couple days have been hectic. Scrambling to get stuff together, trying to take advantage of the time with the munchkins, trying to be really connected with Kinz. The busy-ness of it all was good, because it prevented the anxiety from setting in. I wish, though, that I could have been more focused on Kinzi, Jake, and Addi. I don’t feel like they were able to get all of me like I would have wanted. That’s always my struggle.
I will say this: I am so overwhelmed by the love that we have received from the people God has put around us. The volunteers at South County continually amaze me with the way they just handle stuff and uplift those around them. They are such a blessing. And I am so grateful for the guys that God is using to mold me, change me, bring me closer to Him. Blake and Kory, John and Colin, Nate and Chad. I am surrounded by such awesome examples of love, support, brotherhood, and strength. Most of all, in them I am surrounded by men showing me what it means to live life for God. So grateful for that. Absolutely love those guys.
And I can’t even begin to describe what it has been like to watch Kinzi over these last few days. I can’t imagine a more selfless, poised, gracious, and loving wife/mother. It has been incredible to see her in full effect, taking care of things, keeping everything in perspective, managing the ME that can so easily lose perspective and be irrational, and continually showing us her unconditional love. Her actions speak so loudly. She is truly a beautiful daughter of God, in every way. Oh how I will miss her!
As I sit here on my way to Santiago, I try to remind myself of the two things that God made clear to me on Friday morning.
1. I need to do this in part out of obedience. Obedience to God’s call to put ourselves away and be all about Him. A big part of us didn’t want to do this because we wanted to remain in the comfort of our current situation. We are so spoiled in the life we have. I wanted to cling to that. But as we sit around with “The 6-Pack” and talk about living drastically differently in order to bring God to those in need, I can’t help but feel like I have to show that I’m willing to actually step out into that (because it so often feels like I’m really not). So here’s a chance to show that—to show God that I can and will step out of that cruise control, consumeristic, comfortable life and live for Him.
2. I also need to do this to allow God to show me that He is whom I need to put my trust in—not in myself. More specifically, that He can actually get me through what I don’t think I can get through. I was so apprehensive about doing this because of the fear of falling into a pit while I’m gone (either b/c I’m homesick or discouraged b/c I don’t feel like I’ll be able fill the role they need me to fill). Greater than that, though, is the fear of what will be waiting for me when I get back (the kids wanting all of me, work having piled up, the pressures of busy season in full force, and trying to continue pursuing the things we’re pursuing but not having the days off to do it b/c I have to make up the work days I’ll be missing). I hate thinking about the person all that stuff can turn me into, and the potential pit it can pull me into. But God was so clear that morning when He made me realize that I have to let Him show me how He can enable us to do what we need to do, how He can deliver us through the things we don’t think we can handle (because we really can’t handle them. . .on our own). I have to learn to lean on Him and Him alone. And the situation I will be in when I get back will be one that I would never be able to deal with on my own. The only solution is to lean into Him. I need to give Him the opportunity to show me how He will provide.
So, here we go. No idea what I’ll really be doing. It may turn out to be just a non-eventful, “feel good about yourself for helping the poor” kind of mission trip, or it may be stress, and drama, and strenuous physical labor, and emotional roller coasters, and physical illness, and exposure to people suffering in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and yes, even a fall or two into the “pit”. But I go to show obedience and to give Him the opportunity to take over in my life.
On my way. The last couple days have been hectic. Scrambling to get stuff together, trying to take advantage of the time with the munchkins, trying to be really connected with Kinz. The busy-ness of it all was good, because it prevented the anxiety from setting in. I wish, though, that I could have been more focused on Kinzi, Jake, and Addi. I don’t feel like they were able to get all of me like I would have wanted. That’s always my struggle.
I will say this: I am so overwhelmed by the love that we have received from the people God has put around us. The volunteers at South County continually amaze me with the way they just handle stuff and uplift those around them. They are such a blessing. And I am so grateful for the guys that God is using to mold me, change me, bring me closer to Him. Blake and Kory, John and Colin, Nate and Chad. I am surrounded by such awesome examples of love, support, brotherhood, and strength. Most of all, in them I am surrounded by men showing me what it means to live life for God. So grateful for that. Absolutely love those guys.
And I can’t even begin to describe what it has been like to watch Kinzi over these last few days. I can’t imagine a more selfless, poised, gracious, and loving wife/mother. It has been incredible to see her in full effect, taking care of things, keeping everything in perspective, managing the ME that can so easily lose perspective and be irrational, and continually showing us her unconditional love. Her actions speak so loudly. She is truly a beautiful daughter of God, in every way. Oh how I will miss her!
As I sit here on my way to Santiago, I try to remind myself of the two things that God made clear to me on Friday morning.
1. I need to do this in part out of obedience. Obedience to God’s call to put ourselves away and be all about Him. A big part of us didn’t want to do this because we wanted to remain in the comfort of our current situation. We are so spoiled in the life we have. I wanted to cling to that. But as we sit around with “The 6-Pack” and talk about living drastically differently in order to bring God to those in need, I can’t help but feel like I have to show that I’m willing to actually step out into that (because it so often feels like I’m really not). So here’s a chance to show that—to show God that I can and will step out of that cruise control, consumeristic, comfortable life and live for Him.
2. I also need to do this to allow God to show me that He is whom I need to put my trust in—not in myself. More specifically, that He can actually get me through what I don’t think I can get through. I was so apprehensive about doing this because of the fear of falling into a pit while I’m gone (either b/c I’m homesick or discouraged b/c I don’t feel like I’ll be able fill the role they need me to fill). Greater than that, though, is the fear of what will be waiting for me when I get back (the kids wanting all of me, work having piled up, the pressures of busy season in full force, and trying to continue pursuing the things we’re pursuing but not having the days off to do it b/c I have to make up the work days I’ll be missing). I hate thinking about the person all that stuff can turn me into, and the potential pit it can pull me into. But God was so clear that morning when He made me realize that I have to let Him show me how He can enable us to do what we need to do, how He can deliver us through the things we don’t think we can handle (because we really can’t handle them. . .on our own). I have to learn to lean on Him and Him alone. And the situation I will be in when I get back will be one that I would never be able to deal with on my own. The only solution is to lean into Him. I need to give Him the opportunity to show me how He will provide.
So, here we go. No idea what I’ll really be doing. It may turn out to be just a non-eventful, “feel good about yourself for helping the poor” kind of mission trip, or it may be stress, and drama, and strenuous physical labor, and emotional roller coasters, and physical illness, and exposure to people suffering in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and yes, even a fall or two into the “pit”. But I go to show obedience and to give Him the opportunity to take over in my life.
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