Go with confidence!

I was encouraged by this devotional today...  it suits the season of my life at the moment...

'Blessed is the man...whose confidence is in [God].' Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
It takes courage to be led by God. It's not easy to 'break the mould' and rise above the limits others place on you. When you do, you'll face disapproval. Jesus did. When the folks He grew up around said, 'Isn't this the carpenter's son?...' (Matthew 13:55 NIV), they were really saying, 'He should stay in His place!' When they tell you that, don't listen. '...each of us will give an account of himself to God.' (Romans 14:12 NIV) In the final audit you'll discover that not only is it wrong to be judgmental of others, it's also wrong to permit their opinions to control you. 'Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.' To follow God's leading you must have confidence that He loves you in spite of your shortcomings; He has a definite plan for your life; you are capable of hearing from Him for yourself; and whatever He asks of you, He will enable you to do. Once you've heard from God, be resolute! Things worth having never come easy. If you find yourself weakening, ask God for determination and He will impart it to you through His Spirit. If you find yourself being in two minds, go back and ask yourself what God told you in the beginning-then stick with it. Don't go in a different direction because of worry, discouragement or the sentiments of others. Remind yourself that you have what it takes to succeed in whatever God has called you to do. If you've made Jesus Lord of your life, His determination lives in you-because He lives in you.

Taken from http://www.thewordfortoday.com.au/

Finally.... my flight to Haiti is booked!

After a roller coaster ride of excitement, anxiety, patience and all three of those feelings again, my flight is finally booked and paid for!  Yay!!  I leave Australia on 27 July and arrive in Haiti on 1 August.  Yes, there's a stopover on the way; I couldn't travel 37 hours, including transit times, all in one go!

Now, I hope I can get a proper night's sleep; booking and paying for these flights has taken up too much mind space.... in addition to all of the other things I "want" to prepare for Haiti.

Such as...

My first movie fundraiser.  If you haven't already heard, on Thursday 9th June at 7pm I've booked a cinema at Village Cinemas Sunshine, for the viewing of 'Soul Surfer'.  Six dollars from each ticket will go towards buying much needed school furniture for TeacHaiti (see previous post for more details about TeacHaiti).  I need to fill the 92 seat auditorium... please invite your friends and family to make this fundraiser worthwhile.
Details about the movie, which is based on a true story, can be found at  http://www.soulsurferthemovie.com/.

Prayer points....  peace and patience...

Confession

Tonight I was looking online for educational resources that I could buy using the money that schools are still yet to raise. Yes, I'm believing in faith that I won't go empty handed to Quisqueya (the school I'll be teaching at in Haiti) and TeacHaiti, a new school in Port-au-prince for the poorest of the poor.  I've secretly been hoping that some of the suppliers may even donate resources!!  

As I was gathering a "wish list", and preparing to write an email to some educational suppliers, I began to question my motive. Why was I feeling anxious?  This was not "faith" but fear.  Who am I collecting these resources for?  Of course both the students and teachers in Haiti will benefit regardless of my hidden agenda.

So what's my confession?  I'm afraid of teaching at a school that doesn't have enough teaching and learning resources.  I'm afraid of lacking what "I think, I need".  What if the only resources I'm given to work with is my brain and a classroom full of students?  By now you may be thinking, "What's so wrong about  that?"  It's part of our culture to have things readily available, at our fingertips.  As a carpenter cannot be expected to build without any materials, a teacher cannot be expected to teach well without resources!  Right?

Yes, that's the right thinking for our Western culture but not the right thinking for a Christian.  I should first trust and depend on God to help me with my day-to-day needs, including my need to be satisfied with "a job well done". Maybe what I think I need to teach well, are really just "wants"?

A scripture came to mind immediately after I acknowledged my fear of lack. 

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret, the secret of being content, in ANY and EVERY situation.... whether living in plenty or in want.  I CAN DO EVERYTHING through Him (Christ) who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:12-13 

 (emphasis mine)

The truth is, I don't know what it's like to be in need!!  But I'm certain the Great Teacher will bring this scripture to life for me, if this is an area He wants me to grow in.

I don't really have a say in the matter, do I?

Thank you...

I want to first thank those who have expressed an interest in raising funds to support students in Haiti, in particular, Melton Christian College, Maranatha Christian School and Christian College Geelong.

 Who are they raising funds for?  

www.teachaiti.org

TeacHaiti was founded in 2007 in order to give scholarships to students who would not be able to go to school in Haiti. The students at TeacHaiti are the poorest of the poor. The organisation started by giving students scholarships to go to various schools in Port au Prince. However, last year, TeacHaiti started up their own school as well as continuing support to over 100 students in other schools. The student population is very diverse, however, most of them have one thing in common, poverty; sometimes they do not even eat at home. Alot of the students are also orphaned post-earthquake.

The TeacHaiti school of Hope has various needs. Some are more urgent than others.

Urgent needs include

1. Building 2 classrooms for the upcoming 5th and 6th graders (US $12-15,000)

2. Purchased school desks (US $50-60 per desk. They need 50 in total)

3. Desks for the teachers (US $1000)

4. Sponsors (each of the students has a sponsor. It cost $700 to sponsor a child for the year. Everything is paid for the child; tuition, school supplies and health insurance. A student is usually paired with 2 sponsors at $350 each. 

TeachHaiti needs over 20 sponsors for the upcoming first grade class.

Other needs:

School uniforms for the upcoming school year and any type of school supplies; pens, pencils, glue, construction paper, etc.

As you can see, they have lots of needs. Any help at all will make a difference!

Can you help?

God will provide

Yesterday I received a disappointing email from QANTAS in response to taking an extra suitcase on board my flight.  I had hoped they would waive the fee for extra baggage, with their website boasting of their charitable deeds and sponsorships.  It appears to me that I am not significant enough to be sponsored.  There is no benefit to QANTAS in waiving the fee of a bag of donations to Haiti.  I'm not a large organisation that can boast of their generosity and besides "they are not in the position to help with the recent financial crisis".  Am I expected to believe that?

But this is a positive post....
Today I received word that the Year 10 business studies student's at Melton Christian College have chosen to donate ten percent of their profits to Haiti!!  This brought so much joy to my heart...
To add to this, I discovered during some internet browsing that RIC Publications, a distributor of education materials, will freight purchased resources of over $200 free of charge to any international destination!  Another praise point!!

My only dilemma now is what do I buy to take over to Haiti?  What resources are they in most need of?  I will need to call on my Haitian colleagues at Quisqueya Christian School... I'm sure they can help!

Thank you God for answering my prayers.  I don't want to go to Haiti empty handed.  We are blessed to be a blessing!