Tuesday, July 31, 2012

I remember the first time I walked into the majestic church that for the first 6 years I lived here, seemed to tug at my heart each time I walked or drove by it. I knew it was God speaking to me. Encouraging me. Reminding me of his gifts and the promise he made that whoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Although I was adrift and wandering through life, I've never forgotten these words and never lost faith in him. But there was a huge void in my life and I began to recognize the thirst for Christ that began to slowly resurrect itself within my soul. I needed to quench this thirst......

One day our beautiful daughter Becky, who had recently became engaged to a terrific guy named Jake, stopped by the house to tell us that they decided to get married in the historic church. She also announced her intention to get baptized and wanted her mother, Sue, to accompany her as well. Soon after we met Pastor Durk, we began attending service regularly at Alleluia! Lutheran Church and I immediately felt God's loving arms embracing me once again and we began to reaquaint ourselves.

Soon thereafter, we began to hear and learn of the Healing Haiti mission. It was very evident that Alleluia! was very committed and supportive of their cause. The team was literally leaving that first week we attended service and I remembered thinking how I wish we would have been able to go!! Approximately 6 weeks later I was diagnosed with a very serious heart condition which required 4-6 months to recover and to settle into a new life that would require me to learn to manage a condition that I will not ever fully recover from. The January trip was being planned and I knew once again that it just wasn't quite my time. But oh what a friend we have in Jesus!! He's been with me every step of the way and I am so blessed and grateful he has never left my side.

Fast forward to March of this year and we learned that the August trip was filling up fast, In fact, they announced one Sunday that they had three open positions remaining. I knew in my heart that it was God's will and he was calling me. But what about my wife, what was she feeling? The next day on the way home from work, she stated, "I would really like to go to Haiti". Are you kidding me?!?!?! I said, "Honey, let's go"!!!! We were overjoyed and the fire has beeen burning inside us ever since. We announced our decision to our son, Dominic and he asked if he could come too! WOW!!! And what an incredible team we have blessed to be a part of. We are preparing our hearts, minds and each other for this wonderful experience. I cannot wait to feel the overpowering sense of the heat and fatigue we are sure to endure but more importantly the refreshing quenching and fullfillment that God will bestow on us when he lays his hands on us and satisfies our thirst with his love and the plan he will have us carry out.

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.John 4:13-14

Jack Clemons
Today is Tuesday July 31st - on Monday August 13th I will step off a plane and take in my first breath of Haiti.  I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to take this trip and I am very excited to see what God has in store for me, for each of us individually, and for us as a team.  I feel somewhat nervous and know I will be overwhelmed with emotions, but I know that God will guide me through this journey and I believe I will learn more, give more, and receive more than I have in the 47 years that have already passed before me.  I look forward to sharing with you all the wisdom that will be passed on through our Lord, and through the beautiful people of Haiti.

Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.