Well, I just took our first team of the year to the airport and will soon return to pick up our second.  Seven members of Lord of Life, Memphis, led by Pastor Bill White were joined by Bill's daughter's boyfriend, Tommy Ransdell, professional musician Shawn Smith and his wife Damaris, and Cathy Jones and daughter Stephanie from the Wheatland Salem UMC in Naperville.

 

Arriving on New Year's Day, the team started 2009 out with God bringing more blessings to the Village of Hope and our Lazarus Project.  Since school was not in session, it was a good time to do some much-needed painting at VOH.  The team was also able to finish a painting project at Hope House.  Despite coming in the middle of a major three-day holiday period in Haiti, the team was able to have a productive visit, managing to visit all our ministry sites, including Food for the Poor. 

 

Because of the great musical talent of the group, lead by professional musician Shawn Smith who travels the country performing Christian concerts geared mostly toward young people, they were able to bring much joy to the children of Haiti at each of our ministries.  Since 5 of the 12 members of this team are college-aged, with one in high school, some of the highlights of their experience was meeting our 13 graduates of VOH who are now university students.  All went home inspired to find new ways of sharing with others the great things God is doing through this special ministry.