the beauty of flexibility

This is not the first time I've posted something from my dear friend Emily and it certainly won't be the last. Emily is a dear friend who is living at an orphanage in Port au Prince. Emily's most recent blog post speaks to one of things I love most about Haiti, being in the now. In Haiti, it is impossible to live life any other way, and I love it. Being in Haiti is an opportunity to serve with abandon. Emily wrote this in her inspired post today

"I can be all available because there isn't anything more pressing than right now. Here is here, and if I'm not all here, the unexpected twists that are integral to Haiti would be insufferable."

Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us Em. We love and miss you!

 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant —not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthisn 3: 4-6

I am so thankful to serve a confident God who calms my heart, helps me to trust and who paved the way! Thank you Lord for the life giving Spirit. I am humbled and joyful while resting in the confidence of Christ. 

Trial by Fire

Tonight I am exhausted and feel pushed to my limit. I trust that support raising is a beautiful part of entering the mission field, I see Christ in it already. God is truly blessing me. There is so much work to be done though. There is so little time and it feels like I'm not going to be within my timeline or reach my financial goals. It is now, when I have heavy eyelids and feel emotionally spent, that I reminded of the beautiful lesson God taught me this weekend. 

I found myself in the book of Daniel this weekend. It was not Daniel's story that God spoke to me through this time, it was the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that they be thrown in a fiery furnace for not worshipping false gods. The fire was so hot that the flames killed the soldiers who were to throw the three in. In Daniel 3, verses 26 (B) & 27 state this "So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them."

"Came out of the fire.." This portion struck me to the depths of my heart. I thought of a dear friend in a trial and I thought of the trial I find myself in. In reading this passage, I saw nothing but victory. These three men were in the fire and we don't know what happened in there. I have a feeling God was fighting a battle. The men came out unscathed but that doesn't mean the fire did not hurt. I think it was tough and scary, however brief, and in the end they walked out victorious and healed. I believe that the fire will be calmed soon and I will have a miraculous story to tell about how God showed up.

This season is one of trial by fire for my life, and I am grateful for it. God is requiring all of my strength and He is giving me an incredible story to tell. That is all I want, to use every ounce of energy for His kingdom and to tell His story. Tonight, tired eyes and all I fall to my knees praying for the strength and assurance that only our God can provide. 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Lamentations 3: 22-27

Thankful for and resting in these promises found is Scripture. Great is thy faithfulness.

Yes Lord, You know that I love You

I have been reflecting on the life of Peter lately. The journey that Peter took from fisherman, to believer, to betrayer, to witness, then to rock of the early church is beautiful. At the last supper Jesus says, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat (Luke 22:31)." Even when Jesus says it, Peter does not believe. There are so many lessons to glean from Peter's story, I keep coming back to one passage though. After the resurrection, when Jesus has already appeared to the disciples, He reinstates Peter in the book of John, "The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep...John 21:17."

I cannot decide which portion is more poignant, Jesus asking three times or His famous command to Peter. Both portions work in perfect harmony to teach my heart a lesson. Jesus clearly asks Peter if he loves Him three times because of Peter's own denial. I often deny Jesus, usually by way of defiance. Then, after I come crawling or running back, Jesus asks for my patience, love or obedience, and I am hurt. Haven't I told you Lord? I got out of the boat, I followed You. 

This passage of scripture says so much about a renewing of our faith. Peter never stopped loving Jesus, he never stopped believing, he just made poor choices. The beauty of grace is that Jesus still lovingly welcomes Peter home. His questioning of Peter is not skeptical, but loving. Jesus knows the answer, even Peter states that the Lord knows all things. I think sometimes we need to speak the truth that we love Jesus and say once again that we will get out of the boat. When Jesus performs the miraculous catch of fish for a second time that is exactly what Peter does, he jumps out of the boat and runs to Jesus. Peter shows Jesus and speaks to Jesus his commitment again. When I deny Jesus, it is absolutely fair and loving of Him to ask me, "April, do you love me?" and instead of feeling hurt, I should jump out of the boat again and say, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you."

Then, grace will enter and Jesus will give me the command to "Feed my sheep." And feed His sheep I will. 

These days, it is hard to look past the very present moment. I cannot fathom, nor do I care to, saying goodbye my preschoolers in a week. Matthew 6:34 says that each day has enough trouble of it's own, and I am resting in just handling each day at a time. 

Tonight though, I find myself one step closer to my future. My ticket is booked. 

On September 10th, I head out to Colorado for 5 weeks of missionary training here. 

The Lord is faithful in His promises. 

Official Haiti Update

Dear friends,

I hope everyone is having a great summer! I wanted to take a few moments and send a Haiti update to my wonderful supporters. In the next couple of weeks I am wrapping up my teaching job, which is a bittersweet step in this journey. I will spend August fundraising, planning for the mission field and spending time with loved ones. Then, in September I plan on attending the Mission Training Institute in Colorado. My training will provide preparation for entering a new culture and language acquisition techniques. After my time in Colorado, I will head to Haiti in early October, Lord willing. 

I am excited to join the Haitian American Friendship Foundation in Bohoc, Haiti. I have been in communication with the  staff over the last few months to work out my roles while at HAFF. Primarily, I will assist teaching English at the secondary school as well as working with the various non-formal programs. 

My specific departure date for Haiti will depend upon my fundraising goals. Currently, I have a long way to go but I serve an equally large God. I am confident in the promises God has spoken to me. I am holding onto the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." - 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

All funds raised up to this point are a blessing from the Lord, He has done so much. I am grateful for the love shown by the body of Christ, so many of you are making this journey possible. In my worry and stress, I am able to cling not only to God but also to yourbelief, hope and love. I receive encouraging texts, emails, facebook posts and calls almost daily, each one puts a smile on my face!

I would ask that you continue to join me in prayer over God's plan. Please pray for the country of Haiti and the work of HAFF in the Central Plateau. Please be in prayer that I would use this season of preparation wisely. In addition I ask that you pray for my fundraising efforts; specifically, that God would move hearts and break down barriers. Prayers that opportunities to share my story and my mission field would open up.  If you would like to donate, you can do so directly at this link "Donate". A monthly commitment can also be made here. If you wish to send a check, they can be written to HAFF and marked "April Lambiotte Support". 

HAFF

P.O. Box 3421

North Ft. Myers FL 33918

Thank you so much for being a part of my journey! Please know that I consider it a privilege to have each of you in my life. I am strengthened by all of your stories. Feel free to email me anytime a.m.lambiotte@gmail.com. I would love to meet with you, or your small group anytime and share my heart for Haiti. In the meantime, I will continue to update my blog right here!

God Bless,

April Lambiotte

guaranteed

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

trust

Quit your job. Stretch every penny. Run out. Trust. Believe. 

God has asked me to do these things. He commanded it.

Today, reality is in front of me and these things are hard.

I am asking for prayer that I trust Him. Prayer that I work 

like it depends on me but still pray like it depends on Him.

In His timing.

His timing is sweeter.

His plan is better.