Good advice

Here is some good advice I received from Lori at Real Hope for Haiti back in November. I had just gotten back from Haiti and really wanted to go back.

So many people that come to help in Haiti do it because they are moved by emotion.  You must be called and equipped by God and God alone.  Nothing in yourself (strength, love, patience) will get you through being a missionary here.  It has to be God.  You have to know that you know that you know that God is telling you to do this.  In the past 2 weeks, we know of 7 white people that have been robbed.  Two places shot multiple white people.  Though no one died, it is a possibility.  You have to settle all of these issues in your heart.  I hope that the training program that you are involved in will help you evaluate your emotions, motivation, and calling.  I don't want to discourage you.  I just want you to count the cost.

It's been five months since I got back from Haiti. Had there been an opportunity, I'm pretty sure I would've jumped back on a plane to Haiti in January. Actually, I offered to. But the two opportunities I applied for didn't work out. Another door that God seemed to close.

Lori told me that if I was interested, I could come for two weeks this summer. A two week visit is required for anyone who wants to volunteer long-term. It can be a confusing thing: emotion vs calling. Would I go back to Cazale? Of course. But then I also think about how many volunteers and misionaries and relief workers are already in Haiti, and I think, "Wouldn't it be better to go somewhere where there isn't any help?"

In the meantime, a door that God HAS opened for me is the opportunity to go to India this summer with one of the girls from my missional community and a group from the Stone. I have wanted to go to India for years so I am really excited.

Maybe the best thing to do is just keep walking toward doors and wait and see which one God keeps open?