Devotions Day 43: John 3

Do you recognize the face?  You can say he is witnessing with boldness!

Devotions Day 42: 1 Corinthians 15

On February 3 at the Trinity service, Emily showed us this photo of Emmanuel on the left when he first came to the orphanage some five months ago.  The recently taken picture on the right is the same young man.  Can you see the change? Today's reading is from 1 Corinthians 15.....urging us to "always be abounding in the work of the Lord...that our toil is not in vain in the Lord". 

Lauren Quinn

I have a passion for third world mission work. I have participated in four third world medical mission trips to Bolivia and Haiti. I have learned from these trips that there is no greater joy in life than helping another.

I've worked at Beaumont Troy Emergency Center for the last 3 years as a technician. I love my job & the fast paced environment where I'm constantly learning. 

I recently graduated from Oakland University with my B.S in Biology and am beginning medical school at
Michigan State in June.  God truly has been guiding my life to this point. I know that He has big plans for me involving third world mission work and I am so excited to see what He has in store.

Devotions Day 41: Psalm 130

It was a very short devotion today --short and beautiful.

Devotion Day 40: John 4

Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well and offers her living water. Can we share about living water in Haiti?

Devotions Day 39: Luke 15

In this chapter they discuss the lost coin, the one lost sheep and the lost family member. This painting of the wayward son coming home was done by Rembrandt in the 1600's. It was also the cover for a wonderful book by Henri Nouwen called The Return of the Prodigal Son.  Much food for thought.

Dental Team

Here is a photo of us in preparation for the dental experience It certainly does help to have these training sessions to give an idea about what is needed and what is expected when we get to Haiti. Will see you all in one week Sunday.

Devotions Day 38: Revelation 1-3

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." Revelations 3:20  This painting is called The Light of the World created by the English artist William Holman Hunt in 1853. There is no doorknob visible.  It can only be opened from the inside.

Devotions Day 37: Malachi 3

Praying for those windows of Heaven to open up and pour out the Lord's blessing on our Haiti friends and this mission.

Devotions Day 36: Colossians 1

May we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord......

Devotions Day 35: Romans 1

May each of us by encouraged by one another's faith before, during and after this Haiti mission ;}

Mark Schroeder

My name is Mark Schroeder.  I am a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica and have served on medical teams to Haiti, Venezuela, Guatemala and Brazil for 20 years.  My wife Debby and I have been married for 33 years, and we have 3 adult children – Brian in Los Angeles, Ashley in Orlando, and Kyle in Sterling Heights.  I work for the Sterling Heights Fire Department and have over 25 years in the fire service.

Devotions Day 34: Luke 2

Can you imagine how those shepherds must have felt when a bunch of angels appeared in the skies above them to announce the event of Jesus' birth? This is a typical piece of Haitian art where they stamp images out of oil drum covers.

Janet and Ray from Trinity

Hi, I am Janet and I often respond to Jan.  I am one of the Trinity connections.  I have been a child of The King since my “Lutheran Baby Baptism” a few years ago.   

I am going to Haiti because “circumstances” brought me to this point.   The continued “nudgings” help to reassure me that I am moving in the right direction, especially when the evil one tries to invite fear.

My faith walk has gone through many mountains and valleys as I strive to live in a way pleasing to my Lord.  During all “crises” of my life (real or perceived) my Heavenly Father’s love and protecting arms continued to comfort and guide, even when I was not paying attention J.  With the help of my spouse and God’s divine plan, many prior events and trips have taken me beyond my comfort zone.  I view this trip as another of those opportunities.  It will certainly be a ‘stretch of my weaving cloth’.

It is my heart’s desire to serve and I pray to be used for His Service.  I am looking forward to this new Spiritual Adventure with each of you.

Ray Pratt’s Story

I accepted Christ in ‘59, I married Janet in ‘87 and I retired for the US Army in ‘03.  That is basically the story of my life and those are the best things that have happened to me.  To God be all glory. 

I’m here on this mission trip because Jan volunteered to go and I wanted to go with her.  I’ve traveled to third world countries with the Army and I’m looking forward to passing on some of the faith, hope and love that I’ve been blessed with.

I will pretty much do anything and go anywhere that I’m needed.  I enjoy working with a great deal of autonomomy and I’m very comfortable working in unstructured and somewhat chaotic environments.

I’m looking forward to working, serving and praying with all of you.

Devotions Day 33: Daniel Ch 1-3

Three friends of Daniel are thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a golden idol. Four individuals are seen walking within the flames. The three men emerge unharmed. Quite a story, isn't it?

Devotions Day 32: Exodus Ch 1-4

The Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush. What an incredible encounter!

Devotions Day 31: 1 Samuel 8

The people want a king!  But what are they neglecting?

Robert Antolak

My Name is Robert Antolak.  I am a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Troy and have been using the gifts that God has given me for the past 12 years in Haiti.  It is a blessing to serve him again this year and trip.  My wife Polly and I have been married for 11 years and have 2 children Matthew and Grace who are 10 and 11  years respectively.  I do believe that Haiti has so many opportunities there and hope we can all see His working when we are immersed in their culture.

Devotions Day 30: John 1

Today marks the halfway point in our devotions. This is a very profound chapter....sort of like a glimpse into the vastness of the universe....

Jessica Lobaido

I'm Jessica! I'm 24, one of the babies of the group :). I'm a dental hygienist, and I've been one for 3 years this may. I graduated from University of Detroit Mercy. I have had the privilege of working with Dr Antolak for 2 years now. God has been tugging on my heart to make this trip to Haiti. This will be my first overseas mission trip. Initially I was a little nervous, but now I am getting so excited. I am a member at Shepherds Gate and am active in their young adult ministry. I love the Lord with all my heart and soul. That last sentence is the most important and should have been the first one. However I am bad at bios and it saves the best part of me for last. I look forward to getting to know everybody better. God bless :)

Devotions Day 29: Romans 11

Happy Valentines Day!

Devotions Day 28: Matthew 24-25

Are you a sheep or a goat?  Mother Teresa was quoted as saying, "At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in."

Ashley, Greg and Kathy Oman

Introducing Ashley Oman and her parents Greg and Kathy Oman. Ashley is an active junior at Eisenhower High School, holding a role on Student Council and participating in National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Key Club.  In addition, she plays club volleyball and loves her jazz, lyrical, and ballet dance classes.  Ashley is a member of Trinity, where she has been helping with VBC for the past 5 years and is currently "working" with the youth team that is preparing to attend the 2013 National Youth Gathering this summer in Texas.   She is excited for the Haiti trip, both because of the opportunity to help people and to explore God's call on her life as she makes college and career decisions.

Greg and Kathy have been married 24 years and have two children, Ashley, and their son who is a sophomore at University of Michigan. Greg and Kathy moved from St. Louis, Missouri to Shelby township in Spring 2004 - a job move for Greg and an opportunity to be closer to family.   Greg was a marketing executive for GMAC insurance until his transition into business ownership, starting Macomb Ace Hardware in 2007 and building it from the ground-up.   Kathy worked as an engineer for a few years post-college, was a full-time home maker for a few years, and upon entering back into the job-force in 1999 transitioned into IT project/program management role .  For the past year, Kathy has been on sabbatical from "corporate work", choosing instead to handle book-keeping for ACE, volunteer at Crittenton Hospital, and spend concerted time studying the Word and seeking God's calling on her life.  They were members of Trinity, before transferring membership a year ago to Shepherd's Gate and are in a "house church", active in men's and women's Bible studies, and assisting with the Pastoral Care team.  This will be their first mission trip, and they are eager to serve and touch lives for Christ.

Devotions Day 27: Exodus 12

Any thoughts about Exodus 12 as it relates to our mission in Haiti?

Devotions Day 26: John 10

His voice, the Good Shepherd's voice...may we come to know it well and follow Him.

Devotions Day 25: Psalm 121

Our help comes from the Lord......

Devotions Day 24: Isaiah 6

Isaiah 6 only has 13 verses. People going on mission trips tend to be grabbed by verse 8.

Devotions Day 23: Galatians 6

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 --Chris Pederson photograph, Haiti 2005

Devotions Day 22: Nehemiah 4

As part of this Haiti Medical Mission we each have different tasks. Together we make a team of doctors, interpreters, pharmacist, dentist and many are there to lend a hand wherever we are needed. We are not building a brick wall, but by God's grace we are building up His kingdom.

Devotions Day 21: Romans 14

Some good things to ponder today......

Devotions Day 20: Jeremiah 1

Jeremiah 1:5 says.... "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you." Introducing Emilia Noelle--Frantzie's grandchild born January 8th.

Emily and her mom

What a pleasure it was to meet Emily and her mom, Judy, yesterday at the Haiti meeting and to hear her talk during the Journey worship service at Trinity. I know that Mark told us about her before, but to meet her in the flesh was super dynamic. Wow.  Does she ever have a passion for the Lord's work in Haiti!

Devotions Day 19: Isaiah 53

"By His wounds, we are healed". Isaiah 53:5.

Bruce and Sandy Landino

Introducing Bruce and Sandy Landino. They have been members of Faith Lutheran Church for 35 years. Bruce has served as an usher for 30 years and been on the council for the past 20. A graduate of Alma, he is currently semi-retired, working every other week for a private equity fund in Connecticut. Previously he was in public accounting, Executive VP for Electro-wire Products and CEO for Continental Structural Plastics. Sandy is a Central Michigan University alum and has taught school in Alma and Clawson. She has been a homemaker for the last 39 years.  They have 3 grown children and 4 grandkids with another due in March of this year. This will be their second mission trip with the first one being last year to Haiti.

Devotions Day 18: Genesis 12

If the Lord called you to make a life-altering journey, would you go?

Devotions Day 17: 2 Peter 3

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

Devotions Day 16: 1 Peter 3

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?" 1 Peter 3:13

This is Pastor Justin Krupsky with Emily during the Journey Worship service at Trinity.