Most of us subconsciously feel that we should be a bit more caring and sensitive, but at times it is hard to show concern or sympathy in certain life situation at best. However, we know that God is constantly showering His compassion on us.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate… and rich in love. ~Psalm 145:8

The dictionary defines compassion as “a deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering”. Nevertheless, the meaning we will look at and seems to be closer to the context of demonstrating care and sensitivity in word and action, has to do with first being sensitive or rather ‘sense’ the feelings of others. This is done by picking up vibes from others by observing their behavior or body language. The things they say and the things they don’t. All these seemingly little things are picked up and used to develop a “sense” of the other person.

This leads us to being in tune with someone’s emotions/feelings and acting accordingly. In other words, we are taking the extra effort to say and do things which also take the other person’s views into consideration. All throughout the Bible we see God’s compassion woven through individual’s lives and if God is a God of great compassion than why aren’t we following in His footsteps.

Having and displaying a character of compassion is about being an extension of God here on earth towards others. Surely God’s love is infinite, and surely, He longs to use us as vessels that display his love through compassion.

God desires our involvement in others lives and we, as Christian believers, are the body of Christ in the world, working to do His will, which a part of that is showing compassion. For example, in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice a story of an upper-middle-class Englishwoman named Lizzy Bennet who is pursued by Mr. Darcy, a brooding and complex man of great wealth. Lizzy’s first impression of Mr. Darcy was that he was arrogant, introverted, and self-serving. So when he declares his love for her, she rejects him. Later, when she learns of his many secret acts of kindness (compassion) for others, Lizzy admits that she had been wrong about Mr. Darcy and agrees to marry him. We, as Christians, are far too often like Lizzy. We too often use our worldly eyes to focus on pettiness rather than seeing others with the eyes of God and showing compassion.

Compassion looks beyond our needs and seeks God’s heart, letting go of our own petty concerns and learning just to be vessels of true compassion-and that is what we seek to do here through CPI.

Kenny and Willie

What is trust?

The word “trust” means something slightly different to each of us.

Depending on the life experiences we have had and the beliefs we hold, trust can relate to a variety of qualities. Despite these variations, however, we know trust to be vitally important characteristic to have.

In the English language we have but one word for trust, which is “trust” and it leaves alot to be desired.

But, in the Hebrew language there are many versions to this one word trust.

In the Hebrew language there are several different meanings to trust and here are three of them:

1. Batah

2. Hasah

3. Aman

All three take on their own reality of trust, the one we will look at is Hasah.

In the New Testament the word for trust is to believe or have faith. It’s not just a religious term, it’s an action based upon believing in something to be true and trustworthy.

“In the Lord I put my (Hasah) trust.”  ~Psalm 11:1a

Try writing the word “trust” at the top of a piece of paper and then freely write down whatever words pop into your head associated with “trust.” Take a look at your list and highlight or circle the words that resonate the strongest, such as, truthfulness and honesty.

Trust is the belief and confidence in the integrity, reliability and fairness of a person; an essential human value that quantifies and defines our interdependance in relationships with others as well. Trust is a choice we make toward someone when we are inspired that they have either earned our confidence or are by some other means worthy of it.

Trust is difficult to acquire, and when fractured even harder to redeem, so perhaps the lessons of trust are not how to earn it, but what it takes to keep it. And perhaps the greatest value of trust is not the accomplishments we make with it, but rather what trust accomplishes in us on our quest to become people who are worthy of receiving it.

Do we in our actions and words show we have a character of trust?

Trust is something that is being cultivated between us and the people in Haiti, in the little village of Chauffard, and it is encouraging to see trust grow and to be apart of that as well!



How would you answer that question?

Is it through tradition?

Is it having compassion for the poor, afflicted, and oppressed?

Is it sharing with others about God’s love in Christ?

And once you have settled on a definition of a mature Christian, how would you go about instructing, guiding, and strengthening yourself and others, to continually mature in Christ’s likeness?

What is a mature Christian, and how do we as the body love, call, encourage, and challenge one another to mature in Christ’s likeness?

When pondering these questions it is helpful to read the following passage—to gain a better perspective and understanding—in Philippians 3:12-14:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

These verses are referring to us maturing into Christ-likeness and not in regards to our salvation as Christians—born again believers who are complete and whole upon believing. The journey towards Christ-likeness begins with a sense of honesty and dissatisfaction—hence the expression “press”. And the Greek word press was used of a sprinter, and refers to one who is aggressive and energetic action.

Now that we have established that pressing is not in about striving, but about aggressively and energetically walking the journey set before us, we can see that Paul lived in a state of actively pursing the things of God—what God was leading and placing before him to do and complete. As Paul walked the path laid before him, he was sensitive to the Holy Spirits directing within him, which was an inward and ultimately manifestation of Christ-likeness.

Going deeper into these verses we see the words “lay hold”, which in the Greek means “to make one’s own possession”. God chose Paul and equally Paul chose to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in laying hold of the things God was leading him in.

In order for us to live the sort of life that Paul lived, we need to see that we are complete and whole… forgetting those things that are behind, whatever—whether these things are past deeds and achievements or failures and sins—that maybe that we tend to let distract us from aggressively and energetically embracing the journey.

As Christians we are complete and whole, able to “press” forward on the path that is before us, especially as we chose to be sensitive to the direction of the Holy Spirit within us. Knowing that we are right where we should be flowing in the moment of the journey, pouring out ourselves in the things that God has before us—maturing in Christ-likeness along the way.

Now that this has been brought to your attention, take a moment to seek God and what He might be leading you in when it comes to being apart of an organization such as CPIHaiti. I encourage you to prayerfully consider what might be in store for you being apart of something that is beyond yourself-extend yourself and be the hands and feet to help those that are less fortunate than you.

The Twins

Many of us are used to comparing ourselves with others… we want someone else’s energy level but are unaware of our own strengths and potential. It does take time to reach a certain level and energy to see our potential skyrocket through the universe, but give yourself an opportunity to grow, become, and reach your full potential!

Does something inside keep telling you, I was meant for more than this?

Do you wonder if you’re accomplishing all that God has planned for you?

Many today settle for less than God’s best and never experience the joy and fulfillment that is available to them.

Don’t settle like so many around you, but take time to cultivate your strengths and address your weaknesses. We tend to procrastinate or try to rush through wanting to obtain the end result, instead of enjoying the in between times. The in between times are what is most crucial in developing our full potential.

For example, when you decide that you would like to participate in a marathon, you have to allow for time to train for it. You have to take the first step to begin training and continue to train until the day of the event arrives. It is the short and long runs, tempo and speed runs, the plyometric and weight bearing workouts, and nutrition that prepare you for that very moment-the in between stuff!

When we view ourselves as God does, we realize that He has gifted each of us with unique personalities, skill sets, abilities, talents, and dreams to achieve His specific will, plan and purpose for our life. As Ephesians 2:10 instructs, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” The exciting journey to reaching your full potential begins when you understand and accept this.

As our all-knowing, all-loving, eternal Father, God is willing to move heaven and earth to accomplish His will in our lives.

God sets us free from the bondage to sin and despair, and He reveals our wonderful identity as His child-full of hope, purpose, and potential. Our responsibility is to have a clean heart, a clear mind, a healthy body, right relationships, and a balanced schedule. We also need to use our God-given gifts and take God-approved risks to accomplish all He has called us to do in life.

But the path to reaching our full potential is littered with hurdles-issues we may deal with on a daily basis. A limited perspective, constantly comparing ourselves to others, self-imposed limitations, fear of disappointment, fear of failure, and even laziness can hinder us from becoming all God created us to be. These are obstacles that we generally cannot conquer on our own, but with God all things are possible.

And not only for you, but for the little community of Chauffard, Haiti… they need people like you and me to come along side and be a real live example to them as they seek to reach their full potential as well.

So, how about you do you want to reach your full potential?

Don’t just settle… reach for the stars!

The meeting was about to begin when I found my place at the back of the room on a rickety, plank bench next to an elderly Haitian man.  He flashed a warm, genuine smile at me, motioned hello with a tip of his hat and quietly said, “Bon jou.”  I extended my hand to him and he placed his weathered, calloused hand in mine.  He, like so many of the men in this village, had spent a life working the land, loving his family and serving in the community.  He pulled out a Bible, notepad and pencil from a tattered plastic bag and turned his attention towards the front of the room.

My Friend

Kendal had begun his introductory remarks and was passing out an outline that had been translated into Creole.  My back row friend and me both took our outlines and prepared to fill in the blanks and follow along with the teaching.  Kendal asked everyone to turn to a specific book in their Bibles and the other 15 Haitians in the room began flipping pages and locating the reference that had been assigned.  Kendal began to lead us through the outline, giving us the key words needed to fill in the blanks.  A few minutes passed and I glanced over at my friend and I realized that he was lost.  He still had a warm smile on his face, but it was mixed with a look of confusion, embarrassment and appeal.  He motioned to me for help in filling out his outline while his Bible lay open to a book that was not referenced in the teaching.  He could not read or write.

He was not unintelligent or unmotivated.  I am certain he had accomplished much in his life.  The sheer fact that he had lived well beyond the median age in Haiti (57 years) speaks of his determination and endurance.  The problem was that he was never given the opportunity to learn how to read or write.  Education in Haiti is for the privileged and this man was not among them.

Kendal continued his teaching, but I could not bring myself to focus.  I sat there imagining the opportunities and relationships that I would be excluded from if I could not read or write.  The world is filled with complex truths, beautiful realities, diverse streams of perspectives and opinions, inexhaustible topics and issues, logic, art, poetry, solutions, ideas and MOST of them are contained in the form of written communication.  This man had experienced a lifetime cut off from all of these because he could not read.  He reminded me why the CPI team is doggedly committed to providing opportunities for Haitians to learn basic skills that will enable them to access the world of possibilities around them.  Reading is one of those basic skills that I will never take for granted again.

So, the team from The Crossing and a small band of CPI-ites have stayed their first night in Chauffard.

If you are reading this, then you are probably not there! You are probably somewhere nice and warm where there is internet access and a cup of coffee.

They most likely woke up to a chill that drives to the bone, damp clothes and muddy shoes, and one of the most gorgeous sunrises you can imagine. They also probably woke up knowing that they were in a place positioned to make a huge impact.

Needless to say, I am very jealous that I did not get to go on this trip!

But, those of us who periodically stay behind must take comfort in the fact that we are holding down the fort to enable the teams to go and make a difference.

On this trip, Kendal Anderson’s church, The Crossing and his entire family made it down. This is important to them in that they have done missions around the world, however they have been building toward incorporating the people in Haiti in their family and church’s ethos. They want to build a long-term relationship with the people of the area.

Along with them, Kenny, 2nd-timer Liz, and 1st-timer Brien Morgan all made it down. This was important for Elizabeth in that, though she knows Kenny from the first trip and some of our interactions, she is making a stride independently, expanding her confidence that she can travel and serve the field without her closest friends. This is a large point of growth for her.

This trip is HUGE for Brien. He has never left the country nor served the humanitarian and mission field to this degree. I am excited to hear his report on how things went. To those who have supported him: Thank You!!

Transforming Travel

It is our immense pleasure to build personal partnerships like these. Transforming Travel is so much more than we first expect. Many times, people expect a missions trip to be a guided tour of a oppressed area, hug some necks and feed some bellies, and, when it is time to leave, cry a little and head home.

The transformation in the hearts of the traveler is impacted so much more. This is evidenced by The Crossing’s commitment to the new friends they made and to sowing into the area. This is evidenced in the passion that Troyce and Liz served medically. This is evidenced in the fact that Brigs flew around the world to visit these amazing people. This is evidenced in the life of Kenny as he serves tirelessly in those in-between moments of life (looking for work, serving as a father, serving in the church).

Transforming Travel, we believe, transforms us for life. And, of course, our acts of service are more than just a “sign of the Kingdom” to Chester, Milo, Willie and our other Haitian friends. They make significant impact in the mental, emotional and material lives of those serving and those served.

Gratitude

So, I guess I would simply say Thank You. Thank you to those who have supported us and continue to support us. Thank you to the you, family and friends, who have made sacrifices big and small which has culminated into massive improvements for our Haitian brothers, and shapes the hearts of the missionaries. Your donations have made all the difference in our ability to serve, so thank you all.

Invite

And, we would invite you to consider being so much more than donating. The door is wide for you and your loved ones to join us on a trip. Just contact us, and we ensure that you will be challenged and transformed.

Electrically,

Grant R. Nieddu
on behalf of CPI Guys

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Gueston Pacius, a native of Gonaives and Christian Pastor, Haiti, was noted by the Christian Chronicle recently as more than a hero of the faith. After flooding in central Haiti had stranded 37 people on his house, Gueston swam through muddy water, facing the possible threat of further flooding, to find food and possibly dry land for the people.

Read the article here.