Feb 15, 2010

my friends are on their way to Haiti!


Tony and Jan Iannetta, close friends of ours, are on their way to Haiti today with this year's mission team from our church, The Hudson Community Chapel . Our local newspaper, The Akron Beacon Journal, has published a front page story about it. I hope you have a minute to read the article and see the photos. The story also highlights Ezekiel Isaac, a 19 year old Haitian who is living with Tony and Jan while he goes to college at the University of Akron. They are paying all of his expenses. He is a wonderful young man who wants to go back to Haiti after he gets his education to serve his people in his country.

Please pray for our team! For their safety, for their effectiveness both in their social mission and also in their mission to spread the Gospel, and for their health. Pray also for the team's families who are left at home, that things will go well for them while their family members are away.

The team had some weather-related delays trying to get out of the country, but they remained flexible, knowing that God is in control of it all. During their delay, they met members of the US military who were on their way back to Iraq and Afghanistan, and they were able to pray with them. They also were able to tell many people about the mission to Haiti, and strangers gave them money!

I can't wait to hear their stories when the team gets back from this short term mission trip. God bless you, Tony and Jan, and all the 2010 team!

"...go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
~Matthew 28:19-20, ESV~

12 comments:

Rebecca said...

Wow, Jackie! No coincidences with the Lord, are there?! We had dinner Sunday noon with friends of ours who go twice a year and do work on the Christian Radio Station - Radio Lumiere, I believe it's called. Their hearts are also in Haiti.

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

many prayers headed your way ;-) What a wonderful act of generosity.

Holly, the Old Western Gal said...

I hope they will be able to help those poor people of Haiti. And I hope the area will stay geologically stable, but I fear another quake.

Jacquelyn Stager said...

Rebecca, yeah, that's what I was thinking too! Just heard they have arrived in the DR and in a van heading across the border.

I LOVE your new profile picture!

Janet, thanks so much!

Holly, I do fear another quake also. A young man from our area was in Port-au-Prince when it happened and has been staying on to help.

Deborah Ann said...

Wow, what an honor and a privilege to do mission work in Haiti! I'm sure this trip will change them in a big way...

Jacquelyn Stager said...

I know Deborah Ann. I'd like to do it sometime myself.

Unknown said...

What joy they will bring to those suffering. Your friends will come blessed by what they are doing.

Brenda said...

What a lovely couple. Their sweet smiles will bring joy to the Haitians. It is no small undertaking to sponosr a college student. The Lord will surely bless them.

Jacquelyn Stager said...

Cindy, nice to see you here! Our friends have been leading mission teams to Haiti for several years now. It is really inspiring to hear the stories when they come back home.

Brenda, hi there! Yes, our friends and another couple from our church are each sponsoring a college student from Haiti. It was overwhelming for these young men when they first came here, and moved into what we could consider normal American homes. One of them, when shown his bedroom and walk-in closet, was totally overome with disbelief! He said the closet was larger than what his family lived in back in Haiti. We just don't have a clue, do we?

Rebecca said...

More excitement! I read Affordable Wardrobe everytime he posts. Your daughter-in-law is famous now! What a tremendous endorsement!

http://anaffordablewardrobe.blogspot.com/2010/02/handmade-bow-ties.html

Brenda said...

I thought of your friends and others working in Haiti as I read these verses today. I know they are are of context but I think they still apply.

Isaiah 58: 11 & 12
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden like a spring whose waters never fail.

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called
Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Jacquelyn Stager said...

Rebecca, Ellie is just a hoot! Did I tell you she found another pastor's wife to help her in the "business"?

Brenda, thank you for those verses. They certainly do make me think of what's going on in Haiti too!

Our friends are coming home tonight. I cant wait to hear the stories. I was able to follow them on twitter while they were away!