For those that still follow my blog, yes I will do my best to keep this updated while I am in Japan as to provide different ways for others to be involved in what God is doing.

God has definitely been very faithful in my life to lead me to this point. Last week I was appointed as a missionary with the International Mission Board. Below is a picture and a link to the IMB's website summing up the appointment service.

Appointment article

I'm thankful for you and for the opportunity to share the journey God has called me on. I will go to Japan in mid June, but until that time I will try to update with different prayer points for Japan. For those who want to get my email updates, please send an email to vgplayer777@gmail.com. I look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks and months!

 Below is a link for those who want to financially support IMB missionaries.

Wanting to make a difference..

Have you ever felt so small in comparison to great problems of the world and wondered how your life or your actions could ever make a difference?
Well, that's how I feel tonight.
I've been reading Jerry Bridges for the last 2 months and have not gotten through unaffected. Currently I'm reading Respectable Sins and today I read the chapter on selfishness. I don't want to be the type of person who does something good only because of feeling guilty. I want to be the type of person who does good because I have Christ in me and I reflect Him. All that to say, I watched a movie tonight that made me think of the great need in Africa.. AIDs, orphans, women being taken advantage of because they are the weaker ones... of course these are not just in Africa but all over the world, but most of the time when I hear the words AIDs or orphans, I think of Africa. Well from that movie I felt stirred to do something, but I don't want that stirring to be only because of the need being in my face. I read an article recently that one of my friends recommended about empathy. The article pointed out that most people respond to a need when it is right in front of them, but tend to not respond to other needs because they don't take the time to notice them.
I know that God has set me apart and that I am already not of this world. I don't know why I keep trying to fit in like I am. There are needs out there and I want to do what I can to make a difference with the "vapor" of a life that I have. Not out of feeling guilty because I have more, but out of a heart of love, a heart of compassion, a heart of Christ.

Father may I live for You because You are my life. "There but for the grace of God, go I."

I've been trying to think of way to describe the past 2 months of my life. Many people have already asked how it was in Haiti. I can only say good or great and then tell a few stories. I know that I have changed, but I'm not sure yet of how much. So for now I will share a few stories and leave the life lessons for later.

Teaching was difficult for me. In the beginning I especially became frustrated often and cried a few times about my inadequacy. I had trouble controlling the kids and getting them to respect and listen to me. It was halfway through the summer that my views changed somehow. I had to give an assessment of what the kids where learning to one of the Canaan Orphanage staff. At first I was frustrated about this because I had felt pressure to come in and make a difference. However, after praying one night I realized that I had been trying to get approval or affirmation from the kids. I wanted them to like me. I also realized that I wasn't doing my best but just trying to get through the day. From this point on, I changed my attitude about teaching. I had the kids write about some of the things they had learned from previous classes and realized that they remembered the stories and activities more than the concepts I had taught them. So I worked toward more activities and more stories. Although I still had trouble getting the kids to always behave, I lost my fear of what they thought of me and soon they began to respect me and even talk to me outside of class without me seeking them out. I even enjoyed teaching the last few weeks I was there! Of course, that doesn't mean that I'm going to be a teacher or even want to be one, but I did find my place in the job that was assigned to me over the summer.

I got sick often. From the kids and the water. There was a period of 4 straight weeks that I had some health issue. If ever God leads me back to Haiti, I will have to ask Him to boost my immunity.

I couldn't figure out how the Haitians view whites. Anytime I was outside of Canaan, I was called "blau" which means white. I became part of everyone's conversation when I passed by. Kids would ask me for money, candy, my watch, hat, or anything that was in sight that they wanted. Once when I was by myself running, some boys threw rocks at me. Adults would either smile or point at me and yell something I didn't understand. I'm sure if I knew Creole, I could work toward changing their view of whites, but in just two short months, there wasn't much for me to do except take whatever they threw at me.

Haiti is a beautiful country. The Caribbean Sea is so clear and the mountains are green and lush. It is like entering into a different world. However, Port-au-Prince is still in terrible shape. Buildings are still in crumbled pieces on the side of the road. There are piles of rubble and trash all over. Tent communities span the parks and fields. The roads have pot holes and bumps. It still needs loads of help, not just money wise, but heart wise. The people take the law into their own hands and cause riots, steal, and do whatever they want. God's love is needed in their life. That is the only way that the country of Haiti will change for the better. Please pray for them 'that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.'


Thank you always for your prayers and commitment to me and God's calling for my life.
Amy

I've been in Haiti for two weeks now and things are going well so far. I've had a few tough days but God has been good and provided encouragement and peace through those times. We started the reading program on last Monday and I teach 4 classes Monday-Thursday. I teach the lower reading levels and Robin teaches the higher ones. The first day was difficult. I had trouble keeping the kids in line. One girl started crying and one of my classes was totally disobedient. But I made it through one week!! Also, this last week we had Open Door Baptist Church here and that was encouraging on a number of levels. They really invested into the kids and they were quiet and sad all day yesterday when they left.

My typical week consists of waking up around 6 or 6:30, eating a breakfast of eggs, bread with peanut butter, and a banana. Then teaching from 8 to noon. Spaghetti or peanut butter and jelly with bread for lunch. Then planning my lesson for the next day and finding other things to do to pass the afternoon away. Dinner is usually at 5 or 5:30 and it is usually rice, beans, and some kind of meat, usually chicken. After dinner is down time. The generator is on at night so there is internet available during that time. Everyday there is usually something interesting going on. Today some of the medical girls who are here to help in the clinic for the summer amputated a dog's leg because of an infection that had spread to the bone. Gross!

Current prayer needs are:

1. That God would continually grant me motivation and peace for teaching and living life here. Some days are more difficult than others.
2. That I would not just help the kids to read better but help them to understand God and His Word more. Every day that I teach I read the kids a Bible story and try to read them scripture and explain the meaning. Robin and I also want to start a Bible study with some of the older girls.
3. That my health would stay good. Yesterday morning I came down with either walking pneumonia, bronchitis, or something dealing with congestion in my lungs and a fever. However, the medical girls gave me an antibiotic to take and that has helped today.

That is about it for now. Thank you for continual prayers and encouragement!!

Hey all,

I'm not sure how internet is going to be when I get to Haiti so here's a small update to guide your prayers in case I'm not able to update for awhile..

What I know right now is that my roommate Robin and I will be doing a reading program for the older kids at Canaan Orphanage. The kids really struggle with comprehension so that will be our focus. We were told to do our own thing but having never taught before, we really don't have our own thing. This summer is going to be really good for me but also very difficult as I will be doing things I have never done before. This past Sunday at church, the pastor talked about asking God for motivation for the things He calls us to. Please pray for me that I will have motivation to do the difficult things that God calls me to this summer and following.

Also, pray for the children we will be working with. They need to know that they are loved and cared for, especially the older ones. I desire to share the most important love with them: God's love. Please pray for opportunities.

There will be many different volunteers from churches passing through Canaan this summer working in different ministries. Please pray for opportunities for them to share as well.

About Haiti in general, it is the poorest state in the Western Hemisphere. Around 75% live on less than $2 a day. However, Christianity is steadily growing there and the earthquake has provided many opportunities for Christians to come in and share. Please pray for this poor nation, that they may find the real treasure of Christ which is worth far more than any earthly riches. For more information check out www.operationworld.org/hait or click the link below to buy the book. 

Thank you and I hope to update again soon!

Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation