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Liz Nam's Page
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My first missions experience was in 2008 when I went with my church on a ten-day FFP trip. We went to the town of Pedernales, Dominican Republic on the southern border between the DR and Haiti where our primary project was to help build a church in that town. We were also blessed with the opportunity to go into the nearby Haitian town of Anse-a-Pitre, where we completed the task of patching holes in tin roofs for the people of the community. That trip was an incredibly powerful experience, as it opened my eyes to the love that God has for his people all around the world, and I experienced a peace and joy that I'd never felt before. In particular, I felt a huge draw to the town of Anse-a-Pitre. While the stark poverty was a shock, it was amazing to feel the warmth of the people and share in worship of the one God of the world. In addition, I could finally at least somewhat communicate with the local people using my very rusty high school French.
Since then, I returned to Haiti on two more FFP trips. The country of Haiti had been on my heart ever since the 2008 trip and an inexplicable love for the country and its people continued to grow.
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In May of 2008 I received a masters in counseling, and for two difficult and confusing years I wrestled with finding a path for my life. I was applying for many jobs but received only rejection and disappointment. I entertained the idea of perhaps coming down to the DR/Haiti for an extended period of time but my many fears prevented me from taking any decisive action. Finally in the spring of 2010, after a talk with Associate Director Wendy Patchin, I decided to apply for a summer internship because I realized there wouldn't be a better time in my life to do this, and also because I realized what a tremendous opportunity I could be passing up if I allowed fear to control my future.
After a very busy summer the time came to decide what to do afterwards. At that point I felt the only thing I had to offer God was my time, and so I made the decision to commit one more year with FFP, working primarily in Haiti. I work as the Director of Education in Haiti with a wonderful Haiti staff, teaching English and collecting scholarship information, as well as helping out with short-term groups and assisting in administrative work. Every night I go to sleep filled with gratitude that I get to be part of such amazing work, and that I get to witness firsthand such an important point in Haiti's history. Though the task is large and there are many challenges along the way, there have been so many times that God has reminded me what he is capable of doing if I just have faith and serve in whatever way he asks. What else do I possibly have to offer an all-powerful God except for a willing heart? I am incredibly blessed that God will accept that much and continue to be amazed at what he accomplishes each day.
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Please continue to pray for the countries of DR and Haiti, as well as for all of our brothers and sisters around the world who are in need physically, mentally, and spiritually. If you are able to do so, please help support Foundation for Peace's efforts in DR and Haiti financially or by joining us here for a short-term trip. One of the most important things I've learned here is that when you offer something up to God (no matter how big or small), if you do it with faith and thanks, you will see incredible things happen.
Bondye beni ou,
Liz Nam