Common Purpose

Have you ever been part of a team with a common purpose that was a challenge or even perhaps dangerous?  (If not I would highly recommend it) If you have you know the bonding and fellowship that can be shared very quickly.  Even with people you met only that day in some cases. Something about being focused on the same struggle has power.  Or perhaps it is that everyone puts the team and the goal before self.  Which happens so rarely in our "all about me" world.  

Our team was blessed twice today by being part of these experiences.  

This morning we attended the Port-au-Prince Fellowship Church.  They have services twice on Sunday and the attendees are mostly non-Haitian short and long term missionaries living in Haiti.  And the room was packed.  The service was nice, but what really struck me, and many others, was the worship songs.  We sang maybe five songs to begin the service and the power and commitment was awesome! There was something clearly different about these songs and this group of people.  I have attended maybe 1500 worship services in my life - so I have a decent frame of reference.  

Then it hit me.  Everyone in this service was sold out for the mission - that is helping Haiti heal and improve itself.  And when the purpose is clear and the commitment is high - teams have power.  I am a man of faith and so I call this the Holy Spirit.  I am sure others have other names for this power. But I am quite confident in my definition.  Especially this morning in that incredible church.  

The power of God showed up again later in the day.  Funny enough it was again in song.  But this time it was a shared experience with 15 Haitian boys that live around the Healing Haiti guest houses.  These boys often play soccer with teams from America in an abandoned lot next door that is small and full of garbage.  And a few chickens this year. 

Today we took these boys to the Bobby Duval's soccer complex and played a full game on a full field.  It was great fun to see our entire group chase around these quick boys and young men and "try" to play their game.  The score was 3-2 and the black team won.  All goals but one were scored by the locals.  The one was scored by Nick on a penalty kick from a very much disputed hand ball.  

On the way back to the neighborhood in our Tap-Tap (Haiti Bus/Taxi), the boys broke into song.  We were not harmonizing, but we did sing our hearts out.  And everyone one we passed looked at our Tap-Tap.  I think they were seeing the Holy Spirit at work.  But I know they were seeing our team and the Haiti boys with a common purpose - praise. 

God Bless From Haiti, 

Craig