"It's a dangerous business, going out your front door..." - Tolkien
What does it mean to go on an adventure? "Adventure" in the dictionary is defined as an "... exciting and/or unusual experience." I can easily define the entirety of these last four years as an adventure. Not many can say they gave up the standard for what life is like outside of high school to be discipled and trained in a leadership school like Anthem. Nor can they say that its extremely ordinary that a young man would go through the trials and challenging times I went through, and come out such a changed man. Few can say they've been outside their country, let alone to the divided nation of Romania, reaching out to the extremely neglected gypsy people, or to Mexico to help build a church and community center, or to the impoverished and torn-apart nation of Haiti to hold orphans and rebuild homes. It's safe to say I've had a lot of adventures.
I've been thinking about my life lately. I can't lie and say that there aren't parts of me that wish I had chosen college, or a full-time job. I could be married now, starting a family. But I know in the deepest part of my heart that I'm called by God for more. However, nothing about my life rules out the possibility of further schooling, or a family. On the contrary, I feel more prepared for both of those things having experienced what I have in the last couple years.
That being said, another amazing adventure is on the horizon for my life. As most of you know, just a few months after the earthquake last year, I was a part of the Anthem team that spent a week on the ground in Port au Prince; visiting orphans, clearing home lots of rubble and putting up tents, passing out water filtration devices, and praying for people. And I was blessed to go again this last May for a week out in the remote village of La Cayes. It was definitely a contrast to the previous trip, being so far out of the city with bucket showers, a hole for a toilet, and questionable meals including a soup with various pieces of goat floating in it.
This last trip I spent some time praying about the possibility of coming back to Haiti for a longer period. I got a chance to sit down with Pastor Mark, who runs the ins & outs of the Foursquare base in Port au Prince (PaP) and share with him that I felt led to come back on staff. He shared his heart with me and some of the positions available to be filled. I heard the Lord give me a yes to pursue that opportunity, and thats why I've started this blog (tbizz1haiti.blogspot.com) and are sending out letters to those who have had some sort of impact on my life.
As far as the plan stands now, I will be departing for PaP during the first week of October and staying for a three month duration. While I'm down there, I will be in charge of some of the more administrative areas of running the base; updating blogs, the website, emailing teams that are coming from the states, and when I expressed interest to stay working with kids, pastor Mark said there would be possibilities for me to have time at the orphanages that Foursquare Haiti is working with.
In order to go, I need around $800 for the plane tickets and $600 a month for each of the three months I'll be down there. The great thing about this blog coupled with the letters is if over 45 people read this or the letter and commit to donating $20 a month for 3 months, starting in September, I would have more than enough to go and cover everything! Im asking that you would prayerfully consider donating for this adventure, as well as praying that God would pour out His unlimited resources and doors would open!
If you are going to donate, please send any checks (made payable to Living Waters) or cash to:
Thomas Bice
c/o Living Waters Church
2200 Roberts Rd
Medford, OR 97504
IMPORTANT: If you write a check make sure you leave the memo empty so that you can receive your tax deduction. Maybe include a note in the envelope clarifying what the check is for. Let me know if you can commit to donating a set amount a month.
I love you all and appreciate you so much! I could not be the man I am today without your support, encouragement, and love!
More updates to come!
T.Bice
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