Where Passion and Need Intersect = The Sweet Spot – A re:create Lesson

On the re:create cruise Randy Elrod said it: Where passion and need intersect that IS the sweet spot. In that spot, you’ll find you’re always excited for work. In that spot, you’ll make money. In that spot, you’ll make a difference. In that spot, you’ll find your purpose. In that spot, you are creative…

We could have passion all day long. But if there’s little need, then we won’t be successful or able to sustain our effort. If there’s need and little passion (think 9-5), then there’s little satisfaction. The point where these two intersect is the sweet spot.

There are people in this spot. You know who they are. You admire them from afar. The question is: What are you going to do about it? Continue in your lost world or seek out the sweet spot. Be warned, once you find it, there’s little chance of going back. The status quo no longer is an option. IT will change you. IT will change your values. IT will change your schedule. IT will change how you think. IT will change how you see others. IT will change how you see the world. You’ll never be the same. But isn’t that the point?

Sheri and I found the spot a couple years ago. The result: Luminosity Global Consulting Group, Haiti missions, this blog, Sheri’s blog, other social networking, writing, books, speaking. This all stemmed from of our love for global business (passion) and desire to help others learn and grow from our experiences (need). Global Business is the passion. Engaging and empowering executives to achieve their impossible dreams is the need. Hence a coaching practice for global executives.

I loved that Randy captured this idea in words. We’ve been living it, but never thought of it in such a meaningful and pithy manner. Hence he’s the creative, and I’m a finance guy.

Are you heavy on passion but find there’s little need? Do you have a job that meets your need that you force yourself to every day? Maybe it’s time to seek your sweet spot…

What’s stopping you?

Another View…

During our August 2010 West Pines and Crossway Missions trip a woman came to Tou Tou’s orphanage to give her 2 starving children to the orphanage. We have talked much about how desperate and heartbroken this woman must have been to give her children away, but this was her only hope at saving her kids. But I get ahead of the story…

Monday mid-morning our team was at Tou Tou’s orphanage conducting VBS, playing games, singing, dancing etc. Out of nowhere a mother appears with two children. The baby is seemingly lifeless. He is limp in her arms and the team wondered if he were alive. Then she asked Pastor Marchel (our Haitian pastor with us on the trip) if the orphanage can take her kids, because she was incapable of feeding them. She had dressed them in the best clothes she could find in hopes of making them good enough to be accepted.

God had planned for this. He knew exactly what we would need and what this woman and her children needed before we ever left. Prior to heading down, one of our church members (works in a pediatric ICU) gathered up a pile of unused high calorie baby formula. It was heavy, bulk and a pain to transport. But we found space in our bags.

As the conversations were happening with our pastor staff and this woman, Sheri and Kallay were feeding the lifeless son this formula. As they poured it into his mouth, he instantly woke and started interacting. He had energy and life again. It’s impossible to describe the magnitude this had on the team. God sent us there with that formula for this child at that moment.

Let’s think about the mother again…

While she’s obviously heartbroken by being unable to care for her children, at the same time God answered her prayers. Imagine being so desperate that you’re in this situation. Showing up, not knowing what to expect only knowing this was your last hope to save your starving children. Then witnessing your limp, lifeless son coming back to life in the arms of two blanc women who have the resources he needed. If it were me, this would have been all I needed to see. Knowing that God will care for my children here in this orphanage through these people. I wish I had the same faith in our God as this woman does.

That afternoon, the woman was sent away with her children. We needed birth certificates and signed papers. Everyone thought that she would not return…

The next day, she returned with everything that was required. That day, she left alone. Her children ate and slept with 20 other orphans that night.

This woman didn’t feel she had any other choice, but God provided her comfort by illustrating (through two blancs and some discarded formula) that he had control of all and that her children would survive.

Do you faith to willing give your children over to God?

Haiti Missions Radio Interview

Tomorrow 30 Sept 2010 at 1PM my pastor (West Pines Comminuty Church) Robey Barnes and Crossway Church Pastor Jon Elswick will be conducting a radio interview discussing our recent missions trip to Haiti. Please tune in either over the air on: AM 1080 WHIM  or you can listen on-line at: http://www.1080wmcu.com/ and click on the listen live button.

Please join us in hearing the stories and what God is doing through our church and our partner organization GCA.

What Haiti Meant to Me – Special Guest Bloggers

On our recent trip to Haiti, we had 3 students on the trip. Nick, Savannah and Amanda. I asked Amanda and Savannah to be guest bloggers this week and write about what Haiti meant to. Here are their responses:

The trip to Haiti was memorable and life changing. See all the children’s faces light up when we arrived was amazing. Like when we went up to the parachute village, their faces just lit up because they knew we were coming to help and bring the things they needed. I learned the difference between wanting something and needing something – Savannah 9/5/2010

The trip to Haiti was life changing. Since then I have learned the difference between wants and needs. It was heartbreaking and amazing at the same time. The people have nothing, yet they have so much faith. In all, the Haiti trip was amazing. I am eager to go back and I am inspired to help Haiti in any way I can – Amanda 9/5/2010

What are you doing to develop the next generation of leaders?

Monsoon Soccer… Bring Joy to Deaf Orphans in Haiti

During our recent missions trip to Haiti, we visited an orphanage for the deaf. We sang songs with hand motions for them, they signed songs for us. We played with bubbles and balloons (more on the balloons in another post). But we also played soccer. In May 2010, Pastor Matt Mashburn and I visited this same orphanage and left a couple soccer balls. They still had those balls and decided to play a pick-up game with the Blancs.

During the match, the rains started…and boy did it dump! Hence the advent of West Pines Church Monsoon Soccer. Everyone was laughing and watching.

Seeing the joy and laughter of deaf orphans…PRICELESS

I’m blessed to have the privilege to witness the match of a lifetime. Savannah, Amanda and Nick, you guys make us proud.

The Challenge…A Call to Action in Haiti

You are hereby challenged…

By viewing this blog, you cannot turn away from answering this challenge. It may not be for everyone, but everyone must choose to act or turn away. There is no other choice.

Let me open by saying I have never done this before. I tend to get involved in things I can solve on my own. That way I control and can see the result of hard work. God has finally forced me into something so big, my old ways of self achievement will no longer due. In fact, the only way this can be achieved is through God. It’s too big for any one person to tackle.

So here I am:

1. A FAILURE: in that I cannot meet this need through my own efforts/resources/talents.
2. HUMBLED: Through my inability to meet the need, God has humbled me by forcing me to seek your help.
3. SLEEPLESS: I lay awake at night worried for the orphans of Haiti, knowing that my house is big enough to house 100+ orphans. Every garage in the USA is better than most facilities a Haitian orphan lives in. This haunts me.

Because of my inadequacy, I am here. Challenging you to join us. We’re leaving it all on the field to solve as much as we can, but it’s not enough. The needs are too great and our abilities to limited. We need your help. I ask that you check out the below items before going further:

• For more information on what our church is doing in Haiti you can check out the Haiti 2010 Missions webpage here: http://westpines.org/#/ministries/missions-haiti-2010 Please watch the 2 videos on the page.

• I ask that you listen to Pastor Robey Barnes’ message from 8/30/10 recapping our recent trip and challenging the West Pines family to join the battle. You can download the podcast here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/haiti-2010-part-2/id370290780?i=86606016 or listen to the message here: http://westpines.org/media.php?pageID=7

In my last blog post I wrote about results and that they matter. Our partner organization, GCA www.GCANet.org has 22 orphans in desperate need of sponsorship. I have personally witnessed GCA’s facilities, met the orphans, and have sat on multiple occasions with the leadership of GCA to discuss stewardship, finances, accountability, and the GCA vision for the future. I can confirm that 100% of support goes directly into the orphanage. There are no “administrative fees” or other skimming. It all goes to staffing, food, shelter, medical care, school, clothing and services supporting the effort. Sheri and I have resisted supporting other organizations, because of a lack of trust and accountability. GCA is the first organization that I can confirm your sponsorship will directly support a real orphan in Haiti. As an on-going accountability check, we plan to travel to GCA and Tou Tou’s Orphanage one to two times per year. The purpose is to identify and address the most pressing immediate needs, plan to meet future needs and verify accountability. If we find a problem, you will hear about it. That is my personal promise to you. So here it is…

The Challenge:

1. Sponsor an orphan for $55/month through GCA. Go to the GCA webpage and complete the form: http://gcanet.org/help/orphan/index.html
2. Buy an orphan a bed: $100 buys a bed. Currently the 22 kids at Tou Tou’s sleep on the floor. $2200 donation solves that problem permanently. Buy one, a few or all.
3. Donate for the bathhouse: We need $5,000 to build a proper bathroom and shower facility. Donate all or part.

• Note: For items 2 & 3 please make donations through West Pines Church at this address: http://westpines.org/#/secure-online-giving Make sure to e-mail pastor Matt Mashburn at mattmashburn@westpines.org and let him know what you’re supporting.
• Note #2: all donations to GCA and West Pines may be tax deductable – see your accountant for further details.

If you decide to accept the challenge, please leave a comment or e-mail me at steve.mackey@luminosityglobal.com. Even the smallest donation makes a difference and will go directly to support Tou Tou’s Orphanage.

I challenge you to help us meet these needs. They are real and will make an immediate and on-going impact to the lives of the orphans of Haiti. Will you join us?

Savan and an orphan from Tou Tou’s Orphanage. This child has minor downs syndrome.

Two of the

orphans at Tou Tou’s with their craft project (a note book they decorated) we did as part of the VBS:

One orphan boy, watching as we leave, hanging onto the balloon a team member gave him:

Results: Making Things Happen in Haiti’s Hopelessness

In May 2010, I traveled to Haiti on a quick overnight trip to do some fact finding and get boots on the ground to assess and plan a team trip later in the summer. During this trip, we were introduced to Tou Tou (head of GCA’s security) and an orphanage that an old teacher of his was running. GCA has dubbed this orphanage Tou Tou’s Orphanage. There were 10 children, all true orphans, that were displaced from Port-au-Prince by the earthquake. They were in very bad shape, living in one room with no doors, windows, etc. Read more about the May trip here.

From This:

Flash Forward to August 2010, in 3 months, the kids have been fed, the signs of malnutrition are almost completely gone, they have energy, have learned several English songs, the builds have been (almost complete) refinished and expanded, they have doubled the # of orphans to 22, and have the funds to build a proper bathroom and shower facility.

To this:

Results matter. We have seen results through GCA in Tou Tou’s Orphanage. The West Pines/Crossway team was able to bring additional food, conducted a VBS, teach some English, and witness some very painful things in the 2 mornings we spent with these kids. As I tweeted on return, “my heart is branded”. After Haiti, I will never be the same. There’s so much to do, but we made a difference for few.

Over the next few weeks I will be posting more specific events and stories and may have some guest posts. Please continue to read and spread the word by sharing with others.

Haiti Missions Trip 2010

Well it’s finally here! We leave tomorrow for our first West Pines Community Church missions trip to Haiti. In May, Pastor Matt Mashburn and I did an overnight fact finding trip (video here) with Great Commission Alliance Network (GCA) and were shocked at the magnitude of need in Haiti in general. Of course we’ve all seen the CNN Haiti reports, but the scale of tent cities are not comprehendible based on what you see on a news report. The sheer number of homeless is staggering, the heat, and the lack of hope were much larger than I had anticipated.

Given the magnitude of need: Housing, healthcare, food, clean water, education, government, etc. it’s difficult to identify how to help. Our strategy is to focus on one thing and do it well. We have chosen for this trip to serve at a small orphanage that was out placed by the earthquake. They moved to an abandoned house with nothing. When we were there, the children were malnourished, there were 10 children and 2 care givers sharing 6 pillows on a concrete floor, no restroom/shower, some of the kids had no shoes, underwear, shorts. With the help of GCA, they now have beds, the children are fed and clothed. There’s still much to do, but they’re on their way back. We’re going to be doing a 2-day Vacation Bible School (VBS) in which the children will learn some English, have several activities, participate in learning some new songs, and have the Gospel delivered during the 2 days.

On Tuesday we had a Haitian American named Gardy come to our final team meeting to talk about growing up in Haiti and teach us some basic communication skills (words, mannerisms, etc.). We asked what it was like being a kid growing up in Haiti and what the kids perceptions are of us coming would be. He gave a one word answer: HOPE

HOPE – that’s what Jesus offers. That’s why we’re called to serve these orphans. That’s the Great Commission.

Please pray for the team, the orphans, and that God’s plan for Haiti. Also pray for Sheri, Savannah and I as we travel and serve together as a family.

What are you doing to help the poor, homeless, orphans, single moms? The problems are big, yes, but there’s something you can do to help just one. You know what it is, just do it.

Make sure to checkout Melissa Mashburn’s blog post on Haiti and follow us on twitter for live-from-the-scene updates:

Sheri Mackey

Pastor Matt Mashburn

Benny Salas

Pastor Robey Barnes

Pastor Jon Elswick

Me

We’re all using Twitter Hash Tag #WPHaiti if you’re not on twitter and want to know what’s happening, go to www.twitter.com and in the search box, use #WPHaiti to read all that’s happening.

Priorities…

I wanted to make a brief post and apologize for my lack of consistency in posting these past few weeks. It’s not because of a lack of content or things to say (Lord knows I ALWAYS have something to say). It’s about priorities…

My priorities in order are:

1. God
2. Family: 1. Sheri 2.The kids
3. Others (including you guys reading my blog)
4. Everything else

We have been on vacation, attending West Pines 2.0 class, preparing for the August West Pines Mission trip, working on West Pines Kids Camp (VBS), working on a couple major projects for work, and finally supporting Sheri as she was getting ready to head to South Africa. While Sheri’s in South Africa, I’m off with Savannah to visit my family in Idaho for the July 4^th weekend. Needless to say, blogging fell down the priority list. We have not watched TV in 3 weeks (literally).

We’re in a busy season of our lives. God is our priority, and I believe that the above items reflect that priority for me as the leader of my family and for our family. Because of My Life Manifesto, I am confidently able say that I’m fulfilling my life’s purpose.

What are your priorities? Is everything you do focused on achieving your purpose?

The Call – Haiti

Last week, I traveled to Mirebalais, Haiti with Pastor Matt Mashburn as part of a fact finding trip for a future West Pines Community Church (WPCC) missions trip with The Great Commission Alliance Network (GCA). While we were on the ground only 26 hours, there are too many stories to possibly cover in one blog post. So I will focus on where my heart is the most burdened: The Orphans.

2 Orphanages…

We visited two orphanages during our trip, one were refugees from Port-au-Prince with 10 children and a pastor’s wife trying to care for them. They are living in a rundown place (the pastor lived there 10 year ago and it has not been maintained since). The pastor is in Port-au-Price caring for the people there. The second was an orphanage with 40 children (20 of which are deaf). The pastor was/is in the hospital in Port-au-Prince battling complications from diabetes. Both are incredible stories of hope.

Heartbreak…

My heart is broken for the smaller group of kids (pictured above). They lost everything. There are signs of under nourishment. They are in need of better shelter, medical care, clothing, food, and basic living supplies. GCA has been providing rice and beans and is working on beds (they currently sleep on a concrete floor sharing 6 pillows), but they need some much more. WPCC brought shoes, toothbrushes, candy and soccer balls.

As we plan for a larger full mission trip, my heart is heavy. The needs are great and we are unable to provide even the basic items for just the 60 orphans we visited (not to mention the 1000’s in Haiti). At times I feel completely inept. I have this feeling of hopelessness. Luckily, I don’t have to do anything except allow God to use me as he feels fit.

Hope…

But…there’s hope! Sheri and I have traveled all over the world and it’s the same everywhere we go. Kids love life. They love to explore. They love to laugh, play, and experience new things. These 10 kids are no different. They were smiling ear-to-ear over having new shoes. They loved having visitors and were wide-eye-wondering about us. They sang songs and followed us around until we left. I love kids.

Encouragement…

Can be found in the pastor of the larger orphanage. This group receives neither government nor outside funding assistance. They have a church on site with about 300 people attending every week. The average Haitian makes $1.50 a day. Yet, this church and pastor have been able to provide for 40 orphans, plant 5 churches, and minister to the local community. If God can do all that through this church and pastor, imagine what God can do through West Pines Community Church! All we have to do is get out of the way and allow God do his work.

Action…

Now we’re called into action. Going to Haiti has changed me. God has shown me something that I cannot turn away from. I must do more. I must do everything I can to bring hope and care to these children in their greatest time of need. The world is focused on Port-au-Prince, yet there are orphans everywhere in Haiti (and the rest of the world for that matter). I must live My Life Manifesto out and this is an important aspect of that.

You may not be able to go to Haiti, but you can help. Help to sponsor one of the West Pines students; help by providing money for supplies;  most importantly help by praying for the orphans and that God will protect and provide for them.

One last thing..

This weekend 5/23/10, Pastors Robey and Matt will be telling the story of our trip and what the plans are for West Pines in Haiti. Please make every effort to be there. If you cannot be there, listen to the podcast when it becomes available on the website.

Will you join us in our call to partner with GCA and help the orphans of Haiti?

Links…

West Pines Community Church: www.westpines.org

Great Commission Alliance Network: www.gcanet.org