Good morning from Florida!

I can’t tell you how grateful I was for the chance to come here yesterday to prepare for our Haiti team’s arrival, to welcome them back and to spend these first few hours in the States with them.  I loved seeing them come walking out of the airport last night.  It was so good to be able to hug them, to tell them how much we all love them and how grateful we are for them and all they’ve done.

They’ll tell you, their families and their friends their stories in their own words and at their own time.  But I can tell you this – I sat with them for a few hours last night talking, laughing, crying and praying.  It was one of the most humbling and beautiful nights I’ve experienced in a long time.  It’s so easy to get jaded about Christianity, especially the American variety.  But I can tell you I saw the body of Christ be what it should be last night.  I saw a group of people huddled together to love each other, to celebrate a God who rescues and to dream about changing lives in His name.

We’re headed home today.  By the way, I know some of you have asked about meeting the team at the airport.  Please understand my heart in asking you not to do that – we want our students to be able to reunite with their families without a sea of watching eyes.  They’ll be on campus soon enough and, believe me, you’ll get the chance to welcome them back.  But for today, just pray for them.

Christ is still our Refuge,

John