The Empowered Road · Journal
From Galena to Goshen
The Gift of Long Relationships
We made it safely to Galena on September 19, and while no one ended up stopping by the campground, we still had the chance to enjoy a little of the beautiful town.
Galena is one of those places that makes you immediately think, we need to come back when we have more time. So, we made a mental note and added it to the growing list of places we hope to revisit someday when the schedule is a little less full.
Early Sunday morning, we packed up and started toward Goshen, Indiana.
Even with an early start, the drive took longer than expected, and the rain seemed determined to follow us the entire way.
I had this wonderful picture in my head that we would arrive in Elkhart with plenty of time to drop off the camper, freshen up, change clothes, take a breath, and then calmly head to dinner.
That did not happen.
Instead, we rolled straight toward El Patron Mexican Restaurant, looking a little more road-worn than I had hoped. I am fairly certain “fresh and polished” would not have been the words anyone used to describe us when we walked through the door.
But none of that mattered.
We were warmly welcomed by Maria, Tim, and Linda, three people who have been connected to this ministry for nearly 16 years.
Interestingly, Tim and Linda, who are married, had never met Maria before that evening. It did not take long, though, for all three of them to discover that they had people, experiences, and passions in common.
That was one of my favorite parts of the evening — watching relationships begin to form simply because we had gathered around the same table with a shared love for Haiti and its people.
Their history with Haiti goes far beyond simply writing a check.
Maria traveled to Haiti within a month of the devastating 2010 earthquake, when the country was still reeling from unimaginable loss.
Tim and Linda sent their son Andy to Haiti for nearly a month to serve and help with rebuilding. His trip ended earlier than expected when he contracted dengue fever and had to return home.
Understandably, that experience left him wrestling with a difficult question:
Why would God send me there, only for me to have to come home?
Tim’s response was simple and wise:
“Maybe God just wanted you to be obedient.”
That thought stayed with me.
Sometimes we want to understand the outcome before we take the step.
We want to know why God is asking us to go. We want to know what He is going to accomplish. And, if you are like me, we want to know how the story will end. But sometimes the assignment is simply obedience.
Show up. Go when He says go. Trust Him with what happens next.
That message feels especially meaningful to me right now as we begin The Empowered Road.
We do not know what every stop will bring. We do not know which conversations will lead to something more, which relationships will deepen, or where God may open a door we never expected.
But we do know we were called to go.
And perhaps that is enough.
Maria, Tim, and Linda each had different experiences with Haiti and carried different perspectives, but one thing was very clear: all these years later, they remain deeply committed to the people they came to know, love, and admire in a country that can sometimes feel far too distant from everyday life here in the United States.
That is exactly why these conversations matter.
We were able to share very recent and personal updates about the children they sponsor — how they are doing in school, what life is like for their families, where they are thriving, and where they need prayer.
We talked about what is happening in Léogâne, about Haiti Empowered today, and about some of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
But mostly, we shared life.
I listened to their memories of Haiti and the experiences that shaped their connection to the country.
We talked about what has changed and what has not.
We talked about the people behind the sponsorship numbers and the relationships that continue even when thousands of miles separate us.
I went into the evening hoping to encourage them.
Instead, I think I was the one who walked away most encouraged.
There is something incredibly powerful about sitting across the table from people who have cared about this mission for 16 years and hearing why they still care.
It reminded me again why we are doing The Empowered Road.
- Emails are important.
- Newsletters matter.
- Social media can tell stories.
But none of those things can fully replace sitting around a table, looking someone in the eye, hearing their story, answering their questions, and reminding one another that this mission has always been built on relationships.
And maybe that is another part of The Empowered Road we did not fully anticipate — not only reconnecting with people ourselves but helping people who care about Haiti connect with one another.
Maria, Tim, and Linda — thank you for making room in your busy schedules for two slightly soggy, slightly frazzled travelers.
- Thank you for sharing your stories.
- Thank you for continuing to care about Haiti.
Every mile tells a story.And thank you for reminding me that sometimes faithfulness is not about knowing exactly where the road will lead. Sometimes, it is simply about being willing to go.
Every stop changes lives.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A few answers for friends following along
Who did you meet in Goshen?
We had dinner at El Patron Mexican Restaurant with Maria, Tim, and Linda, three people who have been connected to Haiti Empowered for nearly 16 years. Tim and Linda had never met Maria before that evening, and they quickly found they had a lot in common.
How are Maria, Tim, and Linda connected to Haiti?
Maria traveled to Haiti within a month of the 2010 earthquake. Tim and Linda sent their son Andy to Haiti for nearly a month to serve and help with rebuilding. All three have stayed committed to the ministry and the children they sponsor ever since.
What did you share with sponsors during the visit?
Recent, personal updates about the children they sponsor: how they are doing in school, what life is like for their families, where they are thriving, and where they need prayer. We also talked about what is happening in Léogâne and about Haiti Empowered today.
Why visit supporters in person?
Emails, newsletters, and social media all matter, but none of them can replace sitting around a table, hearing someone’s story, and answering their questions. This mission has always been built on relationships.
Where did the journey go after Galena?
After our first night in Galena, Illinois, we drove through the rain to Goshen, Indiana, with the camper headed to the Elkhart area.
How can I follow The Empowered Road?
Visit the Empowered Road page for updates from every stop, or scan the QR code on the back of Belle if you see us on the road.