I had a dream. Almost exactly ten years ago. Followed by another dream and another.

That we would get a young orphan man, who also had a dream, through medical school so he could be a doctor.

Then to send some money to Haiti to help kids go to school, feed some elderly people and neighborhood kids, help some churches and individuals.

Then to have a Christmas program, so 1,000 children could have a meal, small toy, and know that Jesus and many people love them.

Then to give out school supplies, so 2,000 kids wouldn’t have to share paper, pens, and pencils with their siblings.

Then to have a clinic in a small village and a health center for the elderly, with a doctor and nurse to care for the people.

Then a very naïve dream to build a school, then a second floor of a school, and then a roof, and then fill that school with kids.

Then to have a bus, so kids that live far from the school wouldn’t have to walk.

Then to have a well with water that could be purified, because clean water is health. Then maybe down the road, to sell water as a revenue source for the school.

And along the way, there have been some nightmares. Some difficulties that have kept me awake at night, worries in how we could continue to care for all these dreams. Partners who have left and partners who have been revealed to fill their place.

Then a dream that has lingered. To have a housing area for women. Women – the tireless workers, caretakers of children, and left with living in places not suitable for animals, let alone humans. To have a place where churches or sponsors could build a safe, simple home for a family. Teams that could go to help build a place or maybe just provide items for the home. To connect with a real family and build a relationship that transcends distance, culture, and other obstacles.

I can’t begin to describe how much God has been a part of these dreams. I am also grateful that God has put me in a place where I could dream, have had to learn to get out of the way of God, and try to let these two scriptures guide me and guide my dreams:

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:24 NIV

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 NIV