Summer Travels

For the past nine years, I have volunteered at the Alive Music Festival at Atwood Lake State Park in Mineral City, OH. It is about a 17 hour drive from Louisiana to Atwood. While at the festival, people always ask the same question, "Why do you travel all the way from Louisiana just to volunteer here?" The answer is not the music, although I always love the artists that are there (truthfully I don't actually get to listen to much music with my volunteer schedule, but that's ok). While I love to drive, that is not the answer either. My reply, "I volunteer for the relationships I have built with my fellow volunteers." And that is the truth. I have spent nine years getting to know certain people and investing in these relationships. Each year I try to focus on one or two people questions in an effort to know them better by asking questions and engaging in thoughtful conversations But why do this? Aren't there music festival closer to me? Couldn't I volunteer somewhere else and establish relationships? The answer is yes, of course. However, since I have already begun these relationships I want to continue them because relationships and people are eternal. My motto in regards to this is people are eternal, stuff is not; invest wisely. I want to invest wisely in the people that God has put into my life.

Not only did I return to Alive this summer, but I also visited people in the area in order to invest in those relationships as well. I visited with one of my students from Haiti and her family
, another family from Haiti
and their extended family, my "adopted Haiti" family

and a friend

from a small group I was in years ago. I ended my trip with my mentor and her family. The time I spent with all these people was precious. We had great conversations and good times. I am more convinced now more than ever that if we spent more time investing in relationships (real ones not just behind screens, although those can be great) and less time investing in the temporary stuff in this world, our lives and culture would be better.

Haiti has taught me this more than any place. The people there are not bound to material things because they do not have them nor can afford them, therefore people are their priority. Serving in Haiti these past two years has helped me to release my grip on the things of this world. As I begin preparing for my return to Haiti, I am excited about continuing the relationships I already have

and the new ones I will make.

If you would like to contribute to my next year teaching in Haitihttps://www.rmibridge.org/financial-donations.html click on Donate Now under ministries, choose Joslynn Stakes under Missionaries to give online.
, you can go to

You can also mail a check made out to RMI with Joslynn Stakes in the memo line and mail it to
  RMI
  5475 Lee Street, Suite 301
  Lehigh Acres, FL 33971