Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Hurricane Sandy and Reflection Time
The team from Faith is currently on their last leg of the journey home as I write this. I had planned to stay an extra day with my good friend Pastor Moise who I got to know very well when we started our journey with the Global Orphan Project.
Tonight I am in the church for Wednesday evening services as Hurricane Sandy extends her reach to Haiti in the form of heavy winds and rain. I am scheduled to leave tomorrow morning as the projected path of Sandy has her north of Cuba by that point. So I now I sit in church praying and joining my brothers and sisters praying for the people of Haiti.
I have had a great day catching up with Moise as we discussed ministry, family, and the things The Lord has us each working on. I really desire to understand Haitians in a cultural sense and leadership in the Haitian church. The good news is that we all rely on the Scriptures to guide us in ministry and thankfully that transcends all culture.
As I reflect back on this past week, God has done great things through the team from Faith. Each member served very well and gave 110% to serving the children of Desire. I always encourage our team members to spend themselves completely leaving nothing left in the tank since they don't know when or for certain if they will come back. It was a real privilege to serve with this team as they endured changes and challenges in our schedule. They certainly felt the time was too short- as is always the case. But each team member has a new or renewed sense of mission as it relates to our children in Desire and serving The Lord in general.
And now, as I sit in this Port au Prince church, I especially pray for Pastor Jeannot. I pray that The Lord provides for every need of the children, that The Lord would use Pastor Jeannot to reach the community of Desire for Christ and make the name of Jesus Christ great in that community.
And now I pray for a break in the weather that would allow me to visit Kennedi in Chicago before returning to the rest of my family that I so dearly want reunite with.
Tonight I am in the church for Wednesday evening services as Hurricane Sandy extends her reach to Haiti in the form of heavy winds and rain. I am scheduled to leave tomorrow morning as the projected path of Sandy has her north of Cuba by that point. So I now I sit in church praying and joining my brothers and sisters praying for the people of Haiti.
I have had a great day catching up with Moise as we discussed ministry, family, and the things The Lord has us each working on. I really desire to understand Haitians in a cultural sense and leadership in the Haitian church. The good news is that we all rely on the Scriptures to guide us in ministry and thankfully that transcends all culture.
As I reflect back on this past week, God has done great things through the team from Faith. Each member served very well and gave 110% to serving the children of Desire. I always encourage our team members to spend themselves completely leaving nothing left in the tank since they don't know when or for certain if they will come back. It was a real privilege to serve with this team as they endured changes and challenges in our schedule. They certainly felt the time was too short- as is always the case. But each team member has a new or renewed sense of mission as it relates to our children in Desire and serving The Lord in general.
And now, as I sit in this Port au Prince church, I especially pray for Pastor Jeannot. I pray that The Lord provides for every need of the children, that The Lord would use Pastor Jeannot to reach the community of Desire for Christ and make the name of Jesus Christ great in that community.
And now I pray for a break in the weather that would allow me to visit Kennedi in Chicago before returning to the rest of my family that I so dearly want reunite with.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Time to Go
Saying goodbye is never easy. The team experienced that today as we said goodbye to the Desire kids. We went up early this morning to teach a final English session and then said goodbye. There were some tears but more evident than that was the sincerity of the children when they said they would pray for us. Many of us pray for the opportunity to return if it is as the kids would say "God willing."
There were many highlights from the trip and there are many stories to share. You never return home the same and that's great- it's what we pray for.
So it's time to same goodbye to Haiti. The team leaves in the morning and I head out on Thursday. There's a little challenge on the horizon called Tropical Storm Sally- praying that she won't get in the way of our return home. We could use prayers for safety and travel.
There were many highlights from the trip and there are many stories to share. You never return home the same and that's great- it's what we pray for.
So it's time to same goodbye to Haiti. The team leaves in the morning and I head out on Thursday. There's a little challenge on the horizon called Tropical Storm Sally- praying that she won't get in the way of our return home. We could use prayers for safety and travel.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Pictures from Monday
Today was quite an adventure.
We walked part of the way to Desire because of getting stuck this morning. So the walk added to the adventure!
We walked part of the way to Desire because of getting stuck this morning. So the walk added to the adventure!
Challenges with Haiti
One of the things that I have learned about trips to Haiti or really anywhere on a missions trip is that you have to be flexible. Flexible with time, travel, expectations and agendas. Nothing ever goes perfectly as planned. And you know, I love that. It is actually freeing because I am depending on The Lord. That's right where He wants me to be. So I have learned contentment with the challenges.
Today has already presented one such challenge- getting stuck in a bus on the road leading out of Desire. It is rainy season so that in itself has presented many challenges. The road is a narrow road and there are sections very muddy with deep tire tracks. We found ourselves stuck for about 20 minutes. Finally after help from community neighbors we were able to get freed from the mud. But the challenge doesn't end there- questions about being able to return this afternoon and tomorrow begin to surface. What if we get even more rain tonight? We can't have seen the children for the last time today- could we? We didn't get to say goodbye! But- God is in control, I'm not. I need to relinquish whatever control I thought I had and just rest in the Lord's sovereignty.
Today I also had a sad moment, I would even say an insensitive moment. Seeing a small child at school drifting off to sleep made for a cute picture because of the way he was all contorted. Volcy our translator, leaned over to me and asked if I had a snack on the bus. I thought he was hungry because he didn't have breakfast. Volcy asked me to take the sleeping child from the community and give him my snack because clearly he was hungry. I didn't notice his extended belly when I was photographing him but it was suddenly obvious to me that this child needs something to eat now. I gave him my granola bar and a bottle of water. He scarfed to granola bar and drank almost all the water very quickly. My heart sank. I have prayed that The Lord would not let me lose my sensitivity for what we need to do as we minister in Haiti- and today I was jolted back to the need- physically and spiritually for the people of Haiti.
And now I am having issues with the wifi- so this post is going out from the phone on the data roaming.
God is in control- and I am thankful. Thank you for praying for this team.
Today has already presented one such challenge- getting stuck in a bus on the road leading out of Desire. It is rainy season so that in itself has presented many challenges. The road is a narrow road and there are sections very muddy with deep tire tracks. We found ourselves stuck for about 20 minutes. Finally after help from community neighbors we were able to get freed from the mud. But the challenge doesn't end there- questions about being able to return this afternoon and tomorrow begin to surface. What if we get even more rain tonight? We can't have seen the children for the last time today- could we? We didn't get to say goodbye! But- God is in control, I'm not. I need to relinquish whatever control I thought I had and just rest in the Lord's sovereignty.
Today I also had a sad moment, I would even say an insensitive moment. Seeing a small child at school drifting off to sleep made for a cute picture because of the way he was all contorted. Volcy our translator, leaned over to me and asked if I had a snack on the bus. I thought he was hungry because he didn't have breakfast. Volcy asked me to take the sleeping child from the community and give him my snack because clearly he was hungry. I didn't notice his extended belly when I was photographing him but it was suddenly obvious to me that this child needs something to eat now. I gave him my granola bar and a bottle of water. He scarfed to granola bar and drank almost all the water very quickly. My heart sank. I have prayed that The Lord would not let me lose my sensitivity for what we need to do as we minister in Haiti- and today I was jolted back to the need- physically and spiritually for the people of Haiti.
And now I am having issues with the wifi- so this post is going out from the phone on the data roaming.
God is in control- and I am thankful. Thank you for praying for this team.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Worship Haiti style
One of my favorite parts about our trips to Haiti is worshipping in a Haitian church. I don't speak the language- but it doesn't matter- God's spirit is present and you feel it and know it by the expression of worship. It is truly a special experience and one that I highly recommend.
Pastor Jeannot gave a message in the Gonaives church and used quite a bit of English and that was special because we certainly felt included. Not knowing that Pastor Jeannot was going to use English, I had planned to use some Creole in my message in Desire this morning- I am so thankful for the opportunity that The Lord has given me to be used here in Haiti.
The team had another incredible day with the children. I am blessed watching our team members connect with the children the way they are. And not only the Desire orphans but the community children as well.
Tomorrow we will work English into their school day and the return in the afternoon for Bible stories, mama time and special time with the older teen girls.
Pastor Jeannot gave a message in the Gonaives church and used quite a bit of English and that was special because we certainly felt included. Not knowing that Pastor Jeannot was going to use English, I had planned to use some Creole in my message in Desire this morning- I am so thankful for the opportunity that The Lord has given me to be used here in Haiti.
The team had another incredible day with the children. I am blessed watching our team members connect with the children the way they are. And not only the Desire orphans but the community children as well.
Tomorrow we will work English into their school day and the return in the afternoon for Bible stories, mama time and special time with the older teen girls.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Saturday in Desire
Today was a full day up at Desire. This morning we held our English sessions including free time coloring and English worksheets. I am always amazed at how much the kids have picked up in the comprehension of the English we work on. The kids are doing great with it.
After a break at noon for a while, we went back up for more time not only with the orphan children but the community children as well. Our translator Volcy led the children in several fun songs with plenty of motions and them we shared a Bible story- and Joy was fantastic as our storyteller! After a while all 100 plus kids and our team went down to the open field area to play soccer, Duck, duck, Goose, jump rope, run races, become a human jungle gym, and pump water at the community well that we helped make possible.
Then tonight a big rain storm kept us at the hotel for the evening instead of going to visit our friend Jan. we had a great debrief session where we wrestled with what it means to be rich and if we are rich (in worldly standards)- what is God's expectation of us? A great full day!
After a break at noon for a while, we went back up for more time not only with the orphan children but the community children as well. Our translator Volcy led the children in several fun songs with plenty of motions and them we shared a Bible story- and Joy was fantastic as our storyteller! After a while all 100 plus kids and our team went down to the open field area to play soccer, Duck, duck, Goose, jump rope, run races, become a human jungle gym, and pump water at the community well that we helped make possible.
Then tonight a big rain storm kept us at the hotel for the evening instead of going to visit our friend Jan. we had a great debrief session where we wrestled with what it means to be rich and if we are rich (in worldly standards)- what is God's expectation of us? A great full day!
Pictures from the project
Trying to post some pictures from yesterday since I may be the only one using the wifi this morning.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Desire is growing
This afternoon we had a chance to visit the children at Desire. So much has changed in the three months since I was last here. There are three new homes that are now finished, there is a security wall being constructed for the safety of the children, Pastor Jeannot is now building a new church building for worship and the old church is torn down.
The number of children under Pastor Jeannot's care has now grown from 65 to 69. I had the opportunity to meet most of the new children.
It is incredible to see how much has changed in such a short amount of time. God is doing great things up in Desire. My experience in Haiti has been to see slow steady change but what I saw today is mind boggling.
The team worked hard today and is doing very well. Continue praying for team members' health and safety. We will have a full day tomorrow in Desire.
The number of children under Pastor Jeannot's care has now grown from 65 to 69. I had the opportunity to meet most of the new children.
It is incredible to see how much has changed in such a short amount of time. God is doing great things up in Desire. My experience in Haiti has been to see slow steady change but what I saw today is mind boggling.
The team worked hard today and is doing very well. Continue praying for team members' health and safety. We will have a full day tomorrow in Desire.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
On the way to Haiti
Well the team is now resting in Miami after a long day of travel. We were delayed leaving Denver so we had extra hang out time waiting for the flight. That was punctuated by 15 minutes of adrenaline pumping running through the Dallas airport to catch our connecting flight. We made it- but barely. Everybody has had some dinner and now wait to get up early in the morning to catch our 6 am flight.
The team is very excited to get to Haiti in the morning. Pray that everything goes smoothly on our last leg of the journey to Haiti.
The team is very excited to get to Haiti in the morning. Pray that everything goes smoothly on our last leg of the journey to Haiti.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Our Fall Team
Tomorrow Faith will be sending its 8th team to work in Desire with our orphan project. I am excited for this team and the energy they bring. We will be leaving tomorrow with an overnight in Miami before arriving in Haiti early Friday morning.
The plan for this team is to continue teaching English, reaching out to the community kids through a VBS program and explore other opportunities for future teams.
We are excited to see the new homes that have been under construction since late August. We have an exciting house-warming gift for the children from the children of Fort Collins.
Please pray for the team's health and safe travel.
The plan for this team is to continue teaching English, reaching out to the community kids through a VBS program and explore other opportunities for future teams.
We are excited to see the new homes that have been under construction since late August. We have an exciting house-warming gift for the children from the children of Fort Collins.
Please pray for the team's health and safe travel.
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