Thursday, February 25, 2010
Is Matthew 25?
hi,
Thursday afternoon, somewhere in the bermuda triangle
This morning we sadly dropped off 13 friends from Minnesota who have been with us this past week. What a great group of dedicated, loving people.
Here are some goings on for the past few days:
New Tent: Monday we put our NEW white tent up and yesterday we had our first church service, from 3-6 pm, with over 300 people in attendance. It was a wonderful time of dedication and praise.
Earlier yesterday, starting at 8 a.m. we had our first clinic at our mission. A group of doctors and volunteers from Cincinnati, Ohio, with the organization Matthew 25, spent 6 hours treating over 200 people, all who needed medical care. It was a wonderful day but we were very tired when we arrived home about 6:30 p.m. last night.
Tents: We are working hard on finding tents to ship to Haiti. We are looking to buy 350 tents for our families. Please pray we can work this out and get these folks in a tent before the rains start, in the next few weeks.
Speaking of Tents: Just outside our suburb of Bon Repos, on the way to our ministry area, a new Port au Prince is springing up. Daily probably 50 "houses" are springing up. When I say houses, I mean sheets tied to sticks or cardboard walls.
Last week every time I drove by the new city, I prayed to God. I knew I had the right motive for wanting to visit these families, but I didn't have a reason. What I mean by that is I didn't feel good about walking into the middle of all these people, not knowing anyone. People would think we were there to pass something out or from the UN and we might draw a big crowd, more than we wanted.
I kept praying and Tuesday I found out that several of our leaders from Merjay have built these little "houses." I was thrilled. This weekend we are going in to visit our friends, make new friends and begin to be Jesus in this new tent city. I am ready to call it our 6th point of light but my board may have some questions first. Please pray that we will be accepted and be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to these precious people.
A special thanks to a young man in Seattle, named Alex, who did a fund raiser to make the dream of having a feeding center at the dump become a reality. Thanks to all my Apple state friends who were part of this.
Power: After 43 days without any city power, yesterday it came back on. And today we have had it most of the day. Praise God for this!
The beat goes on: After a couple days of rest, Sunday is church followed by a team from Seattle coming to visit for a week and do ministry. We are very excited about Pastor Jason and his wife bringing another team. Three days after this our board of directors comes so I will be hopping for a couple weeks. Just the way I like it.
Generally speaking: Our general fund was about $2,000 short for January and February with so much focus on earthquake relief. Our general fund suffered and we need to pray this in quickly. Disclaimer: There are 3 days left in February so maybe, just maybe it will come in and we won't be short. Remember, we had a full slate of ministry and expenses before the earthquake and all that still continues.
Thanks: Thanks for all you are doing for God through this ministry, thanks to our Minnesota friends, thanks so much to Matthew 25 and................to God for allowing me and my team to be Jesus in Haiti, tominhaiti
Thursday afternoon, somewhere in the bermuda triangle
This morning we sadly dropped off 13 friends from Minnesota who have been with us this past week. What a great group of dedicated, loving people.
Here are some goings on for the past few days:
New Tent: Monday we put our NEW white tent up and yesterday we had our first church service, from 3-6 pm, with over 300 people in attendance. It was a wonderful time of dedication and praise.
Earlier yesterday, starting at 8 a.m. we had our first clinic at our mission. A group of doctors and volunteers from Cincinnati, Ohio, with the organization Matthew 25, spent 6 hours treating over 200 people, all who needed medical care. It was a wonderful day but we were very tired when we arrived home about 6:30 p.m. last night.
Tents: We are working hard on finding tents to ship to Haiti. We are looking to buy 350 tents for our families. Please pray we can work this out and get these folks in a tent before the rains start, in the next few weeks.
Speaking of Tents: Just outside our suburb of Bon Repos, on the way to our ministry area, a new Port au Prince is springing up. Daily probably 50 "houses" are springing up. When I say houses, I mean sheets tied to sticks or cardboard walls.
Last week every time I drove by the new city, I prayed to God. I knew I had the right motive for wanting to visit these families, but I didn't have a reason. What I mean by that is I didn't feel good about walking into the middle of all these people, not knowing anyone. People would think we were there to pass something out or from the UN and we might draw a big crowd, more than we wanted.
I kept praying and Tuesday I found out that several of our leaders from Merjay have built these little "houses." I was thrilled. This weekend we are going in to visit our friends, make new friends and begin to be Jesus in this new tent city. I am ready to call it our 6th point of light but my board may have some questions first. Please pray that we will be accepted and be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to these precious people.
A special thanks to a young man in Seattle, named Alex, who did a fund raiser to make the dream of having a feeding center at the dump become a reality. Thanks to all my Apple state friends who were part of this.
Power: After 43 days without any city power, yesterday it came back on. And today we have had it most of the day. Praise God for this!
The beat goes on: After a couple days of rest, Sunday is church followed by a team from Seattle coming to visit for a week and do ministry. We are very excited about Pastor Jason and his wife bringing another team. Three days after this our board of directors comes so I will be hopping for a couple weeks. Just the way I like it.
Generally speaking: Our general fund was about $2,000 short for January and February with so much focus on earthquake relief. Our general fund suffered and we need to pray this in quickly. Disclaimer: There are 3 days left in February so maybe, just maybe it will come in and we won't be short. Remember, we had a full slate of ministry and expenses before the earthquake and all that still continues.
Thanks: Thanks for all you are doing for God through this ministry, thanks to our Minnesota friends, thanks so much to Matthew 25 and................to God for allowing me and my team to be Jesus in Haiti, tominhaiti
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Will It Ever End?
It is 2am and we just experienced 2 pretty nice size shakers. Yesterday one hit also. I am sitting in my room with a couple young ones, scared out of their wits. The rest of the families, including most of our 15 guests from Minnesota have taken their cots outside in the yard.
Tonight they were 5 minutes apart, the first one being one of our bigger ones, top 5 probably. Seems odd, we have a big family talk about the quake, then have 3 shakers since then and the kids are scared out of their wits, again. It will end someday, right? Just when I think things are getting back to normal, it happens again.
Monday morning we got our tent up. It is big and it is beautiful. One of our visitors said "I did what I always wanted to do, I built a church." We had our visitors and about 35 of our men working and it was a great morning. We then moved the pews from the old tent into new tent and didn't even fill half the church. We have 33 pews, 10 ordered for this week and get this; we need about 35 more to fill the tent. Do the math, 35 x 70, well, too late and too tired for me to figure but, if you want to help, we won't turn you down. I believe with 80 pews, with 15 or so in a pew, we will have them all full. We may have to put both tents together at some point. All for the Glory of God, to know Him, and to make Him known.
I have to tell you I was touched emotionally today. The ladies from our Minnesota group met with our Esther girls for a few hours. They talked and shared their quake experience. Tonight during our time of reflections, the ladies told me that our girls at the mission all basically said the same thing, "the quake hit, we did this, and then......Tom came."
What a thrill to be able to be the one who went. Thank you for allowing me to be here, being Jesus for these folks. I can't put into words what God is doing and what is happening on a spiritual level. I can't help thinking of those great words "for such a time as this." I do believe that God has prepared our ministry; our teams back home (you) our board, my staff, our church and my family, for such a time as this.
We are ready, whether the earth shakes or not, we are not going anywhere. I gotta go. I have a sermon idea I gotta work on entitled: "I got a home just over the hilltop that will never shake."
As I write this, millions of Haitians are awake, standing around, wrapped in sheets and blankets, wondering the same as me, will this ever end? Take care, tominhaiti
Tonight they were 5 minutes apart, the first one being one of our bigger ones, top 5 probably. Seems odd, we have a big family talk about the quake, then have 3 shakers since then and the kids are scared out of their wits, again. It will end someday, right? Just when I think things are getting back to normal, it happens again.
Monday morning we got our tent up. It is big and it is beautiful. One of our visitors said "I did what I always wanted to do, I built a church." We had our visitors and about 35 of our men working and it was a great morning. We then moved the pews from the old tent into new tent and didn't even fill half the church. We have 33 pews, 10 ordered for this week and get this; we need about 35 more to fill the tent. Do the math, 35 x 70, well, too late and too tired for me to figure but, if you want to help, we won't turn you down. I believe with 80 pews, with 15 or so in a pew, we will have them all full. We may have to put both tents together at some point. All for the Glory of God, to know Him, and to make Him known.
I have to tell you I was touched emotionally today. The ladies from our Minnesota group met with our Esther girls for a few hours. They talked and shared their quake experience. Tonight during our time of reflections, the ladies told me that our girls at the mission all basically said the same thing, "the quake hit, we did this, and then......Tom came."
What a thrill to be able to be the one who went. Thank you for allowing me to be here, being Jesus for these folks. I can't put into words what God is doing and what is happening on a spiritual level. I can't help thinking of those great words "for such a time as this." I do believe that God has prepared our ministry; our teams back home (you) our board, my staff, our church and my family, for such a time as this.
We are ready, whether the earth shakes or not, we are not going anywhere. I gotta go. I have a sermon idea I gotta work on entitled: "I got a home just over the hilltop that will never shake."
As I write this, millions of Haitians are awake, standing around, wrapped in sheets and blankets, wondering the same as me, will this ever end? Take care, tominhaiti
Monday, February 22, 2010
Weekend at Bernie's
Dearest Friends,
Monday early
There is so much going on in my world, I can hardly hang on, I can hardly hang on.
Last night for the first time we sat the 20 older boys down and let them share their experience, when the quake hit, their feelings afterward and much more. It was an amazing couple hours to listen to them share from their hearts what they felt.
For a dad, tears came a few times but especially when several of them said "the house started to rock, we ran outside and all we thought about was poppy was gone by himself. Then we saw the truck pull up and we said thank you Jesus."
Amazing insight was gained listening to them. Matthew said "I know you won't like what I am about to say but, the earthquake was a good thing for me, I became a man, and I learned to appreciate what we have and what we need to do."
Roger said "just sitting here tonight made me realize why God spared our family and we had shelter and enough food. God needed us strong to help everyone else."
For the record: At 5 a.m. this morning another aftershock, the first in a week or so.
Victory Bible Church: Yesterday the bus we rent broke down so we had no transportation. We still had nearly 600 people, having to walk a great distance. It was a great service. God was glorified and the body was made stronger.
The NEW Victory Bible church: As you know, we had been trying to start construction on our 2 story church building. We could not figure out why we had so many obstacles. Then the quake hit and everything made sense. Yesterday, we drove to Missionary Flights International hangar and picked up a 2200 pound tent, our new church. We have the wheels in motion to set it up this morning, with the help of our visiting team from Minnesota.
This tent is much larger than our current tent. We will use the current tent for junior church and school, and the new larger tent just for church. We are so excited over this!
Matthew 25: This organization named after this great Bible passage, will be here with a medical team Wednesday, doing a clinic, on our property. My staff today is passing out 200 tickets to sick people who need medical attention. Pray for these 24 doctors as they minister.
Weekend at Bernie's: The day after the earthquake I was walking the village, I saw a man who was not part of our church but I went out of my way to go see him. I introduced myself and asked his name. He told me it was Bernie. I then listened as he shared his story about the quake and then showed me his broken down house. I never said where I was from, I never invited him to church, and I never mentioned the name of God to my knowledge. The following week Bernie came to church, he accepted Christ a few weeks later and now his whole family sits in the 2nd row, every Sunday. Bernie wants to be baptized and become a member of our church.
I say that for this reason, I didn't have to invite Bernie to church, didn't have to preach to or at him, didn't have to even mention God's name. I just had to care. I didn't have to mention God, he saw God. Maybe there are people in your life that you are so busy inviting to church and telling about God that you are forgetting to show God. Just saying...
So much more going on but gotta head out to the mission, we've got to get a church up. tominhaiti
For Contributions
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Monday early
There is so much going on in my world, I can hardly hang on, I can hardly hang on.
Last night for the first time we sat the 20 older boys down and let them share their experience, when the quake hit, their feelings afterward and much more. It was an amazing couple hours to listen to them share from their hearts what they felt.
For a dad, tears came a few times but especially when several of them said "the house started to rock, we ran outside and all we thought about was poppy was gone by himself. Then we saw the truck pull up and we said thank you Jesus."
Amazing insight was gained listening to them. Matthew said "I know you won't like what I am about to say but, the earthquake was a good thing for me, I became a man, and I learned to appreciate what we have and what we need to do."
Roger said "just sitting here tonight made me realize why God spared our family and we had shelter and enough food. God needed us strong to help everyone else."
For the record: At 5 a.m. this morning another aftershock, the first in a week or so.
Victory Bible Church: Yesterday the bus we rent broke down so we had no transportation. We still had nearly 600 people, having to walk a great distance. It was a great service. God was glorified and the body was made stronger.
The NEW Victory Bible church: As you know, we had been trying to start construction on our 2 story church building. We could not figure out why we had so many obstacles. Then the quake hit and everything made sense. Yesterday, we drove to Missionary Flights International hangar and picked up a 2200 pound tent, our new church. We have the wheels in motion to set it up this morning, with the help of our visiting team from Minnesota.
This tent is much larger than our current tent. We will use the current tent for junior church and school, and the new larger tent just for church. We are so excited over this!
Matthew 25: This organization named after this great Bible passage, will be here with a medical team Wednesday, doing a clinic, on our property. My staff today is passing out 200 tickets to sick people who need medical attention. Pray for these 24 doctors as they minister.
Weekend at Bernie's: The day after the earthquake I was walking the village, I saw a man who was not part of our church but I went out of my way to go see him. I introduced myself and asked his name. He told me it was Bernie. I then listened as he shared his story about the quake and then showed me his broken down house. I never said where I was from, I never invited him to church, and I never mentioned the name of God to my knowledge. The following week Bernie came to church, he accepted Christ a few weeks later and now his whole family sits in the 2nd row, every Sunday. Bernie wants to be baptized and become a member of our church.
I say that for this reason, I didn't have to invite Bernie to church, didn't have to preach to or at him, didn't have to even mention God's name. I just had to care. I didn't have to mention God, he saw God. Maybe there are people in your life that you are so busy inviting to church and telling about God that you are forgetting to show God. Just saying...
So much more going on but gotta head out to the mission, we've got to get a church up. tominhaiti
For Contributions
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Another story from Haiti.....To help you know how to pray
Hi from Haiti,
I received this in an e-mail today and wanted to share it with you. All I can say is wow. How did our Roger and our Jony get in this man's story? As I read this, it brought tears to my eyes. I hope it touches you as it did me. tominhaiti
Steve Spellman is a missionary with Reachglobal to Brazil.
STEVE---FROM HAITI
Day 12-"So, where were you when...?"
There is no need to finish that question...no need at all. Unlike some TV or world event that effects many, if
not most- this was a moment, some 40 seconds, that every single person in Port au Prince remembers, and
will remember, for the rest of their lives. Today, I'd like to share some of their stories. We can get caught up
in the food distribution and relief efforts and teams that are coming and.... and...and it would be wrong to
gloss over what was experienced and what was felt personally by each person. For those of you who come
down in the future could I challenge you to remember this simple question? These personal stories are incredible
in their power, unforgettable for their victims, and will forever mark the lives of those who just happened
to be here at around 5 p.m. on January 12, 2010.
~~~~~~~
Ed is the head of a Mission organization with a school, orphanage and church. He has served here with his
wife for many years and at 5 p.m. on that day, he was standing outside when the earth buckled and threw him
to the ground. His first thought? "My wife, no-no-no, my wife's in the house!" He tried to run but was thrown
to the ground 3 times before he could make it to his house. He arrived bruised and a bit bloodied, but his
house was (mostly) still standing-his wife uninjured. 3 weeks have now passed and they refuse to sleep inside...
~~~~~~~
Less than a quarter mile away Mary and her husband Jim were upstairs in their living room when the house
began to shake and the entire second floor "pancaked" (that's the most common word here for the affects of
the quake) on top of the first floor (in other words, the first floor was no more) and as Mary ran to where the
indoor stairs used to be, that wall collapsed, with only one wall of the second story still standing. Her husband
yelled to her to run for the outside stairway. When they reached that wall they ran out, literally running
from the second floor onto the ground (again, there was no more first floor). As Mary recounted this story,
she said that it was a miracle the second story door was opened, which allowed them to run out. Jim corrected
her by saying "Mary, we didn't run out the door, we ran out the wall!" Theirs is a miracle story of coming
out unhurt, from a two story house with only one wall remaining.
~~~~~~~
Augustine was outside, chatting with friends when the shaking started. His friend started to run for the house,
running "to" shelter. Augustine tackled him...and within seconds the house was flattened. Were it not for the
tackle, this friend would have perished.
~~~~~~~
At 5 p.m., Leunard was cooking dinner outside over an open fire while 8 relatives chatted
inside. Her cooking pots were thrown to the ground and her entire house collapsed. 7
miraculously survived ....but her sister did not. As she recounted "her story" she spoke
without feeling, devoid of emotion-almost what you'd call "numb".
~~~~~~~
Olrich was ending play practice at church with a time of prayer. With Haitian passion and emotion- many in
the group were stomping their feet and calling on the Lord to rain down His power. They felt the ground begin
to shake and ran outside. For a split second they thought they were experiencing an answer to prayer, when
suddenly they knew the truth and ran-ran as fast as they could to their homes.
Day 12-"So, where were you when..."
And then there was Roger's story.
Roger had taken a TapTap (Haitian form of a bus/taxi/van/rickshaw) the 10 kilometers to afternoon classes
at seminary that day, and he was downstairs studying theology. Upstairs were about 40 students with another
30 or so in his classroom on the first floor. At 5 p.m. there was some initial movement, most realized
what was happening, but before anyone could react an entire wall fell on the class, killing several. He
wanted to run but fell before he could stand. Rocks were hitting his head, he couldn't see amidst the cloud
of concrete dust filling the classroom. The girl next to him was screaming and he held out his hand to her,
willing her to run with him to cover. At that moment he looked up and saw the professor, a local pastor,
crushed by a second wall coming down. With tears in his eyes, Roger told how he felt "led" through the
dust and rubble outside, but not before having a hand grasp his leg from a fallen student pleading for help.
He led the first girl outside, and yelled for others to help go back in and save those perishing. A friend told
him that he was crazy, and in the next instant the whole building pancaked before his very eyes...none of
the students in class on the second floor survived...not a one.
Everywhere there were screams and panic, houses and walls and buildings continuing to fall. When the
shock of the moment passed, he too thought of his family. With no transportation available he walked, ran
and walked for over 3 hours to get home. He was bruised and bloodied but all he could think about was
"my family...my family". He could barely speak as he told of running by buildings still falling, devastation
everywhere. In his words: "that day I saw death...I saw death come to me."
Late that night he arrived home to find his entire family safe and sound.
He couldn't sleep that night...but then who could? And he, like many, still finds
it difficult. He went on to tell us how he senses the ground shaking every day,
even when he knows it isn't.
He's a pastor...a theology student and he can't get over the question "Why?"
Why was he spared? Why were the others not? Why did this happen at all?
But he knows there are no answers. He spends a good part of every day just
listening, listening in the village, listening on the hill, listening to the kids at the
orphanage as they tell their stories. For they all have one, and they all need to
be heard.
"But Roger" we asked "What do you tell the people when they ask why?" He responded "I tell them I don't
know ... I tell them I don't know" but then he paused for a moment and added these words: "But I also tell
them to not give up."
And somehow, on this afternoon we see a people who haven't given up. Roger is out listening to others,
Jony just got back from the hills distributing food and money. While walking through a slum, Jony saw a
young girl all alone and totally dejected. After visiting one last family he walked up to this girl, told her to
not give up, prayed for her and then gave her enough money for rice and beans for the week. As he walked
away the girl screamed out "Thank you, Thank you-I had nothing...nothing to eat. You've allowed me to
eat today." No, she won't-she won't give up...not today.
And incredibly, there is one comment shared by not just a few of my new Haitian friends. Roger said
it...Augustine said it....Charles said it...Jony said it as well. The words vary slightly, but allow me to use
Jony's words to end this letter:
~~~~~~~
"I believe this is the beginning of a new Haiti. Pray for us. Pray for us for this to be true."
For Contributions
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
I received this in an e-mail today and wanted to share it with you. All I can say is wow. How did our Roger and our Jony get in this man's story? As I read this, it brought tears to my eyes. I hope it touches you as it did me. tominhaiti
Steve Spellman is a missionary with Reachglobal to Brazil.
STEVE---FROM HAITI
Day 12-"So, where were you when...?"
There is no need to finish that question...no need at all. Unlike some TV or world event that effects many, if
not most- this was a moment, some 40 seconds, that every single person in Port au Prince remembers, and
will remember, for the rest of their lives. Today, I'd like to share some of their stories. We can get caught up
in the food distribution and relief efforts and teams that are coming and.... and...and it would be wrong to
gloss over what was experienced and what was felt personally by each person. For those of you who come
down in the future could I challenge you to remember this simple question? These personal stories are incredible
in their power, unforgettable for their victims, and will forever mark the lives of those who just happened
to be here at around 5 p.m. on January 12, 2010.
~~~~~~~
Ed is the head of a Mission organization with a school, orphanage and church. He has served here with his
wife for many years and at 5 p.m. on that day, he was standing outside when the earth buckled and threw him
to the ground. His first thought? "My wife, no-no-no, my wife's in the house!" He tried to run but was thrown
to the ground 3 times before he could make it to his house. He arrived bruised and a bit bloodied, but his
house was (mostly) still standing-his wife uninjured. 3 weeks have now passed and they refuse to sleep inside...
~~~~~~~
Less than a quarter mile away Mary and her husband Jim were upstairs in their living room when the house
began to shake and the entire second floor "pancaked" (that's the most common word here for the affects of
the quake) on top of the first floor (in other words, the first floor was no more) and as Mary ran to where the
indoor stairs used to be, that wall collapsed, with only one wall of the second story still standing. Her husband
yelled to her to run for the outside stairway. When they reached that wall they ran out, literally running
from the second floor onto the ground (again, there was no more first floor). As Mary recounted this story,
she said that it was a miracle the second story door was opened, which allowed them to run out. Jim corrected
her by saying "Mary, we didn't run out the door, we ran out the wall!" Theirs is a miracle story of coming
out unhurt, from a two story house with only one wall remaining.
~~~~~~~
Augustine was outside, chatting with friends when the shaking started. His friend started to run for the house,
running "to" shelter. Augustine tackled him...and within seconds the house was flattened. Were it not for the
tackle, this friend would have perished.
~~~~~~~
At 5 p.m., Leunard was cooking dinner outside over an open fire while 8 relatives chatted
inside. Her cooking pots were thrown to the ground and her entire house collapsed. 7
miraculously survived ....but her sister did not. As she recounted "her story" she spoke
without feeling, devoid of emotion-almost what you'd call "numb".
~~~~~~~
Olrich was ending play practice at church with a time of prayer. With Haitian passion and emotion- many in
the group were stomping their feet and calling on the Lord to rain down His power. They felt the ground begin
to shake and ran outside. For a split second they thought they were experiencing an answer to prayer, when
suddenly they knew the truth and ran-ran as fast as they could to their homes.
Day 12-"So, where were you when..."
And then there was Roger's story.
Roger had taken a TapTap (Haitian form of a bus/taxi/van/rickshaw) the 10 kilometers to afternoon classes
at seminary that day, and he was downstairs studying theology. Upstairs were about 40 students with another
30 or so in his classroom on the first floor. At 5 p.m. there was some initial movement, most realized
what was happening, but before anyone could react an entire wall fell on the class, killing several. He
wanted to run but fell before he could stand. Rocks were hitting his head, he couldn't see amidst the cloud
of concrete dust filling the classroom. The girl next to him was screaming and he held out his hand to her,
willing her to run with him to cover. At that moment he looked up and saw the professor, a local pastor,
crushed by a second wall coming down. With tears in his eyes, Roger told how he felt "led" through the
dust and rubble outside, but not before having a hand grasp his leg from a fallen student pleading for help.
He led the first girl outside, and yelled for others to help go back in and save those perishing. A friend told
him that he was crazy, and in the next instant the whole building pancaked before his very eyes...none of
the students in class on the second floor survived...not a one.
Everywhere there were screams and panic, houses and walls and buildings continuing to fall. When the
shock of the moment passed, he too thought of his family. With no transportation available he walked, ran
and walked for over 3 hours to get home. He was bruised and bloodied but all he could think about was
"my family...my family". He could barely speak as he told of running by buildings still falling, devastation
everywhere. In his words: "that day I saw death...I saw death come to me."
Late that night he arrived home to find his entire family safe and sound.
He couldn't sleep that night...but then who could? And he, like many, still finds
it difficult. He went on to tell us how he senses the ground shaking every day,
even when he knows it isn't.
He's a pastor...a theology student and he can't get over the question "Why?"
Why was he spared? Why were the others not? Why did this happen at all?
But he knows there are no answers. He spends a good part of every day just
listening, listening in the village, listening on the hill, listening to the kids at the
orphanage as they tell their stories. For they all have one, and they all need to
be heard.
"But Roger" we asked "What do you tell the people when they ask why?" He responded "I tell them I don't
know ... I tell them I don't know" but then he paused for a moment and added these words: "But I also tell
them to not give up."
And somehow, on this afternoon we see a people who haven't given up. Roger is out listening to others,
Jony just got back from the hills distributing food and money. While walking through a slum, Jony saw a
young girl all alone and totally dejected. After visiting one last family he walked up to this girl, told her to
not give up, prayed for her and then gave her enough money for rice and beans for the week. As he walked
away the girl screamed out "Thank you, Thank you-I had nothing...nothing to eat. You've allowed me to
eat today." No, she won't-she won't give up...not today.
And incredibly, there is one comment shared by not just a few of my new Haitian friends. Roger said
it...Augustine said it....Charles said it...Jony said it as well. The words vary slightly, but allow me to use
Jony's words to end this letter:
~~~~~~~
"I believe this is the beginning of a new Haiti. Pray for us. Pray for us for this to be true."
For Contributions
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A Perfect Day...Almost
Hi from Haiti,
Yesterday I did something I had never done (no smarties, not showered) I drove west of Port-au-Prince. For the first few years in Haiti I did not have dependable transportation. Then the kidnappings took over for 3 years and for the past year I have been too busy.
Yesterday I took Matthew and Jovens to see an eye doctor a couple hours away, on the west side of Por-au-Prince with the boys. As you remember Matthew cut his eye two years ago and has had two surgeries but still blurred vision in the eye. Jovens is blind.
The trip took us through down town Port-au-Prince and through Carrefour which is where the center of the earth quake hit. Wow was everything in shambles. It was a very interesting trip and I had a great time with Matthew, Berthony, Georgie, Jovens and our security man, Mark.
At one point we saw a line nearly 2 miles long of women waiting for a bag of rice. Marines were stationed every so often to keep the men at bay. I know many of you are teachers and so I have a problem for your class to figure for me. How many women could stand in a line 2 miles long, if each woman took up 15 inches of space? I await the answer.
The paved road on this trip was cracked and broken in many places. At one point I drove over a 3 foot wide crack I didn't see.
We arrived at a Christian community mission called Christianville. An American doctor checked Matthew's vision and thought if he were fitted with a contact lens, that would clear up the blurry vision and he can do that in two weeks and order the lens. Matthew could have full sight restored within a month or so. Please pray that way. NOT ONE time has Matthew complained or thought it was a problem that he could only see with one eye. I have prayed many times for God to take the sight from my eye and restore Matthew's vision, if that was the only way for him to see.
Then it was time for Jovens. A doctor had visited us and given us hope for what he saw. That hope was drained out yesterday as the doctor explained that some form of glaucoma had stretched his eyes so badly that he would never see, short a miracle. It would have had to have been repaired the first 6 months of his life.
As I looked at Jovens, tears just started to roll down my face, thinking that this boy would never see, unless God intervened. We don't know the future of Jovens, or if his mom will want him back or want him with me, but, we know who holds the future, and we trust HIM.
The ride home was a great time as we listened to praise music, and even stopped by the ocean for some fresh cooked Griot, or fired pork and plantains. And a coke of course.
Today we have our first group arriving around noon, 15 brave souls from Minnesota. Their mission they say is to serve us, build bunk beds and continue our mission of sharing the gospel with these wonderful people of Haiti.
I ask that you continue to pray for Haiti and the spiritual awakening that we see. I told our staff Tuesday that at some point, the momentum will fade. If anyone thinks that the old crusty general Satan is going to hand over his country without a fight, they are not thinking right. As we plan our strategy, you can bet there are staff meetings in hell to stop what has started in Haiti, for God. We prepare for the onslaught and although we know every battle has casualties, we have read the end of the story; we know we win, so we press on.
Much more exciting news on the horizon but I will close for now. Keep us in your prayers. Thank you for your support of our general fund needed to run this mission, and the extra for the relief fund, which is still making a difference, every day in the lives of these wonderful people. God bless you folks and keep being Jesus in your neck of the woods will ya? tominhaiti
Jovens
For Contributions
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Yesterday I did something I had never done (no smarties, not showered) I drove west of Port-au-Prince. For the first few years in Haiti I did not have dependable transportation. Then the kidnappings took over for 3 years and for the past year I have been too busy.
Yesterday I took Matthew and Jovens to see an eye doctor a couple hours away, on the west side of Por-au-Prince with the boys. As you remember Matthew cut his eye two years ago and has had two surgeries but still blurred vision in the eye. Jovens is blind.
The trip took us through down town Port-au-Prince and through Carrefour which is where the center of the earth quake hit. Wow was everything in shambles. It was a very interesting trip and I had a great time with Matthew, Berthony, Georgie, Jovens and our security man, Mark.
At one point we saw a line nearly 2 miles long of women waiting for a bag of rice. Marines were stationed every so often to keep the men at bay. I know many of you are teachers and so I have a problem for your class to figure for me. How many women could stand in a line 2 miles long, if each woman took up 15 inches of space? I await the answer.
The paved road on this trip was cracked and broken in many places. At one point I drove over a 3 foot wide crack I didn't see.
We arrived at a Christian community mission called Christianville. An American doctor checked Matthew's vision and thought if he were fitted with a contact lens, that would clear up the blurry vision and he can do that in two weeks and order the lens. Matthew could have full sight restored within a month or so. Please pray that way. NOT ONE time has Matthew complained or thought it was a problem that he could only see with one eye. I have prayed many times for God to take the sight from my eye and restore Matthew's vision, if that was the only way for him to see.
Then it was time for Jovens. A doctor had visited us and given us hope for what he saw. That hope was drained out yesterday as the doctor explained that some form of glaucoma had stretched his eyes so badly that he would never see, short a miracle. It would have had to have been repaired the first 6 months of his life.
As I looked at Jovens, tears just started to roll down my face, thinking that this boy would never see, unless God intervened. We don't know the future of Jovens, or if his mom will want him back or want him with me, but, we know who holds the future, and we trust HIM.
The ride home was a great time as we listened to praise music, and even stopped by the ocean for some fresh cooked Griot, or fired pork and plantains. And a coke of course.
Today we have our first group arriving around noon, 15 brave souls from Minnesota. Their mission they say is to serve us, build bunk beds and continue our mission of sharing the gospel with these wonderful people of Haiti.
I ask that you continue to pray for Haiti and the spiritual awakening that we see. I told our staff Tuesday that at some point, the momentum will fade. If anyone thinks that the old crusty general Satan is going to hand over his country without a fight, they are not thinking right. As we plan our strategy, you can bet there are staff meetings in hell to stop what has started in Haiti, for God. We prepare for the onslaught and although we know every battle has casualties, we have read the end of the story; we know we win, so we press on.
Much more exciting news on the horizon but I will close for now. Keep us in your prayers. Thank you for your support of our general fund needed to run this mission, and the extra for the relief fund, which is still making a difference, every day in the lives of these wonderful people. God bless you folks and keep being Jesus in your neck of the woods will ya? tominhaiti
Jovens
For Contributions
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Monday, February 15, 2010
Speaking of President's Day
Hi from the island.
Survivor: Yes, I am still here, they did not vote me off.
Weekend of prayer: Haitians by the hundreds of thousands from every corner in Haiti spent 3 days praying and thanking God. What a weekend. Friday and Saturday my nearly 20 teens went to a soccer field nearby from 6am to noon.
Something interesting happened as my boys were leaving Saturday. Those of you who have been to Haiti know that garbage is everywhere. One thing I teach my boys is that no matter what the rest of Haiti does, we are going to try to keep our home and mission trash free.
After the Saturday service of over 10,000 people finished, Altimae and my boys began to pick all the trash up from the soccer field. The pastor on stage grabbed the microphone and thanked them, and everyone joined in this effort. Isn't that neat?
Food getting around: Today as I went to pick up some tents in the city, I saw people carrying bags of rice on their head, and I mean thousands of people. The food is getting out, but there is still a great need for food in the villages we serve.
I did get 12 more tents, although it took about 8 hours, I do have them. Praise God.
Presidential Pardon: We have unofficial word that our President Renee Preval accepted Christ as his personal Savior this past Friday, then shared this at a mass rally, and asked the people to pray for him to lead. If this is true, watch out for Haiti. The Heavens might open up.
Victory: Our church service yesterday morning had, are you ready for this, drum roll please, 1300 people in the morning and 400 at the night service. Here is the exciting part. Ninety people came forward and gave their lives to Christ, having their names written down in the Lambs book of Life. How about that?
Included was the entire family of a man and wife who accepted Christ two weeks ago. Ironic thing is, they were big into voodoo and after the service they went home and smashed all their voodoo stuff. Roger visited today. Roger our assistant pastor was excited because growing up this woman was like a mom to him and he has prayed for her for years.
Grace Emmanuel School: Today we had English class for our teachers and kid's club for our students.
New Tent: One decision the board and I made was to hold off on the start of building our new church. It didn't seem proper with so many people homeless plus the Haitians are afraid to go into a building. A new, much larger tent has been purchased and is being sent. The new tent should hold well over 1000. Between two tents we feel we can seat 2000 people. God is moving.
Eyes: This Wednesday little Jovens, my blind boy, will be going for an eye appointment. A visiting Doctor said he thinks he has cataracts and that it is treatable, pray with us, will ya?
So much good news: Have you digested what you have just read? To me it is pretty remarkable. However, like Fox news, I need to be fair and balanced. Today I had a gut wrenching experience as I drove by the only American fast food restaurant in Haiti, Domino's Pizza and...................it crashed and is no more. A fat guy without pizza, does it get any worse than that? Sorry to leave you on this terrible note.
More: So much more to share but will stop to let you digest just how God is working here in Haiti. Take care, tominhaiti
Survivor: Yes, I am still here, they did not vote me off.
Weekend of prayer: Haitians by the hundreds of thousands from every corner in Haiti spent 3 days praying and thanking God. What a weekend. Friday and Saturday my nearly 20 teens went to a soccer field nearby from 6am to noon.
Something interesting happened as my boys were leaving Saturday. Those of you who have been to Haiti know that garbage is everywhere. One thing I teach my boys is that no matter what the rest of Haiti does, we are going to try to keep our home and mission trash free.
After the Saturday service of over 10,000 people finished, Altimae and my boys began to pick all the trash up from the soccer field. The pastor on stage grabbed the microphone and thanked them, and everyone joined in this effort. Isn't that neat?
Food getting around: Today as I went to pick up some tents in the city, I saw people carrying bags of rice on their head, and I mean thousands of people. The food is getting out, but there is still a great need for food in the villages we serve.
I did get 12 more tents, although it took about 8 hours, I do have them. Praise God.
Presidential Pardon: We have unofficial word that our President Renee Preval accepted Christ as his personal Savior this past Friday, then shared this at a mass rally, and asked the people to pray for him to lead. If this is true, watch out for Haiti. The Heavens might open up.
Victory: Our church service yesterday morning had, are you ready for this, drum roll please, 1300 people in the morning and 400 at the night service. Here is the exciting part. Ninety people came forward and gave their lives to Christ, having their names written down in the Lambs book of Life. How about that?
Included was the entire family of a man and wife who accepted Christ two weeks ago. Ironic thing is, they were big into voodoo and after the service they went home and smashed all their voodoo stuff. Roger visited today. Roger our assistant pastor was excited because growing up this woman was like a mom to him and he has prayed for her for years.
Grace Emmanuel School: Today we had English class for our teachers and kid's club for our students.
New Tent: One decision the board and I made was to hold off on the start of building our new church. It didn't seem proper with so many people homeless plus the Haitians are afraid to go into a building. A new, much larger tent has been purchased and is being sent. The new tent should hold well over 1000. Between two tents we feel we can seat 2000 people. God is moving.
Eyes: This Wednesday little Jovens, my blind boy, will be going for an eye appointment. A visiting Doctor said he thinks he has cataracts and that it is treatable, pray with us, will ya?
So much good news: Have you digested what you have just read? To me it is pretty remarkable. However, like Fox news, I need to be fair and balanced. Today I had a gut wrenching experience as I drove by the only American fast food restaurant in Haiti, Domino's Pizza and...................it crashed and is no more. A fat guy without pizza, does it get any worse than that? Sorry to leave you on this terrible note.
More: So much more to share but will stop to let you digest just how God is working here in Haiti. Take care, tominhaiti
Saturday, February 13, 2010
It's All About Me
Hi from Haiti,
I have received many questions from family, friends and strangers alike, wanting to know how I was doing, over the course of the past month.
To be honest, I am not sure. The first 10 days or so were pure shock and reaction to what was going on. Time was not on our side so experience and quick thinking had to get us through each day.
The next 10 days was moving more into the recovery mode and making sure all of our points of lights were covered. The past 10 days has been continued relief as well as long term planning.
I suppose the jury is still out on how we did. I told my staff the day after the earthquake that history will judge how we handled this crisis, and the main thing is to not forget why we are here, despite the tragedy. We are here to help the folks who can't help themselves, to share Jesus with people, and to teach them to do the same. For a long time we have been the hands and feet of Jesus, we just continue to do that.
What I didn't expect was the spiritual explosion we have seen, over 1000 one Sunday morning, 700 at youth group, over 200 at prayer service and nearly 100 people becoming followers of Christ, all in one month.
I am thankful to God that my health has been nearly perfect through all this. I have lost 33 pounds since the quake hit but that is like taking 1 brick off a stack of 100, still lots of bricks left.
Sleeping has been difficult, always thinking of how better to serve the people we love. Much of the time feeling inadequate for what we are doing compared to what I would like for us to be able to do. The other night we had our first big rain since the quake and I lay in bed and cried for the million or more people probably huddled under trees, the whole night.
One down side was the family side. Twenty hours per day was earthquake related, with 4-5 hours of sleep, totally neglecting my family, but not by choice. Add 10 new ones in our home who I did not bond with, and the home life struggled. The past few days I have worked hard to correct this as I have let my staff do more of the ministry stuff, by themselves.
Many times I get really discouraged and even depressed at life and struggles here but that has not happened in the past month. It has been a tough month but I have felt full of energy and life. I have seen the 17 young men in my home become men, and take on huge responsibilities for their people. I have seen my staff grow up overnight. I have added 4 new young men to our staff whom have really energized our efforts.
Obviously God is the reason I have made it this month and why our ministry has moved forward. The next greatest thing is............all of you. You do not know the weight of the burden you all have lifted, by your sacrificial giving. The money that has come in has taken that worry off my plate. We have been able to relieve so much of the pain and loss of these people because you gave. What touches me also is the trust that you have placed in us, a trust that we take very serious. Thank you for that.
Also, several THOUSAND emails in the past month have encouraged me and kept me going. Knowing that you cared, knowing that you were praying, and feeling the love you sent really did make a difference.
So many exciting things are happening in Haiti, I get really excited to be a part of it. I still can't say the earthquake was a good thing, because too many people died. I can say with confidence, GOD WILL USE THIS TRAGEDY TO BRING PEOPLE TO HIM, AND TO BUILD A NEW HAITI. I believe that with all my heart.
This weekend Haiti has stopped to pray. Haitians by the hundreds of thousands are crowded in every church, soccer field, park or open space in Haiti, praying for Haiti. These folks are doing this from 6am-12pm then from 3pm-6pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Every one of my boys has been up at 5am the past couple days, dressed up and out the gate with a chair in their hand, headed to park Charlie, a nearby soccer field. God will bless Haiti for this. I believe that. Tomorrow, Sunday, our church is meeting from 6am-6pm for prayer and fasting, like most churches in Haiti.
Again, thank you so much for what you have allowed us to do this past month. This week we move forward aggressively rebuilding folks homes, hopefully 10 per week until everyone in our points of light are again sleeping inside. We still need funding, this effort will go for the rest of the year and into next year. At some point when I get caught up, I will send you a break down on how the funds are being spent, you will be pleased I believe. Knowing your giving is allowing people to stay alive and healthy, has to bless you.
Today we had another shaker, which is over 80 aftershocks we have felt. After the house stopped moving, I looked out to the next house and saw Claudy stroll out on the porch. I said "what happened, you didn't run out of the house?" Claudy said "I am tired of running, time to start trusting."
Keep praying. God is working in a big way. Today as I ran to the store, I saw hundreds and hundreds of people walking down the street, all dressed in white dresses and white shirts, most with a Bible in their hand and I thought "wow, wouldn't it be fun to live in a country where this was the norm?" You never know, with God all things are possible. Maybe JiHM will be sending missionaries to..................................your neck of the woods, you never know. Love you guys, skinnytominhaiti
For Contributions
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
I have received many questions from family, friends and strangers alike, wanting to know how I was doing, over the course of the past month.
To be honest, I am not sure. The first 10 days or so were pure shock and reaction to what was going on. Time was not on our side so experience and quick thinking had to get us through each day.
The next 10 days was moving more into the recovery mode and making sure all of our points of lights were covered. The past 10 days has been continued relief as well as long term planning.
I suppose the jury is still out on how we did. I told my staff the day after the earthquake that history will judge how we handled this crisis, and the main thing is to not forget why we are here, despite the tragedy. We are here to help the folks who can't help themselves, to share Jesus with people, and to teach them to do the same. For a long time we have been the hands and feet of Jesus, we just continue to do that.
What I didn't expect was the spiritual explosion we have seen, over 1000 one Sunday morning, 700 at youth group, over 200 at prayer service and nearly 100 people becoming followers of Christ, all in one month.
I am thankful to God that my health has been nearly perfect through all this. I have lost 33 pounds since the quake hit but that is like taking 1 brick off a stack of 100, still lots of bricks left.
Sleeping has been difficult, always thinking of how better to serve the people we love. Much of the time feeling inadequate for what we are doing compared to what I would like for us to be able to do. The other night we had our first big rain since the quake and I lay in bed and cried for the million or more people probably huddled under trees, the whole night.
One down side was the family side. Twenty hours per day was earthquake related, with 4-5 hours of sleep, totally neglecting my family, but not by choice. Add 10 new ones in our home who I did not bond with, and the home life struggled. The past few days I have worked hard to correct this as I have let my staff do more of the ministry stuff, by themselves.
Many times I get really discouraged and even depressed at life and struggles here but that has not happened in the past month. It has been a tough month but I have felt full of energy and life. I have seen the 17 young men in my home become men, and take on huge responsibilities for their people. I have seen my staff grow up overnight. I have added 4 new young men to our staff whom have really energized our efforts.
Obviously God is the reason I have made it this month and why our ministry has moved forward. The next greatest thing is............all of you. You do not know the weight of the burden you all have lifted, by your sacrificial giving. The money that has come in has taken that worry off my plate. We have been able to relieve so much of the pain and loss of these people because you gave. What touches me also is the trust that you have placed in us, a trust that we take very serious. Thank you for that.
Also, several THOUSAND emails in the past month have encouraged me and kept me going. Knowing that you cared, knowing that you were praying, and feeling the love you sent really did make a difference.
So many exciting things are happening in Haiti, I get really excited to be a part of it. I still can't say the earthquake was a good thing, because too many people died. I can say with confidence, GOD WILL USE THIS TRAGEDY TO BRING PEOPLE TO HIM, AND TO BUILD A NEW HAITI. I believe that with all my heart.
This weekend Haiti has stopped to pray. Haitians by the hundreds of thousands are crowded in every church, soccer field, park or open space in Haiti, praying for Haiti. These folks are doing this from 6am-12pm then from 3pm-6pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Every one of my boys has been up at 5am the past couple days, dressed up and out the gate with a chair in their hand, headed to park Charlie, a nearby soccer field. God will bless Haiti for this. I believe that. Tomorrow, Sunday, our church is meeting from 6am-6pm for prayer and fasting, like most churches in Haiti.
Again, thank you so much for what you have allowed us to do this past month. This week we move forward aggressively rebuilding folks homes, hopefully 10 per week until everyone in our points of light are again sleeping inside. We still need funding, this effort will go for the rest of the year and into next year. At some point when I get caught up, I will send you a break down on how the funds are being spent, you will be pleased I believe. Knowing your giving is allowing people to stay alive and healthy, has to bless you.
Today we had another shaker, which is over 80 aftershocks we have felt. After the house stopped moving, I looked out to the next house and saw Claudy stroll out on the porch. I said "what happened, you didn't run out of the house?" Claudy said "I am tired of running, time to start trusting."
Keep praying. God is working in a big way. Today as I ran to the store, I saw hundreds and hundreds of people walking down the street, all dressed in white dresses and white shirts, most with a Bible in their hand and I thought "wow, wouldn't it be fun to live in a country where this was the norm?" You never know, with God all things are possible. Maybe JiHM will be sending missionaries to..................................your neck of the woods, you never know. Love you guys, skinnytominhaiti
For Contributions
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Thursday, February 11, 2010
MESI PAPA
Hi from New Haiti, Thursday PM
This has been an incredible week as we continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Here is a peek:
Monday: Staff meeting from 9-noon, team then put up 5 large tents for families.
Tuesday: Drove to Love a Child to pick up 100 boxes of rice while staff put up more tents. While at Love a Child, I met Jentezen Franklin, an American TV evangelist. His ministry is the largest supporter that sends food to us, and he interviewed me for about 30 minutes, with preaching mixed in. What an insightful, caring man.
He did mention that he felt God would pull the United States out of its bad economy based on how the American people have given to Haiti, despite their own troubles.
Wednesday: Up at 7am, packing 100 food boxes, by 7:30 packing boxes with my family, by 10 we were off to the garbage dump. We passed out close to 70 ready to eat meals and water, then to our villages to put up more tents, then by 1pm we met 100 of our church families at the mission. They presented tickets they had been given in their home and received a large box of food. Then from 3-5 we had a prayer service. More later on this.
By 6pm we were home for supper, then from 7-9:30 I had a time of teaching with my 19 older boys. It was a great time as we talked about having Godly attitudes in all we do. What a long fulfilling day and I was so proud of the boys.
Thursday: Again, up at seven to box another 100 food boxes. Then the boys left for the mission to put up more tents and distribute the final 100 boxes to our church families. I had work to do at home, along with going for supplies and tents.
This weekend: The government of Haiti has declared Friday as a day to mourn and remember the over 220,000+ people we lost in the earthquake. The Haitian Churches have said this weekend will be 3 days of prayer for Haiti. Many of the boys are walking to a nearby soccer field tomorrow for a huge prayer rally. Sunday we will have a 6am-6pm prayer service at our church. Sunday is also a time of fasting, but we do have over 3000 bags of water ready to drink.
Prayer service: I was tired and was not looking forward to a 2 hour prayer service in the middle of the afternoon. I knew it was important that I be there so I was. I read my Bible during part of it, prayed for must but towards the end someone caught my eye.
Right in front of me and down a bit, a lady, probably 50, with hands toward heaven, kept repeating "Mesi Papa, Mesi Papa" (thank you father). I began to look at her very closely and pondered. I saw a battered pair of shoes, wearing a one size fits all sheet dress, head wrapped in an old bandana. I began to listen to her say "thank you papa."
I thought, here is a lady who will NEVER eat an ice cream cone, who will NEVER sit down in her kitchen with a cup of coffee, she will NEVER see the inside of a mall or a Wal-Mart, she will NEVER see her kids graduate, NEVER ride in a car with AC, NEVER travel more than 2 miles from her home, NEVER take her grand kids to an amusement park, NEVER receive or give a wrapped present. She will NEVER lie in a warm comfortable bed, NEVER have "her shows" to watch on TV, NEVER have a hair appointment. She will NEVER have a dime in her pocket, NEVER go to a buffet, NEVER touch a stove or refrigerator. SHE WILL NEVER HAVE OR EXPERIENCE WHAT WE HAVE YET, SHE SAYS "THANK YOU FATHER." I wept as I heard her say this. How could she possibly say that, and then go home to sleep on the ground on a piece of plastic?
What is inside her that could make her be so thankful for...................nothing? No promise of a better future on this earth, nothing to look forward to on this earth, but so thankful.
Then you got a bum like me who lives like royalty, and what do I do? I complain. I wonder if I say "why father?" more than I say "thank you father." This lady touched me in a big way. She made me think of a faith that could be so thankful, for so little. This is the kind of person that God loved so much, he sent me to Haiti for. These people continue to amaze me. We had over 200 people at that service, with no giveaways and they knew it. They came to pray, to thank God, not to ask, but to give thanks. I am thankful that at my age, I can still learn. Thank you Father! tominhaiti
For Contributions
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
This has been an incredible week as we continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Here is a peek:
Monday: Staff meeting from 9-noon, team then put up 5 large tents for families.
Tuesday: Drove to Love a Child to pick up 100 boxes of rice while staff put up more tents. While at Love a Child, I met Jentezen Franklin, an American TV evangelist. His ministry is the largest supporter that sends food to us, and he interviewed me for about 30 minutes, with preaching mixed in. What an insightful, caring man.
He did mention that he felt God would pull the United States out of its bad economy based on how the American people have given to Haiti, despite their own troubles.
Wednesday: Up at 7am, packing 100 food boxes, by 7:30 packing boxes with my family, by 10 we were off to the garbage dump. We passed out close to 70 ready to eat meals and water, then to our villages to put up more tents, then by 1pm we met 100 of our church families at the mission. They presented tickets they had been given in their home and received a large box of food. Then from 3-5 we had a prayer service. More later on this.
By 6pm we were home for supper, then from 7-9:30 I had a time of teaching with my 19 older boys. It was a great time as we talked about having Godly attitudes in all we do. What a long fulfilling day and I was so proud of the boys.
Thursday: Again, up at seven to box another 100 food boxes. Then the boys left for the mission to put up more tents and distribute the final 100 boxes to our church families. I had work to do at home, along with going for supplies and tents.
This weekend: The government of Haiti has declared Friday as a day to mourn and remember the over 220,000+ people we lost in the earthquake. The Haitian Churches have said this weekend will be 3 days of prayer for Haiti. Many of the boys are walking to a nearby soccer field tomorrow for a huge prayer rally. Sunday we will have a 6am-6pm prayer service at our church. Sunday is also a time of fasting, but we do have over 3000 bags of water ready to drink.
Prayer service: I was tired and was not looking forward to a 2 hour prayer service in the middle of the afternoon. I knew it was important that I be there so I was. I read my Bible during part of it, prayed for must but towards the end someone caught my eye.
Right in front of me and down a bit, a lady, probably 50, with hands toward heaven, kept repeating "Mesi Papa, Mesi Papa" (thank you father). I began to look at her very closely and pondered. I saw a battered pair of shoes, wearing a one size fits all sheet dress, head wrapped in an old bandana. I began to listen to her say "thank you papa."
I thought, here is a lady who will NEVER eat an ice cream cone, who will NEVER sit down in her kitchen with a cup of coffee, she will NEVER see the inside of a mall or a Wal-Mart, she will NEVER see her kids graduate, NEVER ride in a car with AC, NEVER travel more than 2 miles from her home, NEVER take her grand kids to an amusement park, NEVER receive or give a wrapped present. She will NEVER lie in a warm comfortable bed, NEVER have "her shows" to watch on TV, NEVER have a hair appointment. She will NEVER have a dime in her pocket, NEVER go to a buffet, NEVER touch a stove or refrigerator. SHE WILL NEVER HAVE OR EXPERIENCE WHAT WE HAVE YET, SHE SAYS "THANK YOU FATHER." I wept as I heard her say this. How could she possibly say that, and then go home to sleep on the ground on a piece of plastic?
What is inside her that could make her be so thankful for...................nothing? No promise of a better future on this earth, nothing to look forward to on this earth, but so thankful.
Then you got a bum like me who lives like royalty, and what do I do? I complain. I wonder if I say "why father?" more than I say "thank you father." This lady touched me in a big way. She made me think of a faith that could be so thankful, for so little. This is the kind of person that God loved so much, he sent me to Haiti for. These people continue to amaze me. We had over 200 people at that service, with no giveaways and they knew it. They came to pray, to thank God, not to ask, but to give thanks. I am thankful that at my age, I can still learn. Thank you Father! tominhaiti
For Contributions
Jesus in Haiti Ministries, Inc. Suite 155 10214 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
And the beat goes on
One month ago today you know what happened. This past month has been a sprint, just trying to keep up with life as it rolls by. I am now busier than I was when it hit. Things have settled in, our new plans are in place and we are busy. Just because my emails slow down and Haiti is not on the news, much is happening.
Word came to us yesterday about a young boy rescued after 27 days under rubble. We know this is not possible except, with God, all things are possible.
Grace Emmanuel School: We had planned on starting school yesterday, but our director received word last Friday that NO school could start until they were inspected for damage. At first I laughed at this since we have school in a tent but I had our director go meet with the inspector.
The inspector correctly informed us that everyone has a story for him, wanting to get around him checking them out and he must come and see. For all he knows there is a 3 story building NEXT to the tent ready to fall on the tent. We accept and await his inspection.
Today at 10am, we started kids club at our school, with invitations going out to all our school kids, and their siblings. We will have a chapel type meeting everyday as well as the return to their daily hot meal. In the afternoons we will be teaching our nine teachers English. Best we can do for now.
Tents: Wow, Shelter Box came through with the help of Touch Global to supply us with 15 very large tents. Yesterday after staff meeting, my staff and boys went out and began to put them up. The women chosen, with their kids were so happy for the 2 room tent, and the supplies that came with it. If you can help support Shelter Box or Touch Global in anyway, please check them out online. They are both a God send.
Family fun night: Last night we had our first family fun night since the quake, a Monday tradition. Was good to laugh again and see the boys having so much fun competing. Last night it was 3, 6 man teams competing in English, Bible questions, coin stacking and the final, mystery game. (please no emails from nurses or doctors on this one) I had found a cooler earlier in the day that had a horrible smell bottled up, rotted food or something. Each team had to have one boy sit in front of the open cooler while I interviewed them, last sitting was the winner. I of course had a mask on. It was a hoot.
Today we are going to Love a Child Mission a couple hours away to pick up 80 boxes of rice for distribution and for our school and the Good Samaritan Orphanage. My staff is passing out tickets to our church members to come tomorrow to pick up a case of food each. New believers class is today for our newly baptized folks, followed by a leadership training class.
New Haiti: Just outside my burg of Bon Repo, on that long road to our ministry area is quite a site. It reminds me of the 1849 gold rush to California. I wasn't there in 49 but several of my board members have shared their memories.
The government has said that the people can come and have free land, just plot out a certain size piece, put a pole in each corner with your name and build a house. People by the thousands are out digging with pick axes and shovels and claiming their new home. It is a fantastic sight. Of course they are making shanties which in the near future will bring a whole new set of problems but at least for now they have a place to go. I wonder if I can name the newly built town, hmmm, Osbeckville, Little Indiana, Tomsburg...........
My Colts: I know, the Saints really did go marching in. Another missionary came to watch the game with me, and we didn't get CBS signal until 5 minutes left in the game, just enough to get my heart broken.....
All for now, gotta hit the road, thanks for your emails, your support and prayers. I hope to get many more pictures out to you this week and some detailed plans for our ministry as we continue to do what we do....meet the needs of people, share the gospel, make disciples, tominnewhaiti
Word came to us yesterday about a young boy rescued after 27 days under rubble. We know this is not possible except, with God, all things are possible.
Grace Emmanuel School: We had planned on starting school yesterday, but our director received word last Friday that NO school could start until they were inspected for damage. At first I laughed at this since we have school in a tent but I had our director go meet with the inspector.
The inspector correctly informed us that everyone has a story for him, wanting to get around him checking them out and he must come and see. For all he knows there is a 3 story building NEXT to the tent ready to fall on the tent. We accept and await his inspection.
Today at 10am, we started kids club at our school, with invitations going out to all our school kids, and their siblings. We will have a chapel type meeting everyday as well as the return to their daily hot meal. In the afternoons we will be teaching our nine teachers English. Best we can do for now.
Tents: Wow, Shelter Box came through with the help of Touch Global to supply us with 15 very large tents. Yesterday after staff meeting, my staff and boys went out and began to put them up. The women chosen, with their kids were so happy for the 2 room tent, and the supplies that came with it. If you can help support Shelter Box or Touch Global in anyway, please check them out online. They are both a God send.
Family fun night: Last night we had our first family fun night since the quake, a Monday tradition. Was good to laugh again and see the boys having so much fun competing. Last night it was 3, 6 man teams competing in English, Bible questions, coin stacking and the final, mystery game. (please no emails from nurses or doctors on this one) I had found a cooler earlier in the day that had a horrible smell bottled up, rotted food or something. Each team had to have one boy sit in front of the open cooler while I interviewed them, last sitting was the winner. I of course had a mask on. It was a hoot.
Today we are going to Love a Child Mission a couple hours away to pick up 80 boxes of rice for distribution and for our school and the Good Samaritan Orphanage. My staff is passing out tickets to our church members to come tomorrow to pick up a case of food each. New believers class is today for our newly baptized folks, followed by a leadership training class.
New Haiti: Just outside my burg of Bon Repo, on that long road to our ministry area is quite a site. It reminds me of the 1849 gold rush to California. I wasn't there in 49 but several of my board members have shared their memories.
The government has said that the people can come and have free land, just plot out a certain size piece, put a pole in each corner with your name and build a house. People by the thousands are out digging with pick axes and shovels and claiming their new home. It is a fantastic sight. Of course they are making shanties which in the near future will bring a whole new set of problems but at least for now they have a place to go. I wonder if I can name the newly built town, hmmm, Osbeckville, Little Indiana, Tomsburg...........
My Colts: I know, the Saints really did go marching in. Another missionary came to watch the game with me, and we didn't get CBS signal until 5 minutes left in the game, just enough to get my heart broken.....
All for now, gotta hit the road, thanks for your emails, your support and prayers. I hope to get many more pictures out to you this week and some detailed plans for our ministry as we continue to do what we do....meet the needs of people, share the gospel, make disciples, tominnewhaiti
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The angels really do walk among us
Hi from Haiti,
This morning I received a phone call from a visiting pastor friend who is helping a medical team and has been utilizing my boys to translate. He said he had a connection with an American Colonel and we could get all the food we needed. We had an hour to get there. This short notice made it impossible for me to contact some police friends who I use for security.
Off I went with 9 of my boys, in 3 trucks. We met pastor Murph, and soon were inside the giant warehouse. Sure enough, we backed all three trucks up and loaded 50 tarps and over 5000 meals into the truck. These are MRE's ready to eat meals.
We took 3 of the tarps and tried to hide the food for the trip home. Half way, several boxes fell from the back of my truck, the first one. We pulled over and quickly saw people starting to converge on the food. Just as we were about to be swarmed, 4 Angels walked up with sub machine guns, wearing police uniforms after exiting their police truck. They stood guard while we reloaded and left. Never knew angels needed guns.
Yesterday we got our bridge on the road to our house fixed and were not supposed to drive on it for 2 days. We had no choice but to roll the 3 trucks over it, and then home. We messed it up and I had to pay the guys a little more to "cover our tracks".
I was so proud of Claudy and Manel driving the other trucks, and the rest of the boys as we had a successful mission getting food.
Two of my staff, Fondi and Jony took a truck to pick up food from marines who brought it to us by helicopter. They then rolled in and boy do we have the food. We already took 30 cases of food to 3 pastors in our ministry area, including our former pastor, Pastor Jackie.
I am bummed I can't use the bridge tomorrow to deliver more food but Saturday we will hit it hard. My boys did deliver 30 meals tonight to the small, 28 child orphanage by our house that we have been helping.
We are going to move this food quickly to people who need it, mostly women with children and the kids at the Good Samaritan orphanage. Speaking of them, as of this week, they are now all sleeping in tents.
Did you pick up on it when I said, "We took all 3 trucks". A visitor this week said, "You need another truck? Let's go get one." And we did just that. A big people mover, which will help so much.
We also had a motorcycle club donate money for us to buy a motorcycle, which we did. This will come in so handy to make short runs and runs through the terrible bottleneck traffic. God has blessed us as we roll on.
I didn't really get the rest I had hoped for but do feel somewhat rested. Since I can't go anywhere tomorrow because of the cement on the bridge, I may get some rest tomorrow. Don't hold your breath.
I do understand there is a Superbowl on Sunday, and of course, I will be cheering for my home-state COLTS TO win it all. The Saint's ain't got a chance against the Colts.
Jony has youth group tomorrow (had 700 last week) and we have our first baptism at our property Sunday at 9am. Whew, so much going on including re-starting school this upcoming Monday. So much more to share but will stop. I love you guys, thanks for your support.
Tominhaiti
ps- Oops, forgot to tell you we are re-building our first house this week. My staff member Jony lost his house, so for $475 dollars it is being rebuilt. I will send pictures.
This morning I received a phone call from a visiting pastor friend who is helping a medical team and has been utilizing my boys to translate. He said he had a connection with an American Colonel and we could get all the food we needed. We had an hour to get there. This short notice made it impossible for me to contact some police friends who I use for security.
Off I went with 9 of my boys, in 3 trucks. We met pastor Murph, and soon were inside the giant warehouse. Sure enough, we backed all three trucks up and loaded 50 tarps and over 5000 meals into the truck. These are MRE's ready to eat meals.
We took 3 of the tarps and tried to hide the food for the trip home. Half way, several boxes fell from the back of my truck, the first one. We pulled over and quickly saw people starting to converge on the food. Just as we were about to be swarmed, 4 Angels walked up with sub machine guns, wearing police uniforms after exiting their police truck. They stood guard while we reloaded and left. Never knew angels needed guns.
Yesterday we got our bridge on the road to our house fixed and were not supposed to drive on it for 2 days. We had no choice but to roll the 3 trucks over it, and then home. We messed it up and I had to pay the guys a little more to "cover our tracks".
I was so proud of Claudy and Manel driving the other trucks, and the rest of the boys as we had a successful mission getting food.
Two of my staff, Fondi and Jony took a truck to pick up food from marines who brought it to us by helicopter. They then rolled in and boy do we have the food. We already took 30 cases of food to 3 pastors in our ministry area, including our former pastor, Pastor Jackie.
I am bummed I can't use the bridge tomorrow to deliver more food but Saturday we will hit it hard. My boys did deliver 30 meals tonight to the small, 28 child orphanage by our house that we have been helping.
We are going to move this food quickly to people who need it, mostly women with children and the kids at the Good Samaritan orphanage. Speaking of them, as of this week, they are now all sleeping in tents.
Did you pick up on it when I said, "We took all 3 trucks". A visitor this week said, "You need another truck? Let's go get one." And we did just that. A big people mover, which will help so much.
We also had a motorcycle club donate money for us to buy a motorcycle, which we did. This will come in so handy to make short runs and runs through the terrible bottleneck traffic. God has blessed us as we roll on.
I didn't really get the rest I had hoped for but do feel somewhat rested. Since I can't go anywhere tomorrow because of the cement on the bridge, I may get some rest tomorrow. Don't hold your breath.
I do understand there is a Superbowl on Sunday, and of course, I will be cheering for my home-state COLTS TO win it all. The Saint's ain't got a chance against the Colts.
Jony has youth group tomorrow (had 700 last week) and we have our first baptism at our property Sunday at 9am. Whew, so much going on including re-starting school this upcoming Monday. So much more to share but will stop. I love you guys, thanks for your support.
Tominhaiti
ps- Oops, forgot to tell you we are re-building our first house this week. My staff member Jony lost his house, so for $475 dollars it is being rebuilt. I will send pictures.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A few good men, and one woman
Hi from Haiti,
Today was a long day but a very productive day.
Auddy: It began with me taking "my" 10 year old girl, Auddy, to an orphanage, as we expect her to go to the states, maybe this week to be with her adoptive parents, in Minnesota. It was a sad good bye for all of us but knowing what lies ahead, we are excited for Auddy. Please pray this is finalized this week.
Another good-bye: Then it was on to the airport to drop off our 4 visiting guests, Mr. and Mrs. Nuest and their daughter Ashley. Also board member, Linda Neal, who arrived the day of the earthquake, finally was able to go home.
Dr Matthew: Then we went to Pettionville to pick up my son Matthew who was helping a team of doctors who were working in a very terrible situation, Matthew said the saddest thing he saw was a 4 year old who lost both of her feet. He was grateful to be able to help. Now another of my sons, Tito is there for the next couple days.
While coming back home, we received a phone call saying the Marines were on their way to our property with supplies. We rushed there with two trucks for the drop, when we got a call saying the helicopter was too big for our property and had to land at a cement factory a mile away. We then rushed to the cement factory only to find out the security guards would not let us enter.
Finally, after much debate, they let just me go inside accompanied by a security guard.
I reached the marines and what a great bunch. The leader asked if I could bring truck inside the facility to the helicopter but security said no. Finally, we talked him into contacting his boss, which took another half hour, and we got clearance. We then loaded 60 boxes of MRE's, (meals ready to eat) and that was fun. I know I don't have to tell you this but to see these young men, and one woman, in action, filled me with pride. They were taking pictures of our truck load and with us and were so pleased when we thanked them.
Trip home: Then on the way home we passed out these meals to folks we knew on the road by the dump. They were so hungry and grateful. To help them was a joy for us.
Home alone: Here I sit, for the first time, by myself since the quake-no American friends. I am tired, sad my friends are gone, but with a huge to-do list.
Tomorrow morning we have a teachers meeting as the government says we can start school. This will happen Monday and we have so much to do to prepare. Then my staff will be taking relief supplies to over 100 families, all tomorrow.
Another good-bye: Our dear friend Stephanie who has been the kids' nanny for 2 years, and was Mommy Tia's caretaker, has left us. She takes with us her two little girls: Kayley and Beverly. This was a very sad goodbye for all of us. In one day, I lost 4 of my 5 girls. We have 8-year-old Kimberly still. I am going to hire an older woman to come help with Kimberly and the other little ones.
Rest: Tomorrow at 6pm, I plan to start a 36 hour rest period. I think things are in place for this to happen but, I am not holding my breath. We hired someone to fix our bridge coming down our road so I can't leave Thursday even if I want to.
Relief funds: God has blessed us greatly through your sacrificial giving and we are putting it to good work. Daily relief is going to the Good Samaritan orphanage, our 95 school children, the folks in the garbage dump, and our church family, as well as many others. Tomorrow my boys are taking some MRE's to their classmates who have been struggling to survive.
THE UN: I know you will hear all kind of bad things said about the UN and the relief effort but let me tell you this, from someone who is here. The men and women of the UN and other relief agencies have come to Haiti to help and care very much about these people. I know many UN troops and I see them in action near our ministry area and near our home.
This is a massive relief effort, with many logistical nightmares and, of course, they can do better but...........they are here, they are working hard, things are getting done AND things will get better.
I am so sad that we lost probably 200,000 of these precious people but I know God is going to use this event, to not only get the attention of the Haitian people, but the attention of the world. This will lead to great things, and a new start for Haiti. Besides your giving, please pray daily for the spiritual relief that Haiti so badly needs.
Emails: My emails are going down, down, down, day by day. I love hearing from you even if I can't respond often.
closing: I got nothing, goodnight,
tominhaiti
Today was a long day but a very productive day.
Auddy: It began with me taking "my" 10 year old girl, Auddy, to an orphanage, as we expect her to go to the states, maybe this week to be with her adoptive parents, in Minnesota. It was a sad good bye for all of us but knowing what lies ahead, we are excited for Auddy. Please pray this is finalized this week.
Another good-bye: Then it was on to the airport to drop off our 4 visiting guests, Mr. and Mrs. Nuest and their daughter Ashley. Also board member, Linda Neal, who arrived the day of the earthquake, finally was able to go home.
Dr Matthew: Then we went to Pettionville to pick up my son Matthew who was helping a team of doctors who were working in a very terrible situation, Matthew said the saddest thing he saw was a 4 year old who lost both of her feet. He was grateful to be able to help. Now another of my sons, Tito is there for the next couple days.
While coming back home, we received a phone call saying the Marines were on their way to our property with supplies. We rushed there with two trucks for the drop, when we got a call saying the helicopter was too big for our property and had to land at a cement factory a mile away. We then rushed to the cement factory only to find out the security guards would not let us enter.
Finally, after much debate, they let just me go inside accompanied by a security guard.
I reached the marines and what a great bunch. The leader asked if I could bring truck inside the facility to the helicopter but security said no. Finally, we talked him into contacting his boss, which took another half hour, and we got clearance. We then loaded 60 boxes of MRE's, (meals ready to eat) and that was fun. I know I don't have to tell you this but to see these young men, and one woman, in action, filled me with pride. They were taking pictures of our truck load and with us and were so pleased when we thanked them.
Trip home: Then on the way home we passed out these meals to folks we knew on the road by the dump. They were so hungry and grateful. To help them was a joy for us.
Home alone: Here I sit, for the first time, by myself since the quake-no American friends. I am tired, sad my friends are gone, but with a huge to-do list.
Tomorrow morning we have a teachers meeting as the government says we can start school. This will happen Monday and we have so much to do to prepare. Then my staff will be taking relief supplies to over 100 families, all tomorrow.
Another good-bye: Our dear friend Stephanie who has been the kids' nanny for 2 years, and was Mommy Tia's caretaker, has left us. She takes with us her two little girls: Kayley and Beverly. This was a very sad goodbye for all of us. In one day, I lost 4 of my 5 girls. We have 8-year-old Kimberly still. I am going to hire an older woman to come help with Kimberly and the other little ones.
Rest: Tomorrow at 6pm, I plan to start a 36 hour rest period. I think things are in place for this to happen but, I am not holding my breath. We hired someone to fix our bridge coming down our road so I can't leave Thursday even if I want to.
Relief funds: God has blessed us greatly through your sacrificial giving and we are putting it to good work. Daily relief is going to the Good Samaritan orphanage, our 95 school children, the folks in the garbage dump, and our church family, as well as many others. Tomorrow my boys are taking some MRE's to their classmates who have been struggling to survive.
THE UN: I know you will hear all kind of bad things said about the UN and the relief effort but let me tell you this, from someone who is here. The men and women of the UN and other relief agencies have come to Haiti to help and care very much about these people. I know many UN troops and I see them in action near our ministry area and near our home.
This is a massive relief effort, with many logistical nightmares and, of course, they can do better but...........they are here, they are working hard, things are getting done AND things will get better.
I am so sad that we lost probably 200,000 of these precious people but I know God is going to use this event, to not only get the attention of the Haitian people, but the attention of the world. This will lead to great things, and a new start for Haiti. Besides your giving, please pray daily for the spiritual relief that Haiti so badly needs.
Emails: My emails are going down, down, down, day by day. I love hearing from you even if I can't respond often.
closing: I got nothing, goodnight,
tominhaiti
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