Pumpkin Soup Day

Happy New Year! In the US there is a huge party in New York that has a huge ball that falls at midnight to bring in the new year. There are resolutions made-- of which many will be broken or forgotten within the first month. There are church parties, house parties, traditions. Everyone is excited about a new chance for change...maybe this year. 

In Haiti, though, it is a new year but it is also independence day so there is even more to celebrate. Tomorrow, everyone will eat pumpkin soup. Why pumpkin soup? How about some history...

Haiti is the second oldest country in the Western Hemisphere after the US. Haitian slaves won their freedom and independence from their French masters and Napoleon's great army in the fall of 1803 and declared their independence on January 1, 1804. When the French ruled, the slaves were not allowed to eat the same food as their masters--specifically pumpkin soup. So, on January 1st, 1804, the newly free people did just that--they ate soup. 

That tradition continues today. If I were in Haiti tomorrow and I went to visit 3 families, it would be incredibly likely that I would eat 3 bowls of soup, no matter the time of day. Businesses would be closed. Things would be quiet overall. But on the 2nd, things would not be quiet.

The 2nd is feasting day! Families get together and have something like a thanksgiving dinner-Haiti version. Turkey, goat, rice and beans, pikliz, salad, and cake is usually on the menu. You never know who will show up! In my limited  experience, this is the day when you see many members of your extended family--not necessarily on Christmas or New Years. 

So, from pumpkin soup to a great feast, the next couple of days are of great importance in Haitian culture. As this new year begins, watch for new blessings and pray that God's fame would continue to be spread here, in Haiti, and around the world.

Be blessed this year friends.

Merry Christmas

I am writing this from where I have spent so many Christmases: my parents' farm in central Minnesota. Yes, it is colder here than in Haiti, but we are enjoying the time of rest and celebration here with my family.  It is great to be here. Even now I am hearing the sounds of my nephew playing with his "Uncle Al" and Grandpa. So great to be with family. We are taking this weekend to celebrate the birth of our King all together.

This morning, at brunch, my dad prayed that we would remember why we celebrate and why we give gifts.  We give gifts because God gave us the greatest gift of all...Jesus.

My prayer is that while we are all celebrating this Christmas season--whether we are in Haiti, the US, or anywhere else in the world--we will remember the gift God gave to us in Jesus: salvation and eternal life with Him.  The greatest gift of all... 

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Continued Blessings

This morning, I was up early--as usual these days--and I was thinking about teams. Those teams who choose to give of their time, energy, and funds to serve. To those teams: thank you.

I don't think you realize the impact you have on the lives if those you serve with when you come. You may be serving with members of a community, a local church, a pastor, a child, an orphanage staff member, or a missionary and blessing them in ways you never will know this side of heaven. Communication could have been limited during your service-at least verbal communication-but your smiles, hugs, and passion were a blessing to those you met.

Examples of this wonderful ministry you may not know you have abound and continue to bless me as I sit here now. Like the team that was so focused on prayer that they made a conscious effort to make sure that in every circumstance they would pray. I can still see them in my head praying together. 

Or the team that saw the importance of ministering to the staff of the orphanage and not only the children. 

Or the team that saw there wasn't enough funding to get a good start on an amazing project so they have whatever they had to bless the pastor and church who were starting the project by faith. 

Or the team who followed the Lord's leading and, at the end of their week, gave the pastor the exact amount needed to complete a project and brought tears to his eyes. 

Or the team that comes back year after year and is a huge highlight for the entire community--they look forward to seeing you all year long!

To those teams-all of you: thank you for being a continued blessing to me. Thank you for being a continued blessing to others. Thank you. I pray you will always remember how God chose you to bless others-what a privilege!