While every week with teams is amazing, this week with our team combo from Alabama and Florida was an especially amazing week that touched my heart.
First of all, the team came ready to learn and serve. It was a beautiful thing. Complaining didn't happen and appreciation did. For example, one day we decided to surprise our team with ice for their water and I had never heard such a loud cheer for something so simple. It brought a smile to my face. God showed Himself to this team in many many ways-big and small.
Second, we were serving in a community that has touched my heart many times and this time was no exception. We served with Pastor Jacky. The project seemed small--smoothing out the concrete floor--but the story behind it is great. I was chatting with a group member on Monday afternoon and she said that on Sunday she saw the women walking around in their heels on the uneven floor and she thought to herself, "That floor really needs to be re-done." not knowing that was the project in store for the week.
Monday morning, we began to work and Pastor Jacky started walking around with his hands raised high saying, "Praise the Lord! This is a dream!" in his deep voice. Just seeing that brought tears to my eyes, but what really did me in was when the team was sharing about what they experienced the next morning. They heard a loud rejoicing coming from the church. The ladies of the church saw the beginnings of a new floor and rejoiced loudly, but not because now they could walk on a smooth floor. They were rejoicing because now they could KNEEL in worship of our King! What an amazing blessing!
More stories could flow and flow from that amazing week, but this is just a glimpse of how God is answering prayers here in Haiti. It is beautiful!
Praise God for all He is doing!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Divine Appointments
One thing I have thoroughly enjoyed during my time here has been seeing, hearing about, and being part of divine appointments. God is always setting up these wonderful moments for his children to be a part of so graciously. We are representing Him and being His hands and feet here on this earth.
This week, we are serving in a community called Granbouchi which is--if you check out your map--just outside of Les Cayes on the road to Port Salut. Almando and I are leading two completely different groups in this area and it is amazing to see how God is using each individual in each group to show the beauty of the Body of Christ at work.
The group I have been working closely with is from Christ Church in New Jersey. Click HERE to see what they have been doing each day. One of the things that has blessed me as I have watched this group this week is how each individual is so differently gifted, but they all come together like a puzzle. It is a beautiful thing!
Back to the divine appointments. One of the members of Christ Church is familiar with this area of Haiti and has been coming here for many years. Upon arriving, he recognized our staff members so a relationship was already formed with them. He felt the need to chat with the pastor we are partnering with this week and was able to minister to him in a special way--again, the relationship already previously formed. The divine appointment involving this individual that really stands out to me happened yesterday.
All day long, he felt like God was preparing him for something, but he didn't know what. At 3:30 we headed to our final ministry site of the day. This ministry was founded by a gentleman who has a heart for those who are physically challenged. For these people, life is really tough and many of them become beggars and are rejected by society. He wanted to end this. The founder's brother lost both his arms when they were children and their family thought life was over for him, but he proved them wrong. He is now a husband, father of 3, and an accountant in the US. The founder wanted others who are physically challenged know that their life is not over. They can do something for themselves--they must believe that they can, so he started a 4 year program (like a technical or trade school) for people with disabilities to come and learn something that will benefit them.
Praying Pelican Missions came across this ministry in April and, other than 4 men from the US who were here with us during that time, this group is the first to visit this ministry. The member of this team who had been in this area before had met the founder in passing at a hospital in January. He had no idea that the place we were going was a place he had heard of before and did not know what to expect.
Upon entering the property, the founder greeted this team member by name. Shocked, he turned to the founder and recognized his face. Suddenly, he knew what God was preparing him for all day long. To pray for the sick. Many of these ladies at this school/home are physically challenged from birth with problems that can be healed. Some have clubbed feet. (My heart goes out to them specifically because I was born with a twisted foot) Some are missing limbs--from the earthquake. All are beautiful daughters of the King and He loves them. We prayed over each one of these ladies yesterday and the team member shared last night that he knew God set this all up.
God sent him to meet the founder in January. God sent PPM to the Trade School in April. God sent this team here in May so the dots would be connected. God has His hand in everything that we do and is setting up thousands of these divine appointments for the summer. Now, we just get to follow where He leads and watch as He works.
Friends, continue to pray for us as we continue our busy summer season full of divine appointments, yes, and lots of groups coming down. We will be busy and are already feeling tired. Pray for rest and peace and time so we can process and continue to grow together. When this team leaves on Saturday, we have another arriving on Sunday, so please continue to lift us up in prayer so we can lead well and be alert and aware of what God is doing.
This week, we are serving in a community called Granbouchi which is--if you check out your map--just outside of Les Cayes on the road to Port Salut. Almando and I are leading two completely different groups in this area and it is amazing to see how God is using each individual in each group to show the beauty of the Body of Christ at work.
The group I have been working closely with is from Christ Church in New Jersey. Click HERE to see what they have been doing each day. One of the things that has blessed me as I have watched this group this week is how each individual is so differently gifted, but they all come together like a puzzle. It is a beautiful thing!
Back to the divine appointments. One of the members of Christ Church is familiar with this area of Haiti and has been coming here for many years. Upon arriving, he recognized our staff members so a relationship was already formed with them. He felt the need to chat with the pastor we are partnering with this week and was able to minister to him in a special way--again, the relationship already previously formed. The divine appointment involving this individual that really stands out to me happened yesterday.
All day long, he felt like God was preparing him for something, but he didn't know what. At 3:30 we headed to our final ministry site of the day. This ministry was founded by a gentleman who has a heart for those who are physically challenged. For these people, life is really tough and many of them become beggars and are rejected by society. He wanted to end this. The founder's brother lost both his arms when they were children and their family thought life was over for him, but he proved them wrong. He is now a husband, father of 3, and an accountant in the US. The founder wanted others who are physically challenged know that their life is not over. They can do something for themselves--they must believe that they can, so he started a 4 year program (like a technical or trade school) for people with disabilities to come and learn something that will benefit them.
Praying Pelican Missions came across this ministry in April and, other than 4 men from the US who were here with us during that time, this group is the first to visit this ministry. The member of this team who had been in this area before had met the founder in passing at a hospital in January. He had no idea that the place we were going was a place he had heard of before and did not know what to expect.
Upon entering the property, the founder greeted this team member by name. Shocked, he turned to the founder and recognized his face. Suddenly, he knew what God was preparing him for all day long. To pray for the sick. Many of these ladies at this school/home are physically challenged from birth with problems that can be healed. Some have clubbed feet. (My heart goes out to them specifically because I was born with a twisted foot) Some are missing limbs--from the earthquake. All are beautiful daughters of the King and He loves them. We prayed over each one of these ladies yesterday and the team member shared last night that he knew God set this all up.
God sent him to meet the founder in January. God sent PPM to the Trade School in April. God sent this team here in May so the dots would be connected. God has His hand in everything that we do and is setting up thousands of these divine appointments for the summer. Now, we just get to follow where He leads and watch as He works.
Friends, continue to pray for us as we continue our busy summer season full of divine appointments, yes, and lots of groups coming down. We will be busy and are already feeling tired. Pray for rest and peace and time so we can process and continue to grow together. When this team leaves on Saturday, we have another arriving on Sunday, so please continue to lift us up in prayer so we can lead well and be alert and aware of what God is doing.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Updates and Praises!
Since it has been way too long since I posted anything, thought it would be a great time to post some updates and praises!
First Updates:
- Almando and I had a great time in the states. We were able to visit with some area churches, spend time with family, and attend the Praying Pelican Missions Spring conference. We did feel our time in the states went by far too quickly and we didn't have enough time to spend with everybody who wanted to spend time with us, but we are grateful that we spent some time anyways.
- After a quick travel day, we hit the ground running here in Haiti. We spent time in Les Cayes setting up trips, then moved to the North side of Port-au-Prince, and then closer to home in Gressier and the Carrefour area. We are feeling pretty prepared for the summer trip season and are excited to see what God will do.
- Our car was almost fixed when we picked it up from the shop last week, but it found its way back to the shop yesterday. Keep praying for that situation.
- We are currently serving and leading a team in Bon Repos and will be with teams until June 8th in 3 different locations, so be praying that God will continue to give us strength and energy and wisdom as we lead these teams.
And Praises:
- My health seems to have improved in the past weeks! Praise the Lord! I've been able to gain some of the weight back that I lost during the first trimester and I have much more energy now than before. The baby is growing and moving around a lot and we are getting more and more excited to meet this little one!
- Our team is currently doing very well and sharing the love of Christ with the children at an orphanage here. The team is learning a lot about what it means to be a child of God this week as well. It's so beautiful to see how God works during these weeks.
- With all the traveling we have been doing and the work that has been accomplished, we have remained safe and have tried to find time to rest. Praise God for His example of the Sabbath! We know we need to rest and God knows that too. We are so thankful that He has been protecting us, sustaining us, and teaching us through this process.
There is so much more to share and I am looking forward to sharing specific stories soon, but for now, continue praying with us and praising with us as God continues to work in, and through, and in spite of us!
Be Blessed Friends!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Welcome to SNOW!
On Thursday, we flew into Minneapolis, MN and found a snowstorm waiting for us. We thought we had missed winter completely, being towards the end of April and all, but we were wrong. We definitely were not dressed for the weather as Al was wearing flip-flops (I did leave mine at home) and we only had light sweaters or sweatshirts for jackets, so we were incredibly grateful for my sister and her husband when they pulled up with a warm car, jackets, hats, mittens, socks and shoes--and for me Taco Bell! Guess this is the end of a very long Minnesota winter.
Since we have been here, we were able to take a morning to make a snowman and an afternoon to stock up on slightly warmer clothing and shoes before hitting the road to head to Wishek, North Dakota where much more wind and snow were waiting for us along with loving brothers and sisters in Christ and rich German food. This was part of a team which served with Pastor Jacky in January, so it was a blessing to see them again. We were given plenty to eat as we talked about ministry and partnership and what the plan was for next January. We felt at home.
Sunday morning, we were able to share more about what we do in Haiti and how we were called into the ministry and that was just during Sunday School. During church, we mixed it up with a little Creole and English worship music and shared more about Praying Pelican Missions and their strategy of mission--which I believe is a great one: always partnering with a local pastor and church to encourage and grow ministry that is already happening--this way when the team leaves, the ministry continues.
After a traditional, hearty potluck and a wonderful time of fellowship, it was time to say goodbye to our dear friends and get back on the road again. While we were driving back towards Minnesota on a very straight and long road, we talked about how much we love sharing what the Lord is doing in Haiti and leading worship together. We thank God for all the blessings He has given us and for the many blessings to come.
Now, we are taking a couple of days to rest. Much needed rest here in snowy Minnesota. Yes, there are still things we are working on here and there, but we know we need to rest.
Pray for us as we continue our journeys here in the states. Pray that we do find enough rest to energize us for the busy summer ahead. Pray that God continues to provide for our every need--even now, I think of one great need we have in Haiti as we continue to pray for a new vehicle. Continue to pray with us friends! Pray that we will enjoy our time here even with the snow!
Be Blessed!
Since we have been here, we were able to take a morning to make a snowman and an afternoon to stock up on slightly warmer clothing and shoes before hitting the road to head to Wishek, North Dakota where much more wind and snow were waiting for us along with loving brothers and sisters in Christ and rich German food. This was part of a team which served with Pastor Jacky in January, so it was a blessing to see them again. We were given plenty to eat as we talked about ministry and partnership and what the plan was for next January. We felt at home.
Sunday morning, we were able to share more about what we do in Haiti and how we were called into the ministry and that was just during Sunday School. During church, we mixed it up with a little Creole and English worship music and shared more about Praying Pelican Missions and their strategy of mission--which I believe is a great one: always partnering with a local pastor and church to encourage and grow ministry that is already happening--this way when the team leaves, the ministry continues.
After a traditional, hearty potluck and a wonderful time of fellowship, it was time to say goodbye to our dear friends and get back on the road again. While we were driving back towards Minnesota on a very straight and long road, we talked about how much we love sharing what the Lord is doing in Haiti and leading worship together. We thank God for all the blessings He has given us and for the many blessings to come.
Now, we are taking a couple of days to rest. Much needed rest here in snowy Minnesota. Yes, there are still things we are working on here and there, but we know we need to rest.
Pray for us as we continue our journeys here in the states. Pray that we do find enough rest to energize us for the busy summer ahead. Pray that God continues to provide for our every need--even now, I think of one great need we have in Haiti as we continue to pray for a new vehicle. Continue to pray with us friends! Pray that we will enjoy our time here even with the snow!
Be Blessed!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Church Conference!
So, the past week has found me back in the swing of things with a little bit of extra rest here and there. It is great to be able to be back in the game! On Wednesday of last week, we headed to Les Cayes with 6 other guys--so often I'm the only female around with these kinds of trips--for the annual MEBSH conference. The Missionary Evangelical Baptist of South Haiti denomination is the largest denomination we work with here in Haiti. Our first contact, Pastor Samson, is the Vice President for the MEBSH and, this year, invited Pastor Rob from Broadmoor Baptist Church in Mississippi to come speak at the conference. Four times. At the nightly service. It's a pretty big deal.
Broadmoor has been partnering with Pastor Samson's church for a couple of years now and have developed, what we believe is going to be, a long-lasting partnership. It's been great to see how they want to continue to grow this relationship. Pastor Samson has visited their church and Pastor Rob has preached here. It has been great watching this relationship grow and change. We look forward to seeing how much God will do through this partnership.
At the conference this week, there were probably around 6,500 people at each nightly service. There were dynamic worship moments, wonderful choirs giving the glory to God, and--one of my favorite things--a very talented trumpet trio. The trio did an amazing job taking fantastic old hymns like "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and making a beautiful, worshipful moment where it felt like we were being ushered into the very presence of the King and we wanted to jump out of our skin to join them in worship before Him!
When Pastor Rob preached, he had to use a translator of course, but he preached from his heart. I always love it when you can tell that a pastor loves the Lord and His Word and preaches truth with passion. The theme of the convention was from John 4:35: "...lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." What a great reminder for Christians to not only know Jesus and rely on Him, but look to the fields. Why? Pastor Rob ended with a great reason: Because He Lives. We need to share that good news. We need to look to the fields.
I have been encouraged this weekend! Praise God for all He does!
Broadmoor has been partnering with Pastor Samson's church for a couple of years now and have developed, what we believe is going to be, a long-lasting partnership. It's been great to see how they want to continue to grow this relationship. Pastor Samson has visited their church and Pastor Rob has preached here. It has been great watching this relationship grow and change. We look forward to seeing how much God will do through this partnership.
At the conference this week, there were probably around 6,500 people at each nightly service. There were dynamic worship moments, wonderful choirs giving the glory to God, and--one of my favorite things--a very talented trumpet trio. The trio did an amazing job taking fantastic old hymns like "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and making a beautiful, worshipful moment where it felt like we were being ushered into the very presence of the King and we wanted to jump out of our skin to join them in worship before Him!
When Pastor Rob preached, he had to use a translator of course, but he preached from his heart. I always love it when you can tell that a pastor loves the Lord and His Word and preaches truth with passion. The theme of the convention was from John 4:35: "...lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." What a great reminder for Christians to not only know Jesus and rely on Him, but look to the fields. Why? Pastor Rob ended with a great reason: Because He Lives. We need to share that good news. We need to look to the fields.
I have been encouraged this weekend! Praise God for all He does!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
What was just a request...
All of us have vehicle woes from time to time. Our vehicle was diagnosed yesterday as being broken. The engine will have to be completely taken apart and hopefully put back together so it will work, but that means that a request for prayers for our vehicle situation has turned into more of an urgent prayer request. This vehicle has become increasingly unreliable and, when we are on the road so much, it isn't a good combination.
Please, join us in praying that God would provide another vehicle for us. A reliable, durable one that will last us a long time and give us fewer "woes". We know that He can provide and will provide all that we need, so pray with us friends!
He is faithful!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Where does that leave me?
This week, Almando is in Pignon which is far away from Port-au-Prince and the road isn't the best. He is leading a group of 25 people who are building a house for a beautiful little family and are working with the kids showing them the love of Jesus. But, if Almando is there, where does that leave me?
I am in Petionville staying at Haiti Christian Orphanage with my missionary friend Marlo and working on my Creole with the boys here. When I am not with the boys or sleeping (which I do a lot of), I am doing a variety of things. Much different than what I do at home and sometimes similar.
On Sunday, I walked to church with Marlo and some of the boys. But, it was a very different church than what I am used to. We didn't use the hymnals, but we sang songs like "Majesty" and "Lord, Reign in Me" that had been translated into French and printed in the bulletin. Sunday afternoon found me cooking my Easter meal. It wasn't quite what mom would have prepared, but still very American. Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and peas (the steamfresh ones you cook in the microwave).
After Marlo and I finished eating we headed to the bus terminal to meet the team (and see Almando) as they were passing through town. It was a quick visit, but so good. We headed back up the hill by taptap to the orphanage and I finished the day with chocolate pudding.
My morning, yesterday, was full of taptaps and wandering uphill for what seemed like forever and then wandering back down after my business there was finished by noon. Uno, laughter, language learning, and debates filled the afternoon as the boys filtered in and out.
The sounds are different here, the sights are different here, the atmosphere is different here. A little change is doing me good. For a little while. I am working on some office stuff here and there this week and trying to help Al out as much as I can from here. I know I will be ready to go home at the end of the week. For this little while, I am glad for many distractions and many new things. So, that's where I find myself this week.
Please be praying for Almando and the team while they are serving in Pignon and be praying for me as I am having a completely different set of experiences here in Petionville. I look forward to the end of the week when we can be together again, but I know God is working on and in and through both of us separately right now.
I am in Petionville staying at Haiti Christian Orphanage with my missionary friend Marlo and working on my Creole with the boys here. When I am not with the boys or sleeping (which I do a lot of), I am doing a variety of things. Much different than what I do at home and sometimes similar.
On Sunday, I walked to church with Marlo and some of the boys. But, it was a very different church than what I am used to. We didn't use the hymnals, but we sang songs like "Majesty" and "Lord, Reign in Me" that had been translated into French and printed in the bulletin. Sunday afternoon found me cooking my Easter meal. It wasn't quite what mom would have prepared, but still very American. Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and peas (the steamfresh ones you cook in the microwave).
After Marlo and I finished eating we headed to the bus terminal to meet the team (and see Almando) as they were passing through town. It was a quick visit, but so good. We headed back up the hill by taptap to the orphanage and I finished the day with chocolate pudding.
My morning, yesterday, was full of taptaps and wandering uphill for what seemed like forever and then wandering back down after my business there was finished by noon. Uno, laughter, language learning, and debates filled the afternoon as the boys filtered in and out.
The sounds are different here, the sights are different here, the atmosphere is different here. A little change is doing me good. For a little while. I am working on some office stuff here and there this week and trying to help Al out as much as I can from here. I know I will be ready to go home at the end of the week. For this little while, I am glad for many distractions and many new things. So, that's where I find myself this week.
Please be praying for Almando and the team while they are serving in Pignon and be praying for me as I am having a completely different set of experiences here in Petionville. I look forward to the end of the week when we can be together again, but I know God is working on and in and through both of us separately right now.
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