It sounds as if it’s been raining still in the PNW, so you’ll be glad to know that we’re in a downpour last night. We were surprised to show up early to the church service in Sarazon today where Russ was to preach. We showed up fashionably late (on Haitian time) at 6:30am for a 6 am service, but found they observed Daylight Savings Time, which left us arriving in the middle of classes. 

Kids, women, teens, new converts, men had various classes being taught by animated teachers who would often have the people reciting Scripture and explaining. A small handbell rang at 7am to call them together. And then again at 7:15 and then a song leader called them together with a song and then . . .

They seated us on the stage/porch at about 7:45, which was awkward but a honor I presume. Probably 12 different people came up to address the church and sing, pray, make appeals, or read Scripture. At about 9am our team was introduced and we brought greetings from the church in the PNW. Russ brought the Word with energy and clarity until 9:35 translated by Pastor Yves. He encouraged them to have courage through the difficulties they experience and to have no fear because they are greatly loved by Jesus. 

We greeted the church and went to the building site where they have a new project. A group from PAP was singing and blessing the new construction and I was able to pray for the work. 

We were blessed with a wonderful Haitian meal by Pastor Jethro’s wife and started back to the orphanage in Mirebalais at 11am.

 

On the way back we dropped off Pastor Ludwig at his home and were treated to fresh sugar cane.

It’s not Easter, but it’s a sunrise service. How early do you meet with the church? We’ve got a 6 AM service which is usually 3 AM Pacific time. Today it happens to be 4 AM Pacific time because of daylight savings. Chris usually doesn’t wake up until the crack of dinner. He looks great doesn’t he?

The six of us have an amazing set up. I’m sure it is hard to get a sense of what it is like. Inside the gate on the right is our bunk room. On the left is the outdoor arena where Russ and I will hold the pastors conference training sessions. We are excited about what God has brought us here to do and to learn.

​

​ 
​​​​

As we flew from Miami over the blue waters of the Atlantic and then toward the Islands the beauty was breathtaking. We had the “privilege” of circling over Port-Au-Prince (PAP) while waiting for a spot on the tarmac and had sweeping views of a mountainous countryside scarred by dry valleys. The airport was clean and organized well and the staff was polite and helpful. We waited in Customs a while for the arrival of our fifth member, Chris. Greg had arrived earlier and was already reconoitering and acquiring electrical supplies in PAP. Greg came back to airport customs with Jean (Lebron James look alike) from GVCM and Chris arrived soon after. ​​

​

We loaded the truck and the 7 of us took off into the wild traffic in the capitol city.

Don’t worry about the guy that cut us off in his overloaded tap tap (custom made truck/bus)! Jean got out and had a talk with him. 😉 It helps to be huge. 

Steve and Greg are in town getting major electrical parts for a project they surveyed last night. 

Doug and Chris are exploring a dozen other projects of mechanical and computer-related. Russ and I have been planning out the pastors conference and had a chance to connect with Pastor Yves pronounced Eve) today. Please, I beg you, pray for this man who literally bears the weight of this country’s conditions and takes care of the children that they cannot. Along with that he pastors other pastors of 48 churches and on and on it goes. Every moment of every day is filled with requests from other people.

​

After a ride through really crazy traffic the 7 of us made it to the countryside and stormed up the canyons like we were attempting land speed records. Riding in the back of the truck was pretty dusty but the high rate of speed kept us mostly clean.

​

​
​​Arriving at the orphanage was a unique experience for me to say the least. Each of us piled out of the truck to a waiting throng of children. They grabbed each of us and fought over who would be our forever friend. So much hand holding and so little personal space. Welcome to Haiti! My arm hair got a LOT of attention as did the hair on my head and my starter beard ;).

Last summer, I agreed, in principle, to help out with a pastors conference hosted at Global Vision Citadel Ministries in Haiti. http://www.gvcm.org

Tonight, I travel with three other friends on a redeye flight to Miami and then Port Au Prince, Haiti in route to the orphanage. We will meet up with two others for a total of 6 team members. Along with training about 60 rural pastors the team will be accomplishing all sorts of electrical and mechanical repairs at the orphanage. We would appreciate your prayers. I also have a starter beard, with four days growth, which I hope will make me look older and wiser. 😉 Wish me luck on that!

“I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.” MJ

A few days after the Election of 2016, my thoughts wandered today to all of the things wrong with our nation. And yet, I’m under the strange conviction that it all needs to start with ME. I have said those things, I have felt those things, I have made those same kind of character attacks, I have spoken with out thinking, I have joked about people about whom I have very little information. I’ve decided that I’m not asking you to change your ways to make me feel better.

I need to change ME. It’s the only power I really have. But how to change? Am I not supposed to be true to who I am, stick up for myself, be real!?! Well, the genuine me is in need of a supernatural cure. I have decisions to make, but I don’t always even know my own heart and thoughts. It starts with a prayer. An ancient prayer to the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends you,

and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

Psalm 139:23-24 NLT

What has this election season revealed inside YOUR heart?  

A deep conviction has been developing in me that the church has lost their sense of wonder about God. Kids have a great sense of wonder about the world. For little kids, miracles are everywhere; in spider webs and pretty leaves. We lose that wonder about God as we “grow up” and “make” God into a predictable being. Becoming mature does not mean we need to lose wonder. I have developed a three question process that allows me to rediscover wonder in everyday mission. These are questions I ask when I enter a coffee shop, store, neighborhood, church service, or any gathering of friends.

1. Rhetorical Question – Has God given up on these people? No!
2. Biblical Question – What is He doing? Redeeming Lost Souls.
3. Wonder Producing Question – How far is He along in the process? I do not know, but I hope find out. I wonder!

Are you interested in finding out what God is doing? Would you let it develop to a point where you are moved to action?

The church must work toward wonder. Creativity is sparked when we sensitize ourselves to God’s work in the lives of those around them. For those that have begun to think and pray in this way, suddenly, mowing a neighbor’s lawn, walking their dog, raking leaves, and baking cookies becomes a step in spreading the Good News; it becomes a partnership with God’s work, to express his love to a world who is wondering if he loves them anymore.

What causes you to wonder?

The Gospel is for Christians too! Many Christians are content to keep the Gospel on the front-lines of overseas missionary activity, but leave Jesus behind in their desire to move on to what they would consider the weightier matters of discipleship in the local church. Evangelism is a catalyst for discipleship and the Gospel is the pattern becoming like Jesus; the goal of discipleship. I know I just used the E-word and a lot of people are cringing. Let me explain.

The Gospel is the good news that terms of peace have been extended through Jesus to a people at war with their Creator (2 Cor 5:19). I do not share in his Reformed view, but I love how Michael Horton, in The Gospel-Driven Life (p. 77.), elaborates on the Gospel. “Nothing that I am or that I feel, choose, or do qualifies as Good News. On my best days, my experience of transformation is weak, but the Gospel is an announcement of a certain state of affairs that exists because of something in God; not something in me.”

The good news is that we, ourselves, are not the Good News, but rather participants in God’s patience, mercy, and love. When I fail to show the transformation that the world and even I expect, God is still on the throne and the Good News can go forward. This releases the pressure and I can exalt God even in my failures. When I rehearse the Gospel, even preach the Gospel to myself, I am reminded of the power to truly live. We have been offered such precious news that it cannot be held back. Even in prayer, I can remind myself that I am praying in Jesus name and not my own.

I can approach the throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16) not because of my successes but because of Jesus work. We do not have to hide in our failure and weakness but in, and only in, the name of Jesus we can receive the help we need. In Jesus name I can pray like this: Father, I come before you, not in my own power, not in my own righteousness, not in my own capability. I come before you in the authority of Jesus, your Son, who gave me access in this faith in which I stand because of His blood. I come on the merits of Jesus, not on my own merits.

This is true freedom. It is clear that a world at war with its Creator needs to hear this. When I as an individual embrace this Gospel as a way of life it will begin to spread outward in concentric circles of influence. The world does not need more “perfect” Christian families to isolate and mock, but it could use some families like mine that fail, respond in repentance, and declare the wonder of God to a broken world. When I require perfection of my family members, I will allow embarrassment to poison them when they inevitably fail. I want the Gospel to permeate our lives to show a watching world how secure and free we are in Christ. That’s what I mean by Evangelism, and the world is ready to hear it. It starts with me, it starts with you, because after all, the Gospel is for Christians too!