Can you hear the Creole chatter and incessant honk of horns?

Can you smell the raw meat and burning trash?

Can you feel the dust on your face?

Can you feel the beggar's tap on the hand?

Can you wonder where all these people are going?

Can you see the incredibly hard lives?

Can you see the naked children that run around--no longer invisible to you?

Can you feel the heat of the sun on the top of your head?

Can you feel the contrast of personal wealth to the poverty around you?

Can you feel pridefully patriotic knowing how blessed you are to be an American?

Can you wonder why you were not born here?

Can you find yourself praying for every set of eyes you connect with?

Can you?

Can you?

Can you?

August 4, 2009 Crossing over Again Today

Crossing the Border, Again Today

Came across the border today with a new group of young adults—17 of them that traveled from the Orlando area for a week of ministry with the kids. They are so excited—rode with them on the bus over from Santiago! You could just notice that they were all prayed up and were intent on accomplishing some kingdom work and making a difference in the lives of these kids! 17 High graduates and most just in college or just out of college. They desire to serve. They know they desire to serve and are moving out and doing something. A week of fun, sports, worship, and ministry are planned. It’s all here and ready to go. Having seen several groups now come and go—they just have no idea. They have no idea what God is going to speak to them about. It may have nothing to do with serving in Haiti but everything to do with serving Him.

What does the Lord have in store for us this week? For such a time as this?

We were walking through the village behind the orphanage today and I was walking with the Young Adult Pastor of the church as they are absorbing all the sites, sounds and smells. I asked him about those times when something is going on around you and get the sense that because of your present circumstances—your life will never be the same? I told him this was one of those moments, for everyone of the group that he brought with him. Regardless of what it may be or why—they will never be the same.

The other day when we were still in Santiago and were driving outside the city, but before we left town we drove in front of the Ochoa which is like our Home Depot/Lowe’s, and in front of the wall that created a perimeter around the store was a donkey and that drew an immediate gasp, picture snapping and squeals from the girls on the bus. A saddled beast of burden right in front of a store. It was a different site to see in the city Santiago in most instances—but we were nearing the outskirts it seemed, so not without reason to have a donkey there waiting on a shopper. Here’s the odd thing. Even though we have not been here that long, I did realize it nor did I notice it. Yikes. I think that’s more amazing than seeing the donkey. I did not think it odd enough to notice. Now—I have plenty of pictures of donkeys along the road. I have taken my share. But, it’s something I tend to miss now. I do find myself looking for the owner and seeing who he/she is. People have to work hard in a 4rth world country. The animals have to work even harder! But funny how I do not even notice some of the things I used to think were novel and new. I wonder what has changed back in NC that I may think is novel or new—probably not much in just a month, but you never know. The border is always an adventure.

Raising up a Generation of Hope!

These are the greatest kids! Even if one of them is mine--Blake would have loved to have been there but he was back in Santiago. All the kids there find themselves in an increible world of blessing in contrast to world around them. As they mature and continue to see what the Lord has for them, pray with us that they will be humbled by the contrast that they only can see vaguely at this point in thier young lives. Although, they have seen death, poverty rampant among thier families and community. Destruction that includes war and political unrest.

Robenson, Jocelyn, Ludridge, Francia, Fredland all have something in common with our Ethan and Blake . . . they are the Generation of Hope as the Body of Christ prepares herself to reach a world whose time has run out. To reach a world that has no hope outside of Jesus. To reach a world that will in epic porportions with increased technology and communication. It will be this generation that takes the Gospel to all people and groups around the globe. It will be this generation that realizes how small the globe really has become in every way.

Danita's prayer for all 76 of her children is the same for every parent--

"I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the Truth." 3 John 1:4

Heading Back To Haiti Tomorrow;Ethan & Tim

Ethan and I are heading back to Haiti from Santiago tomorrow and Cindy, Blake & Levi are going to wait it out a few days still in Santiago. Praying for continued healing and peace.

Well, of all the things we have experienced in the past week--I can certainly say with unwavering conviction that Ouanaminthe absolutely needs a medical clinic. The simplicity of our illnesses were made incredibly complicated by available medical care, distance for medical treatment and then just overall availability within existing services from either Haitian or Dominican health care at the border. Levi had the worst impact with a severe case of bronchitis that resulted in breathing treatments, 3 antibiotics (one of which was an IV) and that was with a fever for 7 days!

Entirely treatable, but to the average Haitian in a 4rth world country, typically fatal. Wow. That's reality and that's the way parents in Haiti have to live. Wondering if their child or children with live from day to day. How can you have joy in your life if you have to wonder every moment if the food or water you have been able to scrape up has been tainted with a deadly virus or parasite.

I have seen the market. I have seen the meats on the used card board being used to cut portion and butcher goats. Flies are the least of your worries even though the thickness of them on the meat can make you nauseous--it's all the unseen bacterias that kill. The smell is deafening.

These are the same parents that worship on Sunday mornings and experience the love of Jesus in salvation. But what is the value of salvation to them? What is the value of supernatural joy to them? What is the value of Hope to them? What is the value of eternal life to them? What is the value of relief from the pain and knowing that He will help them carry their burden? What is the value of being lost in worship amid the chaos at the border? What is the value? Absolutely no pun intended. It is priceless.

It is a short 2 hour flight from Miami, but a world away.

I am angry. Satan attempts and has tried to totally discourage me personally and our family as a whole from Haiti and sensing God's direction and call. It should make the entire Body of Christ angry. I have no idea why God has allowed the fire of the past week to burn into our lives, but I do know that we have to become vigilant and non complacent about not just the needs of people but the active prowling of Satan--the days are numbered for him and he knows it. Don't get me wrong--it is a right-directed anger. Not at persons, places or things in the flesh, but at satan and his attempt to destroy.

The world sees orphans, but the Father sees His children. The world sees dying and destruction but the Father sees victory and redemption. The world sees everything, but eternity.

Get angry and obey what God is already calling you to do!

July 24-26; Border closes, UN Tanks, Cap Hatian & Beautiful Labadie

Levi and the wonderful opportunity to experience the Caribbean
--including throwing a starfish back into the ocean!

We are awaiting Pastor Daniel to drive over from Ounanminthe to pick us up and head back to the property. Today when we get there we will move into the main campus where we will stay if this is what the Lord desires for us long term. It will be good to be able to focus on the kids in that house and be able to really understand the routines, schedules and life as they know it on a day-to-day basis during the Summer at least. The schedule is far different when it comes to the school year. The older boys that we will minister with are excited that the younger ones are moving out--and this has been a huge job for all involved. But many hands help to make the work load lighter. Honestly I think we underestimated the impact of the climate, heat and the affect it can take on you physically. So being able to get away for a couple of days ended up being more critical to us than we thought.

Blake started feeling very tired on Thursday and slept all afternoon, but there had been alot going on so it seemed logical. But after we got here--he did not want to leave the room and he said he had that "mono feeling again". So rest, sleep and resting in the cool of the AC seemed to at elast make the symptoms alot less. His fever went up last night but this morning I think he is feeling a lot better.

I am thinking that we are experiencing the only place Haiti has to offer like this. Haiti has such contrast. Cindy being the shade lover--has enjoyed the fact that there are trees along the beach. We have never been around that so no need for umbrellas!

Friday was interesting as the commotion hit after the border was closed. I guess you learn to take it all in stride and get the best intelligience you can off the street and from vendors you know in the area. Usual and customary for the area. Just not to us.

We prayed that this trip would allow us to see the reality of the needs and the realities of the cost. I'm not talking about monetary cost either.

I think we are seeing both in a a very short and rapid manner.

We just have to pace ourselves.

Being able to be around the kids the coming weeks will be a good thing. That's what we came for.

Blake is feeling better this morning, the fever is gone and perhaps it was a good warning to take a slower pace. The boys had been working hard and playing harder.

Cindy and I both enjoyed the cool sleeping nights and that alone seemed to be very restorative.

Monday Evening, July 20th

The Lord is good and for cooler weather we are grateful. It’s about 76 outside after a nice rain came along. Made all the difference in the world. Coolest temps we have had since we have been on the island. Cannot decide whether it energizes or make you want to go to bed and sleep while it’s cool. I even wanted a cup of coffee after dinner. Joanne fixed fried spam and I have to tell you I did not realize how good that would taste. We really do not need to eat large dinners because lunch is very healthy and filling—always rice, and today’s meat was fried fish, stewed okra(heaven), black beans and usually pineapple and papaya.

Today was a mixed bag of things—mostly getting ramped up to help move some storage around and open up the 1st floor of a two story house being rented to house some of the boys. Fortunately there is plenty of help and there seems to be the Haitian ability to have fun along the way too—regardless of what you do. At least when it’s Danita’s boys! To be honest the jobs seem overwhelming. Just overwhelming. What O could do with a Lowe’s or a Home Depot—especially Kernersville’s own builder’s salvage!! I cannot tell you how simple things COULD be but just are not due to the complexity of being available for supplies, etc.

We spent time this morning with Baby J the 1 year old that is a hydrocephalic. Victim is a really good word. Words cannot express how if there had only been a hospital or medical care available this little guy’s life would be totally different—but it’s not. So his life has to be able to make a difference for others—his plight does not have to be the plight other children face. He is less than day’s travel from the finest medical care in the world—but that distance might as well be around the world. Joanne held him and gave him a bottle but he was so weak he could not even create the suction to take the milk and hardly enough energy to swallow. This is not a contrived television story. We held him today. His body was the size of a 6 month old but severely dehydrated with little or no muscle tone. His head is so large he cannot move. “Lord allow him to make a difference beyond what we could ever think or imagine with his life—take away his suffering and hold him in your arms forever where he can jump down and run, play, belly laugh and eat ice cream. Bless his aunt who loves him and sacrificially and is the mom that he deserves.”

Then today there a young adult that I had seen at worship Sunday. He had a large bandage on his head about the size of a small hat. Looked somewhat clean, but certainly not sterile. Had no idea what was going on, until today. He had come to eat lunch and was in a great deal of pain. The ministry here to him has been remarkable. He has terminal cancer. He has perhaps one month to live. Chemo and radiation have failed and it is now in his lymph and bones the visiting doctors have said. His would is exposed and it relieves pressure. He comes to the ministry by bike. He says that he feels it hurting while he rides his bike and is afraid of motorbikes because of an accident he was in earlier. The Dr.’s have told the ministry to get him some pain meds similar to morphine. You know the poor man was hurting. But the conversation was very direct and the worship minister was there to interpret. He said he went to church but could not articulate that he had placed his trust in Jesus as Savior. We talked more about the Dr.’s diagnosis and his death. He was living with his sister and she made him leave because her husband did not want him dying there. Death is a very superstitious issue here in a country where Voodoo is the national religion. I was able to tell him that Scriptures teach us that in death we are victorious as Christians and that our temporary bodies long to be changed into our new bodies. He said he wanted to become a Christian. I prayed with him, via the interpreter and then he repeated the prayer back after the interpreter—it was so wonderful to hear in Creole—“I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and I accept Him as my personal Savior.” Whooohoo! I am praying about how to wrap his head for baptism, since the only body of water is in the Massacre River which is laden with bacteria. You see his tumor has exposed his brain. The Dr.’s said he could actually see brain tissue when he looked into the wound. Tomorrow we meet with him again at 10 AM. We are probably going to go with him to where his mother is staying and where he is living now—which is an incredibly poor area of Haiti and take him a mattress so he has a clean place to lie. Actually, so he has a place to die. As we closed out time together, I shared with him about how he is like those of us around the table. No longer an orphan, but an adopted child of God who has a Heavenly Father that desperately love him and cannot wait to see him and welcome him home. I told him that the incredible gift that he now has in salvation will not only allow Him to hear Jesus when He does call him home in death, but that Jesus will hear his voice and recognize him as one of his own.
“Precious are the Saints who die in the Lord” came to mind and having just experienced Terry Ford’s homegoing—he would have told Dameus the very same thing. “With what time you have left, fight the good fight—the victory is yours!”

A cool breeze on a Haitian night. A heavy heart.

Sunday Evening, July 19, 2009

Here’s the setting. I am sitting here on the front porch and hearing the big trucks roll down the street—lining up to get into the market for tomorrow. Tomorrow is the big day for market at the Dajabon/Ouanaminthe border market. Whew, people on top of people. Commerce. People and more commerce. That was my first introduction to Haiti when I walked across the border with Danita.

Honestly there was a great sense of hesitancy about staying here in the mission house on the main—and when I say main I mean the only paved road—that goes from the border to a major northern city in Haiti—Cap Haitian. We hope to take a trip over there to see some Haitian sites. So what I am hearing right now are mopeds, motorcycles, Creole in tones that sound angry, harsh, all the way to kids laughing along the way. I hear Haitian music from the Night Club across the street. I smell something burning—usually always something burning somewhere. I smell something that is not something I want to smell sometimes but for the most part I have to say it’s quite entertaining and a great sociological arena seat to watch the Haitian world go by. They don’t have any idea that they are being prayed for as they go about their business. Worry about their food or more seriously if there will be food for them and their children. Guess what. NO complaining about food from anyone around here. We are very blessed.


Oh—by-the-way. This is funny, every night the electricity (well hopefully every night) comes on and runs from 8 PM to midnight. It actually was supposed to come on at 6 PM and did when it first started (a few weeks ago) but now it’s 8 PM. Well—we are able to charge the batteries/inverter to run the fans all night as long as the street “public” utilities can come on. It seems that the generator burns up batteries and damages them too quickly to rely on the generator to recharge them. It literally is a bank of batteries. Anyway, I got so excited that I left the water running in the bucket where I was doing hand washing (gentle bucket cycle) and the back porch flooded—but then I also left the back door gate open and Snickers the dog came running through the house—to join the hooting and hollering about the electricity, but with the glad hearts about public utilities on an extremely hot day—everyone graciously took my mess in stride.

Worship today was a blessing. Appropriate enough, the guest preacher today was the same preacher that preached Palm Sunday when I was here the first time. They have a new Worship minister now that also interprets the service. He loves American artists worship songs and has a very interesting perspective on that. He really believes that singing only Haitian songs limits the Church in Haiti from knowing and joining the global Church . . .wow. How about that? So I guess that should mean that our churches should be finding worship songs from all cultures to sing as well. Pastor Sam is staying in the Mission House with us and we have all grown to truly consider him our brother and feel a great sense of kindred spirits. Levi loves him.

We also have been sharing the house with a remarkable lady. In our conversations we discovered that our paths crossed about 10 years ago in an inner city mission in NY. She was the office Manager for Metro Ministries and I was there for a weekend visit and participate in their inner city children’s program. She is like a mom. While she worked at Metro—she is a southerner from Cheraw SC and makes great iced tea. She could be retired. But she chose to come to Haiti and work in the mission field. She goes out and starts the generator. Walks up and down the Haitian streets. Loves on the kids and sweats from the sweltering heat with the best of us. Joanne is a gift. God has placed a burden for a special needs child that is brought to church by his aunt. This young lady is a such a servant. This little guy is a hydrocephalic baby and is untreated—the aftercare for such a surgery is so meticulously bacteria free that it alone makes this kind of intervention questionable. This little guy’s head along probably weighs 25lbs. It broke our hearts to see him as his little body seemed withered in comparison to his painfully tight scalp. Joanne provides formula for this aunt who has taken on her nephew who was left for dead at birth. We went over to Dajabon to get new bottles and formula. We picked up some baby wipes in hope that they might provide some comfort to him in the heat.

The “least of these” are everywhere I know. You don’t have to come to Haiti to find them. But we are here in Haiti where there’s no prejudices or cultures of origin that cloud out perspectives—or that Satan might use to veil our sight. It’s clearly right here. We are His hands and we are His feet. We feel His heart.