Returning Home...

We are home!  Our team arrived back in Texas late Saturday night, tired but grateful for the time we had in Haiti.  Our week ended well, with lots  of hard work.

As I have reflected over our time last week, I think the overwhelming word that keeps coming to mind is "potential".  As Stephanie met with teachers and administrators, we saw potential waiting to be unleashed; potential that when armed with the right training and tools could take our schools in Haiti to a new level.

As we interacted and played with hundreds of school children in Guibert and Marotherie, we saw the potential of Haiti's futue  in each smiling face and curious gaze.   The education they are receiving will be life changing.  The love of God that they are taught about and shown will change their eternity.

The Mission Center is ever closer to completion.  It is closer to fulfilling it's potential for relationship and community development in a new and fresh way.  We still need $50,000 to complete the final stage, but it is exciting to be so close.

The boys in the Boy's Home are shining examples of unbelievable potential. Their stories and circumstances are often heartbreaking, but they are being given a chance at a life that few in Haiti even have the opportunity to consider.  Theses boys have an opportuniity at an  eduction and a life that few in Haiti dare to dream about.  By next fall we will have 7 children from our homes (4 boys and 3 girls) that will be elidgible for university studies.   Most importantly, these boys are being  taught about  the importance of their relationship with Jesus. They are surrounded by godly men and connected to a dynamic, local church.    I had the opportunity to visit with the older boys (ages 15+) in the home last Friday.  I shared with them of the characteristics we are praying they developed, I encouraged them in the things they must be focused on now, and I reminded them that their relationship with Christ must be the most important part of thei lives.  It was a true priviledge to share with them.  As I  looked in their eyes, it was in awe of the young men I saw staring back at me.  These young men are overcoming so many obstacles and have such bright futures.

Finally, I am waiting an anticpation of the new church start in Petionville.  This new church represents such enormous potential for the future of our church  partners in Haiti.  God is already using this church to reach people for Christ.  Their small leadership team has already shared the Gospel with hundreds of people in the community and seen over 50 profess faith in Jesus. They have ministered to over 700 children in the commmunity, many who have never heard about the love of Jesus. All this and they will not officially open their doors until January.

People always ask me how things are going in Haiti.  Politically and economically, the country is a mess.  But spiritually, there is a revival coming.   God is moving, the church is active and passionate, and lives are being changed.  I praise the Lord that I am able to bear witness to His mighty power moving in this tiny, island nation.  Like many others, I have seen God at work in Haiti. Like a few others, I have joined God at work in Haiti.  Like a small number, my experiences with God because of Haiti, have radically changed the  course of my life and I am all the better for it.   Join us.  Visit www.hopeforthehungry.org and learn what God is doing.  I promise that you will be better for having joined God at work.

God is doing a new thing...

Isaiah 43:18-21 NIV

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.   See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.   The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,   the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise."

Today was such a blessing!  For the past couple of years, our Haitian partner, Pastor JeanAlix Paul, has been praying about God's leading to plant a new church somewhere in Haiti.  Over the last 20 years, JeanAlix has planted 9 churches in 9 villages throughout Haiti.  At the beginning of this year, The Lord began leading JeanAlix to a new location in a suburb of Port-au-Prince called Petionville.  Over the last 10 months, God has brought together a dynamic, passionate leadership team, including 30 families that will be a part of the launch team.  The Lord has also provided meeting space that will allow for tremendous growth and be a strategic point of ministry in Petionville.  Today we were able to visit the new space and hear the vision God has given JeanAlix for this new work.  It was our priviledge to pray over the new building, to pray over JeanAlix, and to pray over some of the church leadership. It was a powerful time and a true blessing.

Comfortable being uncomfortable...

"I think to really be able to enjoy missions you have to set aside your self and learn to comfortable being uncomfortable" - Wayne Zeh

Wayne made this very profound statement after he, Danny, and David spent the morning carrying buckets of concrete and buckets of rocks.  It made us laugh, but is also so very true.  Often God asks us to do things that move us outside of our comfort zone.  Whether it is sharing our faith with a stranger, giving sacrificially, traveling to another country, or showing kindness in  all circumstances.  We must make the choice to obey even at the expense of our comfort.

Stephanie is enjoying working with the teachers.  We are excited about the way the possibilty of providing training for the teachers is coming together.  Please continue praying for wisdom and insight into how best proceed in the ongoing evaluation.  We will be heading to the village of Marotherie on Thursdayto met with the teachers and administrators there.

The primary focus for the ministry here in Haiti is the launch of a new church start in Petionville.  Petionville is a large suburb of Port-au-Prince, with a population of several hundred thousand.   The launch team and leadership are in place and have begun holding special events for local children and evangelizing in the community.  Many have professed faith in Jesu.  Be in prayer for this new church start that will hold its first public service on January 5,2014.

Romans 8:31-35, 37-39 NASB

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Underway

Our task has begun! And we are all now exhausted ;-)

Wayne, David, and Danny jumped in to the construction process as work resumed on the Mission Center.  We are making great progress, but still have lots to do.  It is exciting to see this project moving ever closer to completion. 

Stephanie began working with the teachers and administators as we prayerfully plan a teacher's conference for next summer.  The teachers and especially the administators seem very excited about the potential of partnering with American teachers to help impove their skill sets.  Matthew is doing great.  He is such a trooper and handling a new environment very well.

Thank you for your prayers for our team.  We are greatly enjoying our time and look forward to serving alongside our Haitian friends.

Saints around the throne...

Revelation 7:9-12 NASB

"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,  "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying,  "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

I cannot begin to gauge the scope and magnitude of the scene that Revelation 7 is trying to describe. But every time I have the opportunity to worship in another culture, I believe I get a small glimpse of the worship being described here.  This morning was no different.  The joy and abandon with which our Haitian brothers and sisters worship is a deeply moving and spiritually uplifting experience.  One of the greatest joys of my life is the priviledge I have to worship with these passionate believers several times a year.

This morning we talked about the Kingdom of God. We learned from the gospel of Luke, that not only do we get to look forward to an eternity with our Savior, but God is building His kingdom right now.  God is using ordinary People, like you and me, through the Power of the Holy Spirit, to share the story of The Person of Jesus Christ. We have experienced His grace, received His forgiveness,and have  been tasked with sharing the story of His saving work for all who believe.

Our work day begins early tomorrow.  Pray for good rest tonight and energy in the morning.  God is at work!

We Have Arrived

Our team has officially arrived in Haiti!  After a few flight delays yesterday, we arrived safe and sound.  Being in Haiti the first day is always a surreal experience.  To be instantly thrust into an environment where you are surround by the fight to survive is often odd in contrast to the world you left behind only hours before.

This experience is even more unique as we have Matthew, my 5 year old son, with us.  It is fascinating to experiene Haiti through his peerspective as he asks questions and observes the worldaround him.  I am excited to see how God will use Matthew's point of view to influence our team.

Be in prayer for the week as we seek to be used for God's glory.