A Much Needed Sabbath

We had a great last day in Haiti! There was nothing on the agenda for us so we were able to take it easy today. So easy, in fact, that we headed to the beach. Not any beach... But the most beautiful beach in Haiti. If our internet connection was better, I'd add pictures to this post just to show you, but we're in the middle of nowhere and will take what we can get.

We had a blast at the beach. We fit 3 Americans and 33 Haitians into a TapTap and the rest of the Americans (7) into a pickup truck. Both vehicles had their own challenges on the two hour drive, but when we saw the beach, it was well worth the drive.

It was so great to see the kids being kids. They were as joyful as I've ever seen them. The were excited to get to work on their swimming skills and loved every minute (of the four hours) of splashing around. It was a brand new experience for the five new girls. They were pretty unsure at the beginning but warmed up to the idea of sand and water. 

It was a great end to a wonderful trip.  Pray that we have safe travels tomorrow and that we arrive home when we are supposed to with no delayed or cancelled flights. 

You have been an integral part of our team and we are very grateful for each prayer offered up. Please continue to pray for us in the days ahead as we continue to process all the Lord has done this week and discern how we should respond. 

Thank you for joining us on this journey. If you'd like to hear more of the story, take us to coffee or lunch soon! 

God is bigger than what's possible: Joshua

Today was our final day of VBS. We have had a great week with the kids. Our teachers, church helpers, and translators worked hard to tell the children about God's love for them. I am so pleased by how well the VBS was received. I know that the church will use what they've learned this week to teach the children in the weeks to come. 

Today was all about how God is bigger than what's possible. We did a recap of everything we've learned this week and made today about the life of Joshua.  We taught about the Wall of Jericho and crossing the Jordan River. During craft time, the class got to pick out a rock and write something they learned on it to remember this week. Most of them wrote "songs and verses". Good to know they were listening!

I can't believe the week is already over. It seems as though as soon as we get in the swing of things it's time to leave. Saying goodbye to the kids was bittersweet but we are happy to have taught them about Gods love this week.

After the VBS we were able to hand out backpacks and shoes to each of the children at the home. Everyone was so excited to receive their things. Our five new girls were over the moon when they received something that was just theirs for the first time. It's always such a blessing to see their faces as they receive something so simple that brings so much joy. 

After we passed out backpacks, we played soccer, danced, and relaxed a bit before heading to bed.

Tomorrow will be a fun day. We are taking all of the kids to the beach! It should be a great time and for some of the new girls, it will be the first time they swim!

Pray for us as our time here wraps up. We are tired of the heat and sweat but will be sad to leave our new friends. 

God is bigger than our abilities: Moses

It's hard to believe that we only have one day of VBS left, but it's true.

Day 3 went very well. We taught the life of Moses and how God is bigger than all of our abilities. We talked about how God saw past all of Moses' inadequacies and used him to save his entire people.

We taught the kids the song "Pharaoh Pharaoh" with hand motions and it was perfect. For our craft, we made Pharaoh headdresses and necklaces with each of the kids. The jewelry and dance made for quite the photo op!

After VBS, we spent the rest of our time at the girls home. I love that we all can go to the girls home and have different experiences no matter where we end up after VBS. 

This evening was Part 2 of the community soccer game.  The girls came ready for the game in matching uniforms and some in softball cleats. Everyone played very hard, but the girls won 4-2. The highlight of the game was how excited all the little girls were to see their big sisters score goals. They were the biggest cheerleaders. It was so sweet to see.

Tomorrow is our last day of VBS. Here are some ways you can pray:

- The message of Gods love for each of the children to be clearly communicated

- The teachers and church helpers to feel empowered to continue the material after we leave

- Our goodbyes to the school kids to be sweet 

Thanks for hanging in with us for the journey. We're hoping for a great end to a wonderful week!

God is bigger than our abilities: Joseph

Day 2 of our VBS went over very well. Our day was all about the life of Joseph. The theme for the day was that God is more powerful than all of our circumstances.  We talked about how God was able to use Joseph despite all of the negative aspects of his life. It didn't matter that Joseph was a slave, servant, or even prisoner... God was able to use him to save his family. We told the kids that God is able to do the same thing today, with each of them. It doesn't matter what their circumstances are, God is bigger than any obstacle they face. And God can work through all things to bring glory to Himself.

We sang a lot of songs and did many crafts, mostly about Joseph's coat of many colors and  the kids all had a blast. Everyone is excited to do something out of the routine so they are enjoying every minute of our time with them.

When we left for the day, we headed to the girls home. We all went our separate ways with naps, housework, and homework help. Right before dark, we went into the village and watched a soccer match with some of the village girls. It was an INTENSE game.  One girl from the other team blew out her knee and another, from the sound of her head hitting the ground, I'm pretty sure has a concussion, but everyone had a great time and it was fun to watch... Not the injuries but the game. 

Tomorrow is the 3rd day of VBS. We will teach all about Moses and how God uses us despite our abilities. It should be a really great day. Here are some things to pray for:

- Pray that our translators will continue to do their best as they help lead with us

- Pray that the children will receive the message that God has for tomorrow

- Pray that our team will continue to work well together as we love on everyone here

Thank you all for your prayers. Pray that tomorrow will be another great one!

x

In Awe

We are headed home today with joyous hearts for what God has done this week.

As we said goodbye to pastors on Friday and Saturday, I was amazed at what they gave up to come to the conference this past week.

First, none of these pastors work in churches that are able to pay them.  They all serve because God has called them to serve.  This means they all have other jobs to help provide for their families.  Most of these pastors are from rural areas where they farm too.  To spend four days with us, plus a day of travel at either end of those four days, meant great sacrifice for the pastors and their families.  It says a great deal about their hearts and where their priorities truly lie.

Secondly, many of these pastors traveled very far to join us.  While Haiti is a small country the road system is lacking which makes travel much more difficult.  We had many pastors that traveled from villages that were more than 6 hours away.  One group of 5 pastors walked  from a village far in the mountins where there are no roads.  Their journey took them over five hours one-way, EVERY DAY.  Folks, that is commitment.

Finally, these pastors are hungry for God's Word and for biblical encouragement.  I've already mentioned in the previous blog how excited they were to receive the discipleship materials we were able to provide.  I wish I could accurately describe the joy on each face as they received their materials.  It brings new understanding to "the joy of the Lord" and "delight in His Word".

Thank you again for your prayers.  Please continue to lift these pastors in prayer as the Lord brings them to your mind.  We are already praying and thinking about what the Lord will have us do for the 2016 Pastors Conference.

Pastors Conference 2015 Final Day

It is been a joy to share this week with these Haitian pastors and church leaders.  They are all such tremendous men and women of God and I am honored to have been a part of this conference.  Our American pastors have been fantastic and done such a wonderful job sharing their hearts.

Today we distributed the discipleship materials and books that we brought with us.  52 churches were blessed with new discipleship materials that will train and equip their people to grow in their relationship with Christ.  Thank you to everyone that has donated to make this possible.  Thank you to CLC Canada and Rod Fowler for working with me on getting these resources together.  Thanks to Nueva Vida en Cristo (New Life in Christ) for their support and generous provision of materials for these pastors.  I cannot begin to describe the joy and excitement as these pastors received their new materials. 

To our great surprise, the Haitian pastors blessed each of our American pastors with a small memento of our time here in Haiti.  They all thanked us and then the pastors gather around our team and prayed for us.  It is overwhelming to here so many people crying out to the Lord over you and for you.  It only serves to deepen my affection for these wonderful servants of the Lord and the communities they serve.

We have enjoyed our time with at the conference but we are ready for our day of rest tomorrow.  Pray the Lord gives us the rest and recharge we need as we prepare to preach in different churches on Sunday.

Pastors Conference Day 3

We finished our third day of the conference well today.  Today we focused on some practical application of discipleship methods in the church.  The pastors were challenged and very excited about the information and the opportunities they would have in the near future to apply their learning.

Pray for these Haitian pastors.  They have tremendous hearts for the Lord and for their people.  We have bombarded them with a great deal of information, advice, scripture, and instruction.  I know that at times the flood of data has been overwhelming.  Pray that the Lord will give them a clear place to start and the patience and perseverance to see it through.

There are a group of young seminary students that have joined us this week.  They have traveled from a village over 4 hours to the south-west of where we are meeting.  One of the young men in the group had his 25th birthday today.  We sang happy birthday to him during the conference meeting.  This young students are eager to learn and I am glad they have had the opportunity to join us this week.  I look back on my seminary days and wonder if I would have traveled four hours away from home to spend a week at a pastors conference rather than celebrating with family and friends.

Tomorrow is the final day of the conference.  Pray for our team that the Lord will energize us to finish well.  I am looking forward to distributing the materials we have been able to bring with us.  I am so grateful for the many people that have helped make this possible through their prayers and their generosity.  As I left the office last week, we were still far short of our financial goal but I continue to trust the Lord to provide as we follow Him in obedience and work diligently to empower His church here in Haiti.

If you would like to donate in support of this Pastors Conference, make a donation to Hope for the Hungry, PO Box 786, Belton, TX 76513 and designate the gift for Haiti Pastors Conference.

I praise the Lord for what He has done and will continue to do.  He has brought together a wonderful team that is blessing the lives and ministries of these pastors and church leaders.  I look forward to a strong finish tomorrow.