Beauty of Haiti

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From the Heart

Two weeks after the earthquake we arrive to Port-Au-Prince after seeing the poverty in Cap Haitien last year.

Now, distraught families broken and crushed in spirit by an earthquake that kills over 200,000 people.

A Haitian proverb declares that there are 'mountains beyond mountains'. This is the land terrain and difficulty in Haiti to provide for your family via education for your children and learning trades for employment.

An African declared once 'I am born again on Sunday and unemployed on Monday and we drive away waving goodbye from our experience saying 'God bless you'

Church......the mindset of missiology must change.....we need to share the Word for salvation but begin to empower the nations with sustainment mechanisms by that location's resources.

Adopt a location, listen to their needs and dreams and work to provide that bump like an Internet Cafe in Africa to support a pastor or a trade school in Haiti to lay block.

My heart like the Centurion's has been broken in the rubble of my selfish vanity after the earthquake and pray God forbid and forgive my desires to truly submit and carry your cross. 'Surely He was the Son of God'

Perhaps Bonhoeffer wrote it well and from the Word that there should really be a cost to discipleship.....

Are you paying the price to truly follow and model the Way

Living sacrifices.....oh the riches of grace...

Church, move compassion to action in the fast God chooses

For Jesus Kingdom and Glory

Gospel Therapy-- I Believe in Me and Heart of Worship----sharpen the iron

I visited the new Physical Therapy NE tent today and had an opportunity to share the Gospel and the True Light,... Jesus.

Of all things with an OT worker from Canada. After asking her if she went to church, her response was
That basically, 'I believe in ME'
Wow, is that our culture today?

ME, my world, my schedule, my comfort.....'I believe in me and really don't need anything or anyone else or Jesus'.

We had a great talk about grace and truth and the book of John and who was this Jesus.

As the night closed, my last supper was spent at the children's home where a young teen named MacKendy got out his guitar.

We traded songs and he played Chris Tomlin's new song, Sing, Sing Sing.....way cool, all the way from the states the heart of worship returns...'I'm sorry Lord for the thing I made it'.....when its all about you Jesus.

Lights out now and I was able to encourage a young man from Houston as he also teaches with young adults. He too like many twentysomethings are searching for that significance and landing place.

The iron was sharpened per Proverbs and I await a morning Cessna flight to Port-Au-Prince.

Another Flip video moment for sure....and one more note..

First ever Haiti motorcycle 'moto' ride.........intense

Water Bladders and Venezuela Army Tents equates to Refugee Camp

My heart was heavy today as many families to the equivalent of a thousand people are living in Venezuela army tents in a refugee camp.

Row upon row of tents with sewage drains dug by hand just a few inches deep for easy access just alongside the tents.

Babies sleeping on the ground, some women half clothed to endure the heat. Unreal living conditions to say the least and a huge water bladder that was being filled by a water truck (for drinking water).

God help me to do everything without arguing or complaining as your Word declares....

We don't even realize the privilege and comfort we have on a daily basis.....how many feet do you walk for safe water?

Constant comfort at 70 degrees

The list goes on....I pray we make a new one to love our neighbor.... by His grace

Love much and goodnight.

Joy of Worship and Hospital Feeding

I was taken to 1 Thess: 1:5-7
Where Paul writes to Thessalonians
'Because our Gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know we lived among you FOR YOUR SAKE.

(Paul was living for them--such a witness here in Jacmel as missionaries carry the True Light)

They became imitators despite severe suffering and welcomed the message with joy!

Becoming a MODEL to all believers

My heart was so touched by this passage as God led me to this Scripture during the singing.

May we be His imitation no matter what we face and with joy live for the Gospel, this beautiful sound that rang out of the church--see vs.8.

The worship of Hosanna rang out this Sunday morning and into the streets. After church, I witnessed a hospital feeding visit where our stop led us to the maternity ward.

Newborn babies lying beside their moms on the bed in 80 plus degree rooms recovering from birth. We sang praises to God and some of the women joined in unison.

May the light of Jesus name shine like stars in the universe...keep going saints...keep going, our Father is with us...

Blindside Curves in Broad Daylight and 3 White Sheets

The trip was uneventful, praise God when you travel with a backpack; even easier through Haitian customs. You exit 'claim your baggage or its gone' section to the outdoor clamor of every airport baggage worker wanting your business and then the wait.....

To find your driver 'on the other side of the fence'. Always an anxious moment at first arrival to slowly relaxing to trust God for His perfect timing.

And then walks up Mikey, my driver with yellow shirt and black NY hat. God is Faithful and off we go on a normal 2 1/2 hour drive to Jacmel turns into five with traffic!

The last leg is up the mountain and Mikey declares its better to drive at night as at least you can see the oncoming lights.

The daytime results in taxis rounding curves right into your lane resulting in some blindside curves in broad daylight. You would think light might help for driving....

As we enter Jacmel Mikey mentions another 3 white sheet day meaning more death from the clinic. 'I never thought I would get use to the smell of death'.

Love your family and don't take for granted what is right in front of you...

Jesus open our hearts, slow us down

Haiti 2010

Clinic's Cry For Help

Pastor's Thank You

Reflection

Compassion Permanence and Broken on Rooftop

You arrive back in the United States from Haiti to comfort, your own bed, air-conditioning, ice cubes less than twenty feet from your couch, safe drinking water and then reality settles....

How do you maintain the attention of EVEN believers in Jesus name with all the distractions of the world coupled with our own self-absorption and constant analysis of our own circumstances.

How would compassion permanence EVEN be possible in our daily grind. As you see Jesus walk and move in His ministry what do you notice? That he had his own mansion with high walls safe from the world's harm-- out of reach from the 'have nots' with disease, too busy to stop and have compassion on the crowd...

He chose the narrow way of sacrifice and the example of servanthood for His own creation...His fellowman, to be our Savior for my sin.

God really broke me on the rooftop where we slept in Despinos, Haiti. God forbid and forgive my pride and vanity and moments of apathy for the Gospel, the greatest good news on Earth to man to live and die to self for the glory of Jesus name and praise to God our Father.

Help us in the tear shed rooftop moments to just take your hand and walk humbly with you Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

May our eyes be open to retain compassion in our hearts to love you first with all of our might and then our neighbor reflecting your imitation. I pray you see living sacrifices in your faithful servants..... and not consuming masters.

Norton's New Birth Reflection and Walking by Faith

It was very exciting to hear while we were rebuilding the pastor's home that the Norton team was delivering a new baby boy. The next day they learned they lost a 19 year old patient due to stomach complications. I tried to encourage them in the fact that they brought new life into this world and did all they could to help the Haitian people.

I am grateful for the Norton team and their efforts in Haiti. May we continue to persevere and daily be that living sacrifice to take our lives into a work that is greater than self. for me, its my faith to walk as Jesus did....
1 John 2:6

Planes in Haiti, Maintenance in Miami and parting the Red Sea for the Red-eye drive home......and Artificial Air??

Off we go towards the airport ever wondering if your plane will arrive and the adventure of roof-top suburban drives through needle-thread passes with no traffic lights in sight....ahhh Haiti, we'll miss you..
Guys, please don't complain about traffic in the Ville,....ever! I'll try and remember too...

The plane was on time in Haiti and all is well and we make it through customs only to find out our plane in Miami needs repair and we will miss our connection home.

Seriously.....a stateside flight. We debate options and its make it to Chicago and then overnight.

The nurses from Norton had to work so the team split like the Red Sea and they began a red-eye car ride home and the construction crew and Dr. Crafton stayed at the hotel.

We wondered how the artificially cooled air was refreshing our spirits and kept us sane for a first night past four hours sleep. .....they called it air-conditioning!

Pray for the nurses...they went straight to work...may God bless their faithfulness.

All to Jesus renown and glory for His Kingdom, Amen.

(More reflections coming next week....)

Maggot Overload, Sugar Cane in the Sauna and Futbol Haitian Style with a Riot...

Our morning began with cleaning out the '87 Suburban with the many dusty road trips out to Leogane.

We heard about a wound being cleaned at the clinic and so we walked down to see the Norton team in action only to find the most unforeseen situation.

An elderly woman had an open wound on her thumb that was so bad, a maggot a half inch long had been removed and was crawling on the medic's cloth on her lap.

David's compassion and concern for the woman really evoked some emotion and we filmed his response.

The next trip into town was for a run to the bank which revealed a grocery store that reportedly from the earthquake, killed almost 100 people in just one location.

The traffic was intense and moving so slow you felt like you were being cooked in a sauna, dripping sweat all down your back.

David then asked for sugar cane and we stopped and began a new adventure in biting and then sucking the sugar juice out of the fibrous cane. You are not suppose to eat the cane and the process was cumbersome but refreshing in the sweltering heat.

We returned back to the ranch and headed out to a nearby village where April has a children's ministry.
We played soccer or futbol and these young kids were fast and very good.

Let's just say Justin and David played goalie and got scored on big time and I was out of breath and went for a ball and cut up my knee, but we had a blast and the Norton team sang songs and played games with the younger children along with some dances.

At the end, a mom got rough with the kids as they about rushed April like a riot over a bag of candy! The mom started yelling at the kids to line up and go one at a time.

We escaped with our lives only to drive down that old dusty Haitian road one more time atop the ole Suburban..

Week long reflections from the heart to come....

Good night!

Last Day--via Michael Wayman from Norton

May 5.

First let's begin with good news. Our two housecalls from yesterday are doing quite well. In the clinic today Jean and I debrided a severly infected thumb on an elderly, wheel-chair-bound woman. The skin was sloughing and once we opened the wounds more, we discovered maggots were infesting the site. We had only toradol for pain to offer the woman. She was an awesome patient as we vigorously scrubbed and scrubbed. We also treated her with injected and oral antibiotics. She was instructed return to the clinic tomorrow. In the afternoon we played games with children in a nearby neighborhood. We enjoyed Haitian versions of hide and seek, duck duck goose, London bridge, and red light green light. We also showed the children our conga line and the Macarena. They and we had a blast. There was also a soccer game being played in the background. A very good day. We are all looking forward to going home tomorrow.

May 4--via Michael Wayman from Norton

A man came to our hosts' home late last night with complaint of nausea, vomitting, and epigastic pain. Dr. Crafton assessed him. He vomitted once so we gave him phenergan and instructed him to see us in the clinic tomorrow. He met us at the clinic door. Dr. Crafton performed a detailed assessment and found the 19 year-old boy to have an abdomen that required surgery. We gave IV fliuds and IV antibiotics to him. April, the clinic leader found a man to take our patient to Port au Prince to the Unisersity of Miami hospital operating there. The ambulance was a 1980 Suburban with a hood that was secured with jute twine. No ACLS crew was available, of course. We were informed that had he gone to a Haitian hospital they may have refused to treat him. Later that evening one of the locals informed us that our patient died. No known details as of yet. At the same time this morning Dr. Crafton and I delivered a 6 pound 12 ounce baby boy. We received a call this morning, prior to arriving at the clinic, stating that a woman in labor was coming. So we rushed over there. Her water broke upon arrival and contractions ensued. Dr. Crafton blurted out "game on." About 15 minutes later there was a baby boy. We were giving the mother IV fluids while massaging her uterus. It took about 45 minutes to deliver the placenta. We had to be quite creative with our limited resources. The delivery was not sterile. There was no water and no electricity. We sterilized our instruments with alcohol gel and Dr. Crafton stitched the perineum with 2.0 vicryl. Not the preferred choice. We observed the mother and baby for 3 hours and they were released. Susan and I walked the two home. Susan carried the baby while the mother walked ahead of us. The mother seemed disinterested in the recent events. We escorted her back to a tin shack, which was serving as her home. The events were very sad indeed but they do the best they can under the circumstances in which they find themselves. Now, that I am writing this blog a woman shows up at the gait with a febrile infant who is also experiencing rectal bleeding. I ran back to the clinic to retrieve Tylenol and flagyl. We also gave the mother some Pedialyte for the infant and told her to come to the clinic in the morning. This is quite commonplace here because there are no emergency rooms and no immediate care centers. Several patients today had malaria. There was a boy for whom Dr. Crafton, Jean, and I made a house call. Dr. Crafton suspected malaria and tuberculosis. We treated him with IV fluids, chloroquine, cipro, phenergan, and Pedialyte. Again, he was instructed to see us in the clinic tomorrow. A very busy and fruitful day.

Sketch a Cat, Cherry-picked friends and the Joy of Salvation and Hope from a Home

The day began again with the wheels rolling at 420am and amazingly awake with anxiety of completing the task.

As we approached the workday I began with diligence for the long haul until 5-6pm--yes, carrying one block at a time.

The children came around and I found an opportunity to gather a notebook and etched out a sketch by way of pen of Garfield. They knew his name and then wanted me to draw a picture of their pigeon. (See the pic)

David had a neat moment where a young boy befriended him and brought him a mango and then a handful of cherries. (Really touched David"s heart that the boy was willing to share with him)

The Pastor shared about the hope he gained by building his home that he lost after the earthquake. His wife had such a joyous glow on her face as she expressed thanks for the team's efforts.

A real weight was lifted emotionally from my heart after being there two weeks after the earthquake. A sigh of relief knowing you were finally able to help a Pastor begin his home to continue preaching the Gospel.

May Jesus be our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.

Thanks for all your prayers!!

Medical Clinic Team

May 3.
We went to the clinic early this morning and patients were already waiting for us. We received 30 patients today. Many parasitic infections and much wound care. We treated a woman today with psychiatric issues who had ligature-induced wounds around her ankles and arms. We were informed that her family binds her arms and legs because they are uncertain how to deal with her ailment. Also, we held an 18-month old boy with severe dehydration for over two hours in the clinic. IV fluids and IV antiemetics were administered at the clinic. He was able to ingest Pedialyte prior to discharge and his mother was instructed to return with him in the morning. We also assisted with keeping the pharmacy organized. April really needs funds to assist her with wonderful work she is doing here. The most exciting news today is the tremors we experienced during lunch. We were uncertain as to what was happening at first. Then we remembered the earthquake and became a little nervous. April walked us around the neighborhood today. We visited and had Bible study with many of the church patrons. One session was in the midst of a VooDoo village with live animals wandering around. Some trepidation but a good experience. All in all a good day.

Church on Sunday--via Michael Wayman from Norton

May 2. We went to the mission church today with our host family, Joel and April Hess. The experience was great and rewarding. A four-month-old was brought to the mission house today by its mother with complaint of vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. Dr. Crafton assessed the patient and we gave Pedialyte to the mother with instructions and asked her to bring the child to the clinic tomorrow. Also, an American lady from the orphanage broght a four-year-old boy to the house who had fallen and his right incisor was protruding parallel to the ground. We extracted the tooth intact and no bleeding occurred. Dr. Crafton gave oral care instructions to his caregiver and they were on their way. April, the clinic leader, informed us that these "house-call" events happen all the time. Not much else happened today. We are excited about the clinic tomorrow.

An Unthinkable Accident, the Notebook, Zombies and Import Hot Dogs

Try this at your own risk and never complain the 9-4 or 5 day. 345am wake-up, wheels rolling by 420, work til 6pm (some with obsession may do this)

Anyways, drive to Leogane average 1 1/2-2 hrs and traffic not too bad until 5:30am and at 545am the unthinkable accident.

We pass two dead bodies with blood on the street, a woman and a young boy. When you go home tonight, hug or call a sibling/mom and thank Jesus for your family.

A sight that started our day and very rough to see as you reflect on the duration of life and making the most of every opportunity per Word of God.

The workday brought a moment where Justin began teaching English to some young kids and he learned some Creole and they learned English as recorded in the Notebook.

The cool thing was as Justin returned to the pad, I asked if they would carry block and on Saturday they just laughed and mocked the one-block carrier..hmm and said no.

I suggested the chain-gang line and they said yes, I believe due to Justin earning some respect and unity. They helped the rest of the day and I had a boost of energy when a 12-14 year old boy worked hard for this Pastor.

On the way home we enjoyed the delicious Miami import hot dog, notice with the entrepeneurial cut down the center to include the double option of ketchup and mayo...or some sauce. After 12 hrs of masonry it was right on! Again with the Gladiator energy drink

And oh yes, hold on for the Zombies. Joel, resident missionary told me that the witch doctors give them meds to slowly stop their heart, bury them in the ground and they awake, come out and end up vegetables or 'zombies' due to lack of oxygen. (A way to get back at someone for an insult or injury)

Pray for the True Light of the Gospel, Jesus their Savior to penetrate hearts....

A Time to Worship, Machine Gun Guards, Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head....and a Catwalk??

Sunday brings the joy of an early morning commute to church, with burnt foreheads in eight minutes.
James, a mission resident had to pick someone up and I was curious as I wanted to give him a Love Much bracelet.

As he approached the church, he came down the isle with an elderly woman in a wheelchair. She was blind and had given her life to Christ and James is faithful in picking her up for church. It reminded me of David on our team that helps assist Jason to church who is only mobile from a chair.

The service was beautiful with a special sung by a young women's group we captured on video. After lunch we ran into town for diesel and a major lightning strike hit over the house. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a machine gun guard and I caught a lightning strike via mobile phone by accident capturing the recklessness of drive-thru fill up. (See Facebook)

We went to a youth service in the afternoon that was designed for students to sing or perform and as they were near completion a line of girls and then boys did a catwalk strut towards the altar and the crowd went crazy.

They began cheering and then the boys chose a girl from a line-up on the stage and walked back out down the isle.

Discipleship in Haiti, listen, learn,
Love much! Pase bon nuit...
Good evening church

Leogane for Thirty Years, Mobile Medics and Bricklaying for Gladiator

Imagine just for a moment that you have served God faithfully for 30 years and in 30 seconds you lose part of your church and your home.

How strong is your faith when we have the slightest setback in the states? Or our first response to declare 'you give and take away' but.. 'Praise the Lord'?

The Pastor we are helping has been a faithful Haitian pastor for the Gospel for thirty years.

Dr.Crafton's team had a great day holding a mobile clinic and treating over 100 patients in six hours. Leogane was in great need of medical assistance and the team was so encouraged by the gratefulness of the patients.

The rebuild of the Pastor's home came with the Americans adapting to the melting sunbeams. We ate in the shade and twenty minutes later past noon felt like stepping out into an oven in that short amount of time.

David became a blocklayer to set the outside walls and Justin and I carried blocks. You basically lose feeling in your arms after two hours, develop heat rashes and dehydrate in the process.

Not that bad, who is ready to join the next team? God is Faithful and the source of our strength, all joking aside with the end goal of a two-hour drive home through Flag Day for the long anticipated....Gladiator Energy Drink made by Coca-Cola.

Amazing, have a coke and a smile today and Love Much for Jesus' Kingdom.

A man once told me on the Navajo Reservation who framed our children's home in two weeks its Joshua 1:8 and...

Hard Work!! That's ringing in my ears now..

Let's go church, leave the building and comfort?

Elephantitis, Hey Joel and Dancing for Witch Doctors

We woke up this morning ready for a morning commute into the local neighborhood outreach about to leave when I noticed this man's foot.

He was a local mission worker whose left foot looked swollen and he had elephantitis and it had healed at one time per Joel and now has returned.

How is the healthcare system treating you now? We really will be okay in America guys...

Next stop, the men's bible study group Joel meets with each week. And it's 'Hey Joel, Hey Joel'. Exciting to see his ministry to this group and how they made him laugh declaring 'we want your phone'--'give us some food', joking with each other and building friendships through Bible to relationships with Jesus....

Towards the end of the day we visited the witch doctor's neighborhood. A very dark place with a pool of swamp water with supposed dances for the witch doctor by women.

Five minutes later we are introduced to a woman who gave her life to Christ and came out of that lifestyle and I thought of Scarlet Hope in Louisville and how they help young women find joy in Jesus. You should have seen the look on this girl's face when she shared her story,
Joyous!

What a testimony and for the saints back home to realize what a difference we can make as we venture out by faith to share the Gospel----thank you Joel and April for your ministry.

To the Body of Christ---lets keep going......

4am Cannons, First-Blood and Tent Warfare

The day awakens to what felt like a cannon in my room at 4am as Heather wakes me up with
'Its American Airlines, your flights have been changed....' 'Crew legality'..Nice, we flew through Dallas and all went well with our flights....until...

I went to get a pen out of my backpack and sliced the edge of my finger with a razor. I did not realize it until waiting for the restroom only to find blood dripping from my hand. Drew first-blood before entering the country of Haiti.

David is learning Creole via Iphone and Compton quite the logistics man with flightstats.com. Norton team doing very well and we all just soaked up our last ounce of Air-conditioning before 90 degree plus days for a week.

Feel the heat, intense with sweat dripping down the brow now as I share our battle/joy of tent warfare, I mean construction of 6 man tent with all six contemplating completion.
(I held the light)

We are excited to see the community tomorrow and God's redemption in some recent converts. May Jesus name be glorified among the nations!

Love Much Haiti Team

Bloom and Growth

Wow, a 75 plus degree day in the Ville and the fresh blooms are beginning to spring forth with growth. Every season of life passes even in the hardest trials Jesus brings out the sunshine and returns joy to our lives. Our own perspective is what limits His divine radiance. Oh the grace this Spring that refreshes us and trusts Him in the broken moments and change in life.

This Easter as Jesus resurrects your life anew again, humbly slow down and thank Jesus for His unfailing love declared by the Psalms. Embrace your family and sing praises to His name for the Indescribable Gift of the Risen Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Have an encouraged Easter as you live immersed a new creature resting in His comfort and love.

Only by His Grace

Old McDonald Boy's

Wow, just when you thought it was safe to simply sit
at a local McDonald's and enjoy the freedom of the $1
value menu or sweet tea.

After making a tough decision to sit near the old boys,
that's the retired guys who do the morning coffee routine
up to a dozen, I began some bible study.

a little tired, forgive sentence structure.

oh yes, the comments began to fly like shrapnel out of a
hand grenade. Small arrows of sarcasm soon turned quickly
to racist remarks about this certain restaurant on a certain
day where 'they', for a politically correct term, visit.

We love to the say the color, but you never hear
white....Help us Jesus in our vanity to be blind...

The Gospel Capture Haiti Video

Ephesians 1 and Journey of Adopting John

Ephesians is so rich in words from Chapter One verse four and five
that all praise is to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and that
IN LOVE he predestined us to be adopted as SONS through Jesus Christ.

This is in accordance with His will and pleasure to the praise of His glorious
grace.

By His rich grace, receiving something we do not deserve we have this
redemption. What a beautiful story unfolding for little John, our seven month
old baby.

His mom terminated her rights so that we can adopt him into our family and what
a glorious praise to His grace in our lives. What a redemption story and to share the
love of Jesus with John and his mom!

We praise God and verse 8 for the riches of His grace that he lavishes on us will all wisdom
and understanding.

In the moments of life we sometimes don't understand, but He makes this great mystery known
to us through His Son Jesus and our hearts awaken full of joy to feel His warm embrace in the arms of a little baby boy named John......

We continue to journey in this adoption as sons, fully trusting Jesus as the only author and
perfecter of our faith.

Praise Jesus name whether He gives or takes away.....He is our Savior!

Slow Fade of Snow Melt Compassion

We hurry up and wait in line and then wonder why our impatience
might have a tendancy to ignite into anger. Notice the word might.....

Yes, I await the service call for my phone and another line and I ponder faith and compassion. The snow is melting outside now and it seems as
the TV coverage also fades from Haiti so does our retention of compassion.

How can we keep what is out of sight back into the mind?

We so often venture out and do the Africa thing or wherever it may be
more blessed by experience than the compassion permanence to consistently hear and know the needs of the saints as they suffer throughout the world.

An African once quipped I am born again on Sunday and unemployed on Monday....unable to feed his family. Lets declare God's Word and truth but also begin to search for those sustainment solutions that keep the grass greener on the other side..............

peace and love for Jesus Kingdom

Rebuild Bob's Church

Followers of the Way:

We drove through the eight foot high gate entrance only to see an entire church lying on the ground. Thirty or Forty youth were watching TV outdoors powered by a generator. We will have video soon for you to hear Bob's story of looking out over his church and witnessing its collapse.

That morning Bob was suppose to have had a Bible study and for some reason it was cancelled and not one life was taken from the earthquake. Bob has been a faithful missionary for 34 years in Haiti and we learned that he has no real church support or groups coming out to help him.

As we return to the comfort of our faith in the United States may our hearts truly be broken by the things that break the heart of God. Our time to stand for those that are brokenhearted is before the church and yes there are needs everywhere, but we also have the ability now to act, as Richard Foster writes in his book, Prayer

we can make a difference, if we will...........

Pray about helping online at www.neighborhoodengagement.org or traveling to Haiti to refresh the hearts of the saints as heard in Philemon.

for Jesus Kingdom

A Journey Home

Oh Sure.......there will be C130's out every hour taking passengers home with our military, up to 100 people a flight.

Wrong!! The journey began watching many flights arrive and leave with no passengers. An ironic twist has occurred with US Citizens now waiting in a makeshift 'tent city' to fly home.

Yes, Donald leaves for lunch and wandered like Jonah, but God is Faithful and he found the Embassy.

The next day we board an 8 passenger charter flight only to get bumped from the airstrip by another party. The helicopter flight was an exciting option to the DR and on to Miami, but their plane arrived, and we are finally on our way.

We land in the DR and I am talking to Heather on the phone to book us through to Miami and then home. (See bridge pic). Know your Spanish! We caught the last flight from the DR and landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico (now back in the USA) and dealt with customs.

Bacon double cheeseburger, $12.95 and $3.50 coke! Worth every penny and for the air-conditioning.

Superbowl week, $120 room in Miami, but five minutes from the airport and a hot shower!

We are now at home and the post-stress and aftershock ensues. Tears fell on five layer burritos from Taco Bell as we pondered our next trip March 6th.

Stay tuned as I will be writing and filming some passionate videos of our experiences in Haiti in the next few weeks.

For Jesus Kingdom may we continue to run the race....

One girl noted Sunday at the outdoor worship service ...'At least Jesus rose from the tomb and was not trapped by the rubble'

(Ironic, see Matthew 28:2, there was a violent earthquake...........

May the world see Jesus risen in our lives!

ER Trauma and Dr. Ron on the Move

Just when you think its about time to rest for the night after some rooftop reflection, we are alerted during our meeting of an ER trauma situation.

A young lady was hit by a truck and had a head injury and open cut to the skull. Dr. Ron was in prime time mode assessing and executing with precision, praise God!

We got her on a stretcher and she fought the restraints as she entered the truck. Blood was contained from the wound as her bandage was well wrapped with only minimal loss.

The ride into the hospital was just as thrilling with overseas traffic equating to organized chaos especially at night. Donald began to sing to her in Creole and Dr. Ron maintained vital stats and head restraint. I prayed for mercy and salvation for this young woman.

In the end she arrives safe and alive into triage and we walk away with a new stretcher and a greater understanding of life and near death in Haiti.

An old diesel suburban and God's people still running and moving for the Kingdom.....

We love you King of Kings, Lord Jesus

The Gospel Capture continues...

Tent Hospitals, Broken Homes and the Smile of a Child:

I sit here atop the missionaries home looking out over a mountainous landscape full of broken homes and thus dreams.

I am so grateful for Dr. Ron Weiss and Marie and Donald our translator.

My heart is broken now as we witnessed two families' homes completely leveled in the community (see pic).

The tent hospital today next to the airport brought views you just don't want to ever witness from tears and cries to dead blank stares....you don't forget those images.

Alonzo Mourning spoke on behalf of MediShare and I shook his hand and thanked him for being an advocate.

May the church rise up and not just hear the story, but help fulfill Isaiah 58 as His restorers and ambassadors for the glory of Jesus' name and Kingdom.

We will need nurses and contractors to help rebuild homes to see for yourselves the need of the saints in Haiti.

Joel and. April Hess are amazing missionaries. Jesus we give you all the glory for this ministry and our prayer is for the Body to find themselves faithful in response.

The night ended with a VBS and the faith found in a child's smile

His grace is sufficient....

Makeshift hospital

Oh church pray....
My eyes and Dr. Ron's have seen things that break the heart!!

Sunrise reflections

The dawn awakes with black silhouettes of swaying palm tree branches and a morning reading turning to Matthew 28 at the dawn of the first day of the week....

There was a violent earthquake... an angel comes and tells the women not to be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus...

The people of Haiti are looking for Jesus after this quake. Will we make ourselves known like the angel and comfort the people in the risen name of Jesus.

Feedback from the hospital to outlying churches reveals the same as the women at the tomb, that they were afraid, but in the middle of surgeries in a tent hospital, sang out in worship and were filled with joy!
(Matt.28: 1-10)

May we embrace those at the tombs of rubble and retain some compassion just for a moment...

Don't forget church... CNN is gone and the slow, long work ahead is just beginning.

We pray now about our return in March...

For Jesus story and Kingdom

Quake victors and witchdoctors!

The day began in the clinic with brand new shelves built for an influx of new medicines and supplies which was a blessing.

I became a pharmacy tech and stocked meds today in between some visits with patients.

Saw a baby with 3rd degree burns near John's age that had laid in the sun for two days under rubble with a leg exposed.

The baby's foot was so swollen that they had to rush him to the hospital and he ended up on the Comfort, a US Navy Medical Ship.

We later walked throughout the community and met very recent converts with one being the daughter of a witchdoctor and an elderly woman that practiced some heavy evil voodoo. Praise God for their acceptance of Jesus!

We met the witch doctor and his home was painted with a man mixing potions with 'temple' written over the entrance.

I think here under a cool breeze and moonlit sky, what are we doing back home with the Gospel.

Move us forward Lord to break our selfish comforts and love our neighbor after a radical love relationship with Jesus that compels us to act for His glory.

I am convicted myself now being here of our absorption and pray daily we would rid self to live for Christ or die and find gain....

Sounds familiar...

Are you ready?

Probably not, I wasn't either

But be available and then trust God in the move.

Only by His grace,

Randy

Reality Hits along with Salvation

A witch doctor's daughter and son got saved after the earthquake . The place where he mixes all his potions, destroyed. The rest was fine, hmmm...

See http://HaitiGospelMission.org
Pray for Joel and April Hess, missionaries here for 3 yrs.
They are exhausted!

My heart breaks as the pastor of 34 years lost his entire church buildling (see pics from last post). Please pray for that American pastor, Bob, and how we can help him.

Another woman, named Melare, that April has worked with for three years just accepted the Lord.

We praise God and will try and find some rest. We actually may be heading out now to the hospital at 8:15pm to retrieve some patients...

Pray for protection and His will to be done.

Telling Jesus story

Food for the Father's Will

how ironic I turn to John 4 as we approach
PAP where there is a shortage of food and
water.

The disciples are so concerned about Jesus'
eating and he declares 'I have food to eat
you know nothing about.' Who brought him food?
they respond

My food, Jesus states is to do the will of Him
who sent me and to finish His work.

May the focus while we are in Haiti and at home
not be on our own stomachs but the food of Jesus'
choice.....to finish the work of the Father.

to His glory I write and speak.

for Jesus renown,

randy

Pictures of a church building in Haiti

Pray Body of Christ!!
The American pastor of this church spent 34 years and counting in Haiti!

They were going to have a Bible study that day and it was cancelled.
Everyone is safe! They did not lose even one life!

Praise God!

Jet planes and Bahama gas stations

Up again at 4am and off to Fort Pierce from West Palm Beach. The hangar is intense with cargo and food supplies. (Over 500,000 pounds flown in two weeks)

God is so amazing! Rick Hendrick's Racing who flies Earnhardt Jr, Gordon and Martin are transporting us to PAP in their jet.

How cool man! We had no idea. What God originates, he orchestrates and all through a young man being faithful at the Haitian Tabernacle in Louisville named Matthew.
We will land in Exuma, Bahamas for fuel stop and then out to Haiti.

Praise God for His Indescribable Gift of His Son Jesus.

Say the Name
Declare His Fame
Today...., do not be ashamed to say....Jesus

Our glorious hope, the salvation of our souls!

Missed flights and Jupiter Island

Followers of the Way:

Sleep arrives near midnight and up at 4am with the alarm going off like a cannon.

No worries until we land in Charlotte and our translator misses his flight from New York and we need him in West Palm by tonight!

God provides and he will now land at 6pm. I sit here now on the sandy shores of Jupiter Island hearing the sound of crashing waves.

We await the cargo plane journey at 5am tomorrow and the anticipation of destruction and wounded hearts, but like the local Louisville Haitians declared from Isaiah, we will be the repairer of walls and restorer of dwellings...

Pray that as we embrace the Haitian community in Despinos they feel the love of Jesus and that we would all have courage to get involved and offer our lives for the Gospel and crushed in Spirit.
We walk in the wonder and awe of Christ in ourselves as we sang last night at the Post.

Glorify Jesus name today........

Haiti by Cargo Plane

Please pray for Haiti as I travel this Wednesday thru
West Palm Beach then via a cargo plane from Ft. Pierce
into Port-Au-Prince.

Expectations are just out the window and beyond imagination.
Laogan, an area to the south has been hit hard and is in deperate
need of medical assistance.

Neighborhood Engagement will partner with HaitiGospelMission.org
to provide medical procedures and supplies.

May our hearts continue to retain a compassion permanence and not
forget suffering Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ when CNN stops
rolling footage.

Pray for the Gospel Capture......details coming soon.....

for Jesus renown,

Randy