Back in Town. Not that town!

Heading back to Faugasse now. Some are still in Port au Prince waiting on standby. Others have a flight out tomorrow. Three of us will stay until Sunday. Wow! Amazing how things change! That's ok... We know that our Saviour has us each in the palm of His hands. Personally, I am thrilled. There is a revival going on in the village right now among the children after the VBS. How gracious of God to allow me to be a part of this! I am looking forward to following His lead each day for the next 5 days to see where He wants me and when. Life with Jesus is never dull. So grateful for a familythatmakes this possible as well. Ready for the next chapter!

Lemons and Friends

Interesting day to say the least!

It started at 5:30 AM with a shower and quick breakfast, then we hit the road. Everything went swimmingly well for the first hour and then we came to an abrupt halt in Fond de Neg, along with I'll say over a thousand of our now closest friends. The police were blocking the road and there was no end in sight. So what do you do when life hands you lemons? You make friends! A girl standing near our van became my first friend. She talked to me about people who don't follow Gods way - what do they expect? Life will be hard. You must follow God. Then I taught her Jewova Jire, one of the songs from VBS. we prayed for the block to open. Then a group of boys and another girl came by, and we chatted. Once we got past the fact that 1. we didn't have any soccer balls or money and 2. I couldn't take them back to the US, we also sang some of the VBS songs and prayed. They asked for the words to be written down so they could remember them.

We finally were on our way about 6 hours later, getting into PAP well after our flight had left. It was chaos at the airport. We had a small hope for a few minutes that we would make standby on the 6:00 flight, but that hope quickly faded.  No cell phone minutes and a dead cell phone battery made it difficult to find the guest house, but a friendly stranger let us use his phone. So here we are for the night. Tomorrow holds the same outlook for us: waiting at the airport for a flight. They said the next date with flights available is August 10th. We'll see. God is good, and we know we are in His hands. He may have other plans.

In the meantime, here we are. Another opportunity to make friends.

Blocked

Please lift us up in prayer now. We are blocked on the road 2.5 hours from Port au Prince. It  has been blocked for 4.5 hours now with no end in sight. We need your prayers lifted up now. Not likely we will make our flights without your prayers. Thank you!

Celebrations

Celebrations The wedding yesterday was beautiful and fun. The couple sat in front of the church facing each other, and sitting on the ground between them was the flower girl, dressed as a bride herself. Beside them were their witnesses, and the congregation looked on. Songs, scripture readings, an encouraging word, sharing of the rings and the final kiss were all part of the ceremony. That was almost the best part! What a hooten' and holleren' they got as they smooched in joy, and the crowd loved it. Off to the reception we went. The ladies who had cooked food all week for the Pastor seminar and the village dinner cooked once again, serving bean sandwiches, fried banana chips, cake and candy. The wedding cake was an elaborate 3 tiered cake with side connecting tiers as well, and flowers,flowing down the sides. There was champagne which is purposefully sprayed all over the bride and groom, as well as feeding each other the cake. 70 guests were invited, and they squeezed onto 8 benches and a few chairs in the green room of the school. The Americans sat at the "kids" table in the other room, to make sure there were enough seats for the friends and family. Once all the guests were served, those watching thru the window were treated to cake and food as well. It was a time full of joy and beautiful to be a part of. Today's celebration at the teaching college graduation was another fabulous adventure into the culture. Marie Carmel officially completed her training today by receiving her degree. The 3.5 hour ceremony was full of wonderful music, dancing, just a little talking and a funny "good teacher/bad teacher" skit. The crowd loved it. Each graduate was called to the stage by name and people crowded to the front to snap their pictures. People brought fancily wrapped gifts for their loved ones, and surrounded them with kisses and hugs afterwards. Flora arranged a truck for us, so 11 of us got into the Montero and returned to the village. After so much celebrating this week, there was a small family gathering back at kay Lubin.  We ourselves have much to celebrate in our hearts as well. God never ceases loving His people, and we get to be a small part of that in Haiti. I have loved, and been loved in return 100-fold. I will celebrate that forever!

Tarantula

As I am sitting here writing this, there is a giant tarantula creeping his way across the floor towards me. He is about 10 feet away and closing. But, don't worry. We've learned that they aren't so bad. We don't fear them like we used to. In fact, one of the leaders has learned to just pick them up and relocate them... Either to their maker or to another part of the building. That is a little bit like how I feel about being here these few weeks. I had a lot of worry and fear before getting here and several times while here. You've read about some of those times already. Yesterday, we had another time like that. After a wonderful swim in the sea and some fresh seafood for dinner, (albeit not according to schedule at all), the team headed in parts to the village dinner. How fun it was for me to stand at the gate of the school and welcome the young ladies in their dresses and heels, and the young men in their dress shirts! I told them of the change of location, and they headed up the hill. The 4:00 dinner had youth still pouring in at 5:30. More and more kids and their patents came. After that it was a bit of a blur, but par for the course, it did not go according to plan.  It seemed like our ending would not hold fond memories. On top of that, for the first time in the three weeks, the power went out, just as everyone was packing to go home. If things were this tough the night before, what would the travel home look like? So where did we go with all this frustration, sadness, anxiety? To worship. There were tears and reconciliation and words of affirmation.  And we went to God's word. Psalm 105:1-15 reminds us of what to do in times like this. Remember the works of His hands, proclaim the good things He has done, and remember his promises: He will protect His people. Amen! God did many great things these weeks. We need not fear. We know that now! Thank you Father for the 68 young people who gave their lives to Christ, for safety for all team members, for relationships built, for lives changed, for happy faces, for children who know they are loved and valued, for the tarp that survived 2 weeks of Club, for the supplies that didn't run out, for supernatural energy , for joy, for love, for gladness. Thank you Father.

Fire and Water

Isaiah 30:19-26 19 People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 22 Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you! ” 23 He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. 24 The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel. 25 In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. 26 The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted. Fire and Water My feet were not supposed to be getting wet walking down this hallway in the hours before dawn. Did one of our water jugs spill? Did it rain last night? Where was all this water coming from? Along with the two showers that had no water on the other side, was the toilet on this side that was filling the hall and rooms with water. What a mess. Given the challenges yesterday, and the challenges before dawn this morning, the team gathered early to pray. God brought together words of knowledge, visions and scripture to answer our prayers and to ensure His power is here and working.  One team member saw a picture of the fields on fire, and thought about how this is done to cleanse the soil so that it will reproduce better. God made the connection for him that He can cleanse the gardens of people's hearts with His fire so that the ground is fertile and the seeds that are being planted will grow.  Another team member saw the road with a clear delineation between the left and right: total destruction on the right and total fullness on the left. The sense was that there was a decision to be made as to which path one would follow. Another picture of a river flowing, trying to be stopped by some slime, was victorious as it pushed past the slime in power.  Then came scripture which covered it all. From Isaiah 30:19-26 Praise you God for your fire and water, for clear directions, for plentiful gardens, a huge harvest, for hearts being turned toward you, for idols being tossed aside, and for streams of living water. The Lord Reigns!

Testing

"The journey was less than easy," were the words from Brent upon arrival at the retreat center just about 48 hours after the start of his trip from LA. His traveling companion arrived as well, but his suitcase did not. The good news? Dinner and worship were waiting for them. Food for the body and food for the soul. A good combo! The VBS team had some testing of their own today. The young kids group in the morning went very well, with again over 80 kids present. They learned that God is with them even when they need something, and to lift those requests up in prayer. The afternoon group had a small group of teen girls who were a bit more challenging. They tested us at the doorway (just like if Papa won't give you something, go as Mama). They tested us during the games (I'd rather sit out and listen to my radio on my cell phone). They tested us during crafts and snack time (I am just too cool to listen to you, but I will sit here and make faces at you). Yup, it wasn't especially fun. But the other 80 kids were super and fully engaged in the day. So it was a chance for us to practice loving when we didn't especially feel like it. Gotta say by the end of the day, it was tough for me. There were many other little things today that we're hard, so I felt tested all around. We are really pushed to the edge of our selves here, so please, please continue to cover us in prayer. And like today's lesson from Daniel, we too will be on our knees in prayer. The pastors conference starts tomorrow. There is much excitement building as God responds and shows himself. Please pray for a mighty breakthrough of the Spirit and unity among the participants. Also pray the certificates are found. Good night!

Blessed

A fantastic day yesterday! We had a new batch of 170 kids that came and everyone had a great time. What a blessing! The Saugus team is fitting right in and jumped easily into the action, getting to know the kids and playing with them.  Half of the pastors arrived yesterday in swift fashion and are now trying to adjust to the heat. It was an especially hot day yesterday, with the temps expected to reach 101. Please pray for cool weather to come in! The other half of the pastor team got stuck in Miami overnight so they will be trying to get to Les Cayes today. We have a bus plan for them, but pray for a miracle that there is a flight coming this way instead. What a blessing that would be! Breakfast is ready now. We have been enjoying star fruit and kowosol juice. Last night a friend brought by a whole bunch of cassava bread and jelly and cashews as a treat. Yum! Another friend brought grenadia for juice so that will be our treat today. We are being blessed in many ways- in our stomachs as well as our hearts!

Good morning! A new week of VBS begins today and Gama is on his way to the airport to get the Pastoral Conference Team. A new day has begun! Please continue praying for safety, rich soil to cultivate the seeds that were and will be planted, and for the Holy Spirit to dwell richly amongst us today. Please pray against confusion and miscommunication, and pray for patience and above all else... Love which covers a multitude of sins!

Te Rive!

Saugus is in the building! Thanks be to God!

Everywhere

You Are Everywhere Like the rain that falls To the earth below Watering the seed to grow So it is with your precious word, oh Lord, It won't return until I know that You are everywhere You're everywhere Like the rain that's failing Like the wind that blowing Like the sun upon my face  I feel the warmth of your embrace You are everywhere I hope that i truly know That I can never go from you're presence My God you are everywhere From the lowest steps to the heavens You are always there.             By Third Day The rain poured down, soaking the earth and everything on it. It wasn't violent, but it was forceful and complete. This is how we awoke at 4:15, but now I am sitting in the second row of a van designed to hold 16 people. Dotti is in front of me, and four other passengers are behind me. The sun has just come up and we have been driving for an hour now. The wind from the windows is blowing in our faces as we gaze out at the land waking up. A lone boat just off the beach struggles to cross the breakers to begin its work for the day. A woman forcefully ties her goods together, the bulk and weight of which probably outweigh her by four times. Three men squat near their motorcycles hoping for passengers. The orange glow from the rising sun reflects off the purple and white flowers making them jump with life. A man in tall rain boots works the earth, preparing to plant a garden just inches from the roadway.  A hen scurries out of our way, wisely guarding its life. In all of these things, I see the reflection of God as well as the brokenness our enemy has brought. My God you are everywhere and your Spirit moves over this land longing to dwell in the hearts of man. As the sun rises over the horizon and turns darkness into light in the land, come Holy Spirit and turn our darkened hearts to the light of our Savior.  Lord, I know you are everywhere.

New Life

A hen was snuggled up against the wall in the indoor garden outside the dining room at the retreat center. As we were watching her, certainly surprised to see her there, a tiny brand new face peeked out from under her wing. She quickly tucked that new life back under the safety of her wing, wanting to protect it. How beautiful it was to see such a precious thing: the protected and the protector. Thursday was the last day of the first session of VBS. It was a rocking day, with all the children and staff familiar with the flow of things and the songs. Imagine all those little voices lifting up to Jehovah Jireh! Everywhere you looked, there were smiling faces, clapping hands, and loud voices. Then, Wilson took the lead and explained the gospel to all 170+ kids. He did it with passion, guiding the children through understanding sin, separation from God,  God's free gift of His Son,  acceptance, repentance and forgiveness. When he asked if anyone wanted to take this free gift, 48 kids came forward. Those children then received further instruction to make sure they really understood. When they were ready to pray, we bowed our heads and asked for forgiveness, ready to receive. The team of leaders got to pray over each child, thanking God for their new lives. Afterwards, we took their names, ages and where they lived, and Wilson is going to follow them by meeting with them for a few months to disciple them and get them planted in churches. Will you be like the mother hen with me? Will you help to protect these new lives by praying for them each day, knowing that God is our ultimate protector. What a beautiful thing we got to be a part of yesterday... New life in abundance! Amen!

Challenges

Prayers answered, faith challenged and built!  If my faith were never challenged, would it ever grow? Probably not.   Well this week has been a time of growth in all of our faith. God is so good, He has allowed difficulties, and we have responded by getting down on our knees in prayer. And just like we are teaching the kids this week, God has been with us - through changes, when we need help and when we are afraid. We certainly have had our share of changes  this week. The weather has been really hot, and our bodies have had a hard time adjusting. We have been at the end of ourselves, each one of us, at least one day this week. The work with the kids is amazingly satisfying, but extremely taxing on our bodies. We just aren't used to the climate and food and challenges of walking up these hills each day. But each time we were empty, we prayed that God would fill us up. And you know what?He did! At lunch time, we felt as if we couldn't go on, and we prayed for strength. Sometimes He provided an unexpected helping hand, or a ride, or extra cold water. At the end of the day, we were amazed at the strength we had,which surely had come from His hand. This week, we lost some money. It seemed like it was definitely gone, and now we would be short on our bills. So we got on our knees and prayed. And guess what? God answered the prayers and the money was found, intact, in the most unexpected place! Today I was told of two experiences that were unusual and unpleasant. My initial reaction was sadness followed by fear. I went to the Lord. In His word He promises protection for His people. I'm standing on this truth and praying it in great measure, believing that He will indeed avenge the innocent and bring refuge for those who love Him. So my faith is growing through these challenges, because I see God's hand through all of it. He is a mighty God that we serve! The last day of Klub is tomorrow. We had a super day today with over 170 kids again, and it is flowing smoothly. Thank you God! To Him be the glory! Peace, Kristi

Ordained Praise

Favorite moment of the day: listening to 172 children singing Jehovah Jireh at the top of their lungs in praise of our God. I think my heart just might burst, it is so full. God has ordained this praise from the lips of the children, and it is a beautiful thing to be a part of. What an honor this is! (Psalm 8) Everything went amazingly well yesterday, especially it being the first day. Soooo many children have come.  We learned that God is with us even through all the difficulties. We had a huge, huge wind and rain storm that started just as we were supposed to leave for the afternoon session. There was lightening and wind that moved everything that wasn't battened down. We had made a decision to leave the music up on the courtyard wall earlier because the weather looked great. OOOPS! So we prayed as the storm was raging that the words would be safe. It would take a long time to rewrite them, and now we were already late. So we continued praying. Imagine our absolute delight when we finally reached the school and saw 2 of the 3 sheets of paper still hanging on the walls, intact, and perfectly legible! The third was fine also, it was just on the ground. Our God is so good He supplies ALL our needs!S

Here we go!

Too tired to write tonight. The team got here at 2:00 AM and we have had a full day. We are trying to finish the translations for Tomorrow, even now at this hour. Thank you Jesus for people who are willing to do this! Klub starts tomorrow. Everyone is excited! Pray for it all to be reflective of the Father's love.

Smoking Wires

Smoking Wires Last night when I was walking up to the church, the teenager that I was with said, "Gade!" (Look!) she was pointing at the wiring that ran alongside the road, which was smoking. Not just in one place, either. An entire length of the wire was smoking! Have you ever seen that? I haven't! But I knew enough to get the heck out of the way because that was some pretty strong power going through that wire. That is like the power of my God. He is so strong that nothing can contain Him. And when He moves in power, you can't miss it.  It rises up and people stop and say, "Gade!" His followers also say things like amen, praise God, alleluia, and YES! That is what I am saying right now because the power of the Lord is great and nothing, no nothing can stop Him and His plans. Satan may try - and trust me, he is trying hard right now. But he will not prevail because "Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world."  Join me in prayer now that the first team arrives in miraculous time, well rested and unthwarted. Today's plane was 7 hours late and the team is finally on their way to the retreat center.  They have a big job ahead of them tomorrow and they need to be well rested. I think they will be surprised and happy that they have strong and willing and able counterparts here ready to work too. On a side note, I got to see James today. Marie Carmelle and I went to his town and waited for a few hours through some rain and a broken tap tap,  but finally he returned. The first words he said to us were, "Mwen swiv bonDye!"  (I am following Jesus!) Yes, God is moving in power! amen!k

The Four K's

The Four K's "Kristi, a kile Klub Komanse?!" I have heard these four K's dozens of times over the past two days. The children are really excited for Club to start and want to know when they can finally come. What a tremendous blessing this is. For all who are coming and all who have supported those who are coming, I say a huge Thank You! You have made many, many children very, very happy. Please continue praying that they grasp the Gospel message that God is always by their side in the good times and the bad. Good news! The first group of team members have arrived safely in Port au Prince. They are tucked away at the Guest House for a refreshing night of sleep before they join the second wave of team members back at the airport tomorrow. Then, the 7 of them will make their way to Fogasse. God has blessed us today in a big way. Wilson has joined the team again. He is the gifted musician who helped to lead music last year, but thought he couldn't make it this year. But he is here! I am sooooo happy and so were the other team members because they didn't have to listen to me massacre their language in song anymore. Some great experiences today: The first soaking rain in a long time here, followed by a glorious full rainbow. Squid for lunch? NO! Hot dogs that were split, then cooked, and now only resemble a tiny squid. Amen. Riding on the back of a motorcycle in the pouring rain, in tandem with another bike, the three of us holding four empty 5-gallon jugs for water! Never, I repeat Never, sing at the top of your lungs thinking that you are all alone in a giant house. Two little children might have snuck up to the house and sat down outside under the shade of a tree waiting for you. And then they tell you what they think about your singing. Yup. 

All New

It is truly a miracle. Ketli is indeed walking on both of her feet! I believe this to be a result of God's healing power - thank you God and thank you all for praying! She looks great and she is happy and looking forward to coming to "Club" on Monday. There is still an open wound there about an inch long and wide, but it is healing well. Other prayers answered today - we have a Haitian team assembled! There are 6 young people so far, and 2 adults. Everyone likes the drama with the puppets, but no one thinks of themselves as actors! So we need some budding artists to step up. I got to hold lots of babies today and hear a lot of stories, only some of which I understood. This one thing is for sure: their stories are safe with me!  New experiences today: Purple potatoes that are sweet and soft and delicious An alternate route to town for covert purposes A motorcycle carrying three people with a fourth being towed behind it on a bicycle all going about 35 miles per hour

When Dry is wet and wet is dry

When Dry is Wet, and Wet is Dry The stores were all closed by the time we made it up the hill and settled into the Retreat Center. That meant no water for me. After traveling for 17 hours, I was thirsty. After walking up the hill with all the bags I  was parched. After bread and fried plantains for dinner, my mouth was a desert. All I wanted was water. All I could think about was water. But there was none to be had for at least another 13 hours. I LONGED for water. "As a deer panteth for the water so my soul longeth after you." kept running thru my mind.  I've wanted some things before in life, so much so that they have invaded and consumed my thoughts. I've even desired connection with God like that, but not every day. Sometimes when I am praying, or reading my Bible or devotional, I am thinking, ok, get this done with so I can begin my day. Or worries and thoughts of the day keep creeping into my mind and I am only partially connected with  my Lord.  God provided a drink for me in an unusual way. Before I left the plane, I asked the flight attendant if I could have a bottle of something to take with me. She gladly obliged and I walked away with a ginger ale; a Canada Dry. My intention was to give it to my traveling companion, Corneil, because I knew that he wouldn't have eaten or drank all day. Unfortunately, by the time I was able to offer it to him, it was not only not cold... It was hot. He politely declined the offer, stating that if it were cold, he would drink it. So it came to the Retreat Center with me. This is how Dry became wet. But you know, it didn't satisfy like water does. It didn't feel like rain in the desert of my mouth. But it did offer liquid to my cells. How many times, in searching for something to quench that other thirst in me do I settle for something less than what is best? I chose chocolate, or a friendship, or a TV show to be my water. It isn't water. It isn't the living water that I need and it doesn't satisfy. This is when wet is dry. The next day, at about 10:00 in the morning, I finally had some water. It was good. Real good. I was satisfied. God, each day I want to long for you like I longed for that water. I want to desire Your Word, Your voice and Your wisdom above all else. Help me always to choose your living water, and not some substitute. I know that you satisfy. Thank you, Father.

Arrived safe and sound at the bottom of the hill with 220 pounds worth of luggage and 4strong legs and arms. Praise God! Now I really know what I am physically capable of! And Corneil, too! Heard news from the village and most of it is positive. Ketli is healing well, and if I understand correctly, she is walking on her foot! (I will find out tomorrow if my comprehension is good... If this is the case you have to know that God answered everyone's prayers because it seemed almost certain just a few weeks ago that she would lose that foot).  Kristian is healthy and attending church regularly. Amelia's condition has not changed. We stopped briefly at the town center where James lives and I was hoping to see him, but did not. Perhaps another day. Please pray for Laura, a teacher at our school. She was hit by a car and broke her leg, arm, and injured her head. She is home recovering. Mwen vant  plenn. My stomach is full and I am very tired so off to bed for me. Please pray for good connections tomorrow as I will be heading out to assemble a leadership team for the VBS weeks.

The Journey Begins

In just a few short hours, the two teams from Saugus and Greater Salem Vineyard will converge to pack the bags!!  And thus the journey begins.

Please pray for a full harvest from this trip; that God will forcefully advance His Kingdom in the region of Faugasse and that many will come to a saving knowledge of Him.  And for the team, pray humility and servant hearts; safety in comings and goings; health and joy.

"See" you in Haiti!