Kevin and the team began the trip home from Haiti yesterday. They made it to the Dominican Republic last night and left for the airport at 5 this morning. Please pray for safe travel as they make their way home. Thank you!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Coming Home!
Monday, February 15, 2010
The Long Run
The needs here are simply incredible and trying to even imagine how to tackle the need can be overwhelming. The conditions of Haiti prior to the earthquake presented enough challenges as it was. It is just difficult to grasp what the people of Haiti endure.
It has been interesting to watch the teams that are coming into serve. It does not take long to distinguish between the seasoned mission workers and those that are somewhat new in serving in this type of environment.
The seasoned worker is coming in and seeking out ways to serve. They do not have any preconceived idea of what it will take for the job to be done. They have prepared what they know and have so that they can be ready for a host of situations. If conditions are different than they had anticipated then they simply adjust. The conditions or opportunities are not going to dictate their attitude or their desire to help.
The newer worker comes in and is emotionally charged because of the overwhelming poverty and destruction that is all around them. They see multiple systems that are struggling to function with an organization that they are used to in the United States. They want to do more so they immediately began looking for opportunities "oustide the box" to help. At the same time, many of these folks lose the big picture perspective. They get critical when they get tired and they go home with a heavy burden that they should have done more.
In the big picture, God has called us all to do our part. No one government, organization, church or individual is going to meet the need of Haiti. It really is in the hands of God. I am convinced that they only hope for Haiti is for God to reach down and do a supernatural work that will redeem this country.
As I get ready to go home in the next couple of days, I am praying that God helps me keep the big picture perspective. There is a freedom in realizing that the need is too large for me and that I can only be faithful to God's calling.
I am thankful for your prayers and for having such an incredible family and church at home that allows me to serve in this way.
It has been interesting to watch the teams that are coming into serve. It does not take long to distinguish between the seasoned mission workers and those that are somewhat new in serving in this type of environment.
The seasoned worker is coming in and seeking out ways to serve. They do not have any preconceived idea of what it will take for the job to be done. They have prepared what they know and have so that they can be ready for a host of situations. If conditions are different than they had anticipated then they simply adjust. The conditions or opportunities are not going to dictate their attitude or their desire to help.
The newer worker comes in and is emotionally charged because of the overwhelming poverty and destruction that is all around them. They see multiple systems that are struggling to function with an organization that they are used to in the United States. They want to do more so they immediately began looking for opportunities "oustide the box" to help. At the same time, many of these folks lose the big picture perspective. They get critical when they get tired and they go home with a heavy burden that they should have done more.
In the big picture, God has called us all to do our part. No one government, organization, church or individual is going to meet the need of Haiti. It really is in the hands of God. I am convinced that they only hope for Haiti is for God to reach down and do a supernatural work that will redeem this country.
As I get ready to go home in the next couple of days, I am praying that God helps me keep the big picture perspective. There is a freedom in realizing that the need is too large for me and that I can only be faithful to God's calling.
I am thankful for your prayers and for having such an incredible family and church at home that allows me to serve in this way.
Friday, February 12, 2010
A National Holiday - Praying and Fasting
Can you imagine this happening in the United States. The Haitians marked one month since the earthquake with a 3 day emphasis on prayer and fasting. It was incredible to watch our Hatian friends pray and plead with God to help their country.
I continue to be encouraged by a new friend named Hubert. He is a translator who has spent quite a bit of time with our team. He has nothing if you considered possessions important. His home - which was very small - crumbled in the earthquake. I watched him yesterday with a sense of awe as a young boy walked up to his car window and asked for food or water by knocking on his window. Hubert had one bottle of water and it was half empty. He did not hesitate to roll down his window and give the boy his water.
Last night after we completed our work, Hubert took three of us to his home. His family has relocated to live with his wife's family - 2 hours out of town. He was proud of what his home used to be. It was not much bigger than what most of us have for a garage. He pointed out what used to be his yard "where my kids used to play." It was about the size of a small bedroom. He pointed to a house about 30 yards away and informed us that his brother and all of his family were killed in that house during the earthquake. He had 3 children. A total of nine bodies are still in that building.
Today we were able to help take Hubert to see his family. It had been about 2 1/2 weeks since they left Port-au-Prince. He had been keeping a few items hidden in hopes that he could get them to his family. He later told us that this was very important so that his wife's family understood that he was not going to leave them alone but instead he would keep taking care of them.
Hubert has a wife and 6 children. They live in a house that is about the size of my office. He told us today that they are grateful for what they have and that they are going to be okay because they knew that God had kept them alive.
Here is the really difficult part for me: Hubert's story could be told over and over again and different names could be used each time. These people have experienced an incredible tragedy. Here is the really impossible part for me: not many of those people would have a faith like Hubert's. He will survive and his family will move forward because He know who holds his future. For the other, I am not so sure. The days ahead are going to be remarkably difficult.
There is so much work to be done in Haiti. We have such a great opportunity to impact the future of this spiritually and economically struggling people. Let's continue to pray that God gives us all wisdom, courage and strength to respond.
I continue to be encouraged by a new friend named Hubert. He is a translator who has spent quite a bit of time with our team. He has nothing if you considered possessions important. His home - which was very small - crumbled in the earthquake. I watched him yesterday with a sense of awe as a young boy walked up to his car window and asked for food or water by knocking on his window. Hubert had one bottle of water and it was half empty. He did not hesitate to roll down his window and give the boy his water.
Last night after we completed our work, Hubert took three of us to his home. His family has relocated to live with his wife's family - 2 hours out of town. He was proud of what his home used to be. It was not much bigger than what most of us have for a garage. He pointed out what used to be his yard "where my kids used to play." It was about the size of a small bedroom. He pointed to a house about 30 yards away and informed us that his brother and all of his family were killed in that house during the earthquake. He had 3 children. A total of nine bodies are still in that building.
Today we were able to help take Hubert to see his family. It had been about 2 1/2 weeks since they left Port-au-Prince. He had been keeping a few items hidden in hopes that he could get them to his family. He later told us that this was very important so that his wife's family understood that he was not going to leave them alone but instead he would keep taking care of them.
Hubert has a wife and 6 children. They live in a house that is about the size of my office. He told us today that they are grateful for what they have and that they are going to be okay because they knew that God had kept them alive.
Here is the really difficult part for me: Hubert's story could be told over and over again and different names could be used each time. These people have experienced an incredible tragedy. Here is the really impossible part for me: not many of those people would have a faith like Hubert's. He will survive and his family will move forward because He know who holds his future. For the other, I am not so sure. The days ahead are going to be remarkably difficult.
There is so much work to be done in Haiti. We have such a great opportunity to impact the future of this spiritually and economically struggling people. Let's continue to pray that God gives us all wisdom, courage and strength to respond.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Rain this morning...
Imagine the hardest rain that you have witnessed and we are probably experiencing something similar this morning. We are in a building with a tin roof and it is so loud that a person not used to the noise would have a very difficult time sleeping.
This morning, though, my heart breaks for the people in this area who are living on the edge of a street in a makeshift tent. Estimates are given from hundreds of thousands to over a million that are homeless. Others estimate that at least 200,000 of the people living in the streets or in their yards are simply afraid of their homes that are in safe enough conditions that they could sleep inside. They are scared. They see broken concrete all around them and then see cracks in their homes. Many times these are just surface cracks but it does not matter to them. They are scared. I am wondering this morning how they are responding to the rain. Will God use the rain to push them towards their home. Can you imagine a fear so strong that you would live your family in a pouring rain that has no been going on for about 30 minutes? If you can imagine that then you can catch a glimpse of what we are finding here in Haiti.
Last night we had an experience that also puts things into perspective here in Haiti. We heard a dog squeal - much like you would when a dog gets injured really bad. I went outside to investigate and noticed over the back wall of our compound a group of people circled around something. It was the dog. Later that night that same group of people had a Voodoo service directly behind us. This was a group who had mixed Catholic teachings with Voodoo. Our enemy is real and the people here are caught in his grasp.
I've been thinking about Ephesians 6 for the past few hours. Our battle is not with what we are able to see here with our eyes, feel with our hears or touch with our hands. Our battle is a supernatural one that we need to fight on our knees. I am thankful for your prayers. They are more than appreciated for the people of Haiti - they are necessary. If we don't see unity from all believers in the long-term response then it will be a futile battle.
This morning, though, my heart breaks for the people in this area who are living on the edge of a street in a makeshift tent. Estimates are given from hundreds of thousands to over a million that are homeless. Others estimate that at least 200,000 of the people living in the streets or in their yards are simply afraid of their homes that are in safe enough conditions that they could sleep inside. They are scared. They see broken concrete all around them and then see cracks in their homes. Many times these are just surface cracks but it does not matter to them. They are scared. I am wondering this morning how they are responding to the rain. Will God use the rain to push them towards their home. Can you imagine a fear so strong that you would live your family in a pouring rain that has no been going on for about 30 minutes? If you can imagine that then you can catch a glimpse of what we are finding here in Haiti.
Last night we had an experience that also puts things into perspective here in Haiti. We heard a dog squeal - much like you would when a dog gets injured really bad. I went outside to investigate and noticed over the back wall of our compound a group of people circled around something. It was the dog. Later that night that same group of people had a Voodoo service directly behind us. This was a group who had mixed Catholic teachings with Voodoo. Our enemy is real and the people here are caught in his grasp.
I've been thinking about Ephesians 6 for the past few hours. Our battle is not with what we are able to see here with our eyes, feel with our hears or touch with our hands. Our battle is a supernatural one that we need to fight on our knees. I am thankful for your prayers. They are more than appreciated for the people of Haiti - they are necessary. If we don't see unity from all believers in the long-term response then it will be a futile battle.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Our teams are doing an awesome work...
It has been incredible to watch our teams give themselves away through medical teams, building assessment teams and even a team that is attempting to drill a well in one of the hardest hit areas.
A team from Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia are working together to bring water to a community. They are using equipment that they brought in suitcases to drill a well. Today they worked all day to drill... 16 feet. They can drill up to 60 feet with this device. Please pray for them as they work.
The need here is simply overwhelming. There is absolutely no hope for this country - unless they realize that they can have everlasting, abundant life through a relationship with Jesus. Government cannot fix the problems of Haiti. Social work will not love them out of this tough life. Their only hope is Jesus.
I did finally receive my bag on Sunday afternoon. Thanks for praying. It showed up at the airport in time to travel to Haiti with the next team. It has been great to have my gear and my food. Clean clothes have also been a nice feature!
Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.
A team from Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia are working together to bring water to a community. They are using equipment that they brought in suitcases to drill a well. Today they worked all day to drill... 16 feet. They can drill up to 60 feet with this device. Please pray for them as they work.
The need here is simply overwhelming. There is absolutely no hope for this country - unless they realize that they can have everlasting, abundant life through a relationship with Jesus. Government cannot fix the problems of Haiti. Social work will not love them out of this tough life. Their only hope is Jesus.
I did finally receive my bag on Sunday afternoon. Thanks for praying. It showed up at the airport in time to travel to Haiti with the next team. It has been great to have my gear and my food. Clean clothes have also been a nice feature!
Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tough day in Haiti
Wow... I just can't describe in words what I saw today. Poverty, desperate fear and broken houses were everywhere. I will update in the morning and try to upload some pictures. We have some incredible teams here who are doing a great job. Our teams have already seen over 6000 patients and administered over 11,000 Scripts. 72 people have come to know Christ over the past 8 days.
Friday, February 5, 2010
In Haiti
We left Santo Domingo at 4:30 this morning and arrived at our location in Haiti around 12:30PM. It was a long, bumpy drive (imagine the roads in Peru) that came to a crawl (imagine rush hour in Atlanta) once we arrived in Port-au-Prince. The building that we are staying in is owned by the Florida Baptist Convention. It is used to give support to 964 churches that work with the convention.
Part of our team is driving around the city at this point. Our vehicle can not hold all of our team so some of us stayed behind.
It is amazing to see the devastation and at the same moment see so many believers working to share the love of Jesus with the people of Haiti. There is a medical clinic being conducted here at our building. They helped over a hundred people by lunch time and had the privilege of leading 10 of them to have a relationship with Jesus.
Thank you for all of your prayers. I still do not have my luggage - it did not arrive with today's flight. American Airlines simply does not know where the bag is - but God does and if He wants me to have it then it will show up. If not - I have much more in my little bag than many people here in Haiti have to call all of their belongings.
Part of our team is driving around the city at this point. Our vehicle can not hold all of our team so some of us stayed behind.
It is amazing to see the devastation and at the same moment see so many believers working to share the love of Jesus with the people of Haiti. There is a medical clinic being conducted here at our building. They helped over a hundred people by lunch time and had the privilege of leading 10 of them to have a relationship with Jesus.
Thank you for all of your prayers. I still do not have my luggage - it did not arrive with today's flight. American Airlines simply does not know where the bag is - but God does and if He wants me to have it then it will show up. If not - I have much more in my little bag than many people here in Haiti have to call all of their belongings.
Bagless...
Well... I do have a bag. My small backpack that I carried onto the plane. My big pack with all of my clothes, food and all other important things are somewhere between Orlando and the Dominican Republic.
I met some neat folks from the states as a result of losing my bag. A group called Operation Smile had a team member lose his bag, too. We worked for about an hour to see if we could trace our bag (no success) and then they gave me a ride from the airport to our hotel. That was huge - a 30 minute ride would have cost me about $50. I also would have had to trust a taxi driver to get me to a hotel that I had no clue how to locate other than an address. God worked that out...
Our team is leaving here in at 4:30AM. Our time here is 1 hour ahead of Eastern time. So... I am heading to Haiti for 2 weeks without clothes, snacks or my toothbrush. :)
We have a medical team coming behind us at some point. We will find out tomorrow a little more. Terry Henderson, our Disaster Relief leader, said that this is our first glitch that we will have to work through. Glad I could help us get to work.
We travel about 8 hours today into Port-au-Prince. That is actually where we will be staying.
Thanks for your prayers. You may want to pray for my team members as they will now have a team member who will stink and have bad breath, too!
On a serious note, tomorrow really begins a hard journey. Please pray that God gives us His strength, grace and wisdom as we enter into the earthquake zone. Pray that we have opportunities to share the love of Jesus in word and action.
I met some neat folks from the states as a result of losing my bag. A group called Operation Smile had a team member lose his bag, too. We worked for about an hour to see if we could trace our bag (no success) and then they gave me a ride from the airport to our hotel. That was huge - a 30 minute ride would have cost me about $50. I also would have had to trust a taxi driver to get me to a hotel that I had no clue how to locate other than an address. God worked that out...
Our team is leaving here in at 4:30AM. Our time here is 1 hour ahead of Eastern time. So... I am heading to Haiti for 2 weeks without clothes, snacks or my toothbrush. :)
We have a medical team coming behind us at some point. We will find out tomorrow a little more. Terry Henderson, our Disaster Relief leader, said that this is our first glitch that we will have to work through. Glad I could help us get to work.
We travel about 8 hours today into Port-au-Prince. That is actually where we will be staying.
Thanks for your prayers. You may want to pray for my team members as they will now have a team member who will stink and have bad breath, too!
On a serious note, tomorrow really begins a hard journey. Please pray that God gives us His strength, grace and wisdom as we enter into the earthquake zone. Pray that we have opportunities to share the love of Jesus in word and action.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Headin' to Haiti
I am about to leave the airport for the Domincan Republic where I will join the efforts of the Florida Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board. Our Incident Command team will drive into Haiti on Friday. Please be praying for all of the logistics of getting into the country (transportation, etc.) and for our team to join God's activity in Haiti.
I will do my very best to send updates about our efforts through this blog. Your prayers are certainly cherished...
I will do my very best to send updates about our efforts through this blog. Your prayers are certainly cherished...
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