"On Mission"

As I reflect on the tremendous sacrifice made by our Savior this Easter, I am humbled by a God that would step off His throne and enter a world where he would be rejected, spat on, beaten, and ultimately crucified by the same people that He created.  He did so because He was on mission.  A mission of reconciling our sin, so we may be worthy of being in the presence of the father.  We are made worthy through the son, not by our own works but only through His.  Jesus came on mission.  That mission was for me and you.  Now the question is, what is our mission and our response to His great love for us.  

I read this last night.  It challenged me to consider my response to His sacrifice.  For those of you that have come served with us in Haiti, you know that this is our hope and prayer for you.  This is our hope and prayer for us as well.  

"Have you ever been on a Short-Term Mission Trip? Wasn’t it fascinating?  For a few days you explore a foreign country with a group of believers and were focused on ministry.  You laughed and ate strange foods and tried to speak the language.  You wept as you witnessed extreme poverty.  Maybe you even suffered through sickness, harsh conditions, or actual persecution.

As nice as it was to return to the comforts of home, there was also a letdown.  You were back in the “real world.”  There was a peace you felt when you did Kingdom work, and then it faded.  You returned to a routine in which you felt much of what you do has no eternal value.  But what if it was possible to prolong the excitement and peace?  What if life could be one continuous mission trip?  Is this even possible in the “real world”?

Not only is it possible, it is what God wants for us.

Do you remember the verse that many of us heard when we first believed?  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

The life God has for us is one of abundance.  It is meant to be full, not repetitive.  He wants us doing things that have eternal impact.  He wants us busy expanding His Kingdom in one way or another, today and everyday.  This doesn’t mean that every Christian should quit his or her job and move to a foreign country.  But it does mean that we need to figure out how to make each day count for His purpose.

Paul said it like this: “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”

Don’t most of us do the opposite?  We busy ourselves with “civilian pursuits” and occasionally jump into the battle when we fell compelled.  Kingdom service is something we visit on a mission trip, day of service, or a prayer meeting.  Being entangled in the civilian lifestyle has become the accepted norm.  It is even applauded so long as we can point to some occasional Kingdom activity.  But doesn’t Scripture tell us to live differently?  And wouldn’t your life be more “abundant” if you figure out a way to be on the battlefield everyday?

You maybe looking at your life and assuming you have no other options.  Isn’t a person with bills, family, and responsibilities destined to be “entangled in civilian pursuits”?

Absolutely not.  You and I were made for more."

-Francis Chan

Have a wonderful Easter as we celebrate our risen Savior.

-Jeff   

God's not done with Suzette yet

As Junior and I approached Suzette's house today, we immediately knew something was "up".  A neighbor was there.  Her son whom I haven't seen in most likely a year was there with his wife.  A woman I have not seen before was washing some pans outside.   Someone else was sweeping the floor and yet one more person was making the bed with clean linens.  This scenario forced us to make an assumption we didn't want to make.  I guess you could say we had a little scare.

As we entered Suzette's house, we learned that she had become very sick the past two days and those caring for her weren't sure what was going on.  She obviously had lost weight.  She was wincing in pain, moaning and even brought to tears at one point.  Why does this woman suffer so much?  She has had this suffering for over 3 years.  There are several answers that make sense, yet we ask anyway wanting something more tangible.

My first guess was the cancer taking over.  As they described more symptoms, it sounded like Malaria but unfortunately the test kits we bought are defective.  I wracked my brain to think of what we should/could do to help.  I had no medicines with me, so I thought.  As God has reminded me many times now, he doesn't want me to search for a medical "fix it", but rather, He wants me to simply pray and trust.

As the family members continued their conversations, I laid my hand on Suzette's shoulder and began praying out loud in English, while everyone else went on with their business in the house and caring for Suzette...
          "Come Jesus, Come and take this pain.  Lift this from Suzette just today."  Then I got up and left.

When I got back to the medical building, I was still thinking and asking God for some sort of answers.  Then I remembered the stomach flu that has been going around.  The one that those of us that live here call Haitian Happiness ( 4 people at our house had just had it).  So I went to our first aid box and found some strong pain meds and some rehydration packets so I decided it was worth another walk to Suzette's.
I arrived 15 minutes after I had left the first time to find her resting.  She was still having some pain, but much of it was gone allowing her to lay and rest.  I began asking what they had given her, I didn't want to give her more pain medication if they already had given it and I was trying to figure out what it was that had helped her so much.  "No, we gave her nothing."

In my very human flesh, it didn't occur to me until hours later while I replayed the day in my mind that Jesus did the very thing I implored of Him.  Why is it that when we ask for something many times we are surprised when He gives it?
In Matthew 7:7 Jesus says "Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and you will find.  Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you." (NLT)

Not that God gives us everything just the way we ask for it or the way we picture it, but when He does,  we need a slap in the face to see that it was HIM or we are surprised to see that what we asked for actually is what God gave?

I believe it's part of being human.  But my prayer is that I/we are walking so closely with the father that we just know.  And whether we know immediately or 3 hours later, we know and we can praise Him for it.

 I don't know if he will heal her on earth, but I know he will continue to work through her suffering as long as she has it.  Blessed to be part of Suzette's journey and blessed to have her as part of mine.  She's been part of some many other journeys. I know God is not done with her yet.

Yet again...Came to Haiti to love and was loved.  Came to Haiti to bless and was blessed.  Came to Haiti to give and received.

 Please continue praying for Suzette.

Suzette clinic day 3

 Suzette was very excited when Jacques and I picked her up yesterday morning.  She had been to a big service in Delmas known for healing and the pain in her leg was already starting to feel better.  She also anticipated getting the answers that could come from the trip to the clinic.
We knew a trip to the gynecologist was going to be in order so we registered for that and then began would what turn out to be a four and a half hour wait.  Suzette was a trooper sitting and waiting for that long but pain was setting in.  We finally went in to see the clinic doctor to read the blood test and ultrasound results.   The doctor talked of seeing the gynecologist and then went on to talk further about seeing the oncologist at another hospital.  I was still hopeful that they would do a biopsy that would prove that not necessary.
Another hour wait to see the gynecologist.  After the exam Suzette called Jacques and I into the room so the doctor could share what he found.  The first word in creole I could comprehend was terminal to which Suzette replied "Bondye Kapab (God can)".
The doctor continued talking to Jacques and Suzette and I was still stuck on terminal and Bondye kapab.  The doctor asked why I had brought her, who had referred her.  He should send the rest of the results to that person.  Jacques explained that I have friends that work at the hospital and I just brought her to get help, there was no doctor in Haiti that referred her.  He then proceeded to ask if there was family with her to talk with; no.  Only us.  Suzette then left the room so the doctor could explain further and answer my questions.

The doctor didn't speak English, but he was able to write the diagnosis for me:  Stage IV Cervical Cancer.  Then went on to explain and answer my questions...
"Stage 4.  No treatment.  No biopsy necessary.  The cancer is all through her pelvic area.  She will need very strong pain medication.  She will have a liquid draining from inside that will smell bad.  She has a maximum of 1 year left, more likely, 6-8 months."

In the back of my mind I hear Suzette's voice "Bondye Kapab".

We thanked the doctor for taking the time to explain and left.  Not a whole lot of words spoken in the car, only more questions to ask Jacques about what the doctor said and him taking the time to explain even more.

When we arrived at Suzette's home, she said something to me that I couldn't understand and not sure I do yet:  "God will give this back to you, thank you very much"
Before we said goodbye, she grabbed my arm and said "please pray for my faith to strengthen and if I don't see you in here again, I will see you in Heaven. "

Jacques explained to Suzette's older daughter the diagnosis that came, I couldn't do it.  She already knew.  I had showed her the ultrasound the week before and the nursing education she had was enough for her to understand what was happening, she just hadn't said so.  My prayer is that right now, Suzette's children get on their knees and that God uses this to bring them to a deeper faith as he has done in so many already through Suzette.

As I try to process the events that unfolded yesterday, there is mourning and sadness, but I can't sit in that.  Greater than that, "Bondye kapab".  Whether or not God chooses to heal Suzette doesn't change the fact that He Can and that He is Good!  Suzette clings to the hope she has in Christ no matter what happens to her earthly body.  I continue to learn and be blessed by her faith.

Please pray for Suzette.  Please pray for her faith.  Please pray for God to choose to heal her, I know He can.  Please pray for her family that through this they will know HIM more.


BONDYE KAPAB