A big day for Suzette

Sometimes when we’ve had a few trying days and we feel as if we understand nothing about the Haitian culture, we say to each other “what are we doing here?” and “are we even making a difference?”  Sometimes we feel as if we are spinning wheels. 

For me, there seems to be two sides to the ministry happening in Haiti; the ministry to the Haitians and the ministry to those coming to serve.  We’ve said this over and over again; how people have been changed.  What I am starting to see now more than ever is that God quite possibly brought our family to Haiti to change us, the five of us.  I am seeing how our faith has grown so much, how our children’s faith has developed and how close we have become as a family.  I’m not convinced we were open enough to God doing this in us in the states.  So we are part of the group “those coming to serve whose lives have been changed”

The Haitian side of the ministry is where so many questions lie.  Are we making a lasting difference?  Are we changing lives here?  Not just circumstances, but lives.

It’s not everyday I believe we are, but after my last visit to Suzette on Monday, I believe it again. 

It’s been over three years since Suzette was “diagnosed” with Uterine Cancer.  I say “Diagnosed” because the diagnosis was made simply from an ultrasound.  It’s been over two years since I met her and began praying with her and for her for healing.  After bringing multiple medical people to evaluate her the best they could without fancy equipment and trusting the diagnosis given, we felt as though all we could do is pray and offer pain relief.  When another lump appeared in January and extreme pain returned, I began to feel there was something more we needed to seek out.

Monday, I shared details of Suzette’s pain, timeline, other symptoms etc with a doctor and nurse that were here and they began to question the diagnosis.  After a quick visit and evaluation, their questions were even greater…”could this be something other than cancer?” 

The only way to know for sure is for Suzette to have a complete exam and biopsy done.  It turns out a doctor I met through Kim who is serving in Haiti can get us into a good Hospital THIS FRIDAY just days before she leaves for the states.  All we need is to get in the door and she can help us do that.  Just two weeks ago, a visitor brought two donations from people in the states that we will use to get the initial exams done.  If more money is needed, I have no doubt God will provide it.  I don’t believe in coincidences.  I believe in a God who can knit very delicate details together using multiple people without them even realizing it to make a difference in one of His followers, in turn, making a difference in His Kingdom.

After setting up details of our hospital trip with Suzette, I turned to go and she stopped me to tell me that GOD brought AWAKENHAITI to her and for that she is so grateful.  I’m humbled once again that God has allowed me to be part of HIS great ministry here in transforming lives!

Please pray for us tomorrow.  For God to lead us through the day opening the right doors for the right people and exams to be done.  Please pray for strength for Suzette. Tomorrow is a big day! 

TEAM

Well is has been a long time since I have posted anything on here.  Deb does such a good job at sharing our hearts about things that happen here and some of the small ways God continues to use AWAKENHAITI here in Haiti.  I thought I would share a few thoughts with you as we approach this Superbowl weekend.

I love football.  I love it for many reasons but one of biggest ones is more than other sports you have to work together as a team to achieve success.  These guys bond as teammates because they have to rely on each other.  They have to trust each other.  Their individual successes along with their teams successes depends on the entire team working together for one common goal.  You can have the best QB or running back in the league, but if the O line doesn't block, not only will you not gain yards, that star player isn't going to last very long.  That's why when the superstars thank their teammates for their individual successes, they do so out of pure gratitude, respect, and love.  They know without them there would be no records.

Last week, I got the tremendous privilege of joining the RunforLife team.  This was a team of people from Heartline Ministries, here in Haiti, that was running across Haiti (315 miles total) to raise money to build a new maternity center.   This maternity center will serve women here in Haiti before, during and after they give birth.  It is one of the ways that Heartline is reaching people for Christ by showing His love and compassion through caring for these women fully and unconditionally, just as Christ loves us.

My dear friend Barry McDonald was the one that had the vision for this great endeavor.  He and his wife Bec lost lost their child shortly after birth.  That beautiful little boy named Isaac, was the inspiration for this run and the reason I believe Barry and Bec came to Haiti.  Barry and I have been great friends from the moment we first met 2 years ago.  He has always been there for me when I needed help building, an ear to listen to one of my crazy ideas, me go off about one of my frustrations, or just a guy to share a laugh with.  Barry is one of my teammates here in Haiti.  So when he and Bec asked me to join them in this run, I was not only honored, I saw it as a responsibility.  Teammates don't let other teammates down.

What an experience it was.  What a great team of people.  Everyone did their job.  The cooks cooked, the drivers drove, the doctor and nurse kept Barry loose and moving forward, and the runners ran.  Barry ran a total of 315 miles in 14 days.  Others ran their first marathons with him for encouragement.  Joel, a Heartline Board member from Dever, ran three marathons with him.  The last one with a hair-line fractured foot.  I managed to run a little over 100 miles with him in the last six days.  While none of it was easy, we were a team.  A team with ONE goal.  Finish the run.

If I could speak for Barry for a minute, I think he would echo these words.  The run was amazing.  The scenery was breathtaking at times.  While the mountains were hard and steep, they provided times of reflecting upon God's power and creativity.  But as amazing as it was, the thought of doing it alone would of been unbearable, and darn near impossible.  What made it amazing was simple yet extraordinary, TEAM.

Now that a week has gone by, I have had some time to reflect about those six days.  One of the questions I got asked by some was: "Why, with all the things and responsibilities you have here with AWAKENAHAITI, why did you go and spend a week helping another ministry to raise money for their efforts?  Don't you have enough to do?"  Yes, I am very aware of all the responsibilities that Deb and I have here, but honestly the thought didn't really occur to me.  AWAKENHAITI is here to serve Haitians.  I believe in what Heartline does and how they do it.  They are soldiers for Christ just as we are.  Doesn't that make us ONE team.  I hear their director speak of the same God that I believe, and trust in.  We serve the same God, the one and only God.  We are playing the same game for the same coach.  I guess that's why it didn't occur to me that the run had nothing to do with AWAKENHAITI, because that run had everything to do with AWAKENHAITI.

Barry, Bec, and the entire RunforLife team.  Thank you!!!

And Church, it's OUR TIME!!! Not as one church, but as a Church united as ONE.

INHIM,

Jeff

 Note:  For more info about the run or if you want to partner with this effort go to runforlifehaiti.org

Visiting Suzette

     Since last April visiting Suzette has been very different.  Different in a good way because she has not had the physical suffering that she had dealt with for so long.  Lately I've been showing up to check on her two new grand babies (one of which lives with her).
     Her little grand daughter, Naika is just a precious little 5 month old chub with lots of smiles.  The reason she lives with Suzette is that her mommy is only 15 years old still going to school.  Just a child herself, she has this great responsibility at home.
     The last visit I made to Suzette just 19 days ago, she complained of a pain in her side that started when she was working outside.  She was simply cleaning up some garbage.  We assumed that she pulled a muscle.
    Today when I arrived at her home though, I found out there is much more.  I could see before I even entered her home that she was back on that same mat on the floor that represents cancer, pain, suffering, and grace all at the same time.  The pain has continued and in fact worsened and spread.  She now has a lump on her hip.
I told her it was ok to take the pain meds she had left over from last winter.
I prayed.   The three ladies with me prayed.  I'm no doctor, I have no diagnosis, but The Great Physican was there.
I committed to praying for her every day.
Will you please join me?

AWARENESS * ACTION * HOPE

These three words have been part of AWAKENHAITI from the very beginning.  They were relevant when we started AH and they continue to be relevant as the ministry develops today and as we learn experience Christ.  They aren't always noticed at the same time, however, one usually leads to another.
This week, God is using Colton's illness to take me back to those three words.
We are currently treating him for Malaria.  We have been so fortunate as a family that we have been very healthy in the two years we've lived in Haiti.  This is only the second time one of us has had it.  Some families here experience it with multiple family members and multiple times each year.  The symptoms of each of our  two cases have not been what most people experience leaving us guessing for a few days.  The problem with the few days is that the longer Malaria has to settle in, the longer the recovery period.
Every parent wants their children to be healthy and when they are not, parents like to have answers(awareness).  With those answers come treatment (action), the treatment then brings hope for a healthy child once again.  As a parent, that period of the unknown...is my child okay, is this something serious, how will I find out what it is, will there be treatment????? can be overwhelming. Fortunately, we have many resourceful people at our disposal.  We also have tests, internet, medication, and resources at our finger tips.
But, what if we didn't?  What if I were a mom living in Canaan and my child were sick with a fever that could not be explained?   What if my child couldn't get out of bed for 4 days and I didn't know why?  What if I didn't have friends who worked in the medical field who could help?  What if I didn't have the resources to go to a doctor or to buy the medicine needed?
Today I am thankful we DO have all these things.  I'm thankful that I can have peace of mind.  But I don't think God calls us to simply be thankful for what we have.  I think he wants us to also be aware of others who don't have and to not sit on our thankfulness but rather, to put the two together and move into action so that others may have also.  After all, this is how we can put feet on our faith.  It's how we can show Christ to others.  Thus bringing Hope.
As I put myself in a mom's shoes in Canaan, I am reminded of the great need there for medical assistance.  God has used Colton's illness in this period of the unknown and concern to remind me how important this is and that even though I don't have all the answers right now as to how the medical program will develop, it's important to HIM and therefore, I should leave it to HIM.  This is where His glory shows.

From a mom who wants other moms have peace of mind for their children, Thank you to those of you who have helped make this medical center possible thus far...there have been so many different people pouring into this in so many ways!

Back to Haiti

      As we begin to mentally and emotionally prepare to return to Haiti on Thursday, we realize just how much we have to be thankful for!  Normally when we return to Pennsylvania, it is for such a short period of time.  We are rushed to get all the meetings, visits, and kids activities in that we can, we barely turn around and we're back on a plane for Haiti again.  We normally are so rushed, we miss experiencing the beauty that is all around us right here in our home town.  The beauty that we had taken for granted for so many years.
     This extended time here has given us opportunity to see and experience this place in a new way.  The natural beauty of fall, running, taking time on the Appalachian trail.  Building new friendships and enjoying time with those we've been friends with for years.  Sharing life with family.  Listening to God.  Celebrating a ministry that God has orchestrated and grown.   All these things we are so thankful for.  We cherish these times!
     As we return to Haiti,  we anticipate a year of excitement.  A year of many unknowns.  A year of challenges.  A year of growth.  A year of learning.  A year of God.
     We ask for your prayer as we transition back in Haiti and as we immediately face a ton of work while feeling the separation from our family and friends.  We ask you to pray for our children as they also continue to sacrifice what is fun, easy, and comfortable to be part of this journey.  It's hard.  They are so isolated.  But God has asked us to trust Him with them.  Please pray for their hearts and their spirits.

     Thank you to those who have taken time to encourage us, reach out to us, share a meal with us, pray for us, and care for us!

~Deb

Medical Container

Last Friday, a group of volunteers gathered together in Harrisburg and loaded furniture, medical equipment, and supplies into a sea container and sent it off.  Every inch of the container was packed full of supplies that will bless the community of Canaan.  These supplies will be a great start to equipping the clinic and therefore providing medical care and employment.  Thank you to Hamilton Health Center for the donations!  And thank you to the volunteers who helped make this happen!

Hope to see you this Sunday!