Seeing God at work!

Pastor Nathan mentioned to Jeff a while ago that he would like us to visit a tent city that he has been ministering in for a bit now. Finally Saturday we made our visit. What I had envisioned was the pictures you see on TV (and most of what we have seen so far) with tents lined up right on top of each other. This type of tent city can be intimidating and overwhelming to consider how to even begin doing any type of ministry with the mass of people. What I envisioned and what we encountered were two totally different things.

There absolutely is a lot of need here. Most of these people live in tents, some have been blessed enough to have received a "house" from a Spanish organization. There is little to no opportunity for work here. The only source of water in this city is a water truck that comes through every day for people to purchase and fill jugs of water. Protection from the sun is inside one's tent, some of which had to be 100 degrees. There has been no American presence here.
As we drove our way through the "roadway", I began to notice a few things; people actually have fenced in their yard, some have gardens growing, many have curtains hanging in their doorway...all of which to me means, this is their home. They have taken permanent residence here. This particular piece of government owned land allows people to make this their home which is different from many of the tent cities we have seen before.
Pastor Nathan explained to us as we drove that he started a church 2 months ago here because after the earthquake, some of the members of his church in town had moved out here and he visited them to pray with them and to minister to them. More and more people began to accept Christ and now he has a church of about 50 members here as well as his growing church in town.



We reached the church/school and were warmly greeted by a few of the leaders. Right now the church meets in this tent as well as half of the 150 kids attending school. The other half of the kids meet in an identical tent just a few yards away.

We made our way around to a few of the church members' homes and they gladly let us look inside. They seemed proud of what they have made of their homes.

We know God is working here and we are so blessed to be part of what He is doing. We look forward to building relationships with these families and coming along side them. Wednesday we will take a team of people to play with the children as they finish school, then we will distribute rice and beans to all of the families connected with the school. We will also set up a large military tent which will allow more space for church and for the children to be separated for schooling. Please be in prayer as we seek God's guidance and as we build relationships and minister to these people!

Partners in this mission!

~Deb

"Where is your faith"

In Luke 8:25, the disciples found themselves in a raging storm and their boat was filling with water. First they were afraid, then they were amazed when Jesus did what they desperately wanted. Jesus asked the "where is your faith?" We find ourselves like the disciples.

I just need to back up to tell the story of the past few days here. Looking back, it is a bit comical.

We were joined by Cindy and Vanessa as well as a complete stranger (or at least he was just a short time ago)last Sunday. Bob and his wife got in touch with us about a week and a half ago through a mutual friend. Bob was to come to Haiti and after some communication, it was decided he would spend a few days with us after serving with another organization. Fortunately for Bob (and for us too:), he carried our phone number with him while traveling, because his ride never came for him at the airport. Imagine flying into a third world country you haven't been previously, where you don't speak the native language, then having to stand outside the airport for 1 1/2 hours alone except for the 10 Haitians trying to earn some wages by carrying your bags. ..over and over! Jeff and Colton picked up the abandoned Bob and brought him into our home. God really wanted him here with us. What a blessing, encouragement, and great help he has been. We have had many laughs over the process of him getting here. Now he is family.

When we first heard about Hurricane Tomas, we immediately turned to prayer for those living in tents and tarps. We watched closely and tried to follow the forecast and continued to pray. While we prayed and knew God could move the storm, we also felt we should prepare for Tomas. So Thursday, Bob and Noah (I mean Jeff) began boarding up the house and gathering food, gas, and enough water to get us through several days. Neighbors were enjoying the sight as a homemade rendition of scaffolding came together to reach a window two stories up, over stairs. We got many double takes and vehicles actually driving slowly down our road to see this new idea of preparing for something. Our children prayed each day for God's protection over the homeless. I found myself pleading with God time and time again and I know others were doing the same.

Today when we expected the category 2 hurricane the forecast was still calling for and it didn't come, we were actually a bit surprised. We sat on our balcony for a period of time waiting for it to come. So we had some more laughs. Our drill will pay off when a real hurricane comes through, we will have it down pat! We also laugh because we prayed for one thing, but prepared for another. I think we would be fools not to have prepared. I think God wants us to use our minds and to do things in order to protect ourselves and our families, but he also wants us to trust HIM to protect us. Knowing this storm hit hard 1 1/2 hours from here with major flooding tells me the forecast was right and we were right to prepare for a big storm, but it also tells me our God is in control of all things and because we had faith (and you had faith as you prayed), he moved this storm out of our path and those living in our community in tents. We learn over and over to have more faith and more trust especially when we ask for specific things as we did with this storm. So we prepare like Noah, and we learn to trust the God who is powerful enough to control a hurricane.

Tomorrow, we won't be laughing as we visit those dealing with mud, wet soggy tents they call their home and possible flooding. Please continue to praise God for his protection and pray for those who experienced much worse.

~Deb

The first two weeks here was a bit of a roller coaster for all of us. We have spent the first two weeks here trying to get settled, unpacked, emotionally transitioned, and really just trying to figure out how to do life here. Our kids have done a tremendous job. They are getting adjusted quite well and are embracing the orphanage kids. Kylie loves playing soccer with a few of the girls every day. Brooke loves running and chasing with a few of the youngest girls. They both enjoy sitting with the older girls getting their hair done and learning Kreyol. Colton has enjoyed playing soccer with the boys and chatting with Max. Colton has been our calculator at the grocery store as we translate Goulds into American dollars. He is really looking forward to being part of the work teams will be doing. We don't have it all figured out my any stretch of the imagination, but we definitely feel as if we are ready to begin looking outward.

We have spent time with the girls and boys of Good Samaritan Orphanage learning to do life with them, rather than just visiting. We have been able to help a good friend by providing work for him. After praying at lunch one day, he said to Jeff, "the same God we thank for this food, I thank for you and Deb coming here and providing work for me." Many of you know Gesner from translating for teams or from his visit to PA two years ago. Some of you have been praying for he and his wife Youdeline. They have been in a tent city since the earthquake with their 1 year old daughter and are due with a second baby in mid-November. We plan to move them into a shelter built and given to them by the Red Cross on Friday of this week, however if this storm runs through here, they will be staying with us until we can get them into their new home.

Yesterday we ventured out with Cindy and Vanessa and our new friend Bob from Canada. We visited a clinic that ministers to young mothers with prenatal care and baby care, bible studies, sewing and jewelry making classes. We made some really good connections with some families we will attend church with and are encouraged by the number of families with children serving here. We also visited Dr. Jude. He will be working with Vanessa and Cindy; giving them experience in his clinic and introducing them to Haitian culture in the medical field, as they prepare a program for teams to do mobile medical clinics. His wife just opened a day care/preschool which is right up my alley! I was very excited to talk with her and see her doing such a wonderful thing for their community right in their home. They have given up most of their living space in order for the school to run.

We have been praying everyday for Tomas to weaken and go around this country. We know there are a lot of you praying too. It is unimaginable to think about so many in tents and tarps and what this storm will do to them. Please continue to pray with us for those families. We are preparing for Tomas at our home and we are ready to take some people in, but we are still hopeful that God will intervene on this storm path. Our God can overcome anything and we stand firm in that truth!

We will be seeking God's guidance and discernment in all of these areas as we move forward and join Him in the work He is doing here. We are so blessed to be here right where we are supposed to be! Thank you for your support and prayers! ~Deb

Our girls make pets everywhere we go!

Becoming!!!

Pastor Alan from our home church back in Carlisle, ask me a question in front of the church right before they prayed for us during our last Sunday before we came to Haiti. The question was "What is the one thing that you would ask us to pray for you and your family as you head off to serve in Haiti?" My answer was "Please pray for us to BECOME, become the people that God created us to be, become people that fulfills the dream that He has for each of our lives."

That is one thing that we want to continue to stress not only to ourselves but the people that are coming to Haiti to serve on short-term trips. There is a lot of work to be done here in Haiti. There are homes to be rebuild, there are the sick that need care, there is children that need love, there are families living in tents, there are so many that want to be self-sufficient, but there is so little opportunity. So there are businesses to start and jobs to be given. So yes, if you want to come and work in Haiti, there is plenty to do. Good things to do. But I would like to challenge those coming to serve here: Don't just come and do, but focus on Becoming. I feel that God has a dream for all of our lives. This is a great place to seek God's dream for your life. All you have to do is ask and then take a little time to listen.

As I seek God's wisdom to "become" he took me to a place in the bible that I feel somes up what it means to live for Him. It is in Romans 12: 3-21. Paul writes:

"Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measure yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body (the church). We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the gift of prophesy, speak out with much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. if it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have the gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine effection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiasticly. Rejoice in our confident Hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those that persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who mourn. Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy to company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things is such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do things that you can live in peace with everyone.
Dear friends never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the scriptures say:

"I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,"
says the Lord.

Instead,

"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads."

Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." AMEN

What a beautiful yet very challenging way God desires us to live our lives. As I read that over and over again this morning, one thing that became very clear to me. I am glad I asked Pastor Alan for prayer to "Become" the person God wants me to be, because on my own there is no way I can be that person. I am far too impatient, unloving, unforgiving, prideful, and far too often seek revenge when prompted. Though I can't ever be that person on my own, I don't have to rely on myself any longer. The Holy Spirit dwells within me and He is patient, loving, forgiving, and seeks peace not revenge.

My prayer for myself , my family, and you, is that we all fulfill the dream God has for our lives. We play our part in His story and do our best to keep adding people to it.

Bondye beni ou, (God bless you)

Jeff

Seeing God's people doing His work!!!

It has been a lot of ups and downs for Deb and I since we arrived here in Haiti a little over a week ago. A lot more ups than downs but there have been some moments of questioning. It is one thing to come here for a week or two or even three, but it is a different feeling all together knowing that this is your home now. It is also very different and sometimes even very difficult seeing your children here. Knowing that you can only do so much to protect them from what they may encounter by living here.

Today we loaded up the family and headed out to make some visits. We first went to an orphanage that cares for eight HIV positive orphaned children. What a blessing it was to see God's people responding and doing His work. Taking care of these kids day in and day out must be challenging but they do it in an act of obedience and that is reason enough for them.

Then we stopped at a friends of ours that is currently staying in a tent city right outside of Port-au-Prince. He has a wife and a small child with one on the way that is due in Nov. They were so happy to see us and invited us into their tent made of tarps and large sticks. As we repeatedly wiped our faces as the sweat came pouring, Colton turned to me and said "Dad how can they sleep in here" I looked over at Deb and saw that look in her eye and said back to him "I don't know buddy, but don't worry I have a feeling they won't be here much longer.

Then off to Freedom House Orphanage for some fun. Brooke and Kylie made 13 new friends and got to swing on their play set and Colton got 13 kisses as the girls all greeted him in Haitian style. It was comforting to see the girls and Colton embrace this as they have so far. They have given up so much, their home, their schools, their friends, their extended family, and now even their beloved dog Tundra. There has been no complaints or even tears for that matter. Just a heart to learn, love, serve and be a part of this. I'm so proud of all three of them.

We ended the day with Colton and I taking two of our guest to the boys orphanage for a little soccer. I felt bad for them getting schooled by our eight, nine and ten year olds. Deb and the girls stayed back with the Good Sam girls for an afternoon filled with soccer, musical chairs and a very spirited game of spoons.

For those wondering about some answers to some questions you maybe afraid to ask, here are a few. Are we scared at times? yes Do we question at times? yes. Do we sometimes wonder if this is the best thing for our kids? yes. Do we get frustrated? yes Is God with us and is constantly reminding us that He is here with us and will comfort us when we need Him. YES

Bondye Beni, (God Bless)

Jeff

I am trying to write in between power outages and getting the kids' school done. We were without power late Sat night until this morning. There have been many strong storms coming through and city power has been very sparse so the batteries we have as back up don't have enough time to charge. Hope fully we'll have "the beast" generator hooked up and running tomorrow that will be back up to the back up batteries.

Sunday night was a bit comical. We had no fans all day so we were all roasting. We all took showers early because we were afraid we'd run out of water with no electric to pump the water from the cistern to the water tanks on the roof. Without the fans, we were all hot and sweaty by bedtime anyway. Without fans in our rooms, it gets too hot so we decided to sleep out on our balcony like we did the first two nights. The problem is that even with bug spray on, the kids are getting bites. We had two mosquito nets here (thanks Rick) so Jeff got them all rigged up over two mattresses, got our mattresses moved out. We had out lantern going, just sat down with some coffee and a movie on the laptop when yet another storm decided to move through. Jeff and I scrambled to get all the mattresses huddled together in the corner so we could keep them dry. Kind of fun, camping out!
Monday, we had power for most of the day. Enough to pump water up to the tanks and to get school done. We are so very thankful for those two things. Dinner by lantern, another evening on the balcony to thunderstorms. Kind of fun!
We still have some things to figure out...how to do laundry??? When to make dinner so I'm not using unnecessary power in lighting. How to do things without using too much power while we have it. We are so very thankful for the electric we have when we have it and the water we have. We're laughing about things like making coffee the old fashion way, then the power coming on. God has been so faithful to us. We are good! The kids are doing great.
thank you all for prayers and encouragement, it is truly felt. We love to skype when we have power and we love getting emails and facebook messages!
blessings to you and your families!
~Deb

Arrival!

We made it safely to Haiti yesterday late morning after no sleep except for the short intervals in an upright position. We left DC @6:15am after having to say an unexpected goodbye to Tundra. It turns out we were misinformed about regulation concerning air temperatures in our destination. Because it was forcasted to be 90 degrees when we landed, they would not fly her. She was the one thing we promised the kids we would not part with. It was purely heartwrenching for all of us and for Jeff and I to have to watch our kids go through it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. She is now in good hands hanging out with her cousin Sonny and we are hoping to get her here soon.
The kids have done a fantastic job with all this change thrown at them. Kylie and Brooke were amazed by the ladies walking down the street with large bowls full of all kinds of stuff on their head. That might be something we try at home before venturing out on the street! They also loved meeting all the girls living below us. The girls wanted Kylie and Brooke to sing so they did a few cheers and loved the audience. Kylie spent a good bit of time playing cards with them today...our social butterfly. Brooke was hanging mighty close to me today...she always needs a little extra security. They have enjoyed opening all the containers we sent down on the sea crate, it's like Christmas morning around here!
Colton couldn't wait for Max to get here so there was another male around. He spent a good bit of the day putting together all his star wars lego ships. He hasn't seen them since June. He is looking forward to visiting the boys' orphanage, hopefully tomorrow we'll get over there.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers as we go through this time of transition. We will all deal with it in our own way, while hopefully being understanding and patient with each other.
~Deb