Monday, September 16, 2019
Yay!!!
My passport finally came, right after I stopped worrying about it and calling for it. I rested and God delivered. Of course I didn't get the old one back and was dismayed. Merlene told me that it would come later in the mail a few weeks later. So, when I get home, Iread the paper inside the passport and ir says just that. It will be mailed under separate cover. Duh
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Leaving Haiti - 11/24/15
Monday, 11/24/15
At 4am the alarm went off. No memories of the delicious dinner and desserts last night, the warm showers, or the beach water will make us want to delay our departure. We are ready to go. Our bags must be at the bus by 4:30a. There is an extra truck for our luggage and the hour long trip to the airport had a smooth road with the exception of several speed bumps that brought us to a crawl, the driver sped us on to the airport.
We have passed security and the flight is rechecking the baggage count because of the rigorous precautions that must be taken in light of the global terrorists alert. All bags were opened and patted through. We made it through and boarded the plane. As I type this we are in the air headed for the US. We are sleepy, exhausted, a bit hungry, but we have completed the task that was set before us and we are grateful to God for his protection.
Whoever remembers getting breakfast on a flight that was more than 2 hours, should just keep that as a memory. The attendants' jobs may have been made easier for cleanup but many passengers miss the meals, at least I do. Then again it was in a class all by itself as "airline food". So whatever the offering, it is a perfect time to give thanks for it all.
We are scattered around the plane and some of us are clustered together. One of my roomies from the beginning of the trip is sitting across the aisle from me. It's a reminder of God's love that has been spread abroad in us through the Person of Jesus Christ. He has sovereignly put us all together for this amazing adventure. The are thirteen (13) churches represented in this group of 26. Only God can pull together something so spectacular. Every ministry need was met by God's Holy Spirit moving in us to take our places in service; from pouring rice into smaller bags, pulling luggage from the truck, offering an arm for the rocky walks through villages, filling buckets of water for bathroom duty, singing, leading the worship, playing instruments, sharing testimonies, teaching, praying, holding children on our laps and showing them their pictures from a "selfie" shot; ... and the list goes on.
Returning to the US was smooth and easy. The newest technology allowed for easy passage through customs. The connecting flight was on time. There was enough time in the layover to have lunch and board the flight. That is unless you get lost in the terminal. Every minute counts and of course the gate is at the end of the terminal. No bags needed checking and the plane is in flight. The last leg of the trip is in motion.
The last report: everyone landed safely! Our God is indeed awesome!
At 4am the alarm went off. No memories of the delicious dinner and desserts last night, the warm showers, or the beach water will make us want to delay our departure. We are ready to go. Our bags must be at the bus by 4:30a. There is an extra truck for our luggage and the hour long trip to the airport had a smooth road with the exception of several speed bumps that brought us to a crawl, the driver sped us on to the airport.
We have passed security and the flight is rechecking the baggage count because of the rigorous precautions that must be taken in light of the global terrorists alert. All bags were opened and patted through. We made it through and boarded the plane. As I type this we are in the air headed for the US. We are sleepy, exhausted, a bit hungry, but we have completed the task that was set before us and we are grateful to God for his protection.
Whoever remembers getting breakfast on a flight that was more than 2 hours, should just keep that as a memory. The attendants' jobs may have been made easier for cleanup but many passengers miss the meals, at least I do. Then again it was in a class all by itself as "airline food". So whatever the offering, it is a perfect time to give thanks for it all.
We are scattered around the plane and some of us are clustered together. One of my roomies from the beginning of the trip is sitting across the aisle from me. It's a reminder of God's love that has been spread abroad in us through the Person of Jesus Christ. He has sovereignly put us all together for this amazing adventure. The are thirteen (13) churches represented in this group of 26. Only God can pull together something so spectacular. Every ministry need was met by God's Holy Spirit moving in us to take our places in service; from pouring rice into smaller bags, pulling luggage from the truck, offering an arm for the rocky walks through villages, filling buckets of water for bathroom duty, singing, leading the worship, playing instruments, sharing testimonies, teaching, praying, holding children on our laps and showing them their pictures from a "selfie" shot; ... and the list goes on.
Returning to the US was smooth and easy. The newest technology allowed for easy passage through customs. The connecting flight was on time. There was enough time in the layover to have lunch and board the flight. That is unless you get lost in the terminal. Every minute counts and of course the gate is at the end of the terminal. No bags needed checking and the plane is in flight. The last leg of the trip is in motion.
The last report: everyone landed safely! Our God is indeed awesome!
Monday, November 23, 2015
Last Day in Haiti
Mon 11/23/16
Our original plan was to leave the Humanity facility at 6am to spend the last day in Haiti at a beach. Initially this was an optional activity because we were going to be coming back to the Humanity home. However in light of the "manifestation" expectations (term for the civil unrest) our plans changed; we would be leaving at 8:30. After breakfast we learned that our route to travel was affected by the ""manifestations" and by now it's 9 o'clock and the truck to take our luggage has not arrived.
While we are waiting, we begin to share about our time together in Haiti. Amazing things happen on a mission trip with people you have never met or served with before, come together for the express purpose of serving others in a foreign country. We wept, sang and praised God. It was the necessary prelude to the rest of the day. Our endurance was tested. We rode for more than three hours to a different location than what was originally planned. Our decision to stay away from the city and closer to the airport was for safety reasons.
We are in a secured place for the night and will leave for the airport tomorrow morning by 4am. The travel to the airport at such an early hour reminds me of the Exodus when the people were told to to be dressed and ready for flight in the wee hours.
We have enjoyed fresh fruits and vegetables and food very similar to American cuisine. It's time for tipping my toes in the blue waters of the country.
Our original plan was to leave the Humanity facility at 6am to spend the last day in Haiti at a beach. Initially this was an optional activity because we were going to be coming back to the Humanity home. However in light of the "manifestation" expectations (term for the civil unrest) our plans changed; we would be leaving at 8:30. After breakfast we learned that our route to travel was affected by the ""manifestations" and by now it's 9 o'clock and the truck to take our luggage has not arrived.
While we are waiting, we begin to share about our time together in Haiti. Amazing things happen on a mission trip with people you have never met or served with before, come together for the express purpose of serving others in a foreign country. We wept, sang and praised God. It was the necessary prelude to the rest of the day. Our endurance was tested. We rode for more than three hours to a different location than what was originally planned. Our decision to stay away from the city and closer to the airport was for safety reasons.
We are in a secured place for the night and will leave for the airport tomorrow morning by 4am. The travel to the airport at such an early hour reminds me of the Exodus when the people were told to to be dressed and ready for flight in the wee hours.
We have enjoyed fresh fruits and vegetables and food very similar to American cuisine. It's time for tipping my toes in the blue waters of the country.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Sunday in Haiti
Late Saturday evening, the plans were being set for our participation in two services. We had a choir rehearsal (everyone on the trip participated - great voices and excellent musicians including recording artists), and then we got ready for bed.
As alarm clocks went off and sleep was wiped away from our eyes; breakfast was almost an afterthought as we scrambled for portable food and mounted the bus. We needed to be on the road by 6 to avoid what was expected to be a day of protesting. Even at that early hour, although we avoided any protesters, the streets were filled with local vendors with fruits and vegetables to sell.
We entered the first church in Bon-Repos and joined the 7am service of worship and praise. We had learned a few songs in Creole/French and the church learned and joined in singing. The service was a marvelous testimony of God's saving grace. The ministry of the word was shared by the pastors and leaders on the team. The second service was a half hour away in Cabaret. The amazing power of the gift of music God has given brought us together in harmony and worship and praise to him in both places.
Our return trip had a pizza stop for lunch and then the group split up. The musicians went to a 3pm service with the youth of the church in Bon-Repos. The rest of the group headed back to Fermate/Fermathe (Creo spelling). We visited the orphanage on the grounds where we were staying (Harvest for Humanity), took pictures, saw the grounds from the highest point of the location and toured the greenhouse where or fresh veggies and fruit came from every day we were here.
We will be leaving in the morning for our last location here in Haiti. We board the bus at 8:30. Since this is our last night with the girls from the orphanage who have served us, we are leaving toiletries and treats for them. It will be another sad time as we leave another group of smiling faces and treasured moments. Our prayers have been answered for one more day of safety and service to others and Him. Your prayers have helped. We ask for God's continued blessing of safety for our last day in Haiti.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Saturday in Haiti
Saturday in Haiti
The morning began with the challenges of very low water pressure which was quite low. This is because we are so high in the mountains. This did not affect our after breakfast time of worship. Our prayer time for the day set the tone for praise and worship in our hearts. We left encouraged and ready for ministering to a church with workshops and teachings.
We were in a large church with enough space to divide into groups comfortably. The women are gathered on the mezzanine; the men are on the first floor; the teens are on the balcony level; and the kids were just below in a basement. All the groups were in hearing distance from each other, so the challenge is on. When the loud singing of the children stopped because we thought they were finished singing, but they came upstairs to the church's main level on their way outside because it was expedient.
The women's session was an amazing testimony to the power of God and the leading and following of his Spirit. There was concentrated prayer for the women after testimonies were shared and the women were encouraged.
The Leadership team reported that their sessions were more enriching than they could have ever expected it to be. They were taught the necessity of a heart for God in order to lead worship and there were eye-opening truths shared.
An eye-glass clinic followed and the reading glasses were distributed as needed. The church was going to be able to bless the others in their congregation as the need arises for reading glasses.
The day ended and we returned to the facility. After a short break we went to the highest mountain in Port Au Prince, had "the best sweet potato bread in Haiti" according to our host Pastor Bob. We enjoyed it and patronized the vendors on that mountain. At the end of the experience we prayed over the City of Porte Au Prince and came back to our "home away from home" for the evening.
There was a choir rehearsal (everyone attending will be singing together) and the presentations of preaching was worked out for the two services that we will be leading tomorrow. We have had a meeting about our last day in Haiti in light of the civil unrest they are having because of the political climate. Our ministry opportunities have been adjusted to be able to travel safely and still reach our destinations without incident. This is the effects of your prayers for our team and the leading of the Holy Spirit as each opportunity is presented.
We will be leaving at 6am tomorrow morning for church.
The morning began with the challenges of very low water pressure which was quite low. This is because we are so high in the mountains. This did not affect our after breakfast time of worship. Our prayer time for the day set the tone for praise and worship in our hearts. We left encouraged and ready for ministering to a church with workshops and teachings.
We were in a large church with enough space to divide into groups comfortably. The women are gathered on the mezzanine; the men are on the first floor; the teens are on the balcony level; and the kids were just below in a basement. All the groups were in hearing distance from each other, so the challenge is on. When the loud singing of the children stopped because we thought they were finished singing, but they came upstairs to the church's main level on their way outside because it was expedient.
The women's session was an amazing testimony to the power of God and the leading and following of his Spirit. There was concentrated prayer for the women after testimonies were shared and the women were encouraged.
The Leadership team reported that their sessions were more enriching than they could have ever expected it to be. They were taught the necessity of a heart for God in order to lead worship and there were eye-opening truths shared.
An eye-glass clinic followed and the reading glasses were distributed as needed. The church was going to be able to bless the others in their congregation as the need arises for reading glasses.
The day ended and we returned to the facility. After a short break we went to the highest mountain in Port Au Prince, had "the best sweet potato bread in Haiti" according to our host Pastor Bob. We enjoyed it and patronized the vendors on that mountain. At the end of the experience we prayed over the City of Porte Au Prince and came back to our "home away from home" for the evening.
There was a choir rehearsal (everyone attending will be singing together) and the presentations of preaching was worked out for the two services that we will be leading tomorrow. We have had a meeting about our last day in Haiti in light of the civil unrest they are having because of the political climate. Our ministry opportunities have been adjusted to be able to travel safely and still reach our destinations without incident. This is the effects of your prayers for our team and the leading of the Holy Spirit as each opportunity is presented.
We will be leaving at 6am tomorrow morning for church.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Friday in Haiti
Today we left the Ryan Epps Children's Home, orphanage at 8:00. The original time was 7:45 however, there were pictures to be taken, hugs to be given and tears to be shed. We have been traveling in a bus for most of our time to get to places to minister. "We'll go back to our smug little worlds and have a little part of our hearts scarred" according to my roommate, Theresa.
We climbed into a different bus (it was noted that the tires on the first bus were fairly worn) so another bus was provided. It was air-conditioned and seated all 26 of us. The difference was the size. We went from the "American cheese bus" to a smaller coach with much less space. We folded ourselves into spaces we did not think we could fit. We held on as the bus bumped along the unpaved roads to our first stop which was another orphanage. This one was near Porte Au Prince. It's a school with a place for the children to sleep. The pastor pf the orphanage spoke to us about the difficulty in feeding and supplying the children with necessary tools for education. While there, we bagged rice into smaller bags as we did in the Mirbalais community and prepared them for another distribution in a distant community. We were introduced to some of the students there and took an offering to leave them better than we came. The pastor was encouraged.
We took off for our next stop. We drove for about 40 minutes and turned off the road to a deserted place of thorns, so we thought. The bus bounced along until some small thatch huts were recognized along the water's edge. There are no words for a description. The location is called Kanez. We walked down rocky steps to deliver rice to the several huts along the shore. We sang songs and prayed for the village and the people. We're told that the people there live off the land. They do not pay taxes and they primarily eat the fish they catch. Since there is no drinking water, everything must be brought to them from outside the Village of Kanez. People have gathered around for the singing in the outdoor church and we learned to sing the verses to "Hallelujah" in French.
The ride back into the town where the Ryan Epps Home is located (we had just left there) and it was without incident. However, our evening church service was canceled due to chaotic activity in that area. In addition our attempt to return to the Harvest for Humanity House for our evening meal, we took back streets to avoid the activity for safety and the ride challenged our ability to hold on to our seats. Upon arrival to the Harvest House, we unfolded our bodies and stretched out and lumbered to our rooms. Dinner was once again filled with fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish. Fish is a major source of food for areas that are close to the water. Some of the places we visited were very far inland and high in the hills.
Tomorrow we will be waiting to find out if the area we are to minister in will be safe. The plan was to have sessions for an attendance of 500 - 1000. We will trust God to lead us to where we are to be to encourage and comfort the people of God. If you are reading this before Saturday morning, please continue to pray for us for the best God can offer these people from our hands.
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