Jesus loves the little children ...

As I walked back to my desk in the office having just left a meeting where uncertainties at work keep building, I was recounting my frustrations to the Lord.  Suddenly on my mind, all I could think was the Sunday School classic "Jesus loves the little children" ... but this time, not with the familiar lyrics in English or Spanish for that matter, but rather lyrics I can't fully understand or know how to write.  The song played over and over in my mind in Haitian Creole "Jezzi remen ...".  I only know it because they sang it at the church with the kids from the community.  I typed the phrase in Google translate, but it doesn't seem to be what they sang.  Anyway, the Lord's comfort and maybe direction at a time of frustration and discouragement comes through the simplest of Sunday School classics about the love of Jesus for the helpless ...

Here is the video clip I had captured of that time in Haiti:

Aftershocks ...

Since my trip to Haiti, I have been going through some aftershocks of my own ...

Health
I lightly experienced this before and a bit in Haiti, but once I got to PR, I started experiencing some stronger dizziness.  After praying, research and a lot of conversations with a couple of doctors and friends, I am pretty convinced that it is due to the anti-malaria medication.  I was taking a pill weekly and took the third pill the day I got back to PR.  Unfortunately, it appears that although it has been 2 weeks since I took the last pill (and I am not finishing the treatment), I am still dizzy ... the half-life is supposed to be 5 weeks!!!  I guess it will take a while!  I then had a sore throat and what felt like strep combined with a cold.  Most symptoms are gone now, including my asthma, for which I was using my nebulizer.  So, between the albuterol and the anti-malaria effect ... well, I am swaying and shaking!!!  But I am now back to work, although not very coherent!

House
Well, after many shocking discoveries and disappointing conversations, I am forced to cancel out of the sale of the house ... now back to square 1.  We shall see what the Lord does next ... What an adventure!

Work
I have had 6 roles in Xerox since I joined again in 2006 ... we just had yet another re-org (it feels like we have one almost every 6 months) and I have a new role, new boss and a whole new set of processes that are being defined as we speak ... all around me is swaying and shaking ...

We shall see what the Lord makes of me in all this!

Serving the Lord - a week in Haiti

I have been back from PR now for a week and it's been about a week and a half since I left Haiti, but the impressions from the time there have not left me.  It is hard to put to words so many impressions about the time there.  I will try to answer the most common questions and share some things that touched me very closely.  We were a very small team ... 5 from CC Puerto Rico, 2 that joined us from CC Fort Lauderdale and myself. 

 What did I do there?

For me, it was mainly children's ministry. The picture to the left was at a school orphanage. These two boys wouldn't let go!  After a while, my arms were going to fall off, but I wouldn't have had it any other way!!!  The one in blue even fell asleep on me ... so I was able to put him down.  In that same place, there was a group of older kids, maybe 8-10 years old (the school seemed to have a large age range together).  One of them tried to tell me something that I couldn't understand. After the translator finally understood what he was saying, he said that I should take one of them home (pointing to himself and his friends)!!! It was heartbreaking and there was really nothing to say...



Calvary Chapel Haiti Initiative Property and Big Tent



There was also construction work that the men did at the Calvary Chapel Haiti Initiative property, and we all helped sort mattresses, boxes of clothing, shoes and hygiene products from donations that would later be distributed to churches for people and families in need.  We also got pretty muddy when it rained and the photo doesn't do it justice!  This was one of those crazy shots when we got on the tap-tap, but I just love it (especially with the verse)!  Sorry I didn't get you in here, Josephine.  Do you want to crucify me?  We called the truck "tap-tap" because you tap it on the sides to get the driver to stop :D  
 

 I also helped out with some computer work one afternoon, but primarily it was about the kids.  For the children's ministry, we would visit schools and orphanages and Sam (one of the long term missionaries from CC Fort Lauderdale that knows Creole) would lead the kids in worship and share a story from the Bible (Paul and Silas & the philippian jailer) while we acted it out.  Then we would color and draw with the kids images relating to the story, or anything that they wanted us to draw ... I did a lot of cars and flowers! :)  I also learned to say and write on their pictures "Jezzi Remen Ou!" (Jesus Loves You!).  The kids just loved to have their picture taken and see themselves, thanks to modern technology ... disposable cameras didn't quite have the same effect :) ... sorry Sandra, God knows my heart!  I have so many pictures of kids!



How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7



I got to hang out with the kids and even hold the baby!!! :) 

This was at a school and the baby belonged to one of the teachers.

 The worst of days was a day we went to an orphanage with babies (from infant to what would appear to be 1 year old, but they were probably older due to malnutrition) where we were not allowed to take pictures.  The best of the babies were in rooms lined with steel cribs dying to get picked up, while others would not even have eye contact with us and just stare into space.  Some of these kids may be orphans, others have parents that dropped them off.  I was holding a little girl that I thought was about 18 months and she had a sister who was about 1-2 months old.  It was so hard to see these little babies that were desperate to receive the physical touch they didn't regularly get.  It was also hard to see even bigger kids that also were in another room lined with cribs that didn't even fit in the cribs.  They would go to school in the morning and come back to lay in the cribs the rest of the day.  So many kids and adoption being so hard to impossible!!!  There were so many heartbreaking impressions here ... how much can one person really do?  All I can say is please pray for these kids.

That afternoon, we joined Eric (a long term missionary from California) on a soccer outreach.  We played soccer with the kids from the community and then shared the gospel with them. We felt so beat down from the morning and so unqualified because most of the men were doing construction ... what could 4 girls do to help out at a soccer outreach with not quite enough men???  Well, the Lord chooses the weak and the foolish ... At least 8 kids accepted the Lord!  Eric said that girls normally don't join the games and there were quite a few that came and were playing with us, even if we looked more foolish than athletic in a culture where all of them are great at soccer!  We met a boy whose parents had died in the earthquake and he also accepted the Lord when one of the girls shared the gospel with him!!!  We also met Pierre.  He is the man in the yellow shirt.  He came with a strut and beer in his hand, showing off and kicking around the ball.  After raising his hand, praying and becoming very broken in tears, he left with a gentle walk and a Bible in his hand!  It was a glorious afternoon on the worst of days and best of days!  Please pray that the fruit remains.

Eric (on the right) sharing the gospel, while Brisso (in green) translates to Creole.

Was there still a lot of destruction from the earthquake?

There was a lot of poverty and broken buildings ... but it was hard for me to identify what was poverty vs. earthquake impact.  There are many still living in tents and the contrast of nice buildings, poverty, tents and garbage is very marked.  I have many  pictures available at the link below.

What did the Lord show me on the trip?

There were many things the Lord was speaking to my heart and changes that I don't even understand ...



The Ladies! United from many places :)



When I left for Puerto Rico to begin this trip, I knew only one person (Jason - the assistant pastor from CC PR) and two of the girls I had met on facebook shortly before the trip.  By the end of the trip, I had many brothers and sisters that were close and I now love and miss.  They love me, they really love me!!! ;)  Some of them are missionaries long term in Haiti, others are local Haitians involved in the ministry and others are short term missionaries and have left as I have (some even going back soon).  The Lord has a way to bring a unity in the Spirit that in the flesh would not be possible.  I am learning that wherever the Lord takes me, He will establish the friendships and comradery that I will need and that will be essential to accomplish His will.

Jason shared a story when our trip was drawing to an end.  I hope I quote it close enough...

A boy is walking along the beach and it is covered in starfish that are dying. Moved with compassion, he grabs a starfish and throws it back into the sea, then another, then another.  A man that walks up asks the boy: "There are so many starfish that are dying. What makes you think that you are making a difference?  How many can you really save?".  The boy reached down, picked up another starfish and as he threw it in, he said: "There's one".  He picked up another one and as he threw it in, he said: "There's another one".

Do I think I made a huge impact with this trip?  No, I know it was not much at all ... and that is a statement of the obvious, if ever I've heard one! ... but ...

One by one, we can make a difference.  Let's pay no attention to sheer volume of need, as we would become discouraged.  Let's keep our eyes on Jesus, go out and obey the Lord with the one by one He has for us to impact!

If you haven't already seen them, please check out more pictures of the trip (they are the same as on facebook). I have descriptions to help understand what was going on:

Updated link:

https://picasaweb.google.com/principlepassion/CCPRTripToHaiti2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCICIroO_rrOhigE&feat=directlink

For additional information on the ministry, see:

http://www.calvarychapelhaitiinitiative.org/





On the Way

I am now in Puerto Rico, enjoying the warm weather after having frozen in Webster at 6 and 7 degrees with wind chills in the negative digits for the past couple of days ... as I sit here, it has started to rain and the beautiful sound will shotly put me to sleep :) ... sorry guys :) 

I am so blessed and excited as the trip has begun.  It is an answer to prayer that I am here with no delays and no loss!!!  The Lord has granted traveling mercies from Rochester to here and tomorrow morning I meet up with Pastor Jason to go over trip details.  I am also thrilled to meet the rest of the team and hear how the Lord has brought us together!  I am so blessed with so many people praying and being part of this mission with me.  Remember ... those that stay back and watch the camp are just as partakers of the blessings as those that go to the battle!  We are all in this together!

I will be meeting the team at the airpor bright and early (5:30am) on Saturday and from there we leave for Haiti.  There are a lot of details I do not know.  Some I will learn tomorrow, many more only as the days go by and it happens.  Flexibility is the name of the game!
Upon arriving at my Grandpa and Mom's house, I met a sweet couple that have been missionaries for many years and their grown children are missionaries.  It is such a blessing to meet others that are invested in the Kingdom!!!

A couple of weeks ago in some prayer time regarding the trip, the Lord gave me Exodus 33, particularly verse 14: And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”.  What an awesome promise!  He is going with me!!!  If He does not, like Moses exclaimed: "don't get us out of here", but with the Lord ... now that is exciting and the ultimate promise! 
 
My remaining Itinerary:

Saturday 2/12 – Haiti via American

1.       Flight 4804 departing SJU at 7:30AM arriving SDQ Santo Domingo at 08:35 AM

2.       Flight 4804 departing SDQ Santo Domingo at 09:10 AM arriving PAP Port Au Prince at 09:08 AM

3.       Travel to Jacmel, Haiti where we will be ministering

Friday 2/18 – Return to PR via American

1.       Flight 4807  departing PAP Port Au Prince at 09:45 AM arriving SDQ Santo Domingo at 11:42 AM

2.       Flight 4807 departing SDQ Santo Domingo at 12:15 PM arriving SJU at 01:27 PM

Tuesday 2/22 – Return to Rochester via US Air

1.       Flight 1033 departing SJU at 3:40 PM arriving CLT at 6:29 PM

2.       Flight 1430 departing CLT at 7:54 PM arriving ROC at 9:38 PM

Prayer requests:

1. I have been somewhat fighting a cold with irritated throat and a bit of congestion.  Please pray that I am healed and have no distractions with this.
2. Pray for wisdom and safety as we travel
3. Pray for the base ministry we are meeting up with. Feel free to check out their web site and Facebook account: http://www.calvarychapelhaitiinitiative.org/ and http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/CalvaryChapelHaitiInitiative They often post on fb pictures and what the visiting team is doing, so you may get updates from what I am doing that way.
4. That the people in Haiti would come to know Jesus
5. The children in Haiti that don’t have parents would be protected and loved by the Lord
6. That the Lord would use me and the entire team and speak to us
7. Help with the language so we can share with people
8. Protection for myself and the team from danger and getting sick
9. Unity between the team and the ministry in Haiti

Once I go to Haiti, I don't think I will be able to post updates, but I will upon my return.  Please keep up the prayers!  I definitely feel them!

I recently heard a phrase by Pastor Chuck that blessed my heart: "We are indestructible if we are in the will of the Lord and He is not done with us."

God bless you and make your days count for the Kingdom!

What did you eat? Are you hungry?

What did you eat April 15, 2005? ... this was a question that Tim raised during a Bible Study on Sunday.  Do you know?  Do you even know what you ate last week?  I don't remember what I ate that day, not even sure about last week ... Why is this important?  Well, the analogy that Tim gave was that although we don't remember what we ate, the likelihood of it all is that we ate and it gave us strength even if we don't remember what it was.  It is so with Spiritual food ... reading our Bible, praying, spending time with Jesus.  There is no condemnation if we don't remember what we read months ago, it did it's job in us by strengthening us and the Lord will remind us again if it is relevant for this moment.

As I thought about this, the analogy has kept growing in my mind.  When I haven't eaten and I need nutrients, I feel some symptoms ... I may feel weak, light-headed, I may get a sugar-low, I may even get grouchy ...
When I don't eat Spiritually, I also have symptoms, except we often don't identify them as "Spiritual Hunger", but rather we embrace them as part of our character, as reality ... I feel fear, doubt, self reliance, "faith-low" ... and yes "grouchy" seems to fit in both categories ... these should be symptoms that trigger in our mind the realization that we are hungry or thirsty ... Spiritually hungry and thirsty for God!!!

If I haven't spent time in the Word and prayer, I start feeling fear with all that is going on, I doubt that I am doing the right thing ... is this crazy or what?  ... but the moment I "eat" and "drink" and that Spiritual food enters my heart, my spirit, the joy inexplicable returns, the peace that passes understanding!  His calling is renewed in my heart and the fear is gone, His love enters in.

As the worship song ... We are Hungry, we are thirsty, for more of You ...

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
-Psalm 42:1-2

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.
-Psalm 63:1

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
-Rev. 22:17

Practical Instruction ...

About a month ago in my devotions, I was reading 1 Kings 13.  It is the very perplexing passage about the man of God that is sent with a message to the King and is instructed by God in v 9: For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’”

Then later in this passage, he encounters a false prophet that tells him that God told him to invite him in to eat and drink.  His guard is down, he does and … it is his demise.  If you haven't read it ... check it out ...

It is a very hard passage to read and at the time of my devotion, I was debating between pushing hard to go to the February trip or waiting for the April trip as my boss had suggested would be better.  At that time, the Lord used this passage to remind me to only listen to His instruction and to pursue the February trip.

Well, I was just talking with my mom about the trip to Haiti and sharing that I have an appointment next week at passport health to get vaccinations and orientation.  As I talked with her, she mentioned “The greatest risk in Haiti is food and water contamination.” … not anything new to any of us.  To this I replied: “Yes, but the base where we're staying is safe and we are instructed to not drink or eat outside of there.”.  The moment I said that, the Lord reminded me of this passage in 1 Kings 13!  How so very practical and specific!!!!  A warning to not eat or drink on the way for danger of death!!!!  God is so kind and merciful!

I know in times past, when I have purposed in my heart to fast, I have failed and eaten something simply because I have forgotten that I was fasting and ate when food was presented to me at work in a casual way by a friend, not because I was starving and fell prey to temptation.  At that time, the Lord reminded me that I could only fast in His strength.  I believe the Lord re-iterated this to my heart now with this passage to show how I need His strength and the power of the Holy Spirit even for something so simple and practical as only eating and drinking the water that is safe, along with a strong warning of genuine danger if I do not obey.

Lessons Mid-Sickness and Passport Praise Reports

I received my passport!!!  Praise the Lord!  It was actually not quite 2 weeks even though the agency was saying 2-3 weeks!!  As I hear more about the tickets to Haiti and other preparations, I'll post more.

Please keep me in prayer as I recover from this strep throat!  I am on antibiotics and slowly recovering.  Lord willing I will be back to normal on Monday for work.

I am encountering an interesting lesson in works of the flesh vs. the work of the Spirit.  I am reading a book by Tozer called “Living as a Christian” with a sub-title of “Teachings from First Peter”.  It is a huge blessing because as I talked with a friend earlier today, who was exhorting me with 1 Peter 1.  Then I went back to the book and saw the subtitle!!!  It is certainly interesting as I read this:

When the Old Testament priests went into the inner sanctum to offer sacrifices, they did not wear wool clothing, because wool made them perspire.  I imagine God was saying to the Jewish priesthood, “Now, do not mistake perspiration for inspiration. Your human perspiration will not glorify me, therefore, wear linen clothing so that you can keep cool and serve me scripturally and spiritually but calmly and coolly, and don’t imagine that by trying hard you’ll get anywhere.”  There is a lot of paganism in climbing Jacob’s ladder with white knuckles and tired muscles.  The Lord wants to kill all that let the Holy Ghost take over.

It is interesting because I have been thinking a lot of what it would be like to serve in Haiti and I am anticipating a lot of physical work and exhaustion.  Also with this time of being sick, I have been thinking a lot of the illnesses there.  With this passage it is almost like the Lord reminding me that His yoke is easy and His burden light.  That although there will be physical burdens and it will require effort, it must be accomplished in the Spirit and not in the flesh.