"Field Posts"

I’ve been pretty silent here over the past few months since we returned from the States.  I guess I’ve been in a weird place… a place where I don’t feel like I have much to say.  A place of busyness.  A place of much change.  A place of increased responsibilities (which glaringly show me my inadequacies.)  I haven’t had much motivation to sit down and write up a blog post.  And even though there have been plenty of times I should have written (I am a missionary after all and communication is expected) I just couldn’t get myself to actually do it.  This place of silence has not necessarily been a bad thing.  I think we all go through times where we don’t feel like talking or don’t have much to say.  Times where the Lord is asking us to be silent.  Times where words just don’t cut it so it’s better not to say anything. I don’t want to be silent any more.   The Pastor at church today preached from Ecclesiastes 11-12.  Although...

Don’t be fooled: we may not have any teams in Haiti this December, but we have been very busy moving ahead with other programs and preparing for the busiest time of the team calendar that starts in January. On December 2nd, we held our 3rd Annual Hope for Kidz (HFK) Deworming seminar.  This is the 3rd year we’ve included deworming in all of our HFKz schools.  We called all the school administrators in for a meeting to review the program protocols and distribute the meds for clinics at their schools.  We actually had a few administrators calling us earlier in the school year asking us to do the program again this year! The last two years we’ve taught these school leaders how to administer and keep good records of deworming meds distributed at their schools as well as gave them educational materials and training on how to teach worm prevention to each of their classes.  RMI has provided the follow-up to keep them accountable to following through.  This year, in...

Please Help Us Finish the Year Strong... Check out our Special Update to learn more...  #givingtuesday

I had the great privilege of hosting a first time team from the church where I grew up, Beacon Evangelical Free Church , from Galloway, NJ. Not only was it the church where I grew up, but my Aunt and Uncle were on the team! We had 17 people respond to the Gospel wanting to follow Jesus, we built school benches, we handed out food for the hungry, we played lots of soccer, we encouraged the men/women/youth/kids in special gatherings for each, we worshiped, we received way more than we gave, we even danced! The week could not have been better. The following comments represent a great reminder of why we do what we do... all the administration.... all the sweat and long hours... all the sacrifice, tears and hardship... all the traveling... all the prep and logistics... It's because we are having an impact... To give you an idea of how things went, here is some feedback we received from Beacon EFC upon their arrival back home... "Our team came back in awe of the experience ...

If you currently do not financially support us, would you please consider helping us?  We are currently $938/month under supported in pledged giving.  We need as many new people as possible to come on board, to believe in us, to stand with us, and to financially support us. If you are financially supporting us we truly appreciate you and your ongoing generous sacrifice. You are a like a member of our extended family! We are 100% supported by donations from individuals and churches.  It may surprise some, but most of our financial support actually comes directly from individuals/families.  Many people have chosen $50/$75/$100 each month, some more some less.  Can you help us in this way? Want to know HOW to join our financial support team? Give online  right now via your Credit Card or Bank Account.  You can set up monthly giving, or give special gifts at this secure site.  It's really easy. Give via paper check.  Please make you...

Yes.  I answer an emphatic YES!  But, I think there is more...  Over on the RMI Blog , I posted additional thoughts about this, but to be clear, I think we are doing GREAT Gospel work, but I am encouraging us all to focus even more on discipleship, aka good Biblical teaching... RMI wants our partners to focus on 5 Impact Points... Evangelism, Discipleship, Education, Social Compassion and Community Development.  The Gospel requires this.  This is RMI exists. Recently I've had some unique experiences that have really caused me to deeply reflect upon the needs of the church here in Haiti.  Out of respect for the Haitian Church and people, I'm not going to share the details.  I sat in my office talking to one of our national RMI leaders, sharing my experiences and asking them to give me insight.  Their response was "Director, it's a problem of discipleship.  They simply don't know any different.  No one has told them what the Bible says...

The Lord has been impressing upon me the need to share the good news of Jesus Christ. This is for me. This is for RMI teams too. Seriously, I/we have the greatest news, we MUST share it with those who haven't made a decision to follow Jesus.  Let's respond to God's call upon us to share something truly life changing. I have shared it twice in the last week. One individual responded that he is already a follower of Christ. The other I am honestly not sure. One thing I know, I was faithful and both heard the clear and simple good news. The rest is up to the Lord. 2 weeks ago we had a team here who had 17 people respond saying they wanted to follow Christ. The local church wrote those names down and will follow up. How COOL is that! Do you struggle with sharing your faith? I totally get it. But, I want to encourage us all to not make it more difficult than it is. Seriously, the Gospel itself is simple. Maybe because we have found it so life changing we make the Gospel mo...

Life can get busy.  I don't care if you are in the US or on a foreign mission field. Life gets busy.  You've been there.  We all have periods of extraordinarily intense responsibility, pressures, problems, etc.  For the purposes of personal preservation, these seasons will often force us to circle the wagons, go dark, and increase our focus on a decreased number of things.  The last month or so has been exactly that for us. What have been our pressures?  Continued reentry struggles from furlough/home assignment.  Teams and lack of teams. Arrival of new missionaries and lack of missionaries as some were traveling.  Lack of rest and time with family.  Self imposed unrealistic expectations.  Start of school.  Sickness.  Lack of time in scripture.  RMI Projects. Internet Issues. Challenging goals. Broken stuff.  Changing the world. Pray for us as we continue to walk through these days and be strategic about navigating...

The beginning of September marks our 10 year anniversary with RMI!  10 years ago we sold our house in the Chicago area and moved to an apartment in Miami.  We had spent the previous 9 months raising the financial support we needed to take this position.  I had just found out I was pregnant for the 7th time.  Rob started working in the RMI Home Office as the VP of Operations.  We loved RMI, it’s ministries and the life-transformation that occurs when 2 churches from 2 different cultures come together to minister together and to one another.  God used our experiences with our sister churches in Haiti (Linwood Community/Anse-a-Veau and The Orchard/Astruc)  to be just that: life-transforming.  We were very excited to be a part of it! Our first prayer card: 10 years ago I never truly thought this is where we’d be today.  Oh, the thought crossed my mind as a possibility, but that’s all it ever was.  I never thought we’d have 3 kids.  ...

Monday, September 1st was the start of a new school year here at Cite Lumiere Christian School (CLCS.)  This year all 3 kids are in the same school!  Just the fact that there is a class for Braden and a teacher to teach it is a huge answer to prayer for us. As of April 2014, we had no teacher and no leads until I mentioned to my Mom the need.  She thought of someone who might be interested.  Long story short, God worked in a big way.  Courtney Westcott was approved by the school board, approved to come with RMI and was able to raise the support she needed in only a few months.  She flew into Haiti with us on August 20th.  Pray for her as she adjusts to life in Haiti.  She seems to really enjoy teaching the first graders! Braden: 1st Grade This is Tessa’s 3rd year to have Mrs. Leger as her teacher.  She is one of 7 students in her class.  I’ve already had a few talks with her about how much more work 3rd grade is (while she was on th...

If you asked me to describe our summer home assignment (furlough) in just a few words, I’d give you two: fun and family.   I didn’t fully realize it as we were preparing to leave for the States, but we were exhausted: tired from the busyness of life and ministry in Haiti and feeling worn out from the lack of family time in our schedule.  We needed a break. Two years ago we took our first furlough.  We spent 3 months in the States, travelled over 8,000 miles to 21 States and saw as many possible supporters as we could.  For the most part, we were excited and energized by our travels.  Fast forward two years later.  As we were preparing for our furlough this year, we sensed God leading us in a different direction.  Some of the plans for travel that we thought were good, weren’t panning out as we expected.  But we were encouraged as we sensed God leading us to spend more time with extended family and alone together as a family unit.  We left...

I hate love when the Bible leads/teaches me.  Last night, for family devotions, we read Ephesians 5:1-2... "1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." After reading this, we went around and everyone gave an example of how they can apply this.  My example was that out of love, I need to be willing to sacrifice my own agenda to help others first. So today, here it is, 10:45am, and I am just sitting down at my desk to look at my own task list.  I have been Mr. Technical Support all morning.  I have worked on one iPad, 3 laptops, and one very long troubleshoot and re-installation of a persnickety wireless printer.  I am glad I can serve, but Lord help me get to the long list of other things that I would like to get done. Rob

Warm Showers are NOT overrated... Will you allow me a moment to vent (aka whine)??? We have been back in Haiti now for 12 days, and I haven't yet had a hot shower. It's like my daily ice bucket challenge. Every morning I get up and fear the shower. Only after my first cup of coffee do I approach with great trepidation. I am never surprised at how un-cold the water is. Now, to be fair, this is TOTALLY a first world problem. I admit it. I am spoiled. Having a hot water shower is not a requirement to the abundant life. It is truly insignificant when compared to the great needs we are regularly confronted with. I am almost embarrassed to admit it. Almost. I. HATE. COLD. SHOWERS. If REAL missionaries don't require a hot shower, than I am not a REAL missionary...  Becky is apparently a REAL missionary because she seems to enter the shower lair like a hardened veteran with no care for personal comfort.  Or at least she doesn't whine like I do about it. I call...

10.  I have used a restroom while 2 ladies were cleaning it. 9.  I am sweating buckets 8.  Smiles are everywhere and everyone is giving me hugs. 7. The internet is really, really, really slow.  I have already been fighting for 2 hours to find a problem, that may or may not even be the cause. 6.  I am using Creole, and although I don't know why, I have a new sense of desire to use it more.  Cool. 5. Cockadoodle do, bark bark bark, cluck cluck cluck, and meeh meeh (goat) are constantly in the background. 4. I am drinking like a fish (water in case you were wondering) 3. I've taken a cold shower, not on purpose. (Propane tanks are empty so no hot water)  I don't care how hot it is, a cold shower first thing in the morning is about my least favorite thing in life. 2.  There is dust and smoke and more dust everywhere. 1.  I am TOTALLY at peace and have a real sense of hope, urgency, and excitement about the work we are doing.  If I h...

It’s hard for us to believe that two years have gone by since our 2012 Furlough where we put 8,000 miles on our borrowed van, travelled to 19 states, slept in 22 different places, shared at 8 different churches and with over 14 different church groups: sharing our hour long photo presentation 36 times.  Whew… just remembering that full summer still makes me feel exhausted!  It was such a blessing to meet with and see almost everyone, yet at the same time it was was very exhausting.  As we entered this calendar year, we knew we had a furlough to plan for this summer, but the task seemed daunting and for many reasons, what we thought were going to be our plans, just didn’t pan out.  We can see God’s hand at work through it all and have finally arrived at what we believe to be God’s plan for our furlough this time around.  We will be in the US from June 13th thru August 20th and will be visiting Florida and New Jersey .   Our time in the States this summer...

Sometimes God just seems to shows up.  It wasn't as if he was absent. I truly believe we are walking with him and he with us.  "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13 His timing just isn't always our timing.  Sometimes he speaks softly like a gentle breeze, and sometimes his voice is as loud as the crack of thunder.  Recently God moved a mountain, when and where and how we did not expect.  We tried and tried to come up with our own options, but the way God moved, was far superior to any options we thought up.   See the story on RMI's Blog here . Teach me Lord to patiently stand in silence when I am perplexed, not as one paralyzed, but as one prostrate. Teach me Lord to jump/run/move only when God moves/speaks.  “Wait on the Lord" is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for God often keeps us waiting. H...

This is the 4th year I’ve been involved in planning and organizing a ladies retreat for the missionary ladies in southern Haiti.  It’s held each year at RMI’s Retreat Center in Zanglais.  It’s a great time of fellowship, relaxation, worship and teaching.  There is always something so special about being able to sit under strong Biblical teaching that is in my heart language—English!  Just that alone is relaxing and refreshing. This year, we were thrilled to welcome back Gale Kernitz and Sheila Clark, as our speakers for the weekend.  They were here two years ago and the ladies responded so well to what God had put on their hearts to teach us from His Word.  This year was no different.  Before they came, they asked if they could bring their daughters with them and we were so glad they did!  Gale’s daughter, Elle Tyler, is an accomplished pianist.  Before the retreat, she performed a classical piano concert for the missionary community; a r...

Every once in a while, a US church will decide to send a medical team out to their Haitian sister church.  This is a wonderful opportunity for a US church to care for the members of their sister church community in a physical and tangible way.  Many of these people have very little access to health care and lack of means to pay. The First Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, NC had a number of clinicians  interested in coming to Haiti to serve their sister church community in Source Baptiste.  After a year of planning, and a little input on my part, they arrived in Haiti on March 28th.  Their purpose was to visit with and minister together with their sister church.  They planned two days of medical clinics during their time in the village. They also planned a program for the school kids, an open air evangelistic service, met with the Pastor and Deacons, and visited and prayed for many of the church shut-ins. It was a very full week.  I...

4 years. We’ve lived here 4 years. It feels like a lifetime ago that we boarded a flight from Miami to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti with three kids ages 5, 3, and 1. They had never been to Haiti before and we were excited to show them their new home. Excited to explore, to show them their new rooms, to make new friends, to start learning the language. Then: I think the biggest contrast to then and now are the changes in our kids: how much they have changed and grown. They are now 9, 7 and 5. Their cheeks are no longer chubby. They’ve (almost) all graduated from Haitian Kindergarten (Braden graduates in June.) They are way more independent than when we arrived! Now: The other contrast is familiarity. We have made this place home. It was foreign when we arrived. We arrived knowing a phrase or two of Creole, and now we can communicate fairly well. I thought I’d never drive here (that thought was so scary!) but it didn’t take long for me to realize if I wanted to get out...

I am always saying it.  I love what we get to do.  We recently had a team come from McGregor Baptist Church in Fort Myers, FL.  I can't say I have met another church that is more ready, prepared, and unashamed of sharing the Gospel.  They came fired up and ready.  God showed up. This team did several open air services.  To be honest, these didn't seem to be all that successful, although I am looking at it from an earthly perspective.  They shared clearly and firmly with the masses at these events and only God knows truly what was eternally accomplished. Sharing the Gospel "Yard2Yard" The harvesting almost exclusively came as they broke up into small teams and did what I like to call Yard2Yard Evangelism.  In the US, it's typically called Door to Door, but in Haiti, pretty much no one stays indoors, so we visit yards.  The team of 21 split into 3-4 teams through the week in 4-5 communities in conjunction with the local MEBSH church, ea...

2 years ago, I visited a family in Astruc, so desperately poor, my heart was broken.  Truly. Broken.  I walked away in tears, wanting to do something significant to help.  I did a little, but I had no ability to do more.  Last year, again, I visited the same family and I was still broken.  I prayed, "Lord, please let me do something."  I did a little, but I had no ability to do more.  In January, I visited the family again.  Same. Exact. Prayer.  I did a little, but I had no ability to do more. Then, my brother, a pastor in Nebraska, called me and said he was bringing a team and they wanted to help the Haitian people.   He asked "What can we do?" I had an idea!  My multi-year prayer was about to be answered. Our Homes for Haiti program is for all intents and purpose on a break.  The metal homes have gotten so expensive, that it is very difficult to find donors to come along and help out.  So, we are looking into other ...

There is a soft spot in many of us for children. Maybe because they are most vulnerable?  Maybe because their long future leaves so much to be imagined.  I instinctively hope for a bright future.  Maybe because Jesus has a soft spot for children? “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:14b-16 Pray for the children of Haiti...   Want to help a child? This picture was taken last week. This picture, of the same boy, was taken in January.

If I was a kid, I would want to grow up in Haiti as an MK... My kids are blessed.  They are free to play.  Free to climb trees.  Free to roam.  Jump off cliffs.  Ride motorcycles.  Swim in the Caribbean. They grow up slower, yet they grow up faster.  They are insulated from a lot of bad influence. They are learning a foreign language.  Exposed to culture.  Gaining broad perspective.  Involved in ministry.  They are learning leadership all the time being in front of people.  They travel all over.  They meet people from all over.  They are getting a great Christ centered education in so many ways. Last week, Drew recited the whole first chapter of James to me.  Are you kidding me?  That's awesome.  Two weeks ago, Drew shared his testimony in a church to a large group of people for the first time.  Are you kidding me?  That's awesome. This is NOT a "brag on my kids" post.   Please, don...

Sometimes teams come to Haiti and do exciting things.  Sometimes, they come and do the seemingly mundane.  I appreciate both!  Sometimes it's the mundane that most excites me.  A team of high school students came recently and wanted to come alongside of RMI itself and do a project.  They painted the wall to our depot giving it a little curb appeal.  It looks beautiful, doesn't it? Before... After...