64 Salvations in one week!!!

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, each with a translator and each with a deacon representative with the local church.  (EVERYTHING we do is done with the local church).  Each yard was chosen by the local pastors and deacons, people who they deemed "needing to hear".  In these face to face Yard2Yard encounters, one by one people professed faith.  64 all together.  Wow.  Again, only God knows what was going on in the hearts of those 64 people, but I can tell you confidently that they each took a step, and now the local church has their names, knows that a profession was made, and they will follow up.

Praying before going out to share.  Church Plant in the
background.

Did I mention that I love what we get to do?

God Answered!!!

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 options.  We have been considering trying to build a block home.  The time was right to do a Pilot house build, block instead of metal, to see if it might be an option for us.   (We learned a lot of great lessons this past week, but that discussion is for another time)

Once my brother's team was on board, we started making plans.  Much of the work was to be done on a volunteer basis by the local Haitian church.  We would supply the plans, materials, and bring a team to help out.  Last week, we did just that.

Here is a before picture of a team praying for this family at the home we just replaced.

Here is a current picture after the back breaking work of this last week.

I will be posting another picture once the home is complete.

Many, many, many more pictures of this house build are available here.

The Children of Haiti...

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.

A Kid's Life in Haiti...

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't think that I think our kids are even close to perfect.  I promise you, THEY. ARE. NOT.  Our kids struggle with disobedience, disrespect, selfishness, pride, etc, just like your kids.  This is a post to simply point out the blessings of being an MK.

Some think that going onto the mission field is a sacrifice.  Sure, in many ways it is, but so can be staying home in America.   Don't fear taking your kids to the mission field, fear staying home if God is calling you to go.

Here are a few pictures that I think represent some of the opportunities that my kids are having.  What do you think Drew is thinking, learning, observing?

Drew helping during a bucket brigade while building a home.

Drew Cliff Jumping

Drew Hanging on out the Beach

Drew's Graduation from Kindergarten

Drew carrying block to build a home.

Drew Hanging out with Alohse in Astruc

Drew Helping Build Benches

Drew Helping During a Deworming Clinic

RMI Curb Appeal, Before and After...

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...