Recently the guard here at our apartment told me this enchanting Dominican story that just about everyone here knows: El Burro Y El Pavo (The Donkey and The Turkey).
The donkey labored long hours carrying firewood, vegetables, and meat to and around the farm. Part of the food was for the turkey, who instead of expressing his gratitude, mocked the donkey with cries of "Work, work, work!" In fact, the donkey often labored with tears while his beneficiary laughed at them.
As the hot summer months rolled around (and the heat can be brutal here), the donkey labored day and night, soaked in sweat, almost losing his sanity while the turkey ate under the comfort of his shade.
Then December rolled around. And while the donkey still labored, this time his load was lighter because he didn't bring any meat.
The turkey noticed this and said, "Hey, Burro, where's the meat? I don't see any meat! Where's the meat? Where's the meat?"
The donkey replied, "YOUR DECEMBER HAS ARRIVED!!" (Dominicans eat turkey meat for Christmas.) The turkey began to scream, crying while the donkey laughed, enjoyed Christmas, and lived to see another year.
Central recently had its Christmas ministry dinner last week (we ate chicken instead). During our testimony time, I shared the above story. I wasn't sure if I should, but I did, and everyone laughed, not knowing that I knew the story. In fact, the pastor's wife gave me a high-five after I finished speaking. I applied the story to us, stating that in serving the LORD, sometimes we have to work very hard, sweating in the heat while others mock us. But unlike the turkey, we can celebrate with joy the eternal life that we have in Christ.
I then shared the story with a couple of guys at the basketball court last Monday. A brother from Central was there and restated my points, sharing the gospel of Christ with the guys. To hear William speak up, share, and apply the story to the gospel filled my heart with joy.
Friday, December 24, 2010
End of Year Thank You
As the apartment began shaking last January, I thought, “We’re having a tremor, it will stop soon.” Twenty-five long seconds later, the shaking finally stopped. Cell phones were out, but landlines still worked. I looked at the internet to check the news, and discovered that Haiti had suffered terribly. As reports trickled in of thousands dead in Port-au-Prince, we worried about Vila and Erline, an engaged couple who we mentored. Both were in Port-au-Prince during the earthquake. We were overjoyed when both finally called to let us know that they were fine.
At the time we were helping Erline with her college tuition, but after the quake we discovered that we were her only means of support. Her uncle in Florida couldn’t find work, and her mother and grandmother were living under a tarp in Port-au-Prince. So, Judy and I decided to see her through to her graduation and wedding, both in November. When we told her that we would completely support her for 2010, she cried tears of joy.
After we suggested making a budget, she prepared and followed it. In addition to finishing her degree in business administration, she tithed, saved 10 percent, helped her family back in Haiti, and even helped another Haitian student here. As we gave to her, we rejoiced to see God using her to help others—a confirmation that helping her was the right thing to do.
Erline and Vila were married on November 16 in Santiago. During the ceremony there were no tears, only smiles. God gave us an overwhelming sense of joy of a job completed, and completed well, helping to see one chapter in two young lives successfully close and a new chapter open. We thank you for helping us help Erline. Vila and Erline have now begun a new life in Port-au-Prince. God has provided Vila with a job in Haiti’s cement factory.
During the quake, Prosper, who had already suffered a stroke, was injured when his home collapsed, trapping him and his wife. She did not survive. He was pulled from the rubble a few hours later. His daughter Valerie, who had attended our Bible study, brought him to Santiago. Because of your gifts to us, we were able to purchase clothing, food, beds, a fan, a small refrigerator and, most important of all, medicine to control his seizures and high blood pressure.
Though he struggles with the effects of the stroke and the earthquake, his eyes are alive with a new-found faith and love in Jesus Christ. Prosper recently received a solar-powered talking Bible in Creole. The other day I read to him the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Thanks to the talking Bible, He knows the story so well that he was finishing the Bible verses and the story.
Your support also enabled us to assist two other Haitian families affected by the quake. One gift is helping a young doctor complete his internship; the other gift is enabling the reconstruction of a house near Port-au-Prince. We purchased food, water, and medicine to send to Haiti. We also taught about post-traumatic stress syndrome in two Haitian churches in Santiago.
In the Dominican community of La Yaguita, a mother tries to enroll her child in the one public school, but the school has no room for more students. She hears of the child development center at the La Yaguita Bible Church. Hoping against hope that the school will accept her child, she walks up the stairs to Pastor Ramon Jorge’s office. He says that he has no room either. She begins to cry in frustration. Moved by her tears, he reconsiders, “Can we make room?” The church allows him to use the sanctuary as a third classroom. The lady’s child now attends the center which currently hosts 140 children, double the number from last year.
Your support helps the school to pay teachers and provide education, food, and clothing for the children, including Orly. Orly is a street kid, all of 6 years old. His mom is a prostitute. Orly has shown up at Pastor Ramon’s barefoot, hungry, filthy, and even naked on two occasions. As Ramon was talking to a group of visitors from one of our supporting churches, he said, “I see Ramon in Orly.” Ramon remembers going to school without shoes and leaving quickly so that the other kids would not notice his feet. Orly now has a safe haven at the center.
Imagine having Lydia in your church. Yes, Lydia, the business woman mentioned in Acts 16 who helped the Apostle Paul start the Philippian church. We have her in the Central Bible Church, our home church here in Santiago. Our Lydia has gone through a painful divorce. When she shared her struggle to forgive, Judy and I gave her a book from Neil Anderson called Beta, which has an extensive section on forgiveness. Lydia read this, applied the principles, and God is doing a work in her life. She calls the book “a precious jewel” (a high compliment from a lady who really likes jewelry!). Your support not only enabled us to share the book, it also enables us to minister to and alongside Lydia—I’m her small group Bible study leader, Judy works with her in the women’s ministry.
As we look forward to 2011, we are excitedly gearing up for more intensive leadership training. A Haitian church here has requested that I start a Bible school by extension program in order to train their young leaders. In addition, Central has asked me to help them train their second-line leaders with a more structured Bible curriculum. Please pray for us as we juggle ministry to these various groups with their different languages and cultures.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas from Santiago—where the hogs are roasting over open flames, in preparation for the traditional roasted pork dinner on Christmas Eve!
At the time we were helping Erline with her college tuition, but after the quake we discovered that we were her only means of support. Her uncle in Florida couldn’t find work, and her mother and grandmother were living under a tarp in Port-au-Prince. So, Judy and I decided to see her through to her graduation and wedding, both in November. When we told her that we would completely support her for 2010, she cried tears of joy.
After we suggested making a budget, she prepared and followed it. In addition to finishing her degree in business administration, she tithed, saved 10 percent, helped her family back in Haiti, and even helped another Haitian student here. As we gave to her, we rejoiced to see God using her to help others—a confirmation that helping her was the right thing to do.
Erline and Vila were married on November 16 in Santiago. During the ceremony there were no tears, only smiles. God gave us an overwhelming sense of joy of a job completed, and completed well, helping to see one chapter in two young lives successfully close and a new chapter open. We thank you for helping us help Erline. Vila and Erline have now begun a new life in Port-au-Prince. God has provided Vila with a job in Haiti’s cement factory.
During the quake, Prosper, who had already suffered a stroke, was injured when his home collapsed, trapping him and his wife. She did not survive. He was pulled from the rubble a few hours later. His daughter Valerie, who had attended our Bible study, brought him to Santiago. Because of your gifts to us, we were able to purchase clothing, food, beds, a fan, a small refrigerator and, most important of all, medicine to control his seizures and high blood pressure.
Though he struggles with the effects of the stroke and the earthquake, his eyes are alive with a new-found faith and love in Jesus Christ. Prosper recently received a solar-powered talking Bible in Creole. The other day I read to him the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Thanks to the talking Bible, He knows the story so well that he was finishing the Bible verses and the story.
Your support also enabled us to assist two other Haitian families affected by the quake. One gift is helping a young doctor complete his internship; the other gift is enabling the reconstruction of a house near Port-au-Prince. We purchased food, water, and medicine to send to Haiti. We also taught about post-traumatic stress syndrome in two Haitian churches in Santiago.
In the Dominican community of La Yaguita, a mother tries to enroll her child in the one public school, but the school has no room for more students. She hears of the child development center at the La Yaguita Bible Church. Hoping against hope that the school will accept her child, she walks up the stairs to Pastor Ramon Jorge’s office. He says that he has no room either. She begins to cry in frustration. Moved by her tears, he reconsiders, “Can we make room?” The church allows him to use the sanctuary as a third classroom. The lady’s child now attends the center which currently hosts 140 children, double the number from last year.
Your support helps the school to pay teachers and provide education, food, and clothing for the children, including Orly. Orly is a street kid, all of 6 years old. His mom is a prostitute. Orly has shown up at Pastor Ramon’s barefoot, hungry, filthy, and even naked on two occasions. As Ramon was talking to a group of visitors from one of our supporting churches, he said, “I see Ramon in Orly.” Ramon remembers going to school without shoes and leaving quickly so that the other kids would not notice his feet. Orly now has a safe haven at the center.
Imagine having Lydia in your church. Yes, Lydia, the business woman mentioned in Acts 16 who helped the Apostle Paul start the Philippian church. We have her in the Central Bible Church, our home church here in Santiago. Our Lydia has gone through a painful divorce. When she shared her struggle to forgive, Judy and I gave her a book from Neil Anderson called Beta, which has an extensive section on forgiveness. Lydia read this, applied the principles, and God is doing a work in her life. She calls the book “a precious jewel” (a high compliment from a lady who really likes jewelry!). Your support not only enabled us to share the book, it also enables us to minister to and alongside Lydia—I’m her small group Bible study leader, Judy works with her in the women’s ministry.
As we look forward to 2011, we are excitedly gearing up for more intensive leadership training. A Haitian church here has requested that I start a Bible school by extension program in order to train their young leaders. In addition, Central has asked me to help them train their second-line leaders with a more structured Bible curriculum. Please pray for us as we juggle ministry to these various groups with their different languages and cultures.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas from Santiago—where the hogs are roasting over open flames, in preparation for the traditional roasted pork dinner on Christmas Eve!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Erline's wedding
We went to a wedding Tuesday night. Villa was a leader in the Bible study that we started several years ago. We had the joy of mentoring him and Erline for three years. We were helping her financially; however, after the earthquake January 12 we discovered that we were her only means of support as her uncle couldn’t find work in Florida. So Judy and I decided to see her through financially to her graduation and wedding (both this month). When we told her back in January that we would completely support her for this year, she cried tears of joy.
After we suggested a budget, she followed it, showing us how she spent everything we gave her. She tithed, she saved 10 percent, she helped her family back in Haiti and helped another Haitian student here as well as finishing her university studies. As we gave to her, we rejoiced to see that she didn’t waste money and didn’t spend it all on herself.
Monday we gave her our final month’s gift as a wedding gift; Villa thanked us up-and-down and said, “Don’t worry, with the LORD’s help, we can make it now.”
And Tuesday night there were no tears. Instead God gave me an overwhelming sense of joy of a job completed, and completed well, helping to see one chapter in two young lives successfully close and a new chapter open. A sense of joy due to Erline’s perseverance, we were able to help her finish school and prepare for marriage—and helping her was the right thing to do, the right way to spend that money, the right way to invest especially as we saw that as we helped her, God used her to help others. A sense of joy knowing that even though their road will be rocky (literally, the roads around Port-au-Prince are that bad), still, God will provide for them—especially since they BOTH have jobs waiting for them in Port-au-Prince, a miracle in itself!
After we suggested a budget, she followed it, showing us how she spent everything we gave her. She tithed, she saved 10 percent, she helped her family back in Haiti and helped another Haitian student here as well as finishing her university studies. As we gave to her, we rejoiced to see that she didn’t waste money and didn’t spend it all on herself.
Monday we gave her our final month’s gift as a wedding gift; Villa thanked us up-and-down and said, “Don’t worry, with the LORD’s help, we can make it now.”
And Tuesday night there were no tears. Instead God gave me an overwhelming sense of joy of a job completed, and completed well, helping to see one chapter in two young lives successfully close and a new chapter open. A sense of joy due to Erline’s perseverance, we were able to help her finish school and prepare for marriage—and helping her was the right thing to do, the right way to spend that money, the right way to invest especially as we saw that as we helped her, God used her to help others. A sense of joy knowing that even though their road will be rocky (literally, the roads around Port-au-Prince are that bad), still, God will provide for them—especially since they BOTH have jobs waiting for them in Port-au-Prince, a miracle in itself!
We're Going Bananas!!!
Yes, you read that right! We’re going bananas! Lampeter Church of the Brethren sent three people to visit us November 5-9, arriving Friday night.
Saturday morning/afternoon we went to Jaibon, about 90 minutes west of here to measure for a playground for that orphanage. The last 3 miles of the trip was extremely rough where the road has not been resurfaced; it has a washboard effect and reminded me of the roads that we traveled on in Haiti.
I then took Pastor John to the leadership training study that I have with a Haitian church. The university students in the Bible Study Methods course participated with many good observations about Ephesians 1.3-4. John gave a few pointers as I translated for him into English from Creole.
Sunday morning we attended church at La Yaguita. We then had lunch with Pastor Ramon Jorge and his wife Alicia; he shared his heart about the children’s center that their church started. Orly is a street kid, all of 6 years old; his mom is a prostitute, and he doesn’t get cared for. He said, “I see Ramon in Orly.” Ramon shared that he remembers going to school without shoes; he tried to leave school as quickly as possible so that the other kids would not see that he was barefooted. Orly has shown up at Pastor Ramon’s both naked and hungry. Another time Ramon had to hose him down and give him new clothes since he was so filthy.
The next day, the three attended the center and did a Bible story and songs for each of the three classes, including the banana song, which became the hit and highlight of their visit. After a late lunch, we then visited several places getting info on buying materials to make the playground for Jaibon.
Pastor John then did a Bible study on forgiveness at my Monday night small group that the group translated. The group appreciated what he had to say and they spent quite a bit of time talking to each other afterwards since several people in the study speak some English.
We got up the next morning at 2:30 am to catch their plane. The van driver slept in; when I called him, I woke him up! However, he got up, dressed quickly, and arrived at the apt at 3:05!
Saturday morning/afternoon we went to Jaibon, about 90 minutes west of here to measure for a playground for that orphanage. The last 3 miles of the trip was extremely rough where the road has not been resurfaced; it has a washboard effect and reminded me of the roads that we traveled on in Haiti.
I then took Pastor John to the leadership training study that I have with a Haitian church. The university students in the Bible Study Methods course participated with many good observations about Ephesians 1.3-4. John gave a few pointers as I translated for him into English from Creole.
Sunday morning we attended church at La Yaguita. We then had lunch with Pastor Ramon Jorge and his wife Alicia; he shared his heart about the children’s center that their church started. Orly is a street kid, all of 6 years old; his mom is a prostitute, and he doesn’t get cared for. He said, “I see Ramon in Orly.” Ramon shared that he remembers going to school without shoes; he tried to leave school as quickly as possible so that the other kids would not see that he was barefooted. Orly has shown up at Pastor Ramon’s both naked and hungry. Another time Ramon had to hose him down and give him new clothes since he was so filthy.
The next day, the three attended the center and did a Bible story and songs for each of the three classes, including the banana song, which became the hit and highlight of their visit. After a late lunch, we then visited several places getting info on buying materials to make the playground for Jaibon.
Pastor John then did a Bible study on forgiveness at my Monday night small group that the group translated. The group appreciated what he had to say and they spent quite a bit of time talking to each other afterwards since several people in the study speak some English.
We got up the next morning at 2:30 am to catch their plane. The van driver slept in; when I called him, I woke him up! However, he got up, dressed quickly, and arrived at the apt at 3:05!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
On Calories and Confidence
Friday afternoon: Auri just called between classes at the university. She’ll stop by after class to continue our study of the book of Ephesians. I know she’ll come with pages of written observations from the text—she’s an overachiever! I pull out my notes to review the next chapter, wondering if I’ll be able to answer her challenging questions! As we study, munching on almonds, we talk about how she can teach what she’s learning to the church youth group.
Monday night: Jackie, Josefina, and I stand around the kitchen table, chatting and snacking on bowls of tropical fruit and yogurt after our weekly small group meeting. Tonight, half of the ten people present are teenagers (who are sad that we’re having fruit instead of nachos). Bob is taking a few weeks to cover biblical prophecy—teaching this week about the Tribulation. The questions continue to flow as the group gravitates toward the table. Jackie suddenly turns to me and asks, “Can we study the Bible together?” Those are words I have been waiting to hear!
Tuesday: Bob and I are invited to lunch—a long-promised lasagna—at Alex’s apartment. Alex is the younger “elder” at church. As the lasagna finishes baking, Alex and Bob are searching the Internet for Spanish resources (after checking the NBA statistics of course). They are both excited to have 15 men in the church who want more biblical training.
Wednesday night: Henry and Blanca join us at a local restaurant to make long-range plans for the couple’s ministry at Central Church. We’ve been working as a team for three years now. As the conversation takes a turn, Henry asks, “Why don’t you consider working with us for the next 20 years?” Food for thought!
Thursday evening: We meet with a young couple who are unhappy and stressed in their marriage. As we share a pizza (comfort food), we gently explore with them what causes them to feel unloved or disrespected in their relationship. Over the course of the last few weeks, their anger and defensiveness have decreased in intensity. They have actually followed some of our suggestions!
These and other opportunities to build others up are coming our way more often now that we are beginning our sixth year in Santiago. We are tasting the sweet fruit of trust—trust built over shared day-to-day experiences (and an unhealthy consumption of calories!). It takes time for people to know these two “foreigners” in their midst—time to see if our words and actions match up; time to see if we can keep a confidence; time to see if we are teachable ourselves and willing to serve the national leadership.
We realize that this time—the time it has taken to earn confidence—is a gift from those of you who pray and give so that we can minister here. Just as confidence builds over time, spiritual growth also takes time. Thanks to you, we have the joy of seeing God transform people—starting with us. We appreciate your prayers that God will continue His work in and through us, and that we will be worthy of the trust that people place in us.
Monday night: Jackie, Josefina, and I stand around the kitchen table, chatting and snacking on bowls of tropical fruit and yogurt after our weekly small group meeting. Tonight, half of the ten people present are teenagers (who are sad that we’re having fruit instead of nachos). Bob is taking a few weeks to cover biblical prophecy—teaching this week about the Tribulation. The questions continue to flow as the group gravitates toward the table. Jackie suddenly turns to me and asks, “Can we study the Bible together?” Those are words I have been waiting to hear!
Tuesday: Bob and I are invited to lunch—a long-promised lasagna—at Alex’s apartment. Alex is the younger “elder” at church. As the lasagna finishes baking, Alex and Bob are searching the Internet for Spanish resources (after checking the NBA statistics of course). They are both excited to have 15 men in the church who want more biblical training.
Wednesday night: Henry and Blanca join us at a local restaurant to make long-range plans for the couple’s ministry at Central Church. We’ve been working as a team for three years now. As the conversation takes a turn, Henry asks, “Why don’t you consider working with us for the next 20 years?” Food for thought!
Thursday evening: We meet with a young couple who are unhappy and stressed in their marriage. As we share a pizza (comfort food), we gently explore with them what causes them to feel unloved or disrespected in their relationship. Over the course of the last few weeks, their anger and defensiveness have decreased in intensity. They have actually followed some of our suggestions!
These and other opportunities to build others up are coming our way more often now that we are beginning our sixth year in Santiago. We are tasting the sweet fruit of trust—trust built over shared day-to-day experiences (and an unhealthy consumption of calories!). It takes time for people to know these two “foreigners” in their midst—time to see if our words and actions match up; time to see if we can keep a confidence; time to see if we are teachable ourselves and willing to serve the national leadership.
We realize that this time—the time it has taken to earn confidence—is a gift from those of you who pray and give so that we can minister here. Just as confidence builds over time, spiritual growth also takes time. Thanks to you, we have the joy of seeing God transform people—starting with us. We appreciate your prayers that God will continue His work in and through us, and that we will be worthy of the trust that people place in us.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Earl Turned North and Psalm 19; Our Vacation
Thank you so much for your prayers for us as we traveled from Santiago, DR to Richmond VA and then Dallas. Earl gave us no problems and we arrived at Reagan Washington National Wednesday afternoon Sept 1. We had more trouble with I-95's traffic in Fredericksburg VA than Earl--the backup at Route 1 Massaponax exit was two miles in the right-hand lane. I winced at the commute. I helped dad take off a few things from the oil truck he wrecked last year. Helping him was pure joy especially since he could have been easily killed in his accident.
We flew to Dallas Sept 4 and took Judy's mom to Colorado. We visited Denver and the Rocky Mountain National Park outside of Estes Park. Trail Ridge Road gave beautiful mountain vistas. The road runs 12,000 feet above sea level and above the tree line. Due to the cold wind, we even saw snowfall Sept 10.
As I write, I'm reading Psalms 19.1-6, "The heavens declare the glory of God!" AMEN!! They do just that in the Rockies!
We flew back to Richmond Sept 18 and then took my parents to western North Carolina. My mom's family comes from Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain, NC--my grandmother told me that my great-grandfather was born on GF mt. In my case, GF mt is well-named. Continuing Psalms 19.1-6, God gave us a group of butterflies that had landed just below the Blue Ridge Viaduct Bridge at GF Mt, along the path under the bridge. Judy got good pictures of them.
We visited the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte NC the next day. The Spirit of God is at work there as I came away touched by a man who in giving his life totally to Jesus Christ has touched millions with his message and humility.
Many years ago he struggled with the Bible's claim of inspiration (meaning that God spoke it) and inerrancy. He made a faith-based decision that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God. Remembering that, Psalm 19.7-14 states, "The law of the LORD is perfect."
Now that we are back in the DR, how can I apply what I've seen and heard? First, due to Mr Graham's life and ministry, I must be bolder in sharing Jesus Christ, taking every opportunity to do so. Second, Psalm 19.14 states, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." AMEN!!
We flew to Dallas Sept 4 and took Judy's mom to Colorado. We visited Denver and the Rocky Mountain National Park outside of Estes Park. Trail Ridge Road gave beautiful mountain vistas. The road runs 12,000 feet above sea level and above the tree line. Due to the cold wind, we even saw snowfall Sept 10.
As I write, I'm reading Psalms 19.1-6, "The heavens declare the glory of God!" AMEN!! They do just that in the Rockies!
We flew back to Richmond Sept 18 and then took my parents to western North Carolina. My mom's family comes from Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain, NC--my grandmother told me that my great-grandfather was born on GF mt. In my case, GF mt is well-named. Continuing Psalms 19.1-6, God gave us a group of butterflies that had landed just below the Blue Ridge Viaduct Bridge at GF Mt, along the path under the bridge. Judy got good pictures of them.
We visited the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte NC the next day. The Spirit of God is at work there as I came away touched by a man who in giving his life totally to Jesus Christ has touched millions with his message and humility.
Many years ago he struggled with the Bible's claim of inspiration (meaning that God spoke it) and inerrancy. He made a faith-based decision that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God. Remembering that, Psalm 19.7-14 states, "The law of the LORD is perfect."
Now that we are back in the DR, how can I apply what I've seen and heard? First, due to Mr Graham's life and ministry, I must be bolder in sharing Jesus Christ, taking every opportunity to do so. Second, Psalm 19.14 states, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." AMEN!!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Convergence
I have a men's discipleship study on Saturdays with the Central church. We'lve been studying a Life Development Planner book from The Center for Church Based Training. It's a church development movement out of Gene Getz's churches. The book takes a chapter out of Bobby Clinton's book, The Making of a Leader. Dr Clinton traces a life development timeline meant to span one's life. The steps are 1) Sovereign Foundations 2) Inner-Life Growth 3) Ministry Maturing 4) Life Maturing 5) Convergence 6) Celebration.
Though used for church leaders, in my opinion, the timeline can be used for anyone. In steps 1-3, God is primarily working in the person, and not through the person, bringing about circumstances that enable him to grow. Step 4 is when God begins to use that person in the lives of others. Step 5 is convergence, a very satisfying step where God matches a person's gifts, abilities, circumstances, and his ministry/work situation. The book states, "The role not only frees the leader from ministry for which there is no gift, but it also enhances and uses the best that the leader has to offer."
We thank you so much for your help because both Judy and I feel that working with Central, we are in step 5 now. We really enjoy ministry here; we are grateful for the opportunity to work at Central. We feel that we are working towards our gifts and abilities esp as we disciple, counsel, and run small group Bible studies.
We look forward to vacation with our folks (see next post about the Earls in my life).
Though used for church leaders, in my opinion, the timeline can be used for anyone. In steps 1-3, God is primarily working in the person, and not through the person, bringing about circumstances that enable him to grow. Step 4 is when God begins to use that person in the lives of others. Step 5 is convergence, a very satisfying step where God matches a person's gifts, abilities, circumstances, and his ministry/work situation. The book states, "The role not only frees the leader from ministry for which there is no gift, but it also enhances and uses the best that the leader has to offer."
We thank you so much for your help because both Judy and I feel that working with Central, we are in step 5 now. We really enjoy ministry here; we are grateful for the opportunity to work at Central. We feel that we are working towards our gifts and abilities esp as we disciple, counsel, and run small group Bible studies.
We look forward to vacation with our folks (see next post about the Earls in my life).
Earls In My Life
This is one for the old-timers and hurricane watchers. Any of you old-timer NBA fans remember the Baltimore Bullets(now the Washington Wizards)? Earl the Pearl Monroe, a good shooting guard? I remember watching him as a kid.
Or how about the old timey ice plants, where they made ice in 300-pound blocks? I worked in one in college with my dad in the 70's. No kidding. I learned how to set the blocks up, walk them around, and lay them down. The plant, built in the 1940's, was antique even back then. I remember my dad and Earl, our co-worker, keeping that thing running with bailing wire. I don't think they hadn't heard about duct tape or plastic ties, the things we used to keep things together when we lived on La Tortue.
The ice plant had a retarded little boy whom we named "Turkey" as a neighbor who would come over and say, "Hey, Earrrrlllll!" Earl was a good co-worker, friendly, and that old-timer still drives a logging truck in Virginia.
Judy and I are flying to the USA to visit my parents Sept 1, and her mom Sept 4. Except our plans could change--Earl is on the way. No, not my former co-worker, but the hurricane. Right. It's over Puerto Rico right now, and next in line is our island, the Dominican Republic. Chances are that it could affect our travel both to Virginia Sept 1 and Texas Sept 4. It is projected to go close by the DR tomorrow and Virginia Friday evening.
We covet your prayers as we travel....
Or how about the old timey ice plants, where they made ice in 300-pound blocks? I worked in one in college with my dad in the 70's. No kidding. I learned how to set the blocks up, walk them around, and lay them down. The plant, built in the 1940's, was antique even back then. I remember my dad and Earl, our co-worker, keeping that thing running with bailing wire. I don't think they hadn't heard about duct tape or plastic ties, the things we used to keep things together when we lived on La Tortue.
The ice plant had a retarded little boy whom we named "Turkey" as a neighbor who would come over and say, "Hey, Earrrrlllll!" Earl was a good co-worker, friendly, and that old-timer still drives a logging truck in Virginia.
Judy and I are flying to the USA to visit my parents Sept 1, and her mom Sept 4. Except our plans could change--Earl is on the way. No, not my former co-worker, but the hurricane. Right. It's over Puerto Rico right now, and next in line is our island, the Dominican Republic. Chances are that it could affect our travel both to Virginia Sept 1 and Texas Sept 4. It is projected to go close by the DR tomorrow and Virginia Friday evening.
We covet your prayers as we travel....
Monday, July 12, 2010
Bob and 84 Women??!??
The ribbing from the guys on the basketball court was relentless after they discovered that I had signed up to attend the Central Church women’s retreat. The ladies’ leadership team, the directiva, invited me to go along after a doctor had asked them if he could go in order to take a short break. Since we help him run the Central couples’ ministry, I felt that this would be a good chance to spend some time with him.
Judy, a member of the directiva, had been preparing for this two-night retreat for months. Since Dominican women love to dress up, the second night would be a gala event with everyone dressed in red. The theme that night would be Daughters of the King—a part of the overall theme, Breaking the Habit of Worrying.
As the preparations advanced, being a bit dense and cheap, I complained when Judy sat down in front of the computer and placed an order for 84 plastic princess tiaras. I wasn’t sure what a tiara was, but it sure seemed to be just fluff—an unnecessary expense.
The evening before we left for the retreat I packed the car with tiaras and more girly stuff. The president of the directiva was there, and she handed me $80 for the crowns, but I couldn’t take it. I knew this retreat was costing them a lot more in both time and money than they had anticipated. However, I still wasn’t sure why we had to buy the crowns.
At the hotel, I carried in the sound equipment and helped to set up the conference room. I even went to a few of the sessions, when I wasn’t talking to the doctor. The ladies were attentively listening to how to trust in God—the God who is our Peace in the midst of difficulty.
On the second day of the retreat, Judy gave an early morning devotional. She spoke to the ladies about trusting God to slay the giants in our lives, using Numbers 14 as her text. She shared how almost 20 years earlier, God had used those verses to convince her to marry me. While Judy prepared for a Haitian Sunday school class, she sensed God speaking to her. She noted Joshua and Caleb’s exhortation to the Israelites to enter the Promised Land without fear of the giants. The land was good, and God had given it to them. Through this passage, God encouraged Judy to set aside her fear and enter the good land (of marriage to me!).
Even though the ladies had stayed up late, all the fatigue was forgotten as they listened to Judy’s story of trusting God. They began clapping, praising God, and cheering for Judy and me! The Dominicans love the romantic stuff—more so when God works to make it happen.
The evening of the gala, I saw red everywhere. It made me wish that I had on a bright red Kurt Warner Arizona Cardinals’ jersey so I could at least blend in with the ladies. As the ladies entered the room, they were greeted warmly as daughters of the King. We sang praises to the King of Kings, followed by several surprise videos—affirming interviews of husbands and children. The loving affirmations resulted in cheers and tears.
And then, they brought out the crowns. As they crowned each other, a foretaste of the day that we will be crowned by our LORD Jesus Christ, they projected verses on power point that spoke of the crowns that He will hand out. James 1:12 was the first, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
And I was touched. Finally, I understood the importance of the crowns, and the power of their symbolism, in the lives of these ladies who are joyfully serving the Lord in spite of difficult circumstances. Looking at their smiling faces, I thought of their day-to-day lives. As Judy has worked with the women, and the two of us have counseled a few of the couples in the church, we have become aware of their struggles. Some live with the on-going pain of divorce; others live daily in unhappy marriages. Some have faced cancer and live with the fear of its return. Others live in economic uncertainty because of unemployment.
Yet this preview of heaven’s reward created in them a tremendous sense of joy and unity, and a sense that even though they may suffer for awhile, God has tremendous rewards for them.
The Sunday before the retreat, our pastor had preached on “Fireproofing Families”. During the sermon, he stated, “You need to enter into the world of your spouse.” Right before we left the retreat to return home, I saw his wife and repeated that line to her. At that point she called her husband on her cell phone and said, “Bob has something he wants to say to you”.
I told him over the phone and later at the basketball court in front of the other guys, “I have entered into the world of my spouse, and God has been very good to me.”
Judy, a member of the directiva, had been preparing for this two-night retreat for months. Since Dominican women love to dress up, the second night would be a gala event with everyone dressed in red. The theme that night would be Daughters of the King—a part of the overall theme, Breaking the Habit of Worrying.
As the preparations advanced, being a bit dense and cheap, I complained when Judy sat down in front of the computer and placed an order for 84 plastic princess tiaras. I wasn’t sure what a tiara was, but it sure seemed to be just fluff—an unnecessary expense.
The evening before we left for the retreat I packed the car with tiaras and more girly stuff. The president of the directiva was there, and she handed me $80 for the crowns, but I couldn’t take it. I knew this retreat was costing them a lot more in both time and money than they had anticipated. However, I still wasn’t sure why we had to buy the crowns.
At the hotel, I carried in the sound equipment and helped to set up the conference room. I even went to a few of the sessions, when I wasn’t talking to the doctor. The ladies were attentively listening to how to trust in God—the God who is our Peace in the midst of difficulty.
On the second day of the retreat, Judy gave an early morning devotional. She spoke to the ladies about trusting God to slay the giants in our lives, using Numbers 14 as her text. She shared how almost 20 years earlier, God had used those verses to convince her to marry me. While Judy prepared for a Haitian Sunday school class, she sensed God speaking to her. She noted Joshua and Caleb’s exhortation to the Israelites to enter the Promised Land without fear of the giants. The land was good, and God had given it to them. Through this passage, God encouraged Judy to set aside her fear and enter the good land (of marriage to me!).
Even though the ladies had stayed up late, all the fatigue was forgotten as they listened to Judy’s story of trusting God. They began clapping, praising God, and cheering for Judy and me! The Dominicans love the romantic stuff—more so when God works to make it happen.
The evening of the gala, I saw red everywhere. It made me wish that I had on a bright red Kurt Warner Arizona Cardinals’ jersey so I could at least blend in with the ladies. As the ladies entered the room, they were greeted warmly as daughters of the King. We sang praises to the King of Kings, followed by several surprise videos—affirming interviews of husbands and children. The loving affirmations resulted in cheers and tears.
And then, they brought out the crowns. As they crowned each other, a foretaste of the day that we will be crowned by our LORD Jesus Christ, they projected verses on power point that spoke of the crowns that He will hand out. James 1:12 was the first, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
And I was touched. Finally, I understood the importance of the crowns, and the power of their symbolism, in the lives of these ladies who are joyfully serving the Lord in spite of difficult circumstances. Looking at their smiling faces, I thought of their day-to-day lives. As Judy has worked with the women, and the two of us have counseled a few of the couples in the church, we have become aware of their struggles. Some live with the on-going pain of divorce; others live daily in unhappy marriages. Some have faced cancer and live with the fear of its return. Others live in economic uncertainty because of unemployment.
Yet this preview of heaven’s reward created in them a tremendous sense of joy and unity, and a sense that even though they may suffer for awhile, God has tremendous rewards for them.
The Sunday before the retreat, our pastor had preached on “Fireproofing Families”. During the sermon, he stated, “You need to enter into the world of your spouse.” Right before we left the retreat to return home, I saw his wife and repeated that line to her. At that point she called her husband on her cell phone and said, “Bob has something he wants to say to you”.
I told him over the phone and later at the basketball court in front of the other guys, “I have entered into the world of my spouse, and God has been very good to me.”
Friday, April 9, 2010
April Newsletter
Not so long ago Prosper, a middle-aged Haitian man, was living up to his name. He had steady employment (a rarity in Haiti), had built a nice home, married and had a family. He was even able to send his children to college. We came to know his daughter, Valerie, when she came to the university here in Santiago. Then high blood pressure and a stroke left Prosper partially paralyzed and dependent on his wife’s care. With difficulty, he learned to walk again with a cane. He still has occasional seizures and suffers from an enlarged heart.
During the January earthquake, Prosper’s home collapsed, trapping him and his wife. She did not survive. He was pulled from the rubble a few hours later, bruised but breathing. Valerie brought him to Santiago. Prosper’s world has now shrunk to an unfurnished, one-bedroom apartment that he shares with Valerie. His possessions are buried in Port-au-Prince. The little that might have been salvaged has been stolen by others in need.
Prosper feels like he is in prison—unable to descend the stairs of their second-floor apartment unaided, unable to visit with lifelong friends, unable to speak the language of this new country, totally dependent on his daughter. Yet, within the confines of his prison, he welcomes us with a wide smile. Although there is sometimes fear in his eyes when a tremor passes, there is no defeat. He is learning to prosper in different ways. He tells us that God saved him from the wreckage of his home, and now, for the first time in his life, he is entrusting himself to God.
The apartment is still small, his heart is still damaged, but he is learning of the hope that is his in Christ. Valerie, who came to know Christ in Santiago, is studying the Bible with her dad. She, too, is learning to persevere through the pain and the difficulties. Together they are experiencing what it means to be a part of God’s family. We connected them with Dominican believers who provided free medical care for Prosper. And because of your help to us, we were able to purchase clothing, food, beds, and medicine for them.
When the earthquake occurred, within a couple of days many Haitians crossed the border and arrived in Santiago. So, instead of going into Haiti, we remained in Santiago to help those in need and to continue our ministries here. We anxiously awaited news of our Haitian friends, university students who had gone home for the Christmas break. As they made it back to Santiago, we rejoiced and worked with them to purchase food and medical supplies to send back into Haiti.
We thank you for enabling us to serve here in Santiago. Our contact with two different Haitian congregations has opened the door for us to minister to many earthquake survivors who were (and still are) suffering the emotional and psychological effects of such a traumatic experience. Prosper’s smile confirms to us God’s promise of hope in the midst of suffering.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:2-5
During the January earthquake, Prosper’s home collapsed, trapping him and his wife. She did not survive. He was pulled from the rubble a few hours later, bruised but breathing. Valerie brought him to Santiago. Prosper’s world has now shrunk to an unfurnished, one-bedroom apartment that he shares with Valerie. His possessions are buried in Port-au-Prince. The little that might have been salvaged has been stolen by others in need.
Prosper feels like he is in prison—unable to descend the stairs of their second-floor apartment unaided, unable to visit with lifelong friends, unable to speak the language of this new country, totally dependent on his daughter. Yet, within the confines of his prison, he welcomes us with a wide smile. Although there is sometimes fear in his eyes when a tremor passes, there is no defeat. He is learning to prosper in different ways. He tells us that God saved him from the wreckage of his home, and now, for the first time in his life, he is entrusting himself to God.
The apartment is still small, his heart is still damaged, but he is learning of the hope that is his in Christ. Valerie, who came to know Christ in Santiago, is studying the Bible with her dad. She, too, is learning to persevere through the pain and the difficulties. Together they are experiencing what it means to be a part of God’s family. We connected them with Dominican believers who provided free medical care for Prosper. And because of your help to us, we were able to purchase clothing, food, beds, and medicine for them.
When the earthquake occurred, within a couple of days many Haitians crossed the border and arrived in Santiago. So, instead of going into Haiti, we remained in Santiago to help those in need and to continue our ministries here. We anxiously awaited news of our Haitian friends, university students who had gone home for the Christmas break. As they made it back to Santiago, we rejoiced and worked with them to purchase food and medical supplies to send back into Haiti.
We thank you for enabling us to serve here in Santiago. Our contact with two different Haitian congregations has opened the door for us to minister to many earthquake survivors who were (and still are) suffering the emotional and psychological effects of such a traumatic experience. Prosper’s smile confirms to us God’s promise of hope in the midst of suffering.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:2-5
Snapshots
We love living here in Santiago because we see God at work at every turn, and he lets us be a part of it! Here are some snapshots of our experiences in the past few months:
Robinson is the pastor of the Haitian church that was launched from our Haitian Bible study two years ago. He invited me to preach there last month on “If God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there evil in the world?” Of the 200-plus there, more than 30 were in Port-au-Prince during the Haiti earthquake. This month I will preach on overcoming post-traumatic stress syndrome. Your support will help us make copies of helpful materials for those struggling with the after effects of trauma. We were also able to equip Robinson with a good Bible dictionary and concordance to use in his sermon preparation.
Erline, a Haitian university student, was in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake hit January 12. She survived it, watching buildings pancake and vehicles get overturned, as she was walking down the street. The next day she walked 5 miles one way to see about relatives. Judy and I called and emailed her and her fiancé for five long days, hearing nothing. We feared the worst. When Erline showed up in Santiago and at our home the next week, we were so grateful that we decided to enable her to finish her last year of university here. Before, she was struggling to make ends meet on $150/month (from us, but we didn’t realize that we were her only sponsors—an uncle lost his job in the US). Now we provide complete support for her from our personal and mission finances. When we told her of our decision, she cried for joy (we almost did too!). She volunteers every two weeks to help Judy do her ironing!
Prosper, a 58-year-old man who survived the quake and came to live in Santiago with his daughter, Valerie, smiles broadly when we visit him. He suffers from an enlarged heart, but he now confesses that Christ died for him—something Valerie said he had not done before. They lost everything in the quake. Your support purchased new single beds for the two of them, as well as medicine for Prosper, who takes 7 different meds which total $200/month. (By the way, we received gifts to help both Erline and Prosper!)
“Mi panaful!!” (My good buddy!!) Our apartment guard Francisco greets me enthusiastically every morning. He is living proof that “The joy of the LORD will be our strength.” We love sharing our food—my pancakes (that’s right, Bob does cook pancakes!), sandwiches, etc.—and praying with this dear friend, our panaful, during his 12-hour shift. He has made living at Las Bromelias apartments a joy with his love for the LORD. He obeys the LORD as well—after we gave him a study on Biblical financial principles, he reduced his $2000 debt to $100 over the last 15 months, on a salary of only $300/month!
Central Bible Church has started a new men’s ministry, declaring as our vision statement, “searching and impacting men from the community for Christ.” Eight men who really love God met last week—I am honored to be a member of this group. But I better get to work fast—we have a camping retreat scheduled for April 30, and I’m supposed to teach on companionship and mentoring.
Al, a youth leader at Central, struggled with his upcoming assignment—to preach on Easter Sunday. He called me for help. I met with him three times to help him develop a sermon on the importance of the resurrection from 1 Corinthians 15. He did an excellent job, explaining why our faith is in vain if Christ did not come back from the dead.
Our Monday night small group Bible study from Central trails the other groups in the lesson book that the church gave us. However, now I understand why. A godly lady, Luisa, joined our group right before we studied forgiveness. She confessed that she struggles with forgiving her ex-husband. We gave her a Beta study guide from Neil Anderson. She said that Beta “is like a precious jewel.” Your support enables us to help our brothers and sisters here fight fierce spiritual battles.
Judy is planning the annual Central women’s retreat with the ladies’ leadership team. They are a group of committed women; yet their personality differences sometimes result in conflicts. Judy is planning to invite them all to supper to teach a short seminar on how each personality type can work well within the team (I’m campaigning to cook pancakes for the ladies; I’m not sure if Judy will let me.)
Judy also recently put her nursing skills to work, helping to care for a terminally ill patient. Don Reynaldo passed peacefully in his sleep after a battle with Alzheimer’s. The family gave him around-the-clock care. Judy went every other day to change his dressings.
We meet regularly with Henry and Blanca to plan the monthly Central couples’ meeting. This month we will discuss the permanence of marriage. God created husband and wife to stick together through thick and thin. In fact, the Hebrew word in Genesis 2:24 for “cleave” or “be joined” has the idea of two pieces of wood glued together—if you try to separate them, you will destroy the wood.
“Why is this guy even here?” I asked myself last Saturday when Eddie showed up to play basketball. Eddie is better than the rest of us—a group of guys who like to play together in a local park. Sure enough, Eddie was killing us. But, Jose showed up too. After we quit, Eddie shared the gospel with Jose. The good news penetrated Jose’s heart, and when Eddie invited him to accept Christ, Jose immediately responded with “YES”. Eddie asked me to pray with Jose, enabling him to confess his newfound faith relationship with Christ.
Robinson is the pastor of the Haitian church that was launched from our Haitian Bible study two years ago. He invited me to preach there last month on “If God is all-good and all-powerful, why is there evil in the world?” Of the 200-plus there, more than 30 were in Port-au-Prince during the Haiti earthquake. This month I will preach on overcoming post-traumatic stress syndrome. Your support will help us make copies of helpful materials for those struggling with the after effects of trauma. We were also able to equip Robinson with a good Bible dictionary and concordance to use in his sermon preparation.
Erline, a Haitian university student, was in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake hit January 12. She survived it, watching buildings pancake and vehicles get overturned, as she was walking down the street. The next day she walked 5 miles one way to see about relatives. Judy and I called and emailed her and her fiancé for five long days, hearing nothing. We feared the worst. When Erline showed up in Santiago and at our home the next week, we were so grateful that we decided to enable her to finish her last year of university here. Before, she was struggling to make ends meet on $150/month (from us, but we didn’t realize that we were her only sponsors—an uncle lost his job in the US). Now we provide complete support for her from our personal and mission finances. When we told her of our decision, she cried for joy (we almost did too!). She volunteers every two weeks to help Judy do her ironing!
Prosper, a 58-year-old man who survived the quake and came to live in Santiago with his daughter, Valerie, smiles broadly when we visit him. He suffers from an enlarged heart, but he now confesses that Christ died for him—something Valerie said he had not done before. They lost everything in the quake. Your support purchased new single beds for the two of them, as well as medicine for Prosper, who takes 7 different meds which total $200/month. (By the way, we received gifts to help both Erline and Prosper!)
“Mi panaful!!” (My good buddy!!) Our apartment guard Francisco greets me enthusiastically every morning. He is living proof that “The joy of the LORD will be our strength.” We love sharing our food—my pancakes (that’s right, Bob does cook pancakes!), sandwiches, etc.—and praying with this dear friend, our panaful, during his 12-hour shift. He has made living at Las Bromelias apartments a joy with his love for the LORD. He obeys the LORD as well—after we gave him a study on Biblical financial principles, he reduced his $2000 debt to $100 over the last 15 months, on a salary of only $300/month!
Central Bible Church has started a new men’s ministry, declaring as our vision statement, “searching and impacting men from the community for Christ.” Eight men who really love God met last week—I am honored to be a member of this group. But I better get to work fast—we have a camping retreat scheduled for April 30, and I’m supposed to teach on companionship and mentoring.
Al, a youth leader at Central, struggled with his upcoming assignment—to preach on Easter Sunday. He called me for help. I met with him three times to help him develop a sermon on the importance of the resurrection from 1 Corinthians 15. He did an excellent job, explaining why our faith is in vain if Christ did not come back from the dead.
Our Monday night small group Bible study from Central trails the other groups in the lesson book that the church gave us. However, now I understand why. A godly lady, Luisa, joined our group right before we studied forgiveness. She confessed that she struggles with forgiving her ex-husband. We gave her a Beta study guide from Neil Anderson. She said that Beta “is like a precious jewel.” Your support enables us to help our brothers and sisters here fight fierce spiritual battles.
Judy is planning the annual Central women’s retreat with the ladies’ leadership team. They are a group of committed women; yet their personality differences sometimes result in conflicts. Judy is planning to invite them all to supper to teach a short seminar on how each personality type can work well within the team (I’m campaigning to cook pancakes for the ladies; I’m not sure if Judy will let me.)
Judy also recently put her nursing skills to work, helping to care for a terminally ill patient. Don Reynaldo passed peacefully in his sleep after a battle with Alzheimer’s. The family gave him around-the-clock care. Judy went every other day to change his dressings.
We meet regularly with Henry and Blanca to plan the monthly Central couples’ meeting. This month we will discuss the permanence of marriage. God created husband and wife to stick together through thick and thin. In fact, the Hebrew word in Genesis 2:24 for “cleave” or “be joined” has the idea of two pieces of wood glued together—if you try to separate them, you will destroy the wood.
“Why is this guy even here?” I asked myself last Saturday when Eddie showed up to play basketball. Eddie is better than the rest of us—a group of guys who like to play together in a local park. Sure enough, Eddie was killing us. But, Jose showed up too. After we quit, Eddie shared the gospel with Jose. The good news penetrated Jose’s heart, and when Eddie invited him to accept Christ, Jose immediately responded with “YES”. Eddie asked me to pray with Jose, enabling him to confess his newfound faith relationship with Christ.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Miles of Smiles :-)
Orly, the La Yaguita Children's center posterchild had to evacuate his home last month. His 16-year old uncle stabbed a guy after a drug deal. The victim's family retaliated by destroying Orly's house and all its possessions although the house was leaning on a neighbor's house for support. Orly and Lenny escaped the carnage by only a few minutes. Orly now spends all day at Ramon’s.
The other day, I visited Pastor Ramon, While praying for me, he said, “Thank you for Bob and Judy who help us feed the kids here at the center.” When Ramon said that, Orly looked up at me with the biggest smile on his face! That snapshot—precious!
We thank you for praying for and helping us support the Children’s center at La Yaguita.
Prosper, Valerie's dad, continues to do ok; he did have a slight seizure a couple weeks ago. You will recall that he survived the earthquake; his wife perished. She was the breadwinner in the family and had returned to Haiti to care for him after his stroke. I talked to Prosper about Christ last week. He stated that he knows that Christ died for him on the cross and that he believes in Christ. Valerie told us that this is the first time he has ever said anything like that. So we praise the LORD for this recognition.
Today I went by to see him. We had purchased two single beds for them. The beds look good in their room, and Prosper sleeps better. Both pairs of hand-made shoes that we had purchased for him now fit nicely. We thank you for your prayer and financial support that enables us to help Haitians displaced by the quake. And when I walked in the door to visit him, he greeted me with a big smile and said, “Where have you been?”
Thank you for these above smiles!!
The other day, I visited Pastor Ramon, While praying for me, he said, “Thank you for Bob and Judy who help us feed the kids here at the center.” When Ramon said that, Orly looked up at me with the biggest smile on his face! That snapshot—precious!
We thank you for praying for and helping us support the Children’s center at La Yaguita.
Prosper, Valerie's dad, continues to do ok; he did have a slight seizure a couple weeks ago. You will recall that he survived the earthquake; his wife perished. She was the breadwinner in the family and had returned to Haiti to care for him after his stroke. I talked to Prosper about Christ last week. He stated that he knows that Christ died for him on the cross and that he believes in Christ. Valerie told us that this is the first time he has ever said anything like that. So we praise the LORD for this recognition.
Today I went by to see him. We had purchased two single beds for them. The beds look good in their room, and Prosper sleeps better. Both pairs of hand-made shoes that we had purchased for him now fit nicely. We thank you for your prayer and financial support that enables us to help Haitians displaced by the quake. And when I walked in the door to visit him, he greeted me with a big smile and said, “Where have you been?”
Thank you for these above smiles!!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Intense Week
Ok, ok, so it’s not as bad here as it is say in Port-au-Prince where co-workers are dealing with a refugee camp of 4000 people sleeping in their front yard.
Yet we’ve had a hectic week. I even told dad over the phone that I’d like to re-join him on the truck (just kidding; dad has now been cleared by the doctor and is back to work).
Last Sunday night I spoke on post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS). I had good eye contact with the 60-plus people, mostly Haitian university students. I think that they were really paying attention, and I'm hoping that what I shared will help them.
Judy spoke about her brother committing suicide years ago. She admitted that since she didn't properly deal with it by stuffing her emotions and pretending that everything was ok, she became depressed about 3 years after his death. The PTSS doc stated that rejecting the emotions, and refusing to deal with the event head-on at some point results in a loss of emotions and feelings which leads to a depression.
God used His Word to lift Judy out of her depression. This all happened before I met her in Haiti.
Orly, the La Yaguita Children's center posterchild had to evacuate his home last Saturday night. His 16-year old uncle stabbed a guy after a drug deal. The victim's family retaliated by destroying Orly's house and all its possessions although the house was leaning on a neighbor's house for support. Orly and Lenny escaped the carnage by only a few minutes. Orly's aunt took them to another aunt's house where they are now sleeping.
Pastor Ramon Jorge continues to house and feed the boys during the day; the last time I was there, I pitched softball with Orly and became his donkey—I took him on my back and walked him around.
After I told dad all that, he said, “Be sure to take care of those little boys.”
Judy continues to help our pastor’s terminally ill father-in-law even though she was fighting a cold this week.
Oh, and did we mention that the plumber had to come this week to fix a leak in a couple pipes. He had to break the floor in the hall to discover the four leaks that were getting through to the downstairs’ neighbors ceiling.
Yet that gave me the opportunity to share Christ with two of the guys who were working here.
Thanks again for praying for us.
Yet we’ve had a hectic week. I even told dad over the phone that I’d like to re-join him on the truck (just kidding; dad has now been cleared by the doctor and is back to work).
Last Sunday night I spoke on post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS). I had good eye contact with the 60-plus people, mostly Haitian university students. I think that they were really paying attention, and I'm hoping that what I shared will help them.
Judy spoke about her brother committing suicide years ago. She admitted that since she didn't properly deal with it by stuffing her emotions and pretending that everything was ok, she became depressed about 3 years after his death. The PTSS doc stated that rejecting the emotions, and refusing to deal with the event head-on at some point results in a loss of emotions and feelings which leads to a depression.
God used His Word to lift Judy out of her depression. This all happened before I met her in Haiti.
Orly, the La Yaguita Children's center posterchild had to evacuate his home last Saturday night. His 16-year old uncle stabbed a guy after a drug deal. The victim's family retaliated by destroying Orly's house and all its possessions although the house was leaning on a neighbor's house for support. Orly and Lenny escaped the carnage by only a few minutes. Orly's aunt took them to another aunt's house where they are now sleeping.
Pastor Ramon Jorge continues to house and feed the boys during the day; the last time I was there, I pitched softball with Orly and became his donkey—I took him on my back and walked him around.
After I told dad all that, he said, “Be sure to take care of those little boys.”
Judy continues to help our pastor’s terminally ill father-in-law even though she was fighting a cold this week.
Oh, and did we mention that the plumber had to come this week to fix a leak in a couple pipes. He had to break the floor in the hall to discover the four leaks that were getting through to the downstairs’ neighbors ceiling.
Yet that gave me the opportunity to share Christ with two of the guys who were working here.
Thanks again for praying for us.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
We are staying busy with our regular ministries, plus reaching out to Haitian university students—helping a few pay their university tuition and rent, but mostly helping students buy food. Some of them have lost their homes and their parents, so there is a lot of need even here in Santiago. Many of the students’ surviving relatives and friends have come over from Haiti. So an apartment formerly shared by five students, now houses 11 or 12. As well as feeding those who are here in the Dominican Republic, many of the students are trying to send food back to their family members in Haiti.
Elva is a Haitian friend who teaches French at Santiago Christian School. Since she has a good job, she's sending everything she can back to her family who lives in Port-au-Prince—their house was flattened, but they survived. Their neighbor’s house also collapsed, killing a man and three pets. Since they couldn't get the corpses out, Elva’s family is putting toothpaste under their noses to try to tolerate the smell. Elva is trying to buy plywood and roofing materials to build a temporary shelter for her family before the rains come. We sent boxes of food to her family in Haiti. They haven’t received any help from international aid organizations.
We also took food to Valerie—a fine, young Christian lady who just received her degree in Marketing at the university here. When we gave her an $80 gift that Judy's mom had given us to give to our Haitian friends, Val was so grateful she cried. Her mom, a successful business lady in the USA, had recently returned to Haiti to care for her husband, Val's dad, who suffered a stroke a couple years ago. He is partially paralyzed, but able to walk slowly with a cane. Their house in Port-au-Prince collapsed during the quake. Valerie’s mom was killed. They pulled her dad out of the rubble a couple hours later—being next to the house column saved his life. Valerie then brought her dad to Santiago. We have asked some of our Dominican friends who are doctors to help provide the medical care he needs.
Do pray for Val. She doesn’t have a job now because the quake destroyed the family business in Port-au-Prince. She is grieving for her mother and caring for her father, but at the same time, she is ministering to others. She asked for copies of the study NEW LIFE IN CHRIST so that she could share Christ with two of her friends.
David is a medical student/church leader who lost his brother in the quake. Many of the students are grieving the loss of family and friends, as well as experiencing post-traumatic stress. They are not sleeping well and find it hard to concentrate on their studies. Thanks to fellow CrossWorld missionaries who serve in France, we have gathered some materials in French on recognizing and dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome, and will be presenting this to the students in the coming weeks.
Elva is a Haitian friend who teaches French at Santiago Christian School. Since she has a good job, she's sending everything she can back to her family who lives in Port-au-Prince—their house was flattened, but they survived. Their neighbor’s house also collapsed, killing a man and three pets. Since they couldn't get the corpses out, Elva’s family is putting toothpaste under their noses to try to tolerate the smell. Elva is trying to buy plywood and roofing materials to build a temporary shelter for her family before the rains come. We sent boxes of food to her family in Haiti. They haven’t received any help from international aid organizations.
We also took food to Valerie—a fine, young Christian lady who just received her degree in Marketing at the university here. When we gave her an $80 gift that Judy's mom had given us to give to our Haitian friends, Val was so grateful she cried. Her mom, a successful business lady in the USA, had recently returned to Haiti to care for her husband, Val's dad, who suffered a stroke a couple years ago. He is partially paralyzed, but able to walk slowly with a cane. Their house in Port-au-Prince collapsed during the quake. Valerie’s mom was killed. They pulled her dad out of the rubble a couple hours later—being next to the house column saved his life. Valerie then brought her dad to Santiago. We have asked some of our Dominican friends who are doctors to help provide the medical care he needs.
Do pray for Val. She doesn’t have a job now because the quake destroyed the family business in Port-au-Prince. She is grieving for her mother and caring for her father, but at the same time, she is ministering to others. She asked for copies of the study NEW LIFE IN CHRIST so that she could share Christ with two of her friends.
David is a medical student/church leader who lost his brother in the quake. Many of the students are grieving the loss of family and friends, as well as experiencing post-traumatic stress. They are not sleeping well and find it hard to concentrate on their studies. Thanks to fellow CrossWorld missionaries who serve in France, we have gathered some materials in French on recognizing and dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome, and will be presenting this to the students in the coming weeks.
Friday, January 22, 2010
More Haitian Students Returning to Santiago
On Thursday, we welcomed Vilardeau back to Santiago. It was so good to see him. He had been working in Port-au-Prince after graduating in industrial engineering here in Santiago last July. Before he left Santiago, Bob had spent a lot of time with him, studying the Bible and talking about life. He will be here until the plant where he works can reopen. He is a real leader. His presence here will be an encouragement to the other Haitian students in Santiago, especially to Erline, his fiancee!
The building in which he worked in PAP shook incredibly hard during the quake, but did not collapse. He was able to walk the few miles to his home, which was also spared.
More students are returning each day to Santiago. This morning we took one of the students to get a new pair of glasses. She fell trying to get outside during the quake. Her glasses were broken. Her new glasses were donated by a Dominican doctor who is a friend of ours. This afternoon we visited with a friend whose mother died when their home collapsed. Her father survived, although he was badly bruised and scraped. She was able to bring him with her to Santiago.
It just seems like we have had a year's worth of experiences in the last month! Please keep praying that we can encourage the students here and help them heal from the emotional trauma they have experienced.
The building in which he worked in PAP shook incredibly hard during the quake, but did not collapse. He was able to walk the few miles to his home, which was also spared.
More students are returning each day to Santiago. This morning we took one of the students to get a new pair of glasses. She fell trying to get outside during the quake. Her glasses were broken. Her new glasses were donated by a Dominican doctor who is a friend of ours. This afternoon we visited with a friend whose mother died when their home collapsed. Her father survived, although he was badly bruised and scraped. She was able to bring him with her to Santiago.
It just seems like we have had a year's worth of experiences in the last month! Please keep praying that we can encourage the students here and help them heal from the emotional trauma they have experienced.
Update for Wednesday, January 20
Sunday, five tense days after the earthquake in Haiti, we shouted for joy as we finally heard from two Haitian friends, Vilardeau and Erline, who were in Port-au-Prince (PAP) at the time of the quake. Both are ok physically but emotionally shaken by the horror of it all. Erline’s home collapsed. Her mother and grandmother were sitting beside a wall. Instead of falling in on them, the wall fell away from them; so they are alive.
As we listened to Erline’s story, she amazingly thanked God that she was in PAP that day. She had gone to the bus station to get a bus back to Santiago, to begin the next semester of classes at the university. The bus was full and she had made no prior reservation; so she began walking away to catch local transportation to go home. The quake hit as she walked, the earth heaving back and forth like a giant see-saw, buildings collapsing on her right and left. She walked at least two hours to get to her family, hearing wailing for the dead and cries of the injured and trapped all along the way. She kept repeating to herself assurances that her family would be okay. They all slept that night out in the street, fearful with each successive aftershock. Because she was there she was able to help her mother and grandmother find a bit of shelter in a nearby garage.
Erline made it back to Santiago and we helped her gather clothes, soap, food—anything she could grab quickly to send back to her family with a friend who was going into Haiti with a group of young doctors.
When she first arrived, Erline was not sleeping or eating well, had trouble concentrating, and often woke with a start in the night. We are keeping daily contact with her and helping her with basic needs here so she can begin classes. She will complete her degree this year, LORD willing.
That Sunday night, after we heard Erline and Vilardeau were okay, the relief was immense, but we were still tense as we headed for a Haitian church service where Bob would preach to 50-60 young Haitians, mostly university students. Some had just returned from PAP. Many of their families’ homes had been destroyed. Of the group that came that evening, no one had lost immediate family, but everyone knew somebody who had lost somone.
We were expecting a grief-filled service. What we saw and heard were a group of strong and resilient young people. Their faces showed the fatigue and strain of the past five days, but their voices were strong as they sang praises to God. As we hugged many of them after the service, I couldn’t help but think that Haiti still has a future because these are the young men and women who will help rebuild.
The needs within Haiti are immense and if you would like to give to relief efforts through CrossWorld, you can do so at www.crossworld.org. You can see updates there as well on the situation in PAP. There is a “refugee” tent camp of more than 4000 people camping out on the seminary campus where two CrossWorld families live.
We have been continually asking the Lord what our personal response should be. We do not sense that we should enter Haiti at this point in time. More of the students who study here are returning from Haiti. We have been spending time with them, helping with immediate needs. We want to be sure that they have food, shelter, and someone to listen to their stories. Many who are arriving are afraid to sleep inside their apartments. So far all of the students that we know personally have survived without serious injury. One good friend lost her mother.
Looking ahead to the future, we would like to help those students here in Santiago who have lost family and/or homes to be able to continue with their studies. The university in Haiti will not reopen this year. Buildings collapsed and many students died in PAP who were in class at the time of the quake.
As we listened to Erline’s story, she amazingly thanked God that she was in PAP that day. She had gone to the bus station to get a bus back to Santiago, to begin the next semester of classes at the university. The bus was full and she had made no prior reservation; so she began walking away to catch local transportation to go home. The quake hit as she walked, the earth heaving back and forth like a giant see-saw, buildings collapsing on her right and left. She walked at least two hours to get to her family, hearing wailing for the dead and cries of the injured and trapped all along the way. She kept repeating to herself assurances that her family would be okay. They all slept that night out in the street, fearful with each successive aftershock. Because she was there she was able to help her mother and grandmother find a bit of shelter in a nearby garage.
Erline made it back to Santiago and we helped her gather clothes, soap, food—anything she could grab quickly to send back to her family with a friend who was going into Haiti with a group of young doctors.
When she first arrived, Erline was not sleeping or eating well, had trouble concentrating, and often woke with a start in the night. We are keeping daily contact with her and helping her with basic needs here so she can begin classes. She will complete her degree this year, LORD willing.
That Sunday night, after we heard Erline and Vilardeau were okay, the relief was immense, but we were still tense as we headed for a Haitian church service where Bob would preach to 50-60 young Haitians, mostly university students. Some had just returned from PAP. Many of their families’ homes had been destroyed. Of the group that came that evening, no one had lost immediate family, but everyone knew somebody who had lost somone.
We were expecting a grief-filled service. What we saw and heard were a group of strong and resilient young people. Their faces showed the fatigue and strain of the past five days, but their voices were strong as they sang praises to God. As we hugged many of them after the service, I couldn’t help but think that Haiti still has a future because these are the young men and women who will help rebuild.
The needs within Haiti are immense and if you would like to give to relief efforts through CrossWorld, you can do so at www.crossworld.org. You can see updates there as well on the situation in PAP. There is a “refugee” tent camp of more than 4000 people camping out on the seminary campus where two CrossWorld families live.
We have been continually asking the Lord what our personal response should be. We do not sense that we should enter Haiti at this point in time. More of the students who study here are returning from Haiti. We have been spending time with them, helping with immediate needs. We want to be sure that they have food, shelter, and someone to listen to their stories. Many who are arriving are afraid to sleep inside their apartments. So far all of the students that we know personally have survived without serious injury. One good friend lost her mother.
Looking ahead to the future, we would like to help those students here in Santiago who have lost family and/or homes to be able to continue with their studies. The university in Haiti will not reopen this year. Buildings collapsed and many students died in PAP who were in class at the time of the quake.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Good News
We have just heard from our friends, Vilardeau and Erline. They are fine, praise the Lord! Erline is now back in Santiago to start a new semester of college. Vilardeau remains in Haiti. Erline's family is camping out in the streets of Port-au-Prince because their home is unsafe. There is nowhere to go for shelter, no place to even rent a room.
Our CrossWorld friends at the seminary campus in Port-au-Prince, with 2000 or so neighbors camped out on the grounds, report today that helicopters are passing overhead. We are hoping that means that supplies will soon be available.
Our CrossWorld friends at the seminary campus in Port-au-Prince, with 2000 or so neighbors camped out on the grounds, report today that helicopters are passing overhead. We are hoping that means that supplies will soon be available.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Late posting of December newsletter
The low rumble of an early morning snowplow clearing the roadway reminds my foggy brain that we have left the 90° December temperatures of the tropics and entered the cold, white winter world of Virginia. As I pull the blanket closer, I thank the Lord for this opportunity He has given us to spend Christmas with Bob’s parents.
Returning to the states for Christmas was not part of the original plan. However, Bob’s dad had a serious accident October 12 in which the fuel truck he was driving rolled over several times. The first responders to the accident were sure that he could not possibly have survived; yet, God miraculously protected him. After two days in the hospital, he left with a few scrapes and stitches, wearing a neck brace and a back brace to support three cracked vertebrae. Now, two months later, Bob’s dad has started driving the truck once again. And for the two weeks that we are here in Virginia, Bob is helping his dad and brother-in-law stay caught up with the home-heating fuel oil deliveries.
This is also a time to pray and plan for the ministry challenges facing us in the New Year. Please join us in praying for the following challenges:
1) Strengthening the marriages within the Central church family
Juan and Lila are an extremely talented couple. As we walk through their home, the beautiful paintings on the wall are all signed by Juan. In the sewing room of their home business, Lali’s amazing designer clothing creations hang on a rod. But the stress in their home is palpable as we sit down to chat. This is the second marriage for both of them. To avoid constant conflict, Juan is withdrawing. Lali is exasperated and ready to give up. They have asked for help.
Working alongside a Dominican couple, Bob and I have served in the Central couple’s ministry now for two years. Lately, each time there is a couple in crisis, the church leadership asks us to help. They feel inadequate to the task. Guess what? So do we! However, we’ve discovered that just talking with a couple—sharing our own struggles and the things we have learned—can help a younger couple regain perspective and the will to keep on loving.
Pray for us as we facilitate a 5-week, small group experience for couples this year. We’re hoping to provide an environment that encourages sharing and growth, and at the same time begin to identify couples who can be trained as marriage mentors. In addition, we’ll be focusing on “fireproofing” our marriages in the monthly couple’s meetings—now attended by 40 couples.
2) Training men and women to study, teach, and preach God’s Word with integrity and practicality
Daniel steps up to the pulpit and warms us with his wide smile. His rich words focus our minds on worshiping the Lord. This is Daniel’s Sunday to lead the praise team. He has a double workload since Central started a second service to accommodate new growth. This expansion has fueled the desire of the elders to develop more leaders. Daniel is one of six men who are studying preaching methods with Bob on Sunday mornings. On Saturday afternoons, a larger group of 12 studies the biblical qualifications of a leader. Pray that these men grow in their desire and ability to be servant leaders.
Each major ministry at Central has a Christmas banquet specializing in great food and words of encouragement. During the women’s ministry banquet, we ran out of plates and silverware due to more than 100 women attending. As part of the women’s leadership team, I (Judy) watched as two of our team led a recent meeting—one younger and vibrant, the other graced with a kindly and mature wisdom. Their teaching gifts are evident, but they lack confidence in developing their own Bible studies. Please pray with me as I work with them and others this coming year.
We had quite a few Christmas celebrations before we left for Virginia. In the Los Girasoles church, we joyfully sang carols in three languages in a joint Dominican-Haitian celebration—a rarity for these two so-different cultures. The singing group Pecha—comprised of nine Haitian young men studying at the university in Santiago—harmonized in an acapella praise song. Within this group are the core leaders of the Sunday evening Haitian congregation, which has recently doubled in size to 50-60. Pray for their spiritual growth as Bob continues to train these men.
3) Learning how best to help the LaYaguita church impact their community for Christ
This small church, led by Pastor Ramón, continues to minister daily through their child development center to more than 70 children. Most of the children come from difficult family situations. Some of you have said you want to bring a team in 2010 to minister in this poor neighborhood. As you work with us, we’d like to help the church clearly define their mission and recognize the resources they have at hand. Pray for us as we work with Pastor Ramón and his leadership team to plan healthy ways that US churches and the LaYaguita church can minister together.
We’re actually looking forward to these challenges, and whatever else the Lord brings our way in 2010, realizing that our adequacy comes from Him. Edward Everett Hale once said, I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the Grace of God, I shall do. So pray that we will do what we ought to do by God’s grace.
As you encounter your own challenges in the New Year, we pray for wisdom and strength for you. We return to the Dominican Republic on January 1, Lord willing. And for the first time, my (Judy’s) mom will be flying from Dallas to meet us in Miami and travel with us to Santiago. Please pray for good health for her during her stay. We live on the 4th floor—no elevator!
Returning to the states for Christmas was not part of the original plan. However, Bob’s dad had a serious accident October 12 in which the fuel truck he was driving rolled over several times. The first responders to the accident were sure that he could not possibly have survived; yet, God miraculously protected him. After two days in the hospital, he left with a few scrapes and stitches, wearing a neck brace and a back brace to support three cracked vertebrae. Now, two months later, Bob’s dad has started driving the truck once again. And for the two weeks that we are here in Virginia, Bob is helping his dad and brother-in-law stay caught up with the home-heating fuel oil deliveries.
This is also a time to pray and plan for the ministry challenges facing us in the New Year. Please join us in praying for the following challenges:
1) Strengthening the marriages within the Central church family
Juan and Lila are an extremely talented couple. As we walk through their home, the beautiful paintings on the wall are all signed by Juan. In the sewing room of their home business, Lali’s amazing designer clothing creations hang on a rod. But the stress in their home is palpable as we sit down to chat. This is the second marriage for both of them. To avoid constant conflict, Juan is withdrawing. Lali is exasperated and ready to give up. They have asked for help.
Working alongside a Dominican couple, Bob and I have served in the Central couple’s ministry now for two years. Lately, each time there is a couple in crisis, the church leadership asks us to help. They feel inadequate to the task. Guess what? So do we! However, we’ve discovered that just talking with a couple—sharing our own struggles and the things we have learned—can help a younger couple regain perspective and the will to keep on loving.
Pray for us as we facilitate a 5-week, small group experience for couples this year. We’re hoping to provide an environment that encourages sharing and growth, and at the same time begin to identify couples who can be trained as marriage mentors. In addition, we’ll be focusing on “fireproofing” our marriages in the monthly couple’s meetings—now attended by 40 couples.
2) Training men and women to study, teach, and preach God’s Word with integrity and practicality
Daniel steps up to the pulpit and warms us with his wide smile. His rich words focus our minds on worshiping the Lord. This is Daniel’s Sunday to lead the praise team. He has a double workload since Central started a second service to accommodate new growth. This expansion has fueled the desire of the elders to develop more leaders. Daniel is one of six men who are studying preaching methods with Bob on Sunday mornings. On Saturday afternoons, a larger group of 12 studies the biblical qualifications of a leader. Pray that these men grow in their desire and ability to be servant leaders.
Each major ministry at Central has a Christmas banquet specializing in great food and words of encouragement. During the women’s ministry banquet, we ran out of plates and silverware due to more than 100 women attending. As part of the women’s leadership team, I (Judy) watched as two of our team led a recent meeting—one younger and vibrant, the other graced with a kindly and mature wisdom. Their teaching gifts are evident, but they lack confidence in developing their own Bible studies. Please pray with me as I work with them and others this coming year.
We had quite a few Christmas celebrations before we left for Virginia. In the Los Girasoles church, we joyfully sang carols in three languages in a joint Dominican-Haitian celebration—a rarity for these two so-different cultures. The singing group Pecha—comprised of nine Haitian young men studying at the university in Santiago—harmonized in an acapella praise song. Within this group are the core leaders of the Sunday evening Haitian congregation, which has recently doubled in size to 50-60. Pray for their spiritual growth as Bob continues to train these men.
3) Learning how best to help the LaYaguita church impact their community for Christ
This small church, led by Pastor Ramón, continues to minister daily through their child development center to more than 70 children. Most of the children come from difficult family situations. Some of you have said you want to bring a team in 2010 to minister in this poor neighborhood. As you work with us, we’d like to help the church clearly define their mission and recognize the resources they have at hand. Pray for us as we work with Pastor Ramón and his leadership team to plan healthy ways that US churches and the LaYaguita church can minister together.
We’re actually looking forward to these challenges, and whatever else the Lord brings our way in 2010, realizing that our adequacy comes from Him. Edward Everett Hale once said, I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the Grace of God, I shall do. So pray that we will do what we ought to do by God’s grace.
As you encounter your own challenges in the New Year, we pray for wisdom and strength for you. We return to the Dominican Republic on January 1, Lord willing. And for the first time, my (Judy’s) mom will be flying from Dallas to meet us in Miami and travel with us to Santiago. Please pray for good health for her during her stay. We live on the 4th floor—no elevator!
Update on Haiti
Waiting for news is difficult. We have no news of our friend, Vilardeau Vilfranc, or his girlfriend, Erline. Erline and I (Judy) were meeting weekly for Bible study before she left for Haiti for the Christmas break. One of our Haitian friends here, Rubens Vieux, is waiting for news of his sister. Slowly, some of the Haitian university students here in Santiago are able to make contact with their families by cell phone. Some are rejoicing that their families were spared. Others are mourning the death of loved ones. Two of our friends have gone into Haiti to be with their families.
Please pray for us as we reach out to comfort those around us. This Sunday night Bob will be preaching at the Haitian church service at Los Girasoles. It will be a very emotional time.
Continue to pray for CrossWorld personnel in Haiti. All are safe, but in difficult situations. The STEP seminary campus is now “home” to about 2000 people, sleeping on the ground, from the nearby neighborhood. Water and food are in low supply. You can see updates on CrossWorld’s website at www.crossworld.org.
Please pray for us as we reach out to comfort those around us. This Sunday night Bob will be preaching at the Haitian church service at Los Girasoles. It will be a very emotional time.
Continue to pray for CrossWorld personnel in Haiti. All are safe, but in difficult situations. The STEP seminary campus is now “home” to about 2000 people, sleeping on the ground, from the nearby neighborhood. Water and food are in low supply. You can see updates on CrossWorld’s website at www.crossworld.org.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Earthquake
You may have heard about the strong earthquake that just hit Haiti. The quake registered 7 on the Richter scale. That quake lasted up to 90 seconds depending on location. The quake measured 6.1 tops in the DR near the border with Haiti.
Here in Santiago, we felt a tremor for about 20 seconds. After spending the day visiting Puerto Plata, we arrived home about 4 PM. About 5:30 (we are 1 hour ahead of the US Eastern Time zone), we felt our fourth-floor apartment swaying. We have felt tremors before--but since this one didn't stop, both Judy and I went and stood under the main support beam of our apt. Then we called Judy's mom, who was still in her bedroom, to come out and stand with us (uh, we didn't give her an earthquake drill when she came!) I then began to move the dining room table under the beam. We remembered that in a major quake, it's best to get under a solid object like a table. But before I had finished moving the table, the tremor stopped.
Our Crossworld personnel are fine here in the DR; we have temporarily lost cell phone coverage, but we still have landlines.
However, we have no word on CW personnel in Haiti. We understand that the airport is closed and that all communication is cut off around Port-au-Prince. Only satellite internet and ham radio operators who have generators are getting out. Public power is down--except for the occasional generator, the city has been plunged into darkness right now. With a low front from Miami, it is cloudy, rainy, and in the tropics, when we have those conditions, it gets very very very dark. We also hear that in some areas, every other building has collapsed or been severely damaged. With the combination of darkness and rain on people who don't have shelter, we are concerned for those living in Port-au-Prince which is close to the epicenter of the quake.
Please pray for Haiti, for CrossWorld missionaries there, and for a young man named Vilardeau that we had the opportunity to disciple while he was studying here in Santiago. He now works in Port-au-Prince.
By the way, even though she is now 80 years old, this is the first time Momma has ever experienced an earthquake. We are grateful that for us, it wasn't worse.
Here in Santiago, we felt a tremor for about 20 seconds. After spending the day visiting Puerto Plata, we arrived home about 4 PM. About 5:30 (we are 1 hour ahead of the US Eastern Time zone), we felt our fourth-floor apartment swaying. We have felt tremors before--but since this one didn't stop, both Judy and I went and stood under the main support beam of our apt. Then we called Judy's mom, who was still in her bedroom, to come out and stand with us (uh, we didn't give her an earthquake drill when she came!) I then began to move the dining room table under the beam. We remembered that in a major quake, it's best to get under a solid object like a table. But before I had finished moving the table, the tremor stopped.
Our Crossworld personnel are fine here in the DR; we have temporarily lost cell phone coverage, but we still have landlines.
However, we have no word on CW personnel in Haiti. We understand that the airport is closed and that all communication is cut off around Port-au-Prince. Only satellite internet and ham radio operators who have generators are getting out. Public power is down--except for the occasional generator, the city has been plunged into darkness right now. With a low front from Miami, it is cloudy, rainy, and in the tropics, when we have those conditions, it gets very very very dark. We also hear that in some areas, every other building has collapsed or been severely damaged. With the combination of darkness and rain on people who don't have shelter, we are concerned for those living in Port-au-Prince which is close to the epicenter of the quake.
Please pray for Haiti, for CrossWorld missionaries there, and for a young man named Vilardeau that we had the opportunity to disciple while he was studying here in Santiago. He now works in Port-au-Prince.
By the way, even though she is now 80 years old, this is the first time Momma has ever experienced an earthquake. We are grateful that for us, it wasn't worse.
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