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.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
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.
Friday, December 25, 2009
A Special Merry Christmas
He naps on the easy chair, mouth wide open as the chair is fully extended. While we have just exchanged gifts, ate breakfast with mom, my sister, her husband, and my nephew, still this Christmas with my dad is perhaps the most special.
Monday October 12, an oncoming car got too close to Dad on a very narrow part of Jericho Rd in Virginia. When Dad moved over to miss the car, his right front wheel hit soft pavement and then dropped into a deep ditch. The resulting swerve turned the home heating oil truck completely around, rolling over NASCAR-style onto a soybean field coming to a stop about 100 feet off the road.
With the driver's side laying on the ground, Dad was suspended almost upside down for about an hour. What is more incredible is that dad was partially thrown out of the truck on the last roll and the cab actually RESTED ON THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD, his feet suspended up in the cab. Yet between the soft ground and the ladder on the truck tank's driver side, dad suffered no skull or head damage.
First responders to his accident told him that they thought that he had been killed. Rescue teams had to cut the truck with metal jaws and saws to get him out. He was airlifted to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.
Result? One small crack in one neck and back vertebrae. A neck and back brace for six weeks. A few scratches on the head requiring 6 stitches. Two nights in the hospital. Later the doctors discovered a crack in his lower back that is healing on its own. And that's it. 77 years old--wait, he turned 78 November 21, and that's the extent of his injuries. He has a little tingling in his fingers, and walks bent-over a little, favoring his neck, but otherwise he is well. Judy is working with him to exercize his neck.
We are indeed grateful for God's protection of Dad during this ordeal. Dad said that he knew the LORD was with him. He said that God really made his presence known to Him and he is indeed grateful for God's protection. With no airbag, and with the seatbeat having been unloosed during the roll, I feel that God's hand kept dad in place, protecting him and especially his head. He remained conscious throughout the accident and rescue, and even explained to the police how he wound up in the field. And despite Judy's concerns (Judy is a nurse and worked at Parkland Hospital in Dallas years ago), he turned out to be a very nice hospital patient--the nurses really enjoyed him. Judy had told dad that he had better be on his best behavior with them--and he obeyed Judy!
Dad is now AT home, and as a result, we didn't have to GO home to care for him, although we are now here for a Christmas visit. We return to the DR January 1. In fact, Judy's mom will brave airport security and flying at 80 years of age and visit us in the DR from January 1 to 19!! So this Christmas, we will be able to spend time with BOTH sets of parents!!
The truck was totaled yet God interviened there too--the truck lost no fuel so there was no fuel spill (and no further mess to deal with!).
The miracle continues--Dad was able to return to work December 17. None of us wanted dad to end his truck driving career with an accident, so he drove and I rode with him, doing the heavy work of dragging the hose and filling up the home heating oil tanks. While he is still not able to lift anything, still helping him return to work was a thrill for us. He did fine and showed no ill effects from the accident. Oddly enough, our first delivery took us up Jericho Road, right by the accident site.
I told dad, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Monday October 12, an oncoming car got too close to Dad on a very narrow part of Jericho Rd in Virginia. When Dad moved over to miss the car, his right front wheel hit soft pavement and then dropped into a deep ditch. The resulting swerve turned the home heating oil truck completely around, rolling over NASCAR-style onto a soybean field coming to a stop about 100 feet off the road.
With the driver's side laying on the ground, Dad was suspended almost upside down for about an hour. What is more incredible is that dad was partially thrown out of the truck on the last roll and the cab actually RESTED ON THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD, his feet suspended up in the cab. Yet between the soft ground and the ladder on the truck tank's driver side, dad suffered no skull or head damage.
First responders to his accident told him that they thought that he had been killed. Rescue teams had to cut the truck with metal jaws and saws to get him out. He was airlifted to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.
Result? One small crack in one neck and back vertebrae. A neck and back brace for six weeks. A few scratches on the head requiring 6 stitches. Two nights in the hospital. Later the doctors discovered a crack in his lower back that is healing on its own. And that's it. 77 years old--wait, he turned 78 November 21, and that's the extent of his injuries. He has a little tingling in his fingers, and walks bent-over a little, favoring his neck, but otherwise he is well. Judy is working with him to exercize his neck.
We are indeed grateful for God's protection of Dad during this ordeal. Dad said that he knew the LORD was with him. He said that God really made his presence known to Him and he is indeed grateful for God's protection. With no airbag, and with the seatbeat having been unloosed during the roll, I feel that God's hand kept dad in place, protecting him and especially his head. He remained conscious throughout the accident and rescue, and even explained to the police how he wound up in the field. And despite Judy's concerns (Judy is a nurse and worked at Parkland Hospital in Dallas years ago), he turned out to be a very nice hospital patient--the nurses really enjoyed him. Judy had told dad that he had better be on his best behavior with them--and he obeyed Judy!
Dad is now AT home, and as a result, we didn't have to GO home to care for him, although we are now here for a Christmas visit. We return to the DR January 1. In fact, Judy's mom will brave airport security and flying at 80 years of age and visit us in the DR from January 1 to 19!! So this Christmas, we will be able to spend time with BOTH sets of parents!!
The truck was totaled yet God interviened there too--the truck lost no fuel so there was no fuel spill (and no further mess to deal with!).
The miracle continues--Dad was able to return to work December 17. None of us wanted dad to end his truck driving career with an accident, so he drove and I rode with him, doing the heavy work of dragging the hose and filling up the home heating oil tanks. While he is still not able to lift anything, still helping him return to work was a thrill for us. He did fine and showed no ill effects from the accident. Oddly enough, our first delivery took us up Jericho Road, right by the accident site.
I told dad, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Thursday, October 29, 2009
September 09 Newsletter
Five years ago we traded our rural Haitian lifestyle for the big city of Santiago, Dominican Republic (DR). Now we have the best of both worlds—discipling Haitian university students, while working with a fast-growing Dominican church at a time when the Dominicans are receptive to the good news of Christ.
After four months of home ministry—14 different states (not counting emotional ones), two summer camps, one Vacation Bible School, countless visits and ministry presentations—we return to the DR October 3, Lord willing. Bob thrives on marathon visiting. I tend to wilt after awhile. However, it’s a paradox. Those same visits that drain my energy have refreshed me, so that I’m eager to return to the DR. What energizes me is seeing you—God’s family—honoring Him, faithfully serving Him, and inviting Him into the difficult messes of life to do His gracious handiwork. These are some of the God-things that we’ve witnessed these past four months:
--Parents who let you move in, fill their closets, upset their routine, and double the mileage on their vehicles.
--Teenagers who actually hang around to talk to graying and wrinkling missionaries when they could be out with their friends.
--A mother’s testimony of her faith in a loving God, as we tearfully watch a video of her youngest daughter who recently died in a tragic accident.
--An entire family using their vacation time to run a Bible camp for junior highers.
--Two women voluntarily working in the camp kitchen for two weeks—cooking three meals a day for 30-100 campers.
--Teenage boys arriving at church before 9 a.m. on their summer vacation to help corral high-energy kids during Vacation Bible School.
--A 10-year-old girl running excitedly to get her journal so she can show me what she wrote that morning about her love for Jesus.
--Three good friends living with cancer (make that four—the list is growing) whose hope is in the Lord, even when it hurts and He’s not telling what’s around the next corner.
--Pastors who teach God’s Word and shepherd his people season after season.
--Emails from young campers asking, What can I do to grow as a Christian?
This list is incomplete. Every conversation where you’ve honestly shared with us what God is doing in your life—every example of practical, Christ-like living—has encouraged and challenged us.
Please pray as we return to a people-intensive discipleship ministry in the DR. Bob looks forward to helping young leaders of two Haitian congregations become solid, Christ-like leaders. We also go back eager to mentor new believers in the Dominican church, and teach others to do so, so that each one can be complete in Christ. Thank you for enabling us to have this privilege. Pray that we, and those with whom we work, will learn to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col 1:10).
After four months of home ministry—14 different states (not counting emotional ones), two summer camps, one Vacation Bible School, countless visits and ministry presentations—we return to the DR October 3, Lord willing. Bob thrives on marathon visiting. I tend to wilt after awhile. However, it’s a paradox. Those same visits that drain my energy have refreshed me, so that I’m eager to return to the DR. What energizes me is seeing you—God’s family—honoring Him, faithfully serving Him, and inviting Him into the difficult messes of life to do His gracious handiwork. These are some of the God-things that we’ve witnessed these past four months:
--Parents who let you move in, fill their closets, upset their routine, and double the mileage on their vehicles.
--Teenagers who actually hang around to talk to graying and wrinkling missionaries when they could be out with their friends.
--A mother’s testimony of her faith in a loving God, as we tearfully watch a video of her youngest daughter who recently died in a tragic accident.
--An entire family using their vacation time to run a Bible camp for junior highers.
--Two women voluntarily working in the camp kitchen for two weeks—cooking three meals a day for 30-100 campers.
--Teenage boys arriving at church before 9 a.m. on their summer vacation to help corral high-energy kids during Vacation Bible School.
--A 10-year-old girl running excitedly to get her journal so she can show me what she wrote that morning about her love for Jesus.
--Three good friends living with cancer (make that four—the list is growing) whose hope is in the Lord, even when it hurts and He’s not telling what’s around the next corner.
--Pastors who teach God’s Word and shepherd his people season after season.
--Emails from young campers asking, What can I do to grow as a Christian?
This list is incomplete. Every conversation where you’ve honestly shared with us what God is doing in your life—every example of practical, Christ-like living—has encouraged and challenged us.
Please pray as we return to a people-intensive discipleship ministry in the DR. Bob looks forward to helping young leaders of two Haitian congregations become solid, Christ-like leaders. We also go back eager to mentor new believers in the Dominican church, and teach others to do so, so that each one can be complete in Christ. Thank you for enabling us to have this privilege. Pray that we, and those with whom we work, will learn to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col 1:10).
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Here Am I, and the Children God Has Given Me...
…even if He does take them away temporarily. Part 3
We left Texas July 20 after living six weeks with Judy’s mom. Saying good-bye to Judy's mom never gets any easier, especially since she's 80. Yet she remains in excellent health and spirits, and her love for the LORD expressed in plain-spoken common sense-wisdom continues to amaze me.
One of the reasons that momma’s faith in Christ is so strong is because she has had to weather a number of storms in her life, especially the death by suicide of her son and Judy’s brother Roy. Momma told me after I married Judy, “The hardest thing in life is to have to bury your child, no matter what age you are.” Years later, I asked her what God did to enable her to cope with Roy’s death. In essence, she said that she felt that God spoke to her some months after Roy died, letting her know that he was ok.
We visited the second North Highlands Bible Church family on July 12. Sarah, their articulate adult daughter introduced herself, then introduced her two daughters. She added, “We also had a third daughter, Audrey, but she is no longer with us.” Two- year old Audrey was killed in an accident, when a repair truck backed over her while leaving the driveway. Sarah had not realized that Audrey had run out the door, and the driver did not realize that she was behind his vehicle. Audrey died some 20 months ago.
When someone shares their grief that openly, you don’t know whether to duck, run for cover, or dive in. Changing the subject looked like a good option especially with someone with whom I had just met. Yet while I will never understand this kind of tragedy or grief, Momma’s perspective on Roy’s death has helped me. So armed with Momma’s wisdom, I dived in.
Dr Ken Quick of the Capital Bible Seminary, Lanham MD once stated 90 percent of all couples who lose a small child to death wind up getting a divorce. Bryan and Sarah have been able to weather this tremendous storm so far and they now look to share publicly with others how to cope with such a tragedy.
As we talked, her mom showed us a DVD of Audrey singing “Jesus Loves Me” with enthusiasm, singing her heart out for our LORD. (Hang on, even now I can’t seem to keep typing, and my throat is getting tight). She sang that song TWO DAYS before she died. Both mom and grandma said that Audrey’s song was preparing her to see Jesus.
The other touching scene that God gave me was of their two daughters, one seven, the other six. Both girls played together like normal girls. I have heard that if the parents do not properly cope with the loss of a child, the children will reflect that with bad behavior. One child responded to his little brother’s death by urinating in the house.
That day NHBC allowed us to get to know some real heroes.
While Bryan and Sarah would not agree with the last statement, still…in giving us permission to share this post, Sarah writes, “There is certainly nothing heroic about the way Bryan and I or our family and friends have handled this loss. The thing I have taken away from it all is that God’s grace is absolutely sufficient to meet all of our needs when they arise, whatever they are, no matter how painful. And, the promise of Heaven has captured my heart like never before and has taken root in my life. It is this hope that now fuels my passion for telling others about Jesus and for living each day with strength in the face of great pain…and we continue to face other pain…God has not spared us of dealing with life’s other struggles, too!
You see, I think many Christians live knowing and believing and standing on only half of the truth: that Jesus was born, lived a perfect life, and died for our sins. While we need to focus on his sacrificial atonement, we will miss God’s big picture perspective if we do not finish the story. Jesus AROSE, and we too will be resurrected when Christ returns to rescue us once and for all. His other promises have been fulfilled, and we can count on this one as well! With the full picture, we can live in real victory, no matter what we face here on earth. We await perfect bodies in a perfect world without sin and death…the physical and spiritual realms as God intended them to be.
Now, that is something to get excited about!”
"O death, where is thy victory, o grave where is thy sting?"
We left Texas July 20 after living six weeks with Judy’s mom. Saying good-bye to Judy's mom never gets any easier, especially since she's 80. Yet she remains in excellent health and spirits, and her love for the LORD expressed in plain-spoken common sense-wisdom continues to amaze me.
One of the reasons that momma’s faith in Christ is so strong is because she has had to weather a number of storms in her life, especially the death by suicide of her son and Judy’s brother Roy. Momma told me after I married Judy, “The hardest thing in life is to have to bury your child, no matter what age you are.” Years later, I asked her what God did to enable her to cope with Roy’s death. In essence, she said that she felt that God spoke to her some months after Roy died, letting her know that he was ok.
We visited the second North Highlands Bible Church family on July 12. Sarah, their articulate adult daughter introduced herself, then introduced her two daughters. She added, “We also had a third daughter, Audrey, but she is no longer with us.” Two- year old Audrey was killed in an accident, when a repair truck backed over her while leaving the driveway. Sarah had not realized that Audrey had run out the door, and the driver did not realize that she was behind his vehicle. Audrey died some 20 months ago.
When someone shares their grief that openly, you don’t know whether to duck, run for cover, or dive in. Changing the subject looked like a good option especially with someone with whom I had just met. Yet while I will never understand this kind of tragedy or grief, Momma’s perspective on Roy’s death has helped me. So armed with Momma’s wisdom, I dived in.
Dr Ken Quick of the Capital Bible Seminary, Lanham MD once stated 90 percent of all couples who lose a small child to death wind up getting a divorce. Bryan and Sarah have been able to weather this tremendous storm so far and they now look to share publicly with others how to cope with such a tragedy.
As we talked, her mom showed us a DVD of Audrey singing “Jesus Loves Me” with enthusiasm, singing her heart out for our LORD. (Hang on, even now I can’t seem to keep typing, and my throat is getting tight). She sang that song TWO DAYS before she died. Both mom and grandma said that Audrey’s song was preparing her to see Jesus.
The other touching scene that God gave me was of their two daughters, one seven, the other six. Both girls played together like normal girls. I have heard that if the parents do not properly cope with the loss of a child, the children will reflect that with bad behavior. One child responded to his little brother’s death by urinating in the house.
That day NHBC allowed us to get to know some real heroes.
While Bryan and Sarah would not agree with the last statement, still…in giving us permission to share this post, Sarah writes, “There is certainly nothing heroic about the way Bryan and I or our family and friends have handled this loss. The thing I have taken away from it all is that God’s grace is absolutely sufficient to meet all of our needs when they arise, whatever they are, no matter how painful. And, the promise of Heaven has captured my heart like never before and has taken root in my life. It is this hope that now fuels my passion for telling others about Jesus and for living each day with strength in the face of great pain…and we continue to face other pain…God has not spared us of dealing with life’s other struggles, too!
You see, I think many Christians live knowing and believing and standing on only half of the truth: that Jesus was born, lived a perfect life, and died for our sins. While we need to focus on his sacrificial atonement, we will miss God’s big picture perspective if we do not finish the story. Jesus AROSE, and we too will be resurrected when Christ returns to rescue us once and for all. His other promises have been fulfilled, and we can count on this one as well! With the full picture, we can live in real victory, no matter what we face here on earth. We await perfect bodies in a perfect world without sin and death…the physical and spiritual realms as God intended them to be.
Now, that is something to get excited about!”
"O death, where is thy victory, o grave where is thy sting?"
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