After waiting from 8 am until 2 pm, Richard and Obias were disappointed when Obias was quickly denied the visa to go to the US for to train and minister with AIS International this summer. We're not sure if it's worth applying again this year. Getting visas for Haitians to go to the US is very difficult at this time.
This was particularly disappointing because all of Obias' expenses, from his plane ticket to his room and board for the summer had been provided by AIS and one of our supporting churches.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
More pictures from the Leadership Retreat
Saturday, March 28, 2009
We're here at the retreat and there's internet!
We are here at the Leadership Retreat and we were surprised to find that they have wireless internet, so........I might as well post some pictures.
This morning we played a little soccer but now we are having an intense discussion about what motivates us as Christians and also what is salvation. We found out that one of the board members of YABT, our business training branch, is a seeker and has not yet trusted in Christ, so we are having a good discussion with him at the moment. He says he feels he is close to accepting Christ. You never know when God will give you the opportunity!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Amazing story of how God is working
This is an update on the ministry of our Crossworld Co-workers, Bruce and Cindy McMartin who led a dental team to Northwest Haiti last week:
"What's hurting you?" "Open your mouth wide." "You'll feel pressure, but let me know when you feel pain." These were phrases repeated hundreds of times during this past week with the dental teams.
Hello Everyone! Yes, we're still alive..exhausted, but thankful for a good week. Thanks for praying for us.
In 4 ½ days, my team alone saw 202 patients, did 85 fillings, 223 extractions, and made 17 people very happy with a gap now filled with a false tooth. The 2 dentists with me were so good in overseeing the students as they did all the work - coaching, instructing, and encouraging. It was a great experience for these students.
Two of the students with me were Iranians. They shared with me how much this trip had impacted their lives and they seem very open. One of the leaders developed a good relationship with them and he'll be following up with them. The Mormon students always ask a lot of questions. They give 2 years to do a stint somewhere, but they want to know why we would give our whole lives. Seeds have been planted and we pray that God will send others into these lives to continue the process.
The best news is that right now (from my team alone) 41 more Haitians will be in heaven! And hopefully that number will increase as a result of this past week's impact. Where before the people in the new area that Pastor Johny is trying to begin a ministry in were very closed, they are now open and even seeking him out. Seven individuals asked to be involved in a Bible study.
The team that Bruce was with also had a great week. Praise God with us for safety in travel and for good health for everyone. Bruce was with Pastor Zenas in northeast Haiti. A year ago Bruce and one of our Haitian workers, Robert, installed some solar panels for Zenas to provide electricity for a cyber café, their church and their home. The first night the team was there, 6 men came, 3 armed with automatic weapons, to steal the panels. When installing the panels, Bruce and Robert had taken measures to hopefully keep the panels from being stolen - the 5 panels all connected together in a steel frame bolted into the cement roof, etc., etc. But the thieves persisted and stole the panels. Bruce and Zenas were devastated (each panel cost US$900). After church the next day, Bruce prayed with Zenas and a few church leaders asking God to demonstrate his power and allow the panels to be retrieved for His glory and so all would know He is God and that this was His ministry and His panels. Bruce said he prayed stronger than he was feeling inside - solar panels are never recovered after being stolen. The community was in an uproar and many fanned out searching in the surrounding ravines, but it was a young boy who found them in a ravine closer to the church. The thieves hadn't expected it to take them so long - almost 2 hrs - to get the frame off, and didn't expect them to be so heavy - all 5 together in a frame and awkward to handle. So, they hadn't gotten far with them and hid them to come back later for them. There was a procession of 300+ believers and non-believers that marched through town with the recovered panels. Quite a testimony to the whole surrounding area. All are saying it's a miracle because being right close to the Dominican boarder, items stolen quickly disappear. God is powerful, He is sovereign, He answers prayer (even when our faith is weak), and He accomplishes his plan for his glory.
"What's hurting you?" "Open your mouth wide." "You'll feel pressure, but let me know when you feel pain." These were phrases repeated hundreds of times during this past week with the dental teams.
Hello Everyone! Yes, we're still alive..exhausted, but thankful for a good week. Thanks for praying for us.
In 4 ½ days, my team alone saw 202 patients, did 85 fillings, 223 extractions, and made 17 people very happy with a gap now filled with a false tooth. The 2 dentists with me were so good in overseeing the students as they did all the work - coaching, instructing, and encouraging. It was a great experience for these students.
Two of the students with me were Iranians. They shared with me how much this trip had impacted their lives and they seem very open. One of the leaders developed a good relationship with them and he'll be following up with them. The Mormon students always ask a lot of questions. They give 2 years to do a stint somewhere, but they want to know why we would give our whole lives. Seeds have been planted and we pray that God will send others into these lives to continue the process.
The best news is that right now (from my team alone) 41 more Haitians will be in heaven! And hopefully that number will increase as a result of this past week's impact. Where before the people in the new area that Pastor Johny is trying to begin a ministry in were very closed, they are now open and even seeking him out. Seven individuals asked to be involved in a Bible study.
The team that Bruce was with also had a great week. Praise God with us for safety in travel and for good health for everyone. Bruce was with Pastor Zenas in northeast Haiti. A year ago Bruce and one of our Haitian workers, Robert, installed some solar panels for Zenas to provide electricity for a cyber café, their church and their home. The first night the team was there, 6 men came, 3 armed with automatic weapons, to steal the panels. When installing the panels, Bruce and Robert had taken measures to hopefully keep the panels from being stolen - the 5 panels all connected together in a steel frame bolted into the cement roof, etc., etc. But the thieves persisted and stole the panels. Bruce and Zenas were devastated (each panel cost US$900). After church the next day, Bruce prayed with Zenas and a few church leaders asking God to demonstrate his power and allow the panels to be retrieved for His glory and so all would know He is God and that this was His ministry and His panels. Bruce said he prayed stronger than he was feeling inside - solar panels are never recovered after being stolen. The community was in an uproar and many fanned out searching in the surrounding ravines, but it was a young boy who found them in a ravine closer to the church. The thieves hadn't expected it to take them so long - almost 2 hrs - to get the frame off, and didn't expect them to be so heavy - all 5 together in a frame and awkward to handle. So, they hadn't gotten far with them and hid them to come back later for them. There was a procession of 300+ believers and non-believers that marched through town with the recovered panels. Quite a testimony to the whole surrounding area. All are saying it's a miracle because being right close to the Dominican boarder, items stolen quickly disappear. God is powerful, He is sovereign, He answers prayer (even when our faith is weak), and He accomplishes his plan for his glory.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Leadership Retreat
This weekend we are having a leadership retreat for AIS-Haiti leaders. This is very important since we will be on Home Ministry this summer. Please pray for the local leaders to be prepared for this summer and for their growth as leaders in general.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
AIS Haiti Regional Committees Submit their Annual Plans
While at the second annual TREC training in December, we worked with the delegates to set up Regional Committees in each of the regions that we work in. So far we have set up 9 Regional Committees and each of them has submitted a budget for the activities they are planning for 2009.
Of course in some cases the budgets were a bit exagerated, but in general they were well done and we are working with them to help them pare down and also brainstorm on how they can raise funds locally.
The best part of this exercise is that the Regional Committees learn how to work and come to a concensus on their own. Then when we send back the revised budgets, they will have to work together to see if they agree or want to present another plan.
Sometimes as you are training leaders, you have to let them fail. Most of us learn more from our failures than from our successes. The important thing is that Haitian nationals are working together, seeking God's guidance, as they plan how to reach their country with the good news of Christ through soccer ministry.
This weekend coming up Carol and I are taking 10 of our key leaders away for an overnight retreat. We want to encourage them and help them prepare for a summer of ministry without us since we will be in the US this summer.
Of course in some cases the budgets were a bit exagerated, but in general they were well done and we are working with them to help them pare down and also brainstorm on how they can raise funds locally.
The best part of this exercise is that the Regional Committees learn how to work and come to a concensus on their own. Then when we send back the revised budgets, they will have to work together to see if they agree or want to present another plan.
Sometimes as you are training leaders, you have to let them fail. Most of us learn more from our failures than from our successes. The important thing is that Haitian nationals are working together, seeking God's guidance, as they plan how to reach their country with the good news of Christ through soccer ministry.
This weekend coming up Carol and I are taking 10 of our key leaders away for an overnight retreat. We want to encourage them and help them prepare for a summer of ministry without us since we will be in the US this summer.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Prayer request for young couple
Please pray for a young couple who are having difficulties. We are planning to meet with them on Sunday. Pray for wisdom, that the HS will direct us and use us in their lives according to God's will-- and for hope and change for them.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Ecdes' Baptism
Our helper at the house, Ecdes, got baptised this summer. Unfortunately, we were not able to be there. I just found this picture on our computer and I thought it would be nice to share it with you.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Good meeting in Leogane
Yesterday Richard went to Leogane to meet with the newly formed regional committee. They had done a great job of putting together a proposal for a tournament and they worked on revising the budget so that the tournament could be done with a minimum of funds. Then they were given a challenge to raise 50% of the funds locally and they accepted the challenge.
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