Outreach in Leogane

When we are weak, He is strong!



Last weekend (May 2-3, 2009) I came down with a stomach thing - Haitian Happiness, cramps, the whole nine yards. My stomach hurt, my back hurt, my knee hurt - I thought I was falling apart. So I was about to cancel an evangelistic film showing we had scheduled in Leogane, a town just outside of Port-au-Prince.

I really didn't want to cancel the film showing since we had had to cancel once before, so I tried to figure out a way to make it happen without me. I called up two of my key leaders: Ronald William, the soccer coach of a large Christian school in PAP, and Jean Paul Noel, a seminary student.

I sent them out with the video projector and a DVD player and prayed that they would arrive safely and that the equipment would work.

Then it started to rain while they were on the way, and not just a little rain. It flooded the streets of Leogane, and right in front of the church where the film was going to be shown a river appeared!

The rain kept the numbers down to about 50, but the Holy Spirit did it's work and convicted three people of their need for Salvation through Christ.

I just talked to the Pastor of the church and he said these three have been coming to church and they are following up with them.

So even in my weakness, God used me to share his love with others!

Well-travelled computers

In 2006 just before we left, Bucks County Community College in Newtown, PA gave us 5 Pentium 3 desktop computers. Thank you BCCC!

We put these computers on the Box truck we were shipping to Haiti and they arrived in Port-au-Prince in January of 2007.

Since then they have been used to teach typing to about 20 girls in an orphanage and just the other day we gave them to College Evangelique Maranatha (CEM) for their computer lab. CEM is one of the best primary and secondary schools in Haiti with over 90% of their students passing the national exams every year.

CEM has over 400 students, so the computers will get lots of use and benefit lots of students.

We were limited in the number of schools that could use desk top computers because they use a lot of electricity. In addition they are very heavy and expensive to ship.

Now we are looking for laptop computers since they are lighter and don't use as much electricity. Please let us know if you know of any places that might want to donate used laptops to Haiti!

Senatorial Elections in Haiti

Tomorrow (Sunday, April 19th) are the senatorial elections in Haiti. There is the possibility of some violence because one of the political parties has been banned from participating.

In order to reduce the possibility of violence, the UN and Haitian police have said that no cars, trucks or motorcyles are allowed on the road tomorrow at all.

This will not disrupt the elections since all the polling places are done by neighborhood and people can walk to where they need to vote.

Please pray for Haiti during this crucial time in their political history!

pray for Lt. Berretti

Well, I went back to the Navy Base on Monday since we didn't have school and Dr. Berretti adjusted me again. I feel great. BUT, please pray for Dr. Berretti, he caught a bad cough and was feeling terrible, but working anyway.

Answer to prayer about my back

While I was interpreting at the naval base for the Comfort Ship doctors (see older post), there was a lull in the flow of paitents and the doctor I worked with asked “What about you? Do you have anything that needs medical attention?” I mentioned my back and he turned to a doctor next to us, Lieutenant Barretti. I couldn't believe there was an Osteopathic Dr. who knows how to do adjustments right next to us! He adjusted my back right then and I felt much better! This was amazing because not all osteopaths do adjustments. I had been praying for God to provide some way for me to get help since I’m almost positive there are no chiropractors in Haiti. And God put me in that room with that doctor! In fact, I just realized, I wasn’t planning to go on this trip until after I prayed for help for my back and the teacher in charge of the trip happened to sit next to me at lunch and asked me if I could fill in on any of the days during Easter weekend because they didn’t have enough people. What’s really neat is that Pam had no idea what God had planned. I think Pam felt like I feel sometimes when I have to ask people to take on another task when they already have so much going AND it’s a holiday, or something else—ugh! But really she was being used by God to schedule me for a surprise! We can’t forget that in such mundane things like getting people to sign up to go on community service projects, we are doing angel-type work! What a privilege.
And I'm so thankful for Dr. Barretti!

Interpreting on the USNS Comfort Navy ship

I had such a great time interpreting for the doctors of the Comfort Ship. So much, that I’m hoping to go back Monday! And the students had the same reaction—of the 8 students we brought, two were already signed up for the next day and four others asked if they could join in for another day! So today we provided 15 interpreters even though our school only got two days off for Easter.

When I got to school at about 6:15 am all the students had already arrived and the bus from the U.N. was there already. It was air-conditioned and comfortable.

Police escort was really cool! Two officers on motorcycle went in front of us and cleared the way so we didn't get stuck in any traffic and there was a police vehicle behind us with 4 officers, flashing lights and siren! The one I talked to was very nice too. At first we were taken to another site where consultations are going on in Cite Soleil by mistake, but then we were taken over to the Admiral Killick Naval Base.

We were all a little disappointed because we ended up working on the base and never getting on the ship. The military personnel were so nice with us and several of them really wanted to take us on a tour at least, but we could see it was difficult for them to make that happen on the first day. (The ship is out in the harbor; we could see it, but you have to take a small boat ride to get to it.) Apparently interpreters will be needed on the ship starting Monday when they start to do surgery. We assured the officers that we were there to help in any way they needed us to. If we had talked them into a tour, they would not have had enough interpreters. As it was, sometimes doctors had to “share” interpreters. For today, we worked in 2 rooms right next to each other and we able to help each other out if someone didn't understand something. We worked with pediatricians, ophthalmologists, dermatologists and other specialists. It was hot in there.

I worked with an emergency room doctor who introduced himself as Andy. We were expecting formality, salutes and everything, but the military medical personnel were all really nice and informal and humble. It's such a small world, he actually knows Richard's cousin Matt Pommer who is a dentist in the Navy because they are both in Virginia Beach. The doctors were anxious to treat as patients as possible and they were very respectful of cultural differences. They were open to explaining things to us if we were interested, which was an excellent opportunity for our students.

My first surprise was that our first patient was deaf! I hadn’t mentioned to anyone that I know sign language, so everybody was flabbergasted when he and I started signing to each other. That was fun. Actually I didn’t understand the young man that well. He seemed to have developmental problems too. And, even though Andy ran to get a specialist who came and examined him too, there was nothing the comfort ship crew could do for him. He looked so sad. But other cases were much more positive. Some were sent right to the surgeons for consultation and are most likely receiving operations this week. Many received diagnoses, medication and vitamins.

Hopefully I'll get to go back on Monday and I'll update you about that.
Carol

Good Friday in Haiti

The contrast couldn't be more stark: The terrible racket of home-made horns and drums of "RARA" bands versus the beautiful sining of Haitian's singing God's praises with thankful hearts for the Salvation Christ earned for them on "Good Friday" 2,000 years ago.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I listened to the song "Via Dolorosa" this morning while in the background RARA bands were playing. There are still so many here who embrace Voodoo and are celebrating today because it is the day Christ died. It is one of the biggest Voodoo holidays of the year - Satan's suppossed day of victory.

But they forget the rest of the story - that three days later, Christ rose from the dead and won eternal victory over death and Satan. They forget that Christ will return a second time as King and not as a suffering servant.

Good Friday is why we are here in Haiti, and our strength comes not from us, but from Christ's Resurrection.

So we wish all of you a blessed Resurrection day and ask you to continue to pray for our work in Haiti!

America at its best - Hospital ship arrives in Haiti

Carol and a group of students and parents from Quisqueya Christian School are helping to translate for doctors and nurses on the USNS Comfort, the Navy's "floating hospital" that visits countries in need of medical help in peacetime and support Navy operations in war.

In my opinion, this is America at its best! Using the vast resources God has given us as a country to help others, as Navy personnel and US and Haitian volunteers work hand in hand.

The ship is a technological wonder with 12 operating rooms and 1,000 beds.

Carol hopes to post some pictures later today!

Interpreting on the USNS Comfort Navy ship tomorrow

I'm excited to spend Good Friday this year helping out with translating for doctors on board the Navy ship USNS Comfort. The ship is huge! About 2 football fields long, 100 yards wide and 6 stories high. It will be here for about 2 weeks providing medical care and humanitarian assistance in general for some of the poorest of Haiti.


Joy wants to help out so badly too, but it's bad timing for her so it might not work out.


Check out this youtube video about the ship
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRmKfbHQ5a0&feature=channel_page

Great Trip to Gonaives and Verettes

We just got back safely from our trip. Daniel Jean-Louis, Ronald William and Jackie Klamer (who helped us with the Jen@biz business training seminar last October) went on a long roadtrip to visit with some business leaders in Gonaives who are trying to hold a conference to encourage more people to start businesses in Gonaives after they suffered their second flood in 3 years last November.

I also visited with the Ambassadors in Sport regional committee that lost all the soccer equipment we had given them in 2007 in the flood.

I was very impressed with the 9-member committee in Gonaives and their enthusiasm for the work. On Tuesday morning at 6 AM I did a soccer training with them on a dusty field and also got to share Gospel with them and another team that we invited to train with us.

During a team meeting I told them my personal testimony of how my Father died when I was only 11 years old and also did a Bible study with them on how to live at peace with others.

Our next stop was Verettes where we did a training on Tuesday afternoon for the U-14 team we have their (That made 2 soccer coaching sessions in one day for me!). Then in the evening we had a meeting with 5 members of the Regional Committee in Verettes.

Out of the seven teams that we trained and gave equipment to, only five have participated in planning events in the past year, so we are going to try and encourage the other two teams to be more active.

Then this morning (Wednesday, April 8th) we did another soccer trianing with the boys and girls teams and then did a Bible study with them on peacemaking.

The girls team in Verettes were particularly thrilled to be able to play with Jackie Klammer since they don't often get to see women soccer players as role models.

Thanks to all who prayed for our safety!

One person's sins affect us all

Somehow we think that when we sin, it only hurts us, but this is not true. The Bible says that what we do in secret will one day be exposed for all the world to see. God punished all the people of Israel when Achan disobeyed God's instructions. (Joshua 7)

It always made me mad in grade school when one kid would do something wrong, and the whole class would be punished for it.

Well, so many Haitian young men have defected to the US after getting Visas that the US government has virtually stoped giving Visas to young Haitian men. Because a few have sinned, 94% of Haitian young men are now having their Visa requests rejected.

Therefore, we have decided not to try and re-apply for a Visa for Obias to go the the US this summer. We will continue to pray about it and perhaps apply next summer.

In the meantime, Obias will be active in ministry with us this summer, so the US's loss is our gain!

Frustrating news

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.

More pictures from the Leadership Retreat

Here's the whole gang: Sylvain, Jimmy, Guerrier, Tamara, Jean-Paul, Rich, Kerlande, Ronald, Elysee and Daniel. (and I'm taking the picture!)

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.