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The Live Simply Project - Extending Our Partnership in Haiti

Wednesday, April 7th

This morning we drove to Ft. St. Michelle, the location of a school (three schools actually, we went to school #2) which teaches a lot of Cornerstone's Starfish Kids. Some people go to meet their children for the first time, deciding to sponsor a child just yesterday. Others got to see their children they've been sponsoring. Two of the children were sick today - the Raker's included :(

John and I set up some interviews with Jane and Pastor Gary so we have lots of video to share. They've made some great improvements since we were there three years ago. Not only is there a concrete road in front of the property but the school has been improved and the church building has been finished. Pastor Gary can't bring himself to say no to a child who wants to come to school so they have nearly 700 children now, putting three classes in the church next door. But this is one of the schools that the government says needs to be fixed or it will be closed in two months. And this year school goes through June because all schools were closed for a month after the earthquake.

Pastor Gary gave us a tour of the church which worships between 500 - 600 each week. He's got one of the biggest hearts I've seen in Haiti!

We're about to eat lunch and then John and I are headed to the radio station to do some filming with Brett.

It's out last full day and we're wiped out. Tired of bumps. Tired from work. Tired from being woken by roosters who don't know what crowing at sunrise means. But energized by the Haitian people and the OMS Missionaries who have a contagious passion for Jesus and seeing His kingdom built here in this place.

John and I spent an hour filming with Brett at Radio 4VEH. When we got back to the compound we learned that the tiling project was at a standstill for lack of glue, so they're done. Jessica, Chris and Wendy are almost done with the curtains. John, Bob and Dave are still doing some painting. And everyone is exhausted! Except for Taylor who is playing soccer with the Bundy children. O, to be 17 again!

The ministry of 4VEH is truly incredible. There is no greater return for the investment anywhere in Haiti. 1500 people come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior each year through this ministry. People are set free from the prison of voodoo. People are healed through prayer. The Gospel is taught. Many people listen to the Sunday School lessons and then on Sunday mornings they teach them at church. In the aftermath of the earthquake people were glued to their radios like we might be to our TV's. Some rumors started to fly about this and that and people said: “Don't believe it. I haven't heard it on 4VEH yet.”

It's now gotten more expensive to run each month. Just a few months ago the government doubled to electric rate, making it about the same as the cost to run a generator here. It means an additional $120,000 per year to run the station. Is it worth it? I think the 1 million faithful Haitian listeners would say YES! I can't put a price on a soul for God's Kingdom.

In addition to the Gospel, 4VEH has programs about parenting, hygiene, farming and more. It is a lifeline for this nation. I'd like to see if next year we can participate in handing out solar radios. I think it would be exciting to get out into the countryside, meet the people and give them a tool that God can use to bring salvation to their homes and hearts.

We can't wait to get home. We're sad to leave, especially with some things unfinished that we'd hoped to get done. We've gotten the Clinic a long way to having some additional space, much of which will be used to treat patients with AIDS. AIDS affects about 30% of the country from what I can understand.

Haiti leaves a mark on my every time I come. In some ways it feels like a second home. I'm comfortable here. It feels familiar. It reminds me of why I do what I do with my life. God is alive and well here. Some of the infrastructure is improving. Some has a long way to go.

Here at OMS they are praying for more missionaries, more full time missionaries. The short-termers are helpful but the field is thin right now. They are making it work with passionate, competent, available people – passionate about Jesus and about winning people to Him.

I've been encouraged to meet some of my former students who are now leaders in churches, with the ECC movement and at the Emmaus Seminary. Fruit. It's good. The time, the energy, the time away, the investment are all worth while.

See you on Sunday, Cornerstone.

Tuesday, April 6th

We woke up tired this morning, sore legs, from walking that mountain. We had teams everywhere today. Joe and Taylor spent the day tiling the AIDS clinic building. They finished the entry room and it looks fantastic. We'll wash it tomorrow morning and be done with that. Still have to tile the hallway and finish a front room around the edges and then there is a porch area to do but I don't think there's any way we'll get to it. Jonas, a Haitian worker, is a very good tiler and will do it well I'm sure.

Wendy and Jessica then came up with a brilliant idea. The AIDS building needs curtains and they're going to make them. So Wadner, who works in the Starfish Kids office, went with them to the store to buy fabric. And they rode a Tap-Tap! Wadner wouldn't let them hang onto the back but rather sit inside, much to the dismay of Wendy. I haven't heard whether Jessica was just fine with sitting down, in fact preferring it which is my guess.

After some negotiating of traffic, negotiating of price they made their way back 3 hours later – more about traffic and roads than anything else and sewed all afternoon with Chris joining them.

Bob spent the day helping with nearly every project, being a jack of all trades. The Crawley family spent most of the time painting although I do have photographic evidence that a lot of the time Dave had two great supervisors. Caroline was doing some painting with John and probably shouldn't have been, stopping early because of her shoulder (from surgery). She spent the rest of the day taking pictures and helping me get information for an email about the church/school building we're renting.

Later Haleigh, Makenzie and I were sifting grout mix because we missed our dust for the day. And John and Dave ended the day trying to hang one of six new sinks but mostly trying to figure out how to fit a 2 inch pipe into a 1 ½ inch pipe into a 1 inch pipe and having no success. You have to do with what you've got and dream of the plumbing aisle in Lowe's or Home Depot!

One last day or work on Wednesday and there is much to do. No matter what we get done we will leave knowing we've helped provide a facility so that professionals can care for those suffering from AIDS in this already difficult country where every day you wake up and figure out a way to live.

Monday, April 5th

Off to the Citadel and what a ride it was! The bumpiest roads of all are on that way. First it was a stop at the airport to drop Heather (Irish PT missionary here for 3 weeks) for her flight home. 90 minutes later we were at the Citadel, which is in the town of Milot – famous for pottery and probably the best hospital in Haiti (at least in the north). There are at least a half dozen large tents inside the hospital compound housing Port earthquake victims. Heather spent some of her time serving there.

The Citadel was built in the late 1790's/early 1800's as the last defense against Napoleon should he return to retake Haiti for the French. Napoleon never returned and the Citadel was never completely finished. The San Susee (spelling ?) Palace at the bottom of the mountain must have been magnificent. A very large structure now in ruins that would rival any English castle.

King Christophe who led the Haitians to independence, also fought in the American Revolution years before leading the rebels. He built the palace, the Citadel and eventually went mad, killing himself in the late 1810's.

The walk to the Citadel begins with a ride (thank goodness) up a steep grade that went upwards of 60 degrees. Then you park and begin the 35 minute walk up similar grades. Of course, many people try to get you to rent a horse to ride up, even following for over half the trip. They are great at psychology: “You might get tired, we'll be here for you.” One man said: “My horse is named 'Toyota.'” I suggested to him that wasn't such a good name for his horse!!

I kept telling the men and boys we didn't want horses but they insisted the women might get tired. To which I replied: “We have strong women in our group!” They eventually realized we weren't going to use the horses and returned to the bottom which is where I found them a few hours later. They looked at me and I said: “See, strong women!” They laughed.

Johnny was our guide at around the Citadel. On my 2003 trip I came here with Dave Shaferly and we nearly had the place to ourselves. Today it was jammed with people. We were definitely the only Anglo group.

Over the roads again and to the boat market now. We had a great time bartering, joking and buying from the vendors who were very nice, welcoming and just friendly. We made some good deals and they made some money but I did promise to start next year's group at stall number 1 instead of 60 (or whatever the last number is).

After dinner we met with Jane to talk about Starfish Kids. This is such a fantastic ministry, the brain child of Joetta Lehman and someone else. Joetta was with us at Cornerstone in 2007 to pray over the team before we left later in the week. My good friend, Jill Shoemaker, then took over leading it and now Jane. Cornerstone families sponsor 42 (I think) kids here but with the way the ministry works it means 126 children actually get a meal and books for school. The goal is to sponsor 1/3rd of each school which enables Starfish to feed every child and get them books, pay the teachers and more.

Jane wanted to tell us what's happening now with Starfish, get our opinion on a couple of new opportunities and let those who weren't as familiar with Starfish ask questions. There are 1600 children now sponsored, which means upwards of 7000 children benefit.

One thing that will interest some Cornerstone folks is the lack of reminders that the new cycle has begun and time to re-up if you want to. Apparently some Starfish sponsors thought took them as “bills”, something which OMS doesn't do, and so the reminder letters were stopped. We have now told Jane to please send them to Cornerstone families, which she is glad to do.

We had a good discussion, offered some suggestions and are excited about moving forward with our Starfish partnership again this year.

Sunday, April 4th - Easter Sunday

This has been an Easter Sunday we'll never forget. We began our day in the back of the truck – yes the same truck that was stuck two days earlier – with the wind and dust blowing all around and through us. Welcome to Easter in Haiti! We picked up a group to head to a baptismal service. So with 60 people in the truck and 3 other vehicles leading the way, we made our way through Cap Haitian at 8 a.m. singing to the Lord. It was the most amazing experience I've ever had. A memorable Easter Sunday.

18 people were baptized in the ocean while many of their fellow church members surrounded them with singing and prayer.

On the way back to the church we sang again, at one point “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah” as we sang together in Creole and English. Very memorable was Joe hanging on for dear life on the back of a Tap-Tap (a Haitian pick-up truck taxi that gets it's name from the man at the back who taps twice with a small metal piece on the back when everyone is in and ready to go). He wanted to ride, Brett said OK, and afterwards Joe said he didn't need to do it again!

2 hours later we were hot, tired and thankful to God for a life-changing day. We'll never forget where we were on Easter in 2010.

The team met three missionary families at Mont Jolie, a local hotel and restaurant, for lunch and a swim in the pool. Cap Haitian is a study in contrasts. Tin shacks that house a family of 10 and hotels such as Mont Jolie, The Christophe and even a Haitian McDonald's called (?). Best burger and fries in the Caribbean. It was a relaxing afternoon after three long tiring days of work and riding on these roads.

A few of us, after cleaning up and changing clothes, took off for Plain du Nord and the ECC (Every Community for Christ) Church there. The Pastor Franzi, came to the compound last night to talk with Jane, the head of Starfish Kids. His is one of the schools that has been condemned and he doesn't know what to do. His church and school meet in the same building and it's too small – 325 in worship and 176 in school. It's about the size of 15/16 in Cornerstone's building.

This is the church I mentioned in a previous day. He showed up unannounced. A providential meeting. I told him we would send $1300 for renting a building for the next year where their church and school can meet. Plans are to clear the land where the present building sits, build a new church there and they have another piece of land for a new school building. We will add a little but to the rent amount to help them get moved and start a fund for the new church building. He was able to share that with his congregation this morning and he said there was “great rejoicing” at the news.

He and his wife, Betsy, have 6 children of their own, his parents and now 5 nieces and nephews living with them. Betsy's sister's home in Port-au-Prince was demolished in the earthquake so the the children are here while their parents try to make sense of the rubble. We pooled some resources and gave them $80 which will feed them for close to 3 months. A large burden off his shoulders.

It's been a day of experiences. God has been at work through baptism, through singing, through preaching, through prayer, through fellowship, chance meetings, bumpy roads and quiet times.

Saturday, April 3rd

We decided to work today and go for some sight-seeing/rest on Monday. The Clinic is closed today which means we can work without interfering with the ministry but it needs to be ready for Monday. The X-ray room got one more coat of paint. The benches where patients wait to be seen got another coat of paint. Three of them needed some repairs which John did in the shop, piecing together what was needed with what was available. God taught him self-control I think as he looked at wonderful pieces of lumber that were off limits because they were designated for another project.

There was more painting in the doctor's office and the physical therapy room. Heather, a short-term missionary PT from Ireland, was thrilled to see the space transformed even though she's leaving on Monday.

Joe and Taylor, along with two Haitian mean, spent the day tiling the new AIDS center. They got a little over half of the main room down, with grout still to come. It looks fantastic. It was slow going with needing to crush the soggy cement mix but it's all we had so lots of stirring by hand, crushing clumps with rocks and being thankful we had two different sized sifters.

I helped Bud take benches to the Cowman School (the English speaking school that the missionary kids – MK's – attend) for the Sonrise service they'll hold on Sunday. We won't be going to that one, opting instead for a 7:30 a.m. baptismal service. Beyond there being baptisms I'm not sure what the differences will be but I'm anticipating something inspiring, encouraging and honoring to the name of Jesus.

I may have made a situation more difficult today. It's hard to be or at least feel like you're being mean or strict. I said to a Haitian man - “Why aren't you painting?” as he was watching another Haitian man paint benches with some of our team. He wanted money. I said, no money, just work instead of sit. He later began painting and made sure I knew he was working. Well, when the end of the day came, he wanted to be paid like the rest of the workers and that caused a difficult conversation. I had forgotten over these past three years that you simply can't accept or let people help – not with your bags at the airport – not with opening a gate or clearing a branch – not with lifting the simplest of things because they will expect to be paid. And if they are not paid they will pass the word that this mission is not good. We're here to help not be a hindrance and I pray I didn't get in the way.

I thought a lot today about yesterday. I was frustrated but am trying to learn what lesson the Lord has for me. The group I was with, walking around house to house, stopped by a table with some guys playing dominoes, a favorite game of many men in Haiti. Often the loser is seen clipping clothes pins to his ears, face, even nose. These guys only had the dominoes! I shared a little bit with them about how we had come to Haiti to share how much God loves them and especially remembering that at Easter time. I talked about how Jesus had changed my life and then I stumbled and fumbled for some words. I realized where I was going was not what they needed to hear. It wouldn't have been relevant to them. He Pastor with us took over and was able to have a good conversation about Christ.

I talked with Angie on the way back to the church and truck. I have a testimony that is Americanized. It has to do with being saved from the culture, from hardships and through difficulties. I am wondering if my testimony has more to do with being rescued for my comfort than for the Lord's purpose. It's really bothered me much of the day. I can preach a message to a Haitian congregation but now sharing faith with non-believers I'm stumped. I didn't know how to translate my experience to the culture. Maybe it doesn't translate? It doesn't mean my testimony about Jesus is bad or not relevant to the culture I live in. It might just mean it's not relevant here.

I can teach a group of Pastor's @ the Emmaus Seminary, that's one thing, but to evangelize cross-culturally, across a language barrier, one on one, I found myself stumped. How I would approach a one on one evangelistic conversation in the States is not the way that would work in Haiti. So I find myself challenged and growing again.

I talked with Brett about some upcoming years and my schedule. I think I'm going to try to come back in 2011 to teach. Then return with John in 2013. It's not a good situation for me to come teach and bring one of my children now because of the distance to the new Seminary campus. It's more difficult than helpful for me to stay on the main compound and have to be driven and picked up again each morning and afternoon than it is to stay in the visiting professor's house – affectionately referred to as the Haitian Taj Mahal! So 2013 probably will not be a teaching year. 2012 might be and 2014 probably will be. I have realized being here once again that my calling is to teach Pastor's and God has opened this enormous door for me here at Emmaus. I can't neglect that call.

Caroline had a good 18th birthday today. It was a day full of serving people. It ended with a birthday cake from the ladies who cook for us, complete with 18 candles. Then a special treat when an ensemble of women who gather several nights a week under a street lamp to practice, came into the Holiday House to sing for us. We didn't understand many words but we go the whole message. He's not in the grave, He's risen!

Friday, April 2nd

The day began in the usual way but had many things in store for us. After morning devotions and breakfast we headed off to the Clinic to begin our project which consisted of cleaning out some rooms – the xray room, the clinic director's office, and one other large room – sweeping, wiping down walls and then painting. Some of the team were also painting benches with lots of help from some young Haitian men.

We also found our larger project for the rest of the time, tiling the new clinic for AIDS patients. So Bud and I were off in the Gator, back and forth to bring the tile and other equipment onsite. Bud was explaining his frustrations with the Gator and that it needs a new rack. So I've asked him to get me the part number and the Gator information We're not sure anyone is a complete expert in tiling, but Joe says he's done it. Now we'll see if he can do it with the equipment we have here.

That's often the trick, doing what needs to be done with what you have on hand. It's incredibly frustrating to mechanical people (so you can imagine my great calm). Trying to fix vehicles and simple hinges, plumbing and electric and you have to use what you can find. No Walmart. No Lowe's or Home Depot. Just stuff. It's incredibly similar to what the Haitian people deal with every day as a matter of survival not just transportation, or flushing toilets, or light at night. Some of the worlds greatest entrepreneurs are to be found in Haiti and other Third World countries. Not many people are ingenious enough to figure out how to survive and feed a family on $2 per day.

So we finished up around Noon, went to eat lunch and then it was off on our adventure of the day and perhaps of a lifetime! The Missionaries have added a great piece to the trips called an evangelistic outing. The goal is to partner with a local pastor, divide up into teams of 3-5 and go house to house sharing the Gospel. Angie Bundy said it's been a stretch for many teams but most have said it was also the highlight of the trip. I'm not sure what we'll say of ours.

Remember, it's Easter Week, and that is traditionally one of the most difficult weeks at the mission.

We don't know where we're going or how long we'll be gone but it should have been an indication when Chris asked: “Should we bring our gloves?” I said no. Was I wrong! They would have been great to hold onto the railing as we stood or sat in the back of this long bed Mitsubishi truck for the next 5 hours there and back.

We went through Cap Haitian and out into the countryside beyond – to some much better roads I might add – and moved toward the DR (Dominican Republic), to give you an idea of the direction we were heading. All was well until we came to a small town where we become mired – ok stuck – ok maybe partially buried – in mud! We were the attraction of the decade for these people. 10 years from now they'll be saying to one another, “Remember the day the blanco's got stuck in the mud!”

Brett, the Field Director, was actually a picture of calm. This was nothing to him. Or it was at least usual to him. Back and forth, sliding this way and that, trying to jump up and down over the rear axle. Nothing. Just sinking deeper and deeper into the muddy road.

The townspeople were great. I was ready to use the $300 cash I had accidently left in my pocket! Many of us were out pushing while the men in the town. But of special interest to the Haitians were Makenzie and Haleigh because of their red hair. White people where we were are one thing but red heads!

After about an hour we finally broke free and moved forward, through more mud puddles (or small lakes), across small rivers (which isn't that unusual) finally arriving at our destination. We spent some time walking around to some houses, praying with people, sharing some words about Jesus and Easter and seeing at least one woman accept Christ into her life.

There was only one way home but a lifetime of illustrations. Here on Good Friday we were mired in mud, stuck, spinning our wheels, frustrated, actually a little nervous for the first time in my trips to Haiti. We were going nowhere. We had lots of onlookers who weren't helping. We had several who decided to lend a hand, some standing almost to their knees in mud for us. Strangers. Friday can feel like that. Lots of effort to break free but no progress. The Good News is that the story doesn't end on Friday. Sunday is coming! God doesn't leave us mired in the mud pit. God doesn't leave us alone, He sends help. God's care is constant, His eye ever watchful and after it looks hopeless, God wins.

It was very interesting to drive back in the dark. A new experience for me in Haiti. Not something I need to do again any time soon.

My hard bed will feel very comfortable tonight because it's better than a dirt floor in a hut in the middle of nowhere. I got to have a hot shower. I got to sit down to a meal prepared for me, however late it was.

It's time for bed in my world. I'm exhausted. Most of the team is already asleep at 9:30. My feet are sore. My legs are going to be screaming tomorrow after being used as shock absorbers over those bumpy roads. My heart is encouraged that we made some difference in some people's lives today. We prayed for God's blessings in places we didn't know existed. We shared a common faith with others who are seeking to reach their community for Christ. There is much more to be done in the battle for the hearts of Haitians and Americans alike. We may have little in common but we have the greatest common thing – we are all human and we all need a Savior. We need Easter when God is FOR us.

Thursday, April 1st

The day started off with a practical joke for April 1st. Chris Caster, in cahoots with several other team members, had one of the best poker faces I've ever seen when she said: “My passport was right here the last time I saw it!” Everyone had a good laugh.

MFI is great as always. We did have to divide our team between two planes and the plane I'm on – with Caroline, John, Taylor, Bob & Jessica – had a small (really very small I promise) mechanical issue with a gauge so we took off about 75 minutes late. We did however get a great shot of the other plane heading off into the sunrise!

There are 18 people from Orchard Hill Church outside of Pittsburgh on the same plane. A good mix of teens and adults, with several on the first trip to Haiti. I struck up a conversation with ?, an ENT surgeon with Orchard Hill who is wondering what the Lord wants to do with his life and skills. “I send money, sponsor children, all over the world and have for years, but I wonder what the Lord wants to do with my skills. I'll gladly continue to write checks,” he said, “but is there something more?”

The Orchard Hill team is going to an orphanage that is a block or two from Radio 4VEH so I talked with him about the Clinic on the compound, we exchanged contact information, I gave him OMS' phone number in Greenwood, IN and that may be a network that will benefit the Kingdom. That all happened before we ever took off!

Orchard Hill, it turns out, is the congregation that sent out Brian Tome to plant Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, the originator of our FREE study. It is a small world.

Right now we're flying over some beautiful turquoise Caribbean water with a few small uninhabited islands in sight. God's creation is magnificent. Another hour at most and we'll be in Cap Haitian. The pilots have told us they hear an estimate of 250,000 refugees from Port-au-Prince since the earthquake. An already overwhelmed infrastructure, horrible traffic (mostly due to lack of laws, lights, lines, roads and just plain – I'm going to think of myself first driving) and need has multiplied exponentially.

This is my 5th trip to this island nation. God has used it to change my life at each visit. In 1979 He used it to shape my heart for ministry. In 2003, He used it to expand my thoughts about how I could be used in His Kingdom. The same in 2005 & 2007. What will 2010 hold?

I'm thrilled to have Caroline along this time. While I miss having Stephanie here I like the one on one time with each child. John and I will come in either 2011 or 2013. I wonder what those empty nest years will bring? Will they bring the ability for Stephanie and I to serve here over a month's time? I could teach two semesters. She could be the hostess for the Holiday House, where mission teams eat and some sleep. We've dreamt of the possibilities. So much can change in that amount of time so we'll remain flexible. God's plans will be the best ones so we'll stay out of control.

Evening

We arrived and are settling in seeing long-time friends like the Brett & Angie Bundy and meeting new friends like Bud & Jane, who have been full-time on the field since September. The trip from the airport was, well, usual – bumpy, filled with moments of terror as large trucks decided they were bigger (which they were) and we would yield, silent many times as the team, especially those who are first-timers took in the sights, sounds and smells of how people make it each day here in Haiti.

We got to see the new Seminary campus with Matt Ayers as our guide. All I can say is, “WOW!” God has done an amazing thing at this new campus. It's beautiful, it's expansive, it's well done and it will serve the needs of the Haitian Church for decades to come. From news of a new Dean coming in September to more and more indigenous teachers – some I am proud to say I taught – Emmaus Seminary is well on the way to fulfilling some dreams.

This is the campus that Cornerstone helped construct. The Lord used us to continue construction back in early 2007 when funds were running out and again later that Spring as teams worked to prepare and position materials and clear land.

I learned several things tonight, new stories, and the end or continuation of others:

Easter and Christmas are the most difficult times for the missionaries and ministry. They are the times when Satan works his hardest to defeat the work of Jesus. So, many things go wrong during those weeks – plumbing backs up, generators fail, things break, minor frustrations multiply. It's a good week for us to be here as a team that is intent on supporting the missionaries in their ministry and praying we are not a burden. We also get to be part of seeing the triumph of Jesus as part of celebrating Easter.

The Evangelical Church which sits on the OMS compound has been a source of frustration for decades. It's been a contentious relationship but not all that has changed. There is new leadership and therefore new relationship. They are working together for the Kingdom instead of separately. Some missionaries now participate in that faith community. It's a new day.

A man who was pulled from a collapsed building in Port-au-Prince after 30 days looked good and was in good health. I heard about this man on the news but I didn't know the whole story. When asked how he survived without food or water he said: “Each day a man dressed in white came and gave me water.” The rescuers didn't believe him saying there was no way anyone could get in there but the man insisted and gave credit to God. That's something you don't hear on the news.

The OMS Villa in Port survived the earthquake except for a section of the surrounding wall that collapsed. It is now the hub of operations for rescue teams and efforts to restart two churches whose buildings were completely destroyed. This is the same Villa that OMS has attempted to sell for the past many years. Now they know why it was never sold.

We learned many things about Starfish Kids – their problems with transition of leadership – their problems with school buildings being condemned – their problems with computers and electricity and Internet connectivity – the impact of the recession on sponsorships – and more. We learned we may have the passion and expertise to help in many ways.

One way Cornerstone will help immediately is to send a check for $1250 so that one school can rent a facility so that classes can continue. This will come from dedicated mission money. Maybe the Lord will have us do more?

I learned that Physical Therapists are sorely needed in Haiti, especially in these months after earthquake injuries, but just in general. Two PT's are here now, but not full-time. There are so many ways to serve God on the mission field – medical, bookkeeping, construction, maintenance, plumbing, teaching, communications. The list is literally endless.

So God is still working here, still performing everyday miracles, still changing lives, still filling people with compassion for others and passion for Him.

Our work project will be at the Clinic – helping clean up some rooms, helping move in some new equipment – helping paint and tile a new area that will be dedicated to serving those with AIDS. It's some badly needed work that will make the Clinic that much more efficient.

Wednesday, March 31st

Day 1 is a traveling day and we have made it to Ft. Pierce, FL safe and sound. Tonight we'll gather for dinner, talk through details of Thursday, meet up with a portion of the Crawley family who lives here in Florida, and get some much needed rest.

We arrive at the airport by 6 a.m. Thursday to fly with MFI (Missionary Flights International), a ministry that supplies mission organizations and individuals in the Caribbean. The pilots and personnel are Christ-followers who use a love and skill of flying to serve the Lord in this unique way. I must say it's rather unique to pray with a pilot before take-off!!

The last word we received from the Haiti field was that we would be working at the clinic on the compound, helping finish preparations to open an AIDS portion. We have no idea what stage it is in and it could be we'll do something else. That's the name of the game - serving.

Please pray that our team will be a blessing and not a burden to the missionary families. Pray for our work to be surrounded by the Holy Spirit so that what we leave behind will be used to save lives, both physically and spiritually. Pray for safe travel, safe work and spiritual growth.

Living simply so other might simply live...