Barnabas Task

Jim Westerfield (right) taught businessmen in Cien Fuegos.

Hope you are doing well?   Traveling to the DR for a year,  every month,  (praying, connecting and plowing) has been quite a journey.  As I reflected on this past year I recently looked north toward a mountain range that separates us from Puerto Plata.  It was pouring rain but I could see the silhouette of the mountain range.  In that moment, I sensed what seemed to be an affirmation of the Lord; “Good job.”  About fifteen seconds passed and I then heard, “Keep plowing.  Walk humbly.”

I have been living in Santiago, Dominican Republic for a month now.  A lot has happened in a month.  Some really cool stuff.  But can I take a moment and share with you what I have been reading and thinking about?

Karl Rove, in his book entitled, “Courage and Consequence,” wrote something that jumped out at me.  He wrote about campaigns.  “Everything in the campaign had to be measured against goals…if you did not measure an activity it tended to remain undone.  We set goals for everything, then set things right where we were falling short.”  (Page 35)

I have asked different people what they would do if they were I.  Where would they start?  How?  When?  One answer has “stuck” with me.  Jim Tolle, pastor of a large southern California church said,  “Everything needs a reason and therefore a follow through for that reason.”  He was talking process.

Peter Greer and Phil Smith, in their book, “The Poor will be Glad,” have written many excellent things in their book.  They have helped me believe in what we are doing.  (Micro-Finance, Clean Water, Health Education)  In their book they too have challenged all of us with measurement.  Peter Drucker said,  “You get what you measure.”

I am on a mission  to establish some kind of measuring stick so that spiritual and social development progress can be looked at through indicators that force me to say, “Good job.  When?  Need to improve.  Why?  Missed the mark.  How?  Increase/Decrease allocation.“  We could make a longer list.  Wise stewardship with adequate standards and goals is an accountability needed.  I might add that it is difficult to quantify in another culture.  However, if what “they” are doing or what “I” am doing has no effect,  how will we know to change without some sort of guide?

In the Health Education world, a term is used frequently.  It is a measuring stick for the medical profession.  It is called “evidence based practice.”  I like it.  Makes sense.  Why follow myth or history past.  Let’s use concrete evidence.

We must walk with wisdom.  We must be risk takers but constantly discern the road ahead.  Besides help from God that I don’t discount at all, there is a real need for constant evaluation.

What about you?  What do you think?  Has what I have written helped  you in what you are doing?  Have you taken the time to evaluate your job, your church, your business, and your person?  How do you measure up?  Have you established any measuring stick?  Is what you are doing “evidence based?”

Write me.  I want to hear your ideas and thoughts.

Coming soon: Updates on the  Dominican and Haiti church

We can transform dirty water to awesome drinking water

Nobel Peace Prize writer Garcia Marquez wrote in detail about the plight of the poor in Central and South America. He describes poor people as waiting for a letter that would never come, sitting in the dark talking of “distant” hope

I talk to my friends every time I go to a canal on the west side of Cien Fuegos, a “squatters rights” area and part of Santiago, Dominican Republic. What was once a novel thing, an American in Cien Fuegos, is now a common occurrence. I know families, kids, their dogs and cats. Cien Fuegos is an undesignated piece of land that has been chosen by the poor and destitute. It is a violent place. Human suffering, unjust acts against women, a subtle mark for human trafficking, constant corruption, theft and a seemingly inability to “look up” defines the area.

What about clean water that is drinkable? Water does exist in Santiago but you can’t drink it. Clean Water is part of three-tiered approach to this community. (Micro-Finance, Clean Water and Health Education)

Cold clean water for kids is the goal

I have watched children pull water from the canal where I have gained new relationships. The water is used to wash clothes, drink and cook. The canal is a nasty, infested cesspool that is used for bathing, as bathroom and drinking besides a “collect all” for anything you can think of.

Clean water means healthy kids. It is part of the big picture of Health Education. Will you help me fulfill a promise I gave to these new friends? I want kids to have a chance in life that includes a glass of cold clean water.

I explained to my friends we would bring clean water that they could drink some day. I thought of what Garcia Marquez wrote. They wouldn’t be waiting for a “distant” hope while in the dark, never to hold a glass of clean cold water. Some day isn’t soon enough for me.

1. You can contribute direct through Pay Pal on this website. Mark your contribution Barnabas Task Water Project.

2. You can participate in the outstanding golf tournament being planned for Sept. 18. It will be held at the beautiful Chestnut Hills Golf Course. The golf fee of $100 pays for your cart, two meals and 18 holes of golf.

Email or call Barnabas Task today to sign up with your foursome:
btwaterproject@gmail.com
260 466-3522

Help us bring clean water so kids have an opportunity for better health!

Checks payable to Barnabas Task Project-Water. After all expenses 100 per cent of all monies raised will go directly to the Barnabas Task Water Project. Not even a dime will be used for personal use or other project expenses.

The following is a short clip from Haiti. The experience left a mark on me. I changed. I go to the Dominican Republic (DR) on Monday, full time. I will be in Haiti for a Concert of Hope on July 9. The island of Haiti and the DR is a vineyard. Just wanted you to whisper a prayer.

Grateful. Thanks to Matthew McGrady that prepared this video for you.

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There is a real need today to know what you are to do.  I am talking about the practical, the every day kind of decision.  I am also talking about the big ones.  University?  Career?  Marriage?  Employment?  Quitting?  Staying?  Relationships?  What is right?  Schedule?

People constantly ask me about decisions they are about to make.  What do I think?  What would I do?  Would I pray?  I don’t have answers many times but I listen.

We live in a quick world.  Fast paced.  Decisions converge on the doorstep of what is next.  There is never a time to process it seems.

Maybe the Daniel Fast is a good option for you

So, slow down?  Can we?  Can I suggest a radical change in your daily life at least for a season of time?

I recently talked with some great friends about some choices they were making.  These were Godly people whom I respected and honored greatly.  After brief discussion I shared the essence of the following.  I hope it helps you:

Pray and Fast.  Do a Daniel fast.  One of the best resources I have read and recently used is The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory.

You can find it at http://DanielFast.wordpress.com.

Buy the book, read it and give yourself a great gift; time to hear the voice of God and see breakthroughs take place in your life.  Please know I am not pitching a book as much as encouraging you to spend time with God in a very disciplined manner.  I have seen God break through in very practical ways.  I was not looking for the big miracle.  Rather, just the every day stuff where I needed God to help me.  I am a better man for it.    I depend on God and fasting helped me realize that I wasn’t, as I should.  As a matter of fact, I discovered that the disciplines that come with fasting are essential for what I am attempting.  I depend on God.  He really is helping me.

That’s what I told them.  I encourage you today to find a way to give God more time.  Perhaps this method of a Daniel Fast could be a great option.

Join me in the journey.  I have not arrived yet.

Support Tom and Nancy. There, I said it! Up to this point I have never used our names in asking for financial support.  Barnabas Task has been promoted.  Who wants to promote self?  We sure don’t!  At the same time, without promoting what we do there is no way people can give intelligently.  We feel that God is receiving the glory for what we are doing.  Humbly, we place before you our need.

As Missions Pastor at Life Bridge Church in Fort Wayne, IN, we have walked with integrity, not asking people for pledges or cash offerings.   We are so grateful for the monthly support from Life Bridge. However, we need help from others as I write this post. We need a miracle.  In preparation for what lies ahead I have resigned as  Missions Pastor, a non-paid position.   We served with honor for three years.  Our sails are set.

Recently, someone suggested that church leaders were tired of missionaries calling them, asking for financial help.  It is a catch-22 isn’t it?  On one hand, we walked in obedience and have stretched ourselves  to respond to Haiti’s needs.  At the same time we have traveled to the Dominican Republic for one year now, laying the foundation.  Many doors have opened.

We have done this by faith, at great personal sacrifice.  Without investment there, we would not be able to give a clarion call to what our need is. Here’s the deal: This is not a job to us.  It is a calling that is beyond us. We are without doubt called to do what we are doing.

Although we have complete, written blessing from Foursquare Missions International as a denomination, we do not have one dime promised to us from them. Let me be clear.  I speak  without any rancor or disrespect.   Just the facts.  We understood that going into this.  Could it be that we are pioneering a new way for Foursquare and others?  I have been stripped of any dependence on anyone.

It is Him and Him alone. This is where we have come to.  For us to do what God has called us to, there needed to be an absolute dependence on Him.  What we see is the price that must be paid if we are to accomplish God’s purposes.  It is not a lesson to be learned once;  rather a lifestyle that must be lived.

The foundation has been layed in Santiago to initially plant two churches: one, a Haitian church and two, a church in the middle/upper class area of Santiago.  We are also developing  strong relationships with our friends in Cien Fuegos, a population of about 300,000 people, to develop Clean Water, Micro-Finance and Health Education.   With God’s help, we will start a Monday through Friday 6 am to 7 am radio program some time in July on a secular radio station.

Humbly, we ask you to consider giving to a calling that is making impact.  There are three ways you can partner with us.

1.  Barnabas Task: 10917 Summer Chase Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46818

2.  FMI: PO Box 26776, Los Angeles, CA.  90026

ATTN: Tom Hinton/Santiago church plant.

3.  Pay Pal:  using the link that is on this page.



You will receive a tax-deductible receipt after receiving your contribution

So we finished another day of a strong medical clinic. (yesterday) The team worked again in the type of heat that zaps you.  Several are sick as I write this.

She brought help for her mom

Four of the Purdue students are sick as well.

A young girl walked to the clinic where we were in Gressier.  She was so cute.  Her route was  straight down  a 60 per cent

Jason Kindler on a remote mountain top

decline from  a mountaintop,  to a well-worn winding dirt road traveled by all that live in the area.  After being treated she told the plight of her mother who had lost her husband and father in the January earthquake that killed more than 300,000 people.   The little girl was a messenger.

Jason Kindler asked if he and several could walk to where this mother was.   Of course I said yes and beckoned one of our drivers to take them there.  (not knowing of the steep hill)

To encounter the mother and  meet her need is real the story of going across the road, going the extra mile;  the story of the Good Samaritan.  Mercy re-wrote the life of this mother.  And the little girl who came to the clinic by herself is my hero.

The mountaintop was like going almost straight up.

This morning we  traveled across Port Au Prince to a Nazarene Church compound that was at one time filled with tents, housing desperate Haitians upended from the earthquake..  On the way there, we drove through the hardest hit area of the earthquake and the center-city main street that was  filmed and

Purdue students dug a water diversion ditch

subsequently broadcast around the world after the earthquake.  You recognize it even today.  The tangled mass of wire and large cement blocks flattened one upon another still exist.  The road is cleared, piles of rubbish and cement block bulldozed to the side of the road.  Haiti’s desperateness existed before the earthquake.  Again, it is a complex situation without easy answers.

At the Nazarene Church compound we connected with people who obviously did not have the same needs as others.     Our  team was honorable and did what they do best, loving on people and caring for them.

We connected with Guy Thomas the Foursquare leader of Haiti.  We supported the clinic that he is developing by supplying him with 10 suitcases of MEDS and supplies that doctors there will surely benefit from.  The other suitcases we have will be given to the Church of God of Prophecy in Port Au Prince.  Both churches are part of MISSEH, the large 3000 church 14-network organization that Fort Wayne Associated Churches has connected to.

Purdue students joined us! They were an awesome team.

We have seen more than  750 people while here in Haiti.  Our team has performed extremely well under adverse heat conditions.  During the day it has been 96 degrees with a humidity to match.  Even at nighttime, with sporadic electricity that keep fans going, the tempature in our rooms is about 82 degrees.

We are concluding this first trip for Associated Churches.  Father Dan Layden has done a great job leading the team.  He is a priest at St. Albans Episcopalian Church.  Barnabas Task served Associated Churches as the point man here in Haiti, setting up the logistics, contacts and bridging the relationships.  For this trip, not only did mercy re-write the lives of many people, but also relational equity was established between MISSEH and Fort Wayne Associated Churches.  Both organizations have shared mutual letters of of embrace and relationship that  enhance future projects and shared concerns.

Haiti has not sidetracked our mission for Santiago, Dominican Republic.  We were blind-sided by the earthquake.  Who wasn’t?  We do feel we followed in obedience to do what God wanted.  He has been faithful to keep blessing and help us in Santiago.

We ask that you prayerfully give to Barnabas Task.  Our needs are greater than ever.

The foundation has been layed in Santiago to plant two churches: one a Haitian church and two a church in the middle/upper class area of Santiago.  We are also developing Clean Water, Micro-Finance and Health Education in area called Cien Fuegos.  Hopefully, we will start a daily radio program some time in July on secular radio station. Thank You.

Clinic in rural area

We went to Gressier yesterday.  The heat was a searing 98 degrees.  Unlike the beautiful Arizona dessert heat without

Purdue students were an awesome help

humidity, we felt the humidity and therefore drank lots of water.  One of the Purdue students dehydrated completely.  I normally do not get sick but I felt it today.

We saw 135 patients in five hours, helping a local church and its’ influence in the entire remote area.  We also dug a ditch and made a wall to divert water from going into the church. I was really pleased as well that our team was able to collaborate with Purdue University students.  It was great to watch our doctors and nurses take the time to proctor students.

We sing every morning together.  This evening we are having a joint service with the students.

An interesting cross-cultural note is the sudden realization that we are in a tough area that needs compassion and we are helpless without the grace of God.  I have observed this amongst the team: sudden breakdowns that do not need explanation.  Haiti is tough.  This has happened to me.

How do you describe the devastation?

One time as I was leaving Haiti I wept.  I wept on the plane.  I wept in the Miami airport.  I wept in a hotel en route to Santiago, Dominican Republic.  I felt broken inside.  I feel that God whispered something to me.  He said, “This is a glimpse of how my Son feels for mankind.  Broken.”

Today, the team had some much-needed rest.  We “toured” Port Au Prince.  It had quite an effect on the team.  We walked through part of the largest Anglican Church, ripped apart by the 55-second earthquake.  We walked in front of the national palace, now being rebuilt by the Canadian government.

We rendezvoused with Guy Thomas, the Foursquare leader for Haiti, and John Debbie Booker, the appointed missionary

Foursquare leader Guy Thomas and I talked briefly about church planting

representatives to Haiti at this moment.  I loved talking to them, hearing of their progress.  We will leave extra MEDS with them for the clinic they are developing  when we leave Haiti.  We talked about the Concert of Hope that is being planned for July 9 in Port Au Prince.  This is being developed by MISSEH, of which Guy Thomas is part. We also  talked about church planting in Santiago and Haiti.  What a subject!

I made dinner tonight with three of the nurses.  Actually I opened tuna fish and the rest just kind of happened!:> Fruit, Apple Sauce, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Tuna Fish sandwiches and lots of water.

The Kingdom was proclaimed yesterday.  Today we rested.  Tomorrow we start again.  Thanks for praying.

Mercy rewrote the life of this six-month old baby

We have been in Port Au Prince for three days now.  We have served in a church with a medical clinic.   We feel were placed there because of divine presence that “marked the spot.”  We worked with MISSEH, a 3000 church, 14 network  organization.   It has been successful because God has been with us.  I am really proud of the group that has come together from Fort Wayne, IN.  People from different faiths and 12 different churches joined together to make this a special trip.  Associated Churches promoted this trip, the first of its kind for them.

We have seen more than 400 people in the short time we have been here. We have walked helpless babies to a Doctors without Borders Hospital for extended care and surgery.  We have intercepted death by healing wounds that otherwise would cause  a loss of life.  Hope for Haiti comes in different forms.  Right now,  disaster relief efforts are over as major NGO’s are pulling out of Port Au Prince.  Compassion ministry continues.

American Airlines officials indicated there has been no let up at all as flights to Port Au Prince remain usually at full capacity. Generally, those going will be doing compassion relief and care.  The majority of these people are from the Judeo/Christian faith.  They are not in the news  receiving the headlines but they are and will be there.

A cool thing has happened with Purdue University students that came unexpectedly the same day I came into Port Au Prince.  They are team of agricultural and nursing students that represent Purdue Christian Campus House, an on campus fellowship that reaches out to Purdue.  I am so impressed with their zeal and comittment to God.  I have known of on campus spiritual hunger and this group confirms to me the need for our prayer and investment.

Today, in a joint effort, all fifty of us are going to Gressier, about 45 minutes from Port Au Prince.  We will be involved in agricultural work, fence building, teaching English and a dynamic medical clinic.  Last night the medical team spent more than two hours preparing the MEDS, repacking, reorganizing etc.  What a team that has come together.

I am asking you to pray for this outreach today.  The synergy and unity of these two teams seem to indicate to me that something special is going to happen.

Me and the Butler Bulldog

I was sitting by myself in Port Au Prince (PAP) while it was pouring rain outside looking at a photo that was taken of me while at Jessi’s graduation.  It was one grand and proud affair.  Yeah, that is me with the Butler (University) Bulldog.

It was a great first day in PAP after I arrived about 9:45 am.  I was able to connect to MISSEH and Clement Joseph, the large 3000 church 14 network organization here, picked up seven suitcases full of supplies and MEDS that I was able to garner the last time I was here, connected to the church where the medical clinic will be, and finally connected to the driver that will be handling all transportation while the team is here.

Quite a long day, driving  through the aftermath of an earthquake.  There was a demonstration earlier in the day, which caused my “ride” to be an hour late.  Nothing like being out side of the PAP airport hanging with taxi drivers who all wanted to take me anywhere.

Connecting to Clement Joseph was important for two reasons.  One, there is a lot of coordination needed for the medical clinic.  Secondly, we are looking at a Concert of Hope in PAP on July 9.  Clement seems to be excited about.  He and others are making plans.

In July, a Life Bridge youth team (Fort Wayne) is coming to Port Au Prince headed by youth pastors Aaron and Cecily Jackson.  Both sing so well.  And I would choose Cecily any day of the week as an incredible soloist.  Imagine!   They will be part of this Concert of Hope along with the students that are coming with them.

I am thinking of what to write for a blog, what to communicate and “budda-bing budda-bop” in walks 21 students from Purdue University.  They arrived in the afternoon flight.  Nursing students.  Agriculture students.  A lot of energy.  I love students/young adults.

It seems that some plans may have fallen through for them.  What an opportunity to proctor them in the medical arena, show them missions.  I love this.  They are so ready and willing.  They want this.  Although it has not all worked out, I think this was a cool gift from God tonight.  And even more!   What about what they can offer me/us?  My team comes in tomorow.  (Tuesday)

I am so grateful to God for how He leads and helps us.  Day One was successful because God received the glory!   I like that.

That’s the way it is!

It is early morning in Haiti.  The sun is strong at 7 am.  I was startled at 2:35 am by a rooster that so wanted conversation.  At 5:30 am a group of puppies wanted their mama.

Franklin is a Red Sox fan!

Franklin is a Red Sox fan.  He knows what is happening every day with his team!  He wears Red Sox shirts, has a Red Sox hat and I call him, “Big Papi,” named after Dominican baseball player David Ortiz.  By the way, I am a die-hard Red Sox fan.  It is fun to talk with someone who knows the score even before I do.

I love my new Haitian friend

He is the head guard at the apartment complex we have rented in Santiago, Dominica Republic.  He greets me each day as I leave or come back.  He serves everybody.

Franklin is from Haiti.  He knows I have  been to Haiti three times now. We talk about small things.

The apartment complex where we live  has never had “teams” come and stay there. Imagine, young adults, adults and students going up and down steps, yelling from the sixth floor, slapping “fives,” hanging, singing…playing.  Our street, E Leon Jimenez,  will never be the same.

Imagine for a man like Franklin, he has never had so much attention and love.  Teams that have been with me have made impact.  They left “relational equity” that I am able to connect to.

I invited Franklin to my apartment when the Michigan team was with me.  He was surprised that I did so.  It is not common nor  part of the cultural context.  We talked, laughed and shared.  For Franklin, this was new.  He was from Haiti.  He had another role in the apartment complex.  Tonight he was amongst friends.

I gently shared the love of God with him.  He lives in the Dominican Republic and supports his family in Haiti.  Franklin accepted Christ as Saviour on this night. We agreed to share this with his Haitian friends that live close by.  I will speak in Spanish and he will speak in French.  Haiti Bible Study.  So love this.

One of my new freinds in Cien Fuegos

As we make our way to start full time in Santiago, I have made a commitment to start a church amongst Haitians as well.

Who knows?  Franklin could very well become the pastor of this church.

Thanks for praying for us!

More than ever, we need prayer and financial support.  Thanks for your investment.  Please consider investing today in this incredible dream that God is unfolding.