Barnabas Task

I wish I could have a cup of coffee with you

I would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with you. There is a lot happening.  Here’s a few things that are on my mind:

• I had coffee with a leading pastor in Santiago, Dominican Republic several days ago.  He affirmed the tremendous need for the church plant in the area where we are planting.  He offered his support and prayer.
• I spent quality time with the Junta de Vecinos (Association Presidents) in Cien Fuegos.  Great men!  We are developing a plan for clean water, micro-finance and health education.  Their vision is growing.
• I had coffee with a new friend Hendrik Kelner whose family owns an awesome tobacco plantation.  They seem interested in helping us.  I am so grateful.
• Last night the young adult team from Level 13 arrived jazzed and ready to rock.  They are going into a school today!
  

  Young Adult team tried out a great place to eat

I have been busy.   The journey continues. There  is a factor in all of this that is huge.  In the book of Philippians there is a great affirmation that is given to the Philippian church (1:9):

The Dominican Republic was introduced to Snuggles and Wuzzles

This is my prayer for you; that your love for God may grow more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may able to discern was best.

Here’ the deal: Time with God in His word and in prayer are huge. Paul is saying you will make “best” decisions as you place yourself in God’s hands through prayer and consistent Bible discovery. Paul encourages you and I to put first things first.  at the end of the day, I want to have proper perspective and be able to say I made principle-based decisions in as much He helped me make “best” decisions.

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

Grateful.

When people ask me what I do, the simplicity of it all surprises even me.  I connect people to people and resource and along the way I make friends and together the Kingdom is advanced.  Your faithful giving  to Barnabas Task is making a difference.

If you read carefully the first four verses of Philippians, Chapter Two, there is an obvious attempt for Paul to bring discipleship to a new level.

If His love has any difference in your life

If being a community in the Spirit means anything to you

If you have Heart, if you care

Then do me a favor.

Agree with each other

Love each other

Be deep spirited friends

Don’t push your way

Don’t sweet talk

Put yourself aside; Help others get ahead

Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage

Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand

That’s some pretty strong stuff.  Paul seems to draw us into this deeper level of discipleship.  His methodology is to lay it out there once and then come back a little stronger the second time.  And watch this!  He now uses an example to reinforce everything.  What a lesson in communication.  Of course, his example of how all this should work is Jesus Himself.

He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of Himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what.

When the time came He set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave.  He became human!

It was an incredibly humbling process.

He didn’t claim special privileges.

Instead He lived a self-less life, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death, and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.  Because of obedience, God lifted him and honored Him far beyond anyone or anything.

We live in a world of politics and power.  Jesus would not fit in today’s world.  His calling to us in Philippians Two is a better way.

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

Grateful

Scripture references from  The Message

Being in Haiti was emotionally draining for me.  It just hit me hard as I pondered the fate of so many.  I did have more than one moment of laughter though.

Can I share one with you?

MRE's from Switzerland at the airport in Puerto Au Prince. Life is good!

One of the coolest things I have done in a while is eat an MRE from Switzerland.

The second coolest thing I have done in a while is eat an MRE with new Haitian friends.  We were together, just off the tarmac at the Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF) hanger waiting to receive water filters.

It was hot, humid and sticky.  Someone asked if the “guys” had eaten lunch and I indicated I did not think so.   So we opened the MRE’s, waited for them to sizzle and had lunch.

Maybe you had to be there but I thought it was hilarious, eating MRE’s from Switzerland, on the tarmac in Puerto Au Prince with some great new Haitian friends.

Thanks to the Missionary Aviation Fellowship guys who ‘prepared” lunch for us.

I loved the moment.  I love life.  Hope you have a great weekend.  Keep praying for Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Children are left without care

I originally intended to crop this photo on the left but felt what I was trying to say is better said by the photo itself. There is a very real sense of hopelessness for the kids in Haiti, and for that matter children in urban areas throughout the world.

Let me explain what I believe has been one of my lifetime messages. I don’t write or speak because I need to.  I do it because I think I have something to say.  What I am going to share is a primary reason I do what I do.

• Generally speaking, many children are born into a world of hope and promise.
• Generally speaking there are many children that are born into a world of rejection and anger because their mothers (or
  

  Many kids are born into poverty, disaster or war

  fathers) never wanted them in the first place.

• Generally speaking, many children are born in geographic areas where disaster, war and poverty are as normal as a rainy day in Seattle.

Kids accept reality as is

All three scenarios seem different don’t they?  Hope and promise, rejection and anger, war and poverty. At a very young age children do not know the difference.  They accept reality, as it is, not knowing how or why to compare.

At some point in their young lives children “get it.”  Whether it is at age seven or fifteen, many children began to realize that life is a hole they want out of.  They have repeatedly walked into the same pit day after day, doing the same things and one day a light goes on and they say “Wait a minute,” even at age seven or younger.

“My daddy molested me.  My daddy is an alcoholic. My mama is a prostitute.  There is another world besides this one.

A little girl's dream can be shattered

Other moms and dads are different.  I am missing a mom, a dad, and a family.  I have no one.  Perhaps there is another world.”

This moment of clarification and reality check is happening throughout the world, every day.  This arrival point is a strategic, cutting edge shift in a persons’ paradigm.  What happens next is a painful reminder of why we do what we do.

Here’s the deal:  at this crucial point in a child’s life they say, “whatever will be will be.”  “Que sera, sera.”  Their mental, spiritual, emotional and psychological growth is truncated.  For many, life stops.  They give up.  There is no hope.  There is a no salvation.  There is no way out of the hole.  The growth timeline becomes a flat line.  Many kids think this way and parents do too.

Many kids have nothing, not even a crayon

This is Haiti today as you read. I observed kids on the street that have nothing.   No one looking after them.  Their lives have been shattered and broken not only by the earthquake but also by rejection, poverty and previous disaster.  Think about it.  They are in a dark hole without sight and nowhere to go.  They give up.  They finally just sit down and say,” This is life.”  They accept it.  They can’t color their own world.

The answer for them is prostitution, drugs, human trafficking.  Some choose to sell themselves (not forced) because it is money to feed their own kids.  What an open market for the wrong people to “lend a hand” with false, wicked motives.

However, this is where you and I can make a huge difference.  Precisely at the place where “kids” around the

We can make a difference

world have come to this juncture in their life, you and I can be difference makers.

I preach Christ because He makes a difference. He changes people, inside out. You and I do what we do because we know that besides medical care, hope is given.  My prayer has always been, “Lord do a work that is so profound that  this little girl/boy will be able to see outside the hole.” And when that happens, they know who lives and they can face tomorrow.  The flat line of growth stops and life begins.

Anybody want to start an orphanage with me?

When people ask me what I do, the simplicity of it all surprises even me.  I connect people to people and resource and along the way I make friends and together the Kingdom is advanced.  Your faithful giving  to Barnabas Task is making a difference.

Location where medical team will be

Heart and Soul of Human Suffering

A primary reason I came to Haiti now was to connect and get a handle on an assignment that is complicated. I have been asked by the

Government buildings damaged

Associated Churches in Fort Wayne to prepare for and give direction to a medical team coming from Fort Wayne, IN.  Father Dan Layden of St. Albans Lutheran Church will lead the team.

Post-Operation Infections

I am finding much post-operation infection and infection in general while in the city.  I would suspect that malaria and dengue fever, caused from mosquito bites, would increase because of the rainy season.  Diarrhea is on the increase.  The amount of amputees needing post-operation medical assistance and therapy is staggering.

I chose the location of the medical clinic in the Carrefour area because World Vision has placed clean water there, it was one of the hardest hit  areas and the fact that no one had specifically reached out to this area yet.  The primary reason though is that I sensed the touch of an angels’ wing on my leg while walking in this area.  (See earlier post)  I am following what I believe to be an indication from God that this place was where I was supposed to be.

Location where medical team will be.

Huge Haiti/DR network

I have connected to a network that is the largest church network in Puerto Au Prince.  (PAP)  The name of the organization is Mission Social des Eglises-Haitiennes  (MISSIH). It is connected to a large functional group with the same mission in the Dominican Republic, Servicio Social de Iglesias, Dominicanas, Inc.  In this world, meeting the needs of people demands that churches think differently. The church then is an agency that includes the bonding of social issues and spiritual formation.

The medical clinic then has a much broader appeal than just from a local church.  It is something for all to recieve in the entire area.  I have connected as well with the General Secretary of MISSEH, Pastor Clement.   Plans are being made for a formal invitation to the Associated Churches in Fort Wayne to have a stronger relationship.  That would be interesting.

General Secretary of MISSEH

New friends-Bougier and Guy

Bishop Jean Claude Dorlean, the pastor of the church, has received the idea of a medical team with open arms.  At his church there is a health clinic that already exists, depleted of most medicines you and I would use.  There are several Haitian doctors that will probably work with the team when it comes in May.

The date for the medical team is May 11-20.  I am anticipating a strong team of medical professionals and compassionate care givers.

Looking for whatever is left

One highlight for me was helping the Bishop connect to water filters he was going to use for evangelism.  If one water filter is good for a

Loading a bus with 500 water filters

family of ten people (an approximate average), 500 water filters represents 5000 people.  Bishop Dorlean is going to use the water filters as an evangelism tool, blessing people outside of his church but also having the opportunity to share Christ.  I might mention that receiving a water filter is not contingent upon praying a prayer of salvation.

Many came to Christ

There is a spiritual hunger in Haiti.  While speaking at a church there on this trip, many came to Christ. He is the hope for this country.  I have heard of many stories where voodoo villages have denounced false Gods, burned mountains of fetishes and have given their allegiance to Christ.  I meant a young man that has denounced voodooism.  He preaches to those in the tent.  His message begins by announcing his allegiance to Christ and that he was the son of a voodoo priest.  I sat with this young man and encouraged him to get education, to be a difference maker in his country.

Finally, I have observed a lot of people sitting on top of rubble while they mourn the loss of loved ones.  It is heartbreaking.  Others attempt to dig into where their floor or house once was. Pray for Haiti is an understatement.

Spoke in Spanish, translated in French

I left Haiti, broken for the people there.  I wept for them.  Some all-star relief agencies are leaving.  Others are planning to do so.  However, the real story is just beginning.  In the next few months we will hear of disease, lack of water and a multitude that have no place to lay their head at night.

I am planting a church in Santiago, Dominican Republic.  The vision tarries.  Please pray with me that the funds we need will stretch from the Dominican Republic to Haiti.

When people ask me what I do, the simplicity of it all surprises even me.  I connect people to people and resource and along the way I make friends and together the Kingdom is advanced.  Your faithful giving is making a difference.

Heart and Soul

My time has been a mixed bag of emotions.  The first I ever came to Haiti was in 1981.  I spoke at a countrywide youth convention.  Ron Hittenberger was interpreting for me.  As is the case many times, the lights went out while I spoke, about five times.  One time when the lights were out, we heard a hissing sound like an angry cat.  All we saw was the shadow of something coming toward us from the back of the building. The Haitian youth panicked and began to scream and pray loud.  Ron said, “Keep on speaking.”    And I did.  When the shadow came close to us, rising up, lurching at us, Ron put out his hand and said “in the Name of Jesus,” and the body of a young man twisted and contorted fell to the ground as if hit with a sledge hammer.   We encountered a demonic spirit.

Clean up is slow

In 1982, I wept with friend Dwight Westover as we looked at what seemed to be a thousand lights (or more) that represented so many more people.  Dwight died in a plane crash several years later.  I preached his funeral.  I thought of him and his heart for the lost.  I mourned his loss in Haiti.  I can’t explain it.  It just hit me.

Driving through earthquake-ripped Port Au Prince has reminded of the heart and soul of human suffering.  This city is shut down,taken over by large agencies that have resource answers and structure initiatives.  As I had breakfast with development workers from Denmark, France and Canada I heard their

Remembering

overwhelming frustration of what to do, when and with whom.  This is all complex.  No easy answers in this second phase of relief work.

I had a meeting with Guy Thomas today.  It was great to connect to the Foursquare leader of Haiti.  I took him with me to a meeting at the airport where I had connected with Missionary Aviation Fellowship.  (MAF).  I could not bring Guy a cup of cold water but I did connect him to water filters for the people that attend his church.  Clean water means better health.

When people ask me what  I do, the simplicty of it all surprises even me.  I connect people to people to resource and along the way I make freinds and together the Kingdom is advanced.  It was a cool feeling to watch a new friend drive with enough water filters for his entire church.

YOUR GIVING TO BARNABAS TASK HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN HAITI.

I will write more as time and Internet permits.

I fly to Haiti today. Sorry, no photos.  In Miami, I will board a chartered plane with relief workers going to provide compassion.   We will land in the dark I imagine. Flying into Port Au Prince has always been a different feeling for me.  The view from the plane is a lot of individual lights that represent  about 4 million people in a small geographic area.  I have always felt pain as I have flown into Haiti.  And now the earthquake.

Would you pray for the relief efforts in Haiti?  Would you pray for me while I am there? As I can, I will blog but I don’t know what Internet contact I will have.  I am so grateful that God is helping and guiding my steps.   And I am grateful for my wife, Nancy.  We are together on this.  We encourage each other in our passions.  I love her so.  I am thankful for you that will whisper a prayer.

I know of two young ladies in Fort Wayne, (elementary age) who pray for me when I travel.   They are the daughters of Corbin and Melissa Prows. I pray that as they pray God will raise them up to be strong missions minded women of God, filled with His grace.

Grace and Peace

I believe Haiti’s greatest days are before them. In the midst of rubble and despair there is something in my spirit that says, “the greatest days are ahead.” Along with the determined efforts of many to rebuild I echo as well the reality of rebuilding the very spiritual foundation of the country. God help us to grasp this. Pray with me as I make plans to go back into Haiti for an extended time of proclaiming His grace and goodness, coming against every power of darkness, glorifying and uplifting the Name of God.  Plans are under way.

Haiti's greatest day is before them from tom hinton on Vimeo.

Dear Bill Clinton:

Haiti is off the front page.  It is a natural thing.  Other news will take its’ place and life goes on.  The Disaster Relief First Responder stage is over.   The Olympics are here.

Haiti will now move into the new territory of starting over again.  I talked with officials from Japan while in Haiti.  They were at the border of Jimani, Dominican Republic and Haiti.  What they told me made sense.  Very matter of factly they are pulling out their medical “first responder” teams and replacing them with engineers who will help rebuild the devastated port of Port Au Prince.

There is still a need for the medical personnel.  However they will deal with infections and post-operation issues and the depth of concerns that come with trauma and physical issues.

The shift though is in process. Relief workers I have talked with are wrestling with “how to do this when this has really been done before.”  Millions of dollars have been invested in Haiti by governments and organizations throughout the world.  There is little to show for this.

Can I ask a question?  What about including the church at large to help set priorities and goals for Haiti’s future? What about being able to tap the money that has been promised by so many and allow the church at large to have a prophetic voice in the re-construction of Haiti?  I am not talking about a “back seat” “glad you are here guys.”  I am talking about a “front seat” question like, “You guys have years of experience as missionaries, have developed infrastructure, have a handle on culture and the priority of sustainability.  What could we do different?  Where is the starting point in all this?”

I know it may seem a far-fetched idea.  I am sure they would cooperate with you.  They don’t want the glory for all that happens. But I do feel missionary sending agencies could give you a perspective and voice that must be heard. I guess if we look at the response and long-term efforts after Katrina, the 2005 tsunami in Southeast Asia and other major disasters worldwide there is a strong history of what “the church” can do.

One other thing, Mr. Clinton, there is a spiritual dynamic in Haiti that needs to be addressed.  What about including this dynamic as part of the overall plan to rebuild Haiti.  Believe with me  for Haiti’s spiritual deliverance.

It is a new day for Haiti.  What an opportunity to see what God and His people can do.  I include you in that statement by the way.

I write with conviction and deep concern that this is Haiti’s greatest opportunity ever in its’ history. Perhaps there needs to be church led protocol collaborating with others, playing a significant role in decisions that effect destiny.  Is there really anything to lose?

The task is daunting. With hope, I reach my hand to you along with many others and make this one request.   Let a prophetic voice be heard for Haiti’s new day.

Bill Clinton is the UN Ambassador to Haiti.

Churches across Haiti rallied yesterday to pray and fast for their country and mourn the death of loved ones.  To date, more than 200,000 people have lost their lives.  I was in the capital city of Port Au Prince yesterday and observed literally thousands of people not only at the front gate of the National Palace but also in their churches.  I observed weeping, singing, praying.

It is my understanding that the large gathering of thousands of people at the Palace gate was only part of the story.  They will pray and fast today (February 13) and Sunday (February 14) as well.  It will be a united effort to say, ”Let’s start again.”  This is Haiti’s hope.  To start again.

While in the city I went with new friends from World Vision (they actually live in Santo Domingo) to a church in downtown Port Au Prince.   Their purpose was to  investigate where a major  water station could be placed.  We passed through some of the hardest hit areas of the earthquake.   We heard the singing and prayers coming from a fairly large church.  We had to walk through the throng of praying, desperate people to get to where the water station would be placed.   We side-stepped our way through, people literally elbow to elbow joined together to plead with God for a divine alternative.

For me, I sensed a moment of God’s grace and wonder.  Why was I here, right at this moment?  I had a lot on my mind.

The man traveling with me was the vice-president of a large association of churches that represents every denomination that I know of.  At that moment, he turned to me and asked if I would speak.  Without doubt, there was a large crowd including those under a tent next to their church that had been condemned, those who were in the street, in median areas, parking lots etc.

Dripping with sweat I declared your message that was God’s message.  ‘This is Haiti’s greatest day because we move from here to better days.  This is our opportunity to start over, forgetting the past and press forward.  Haiti’s history will turn a page now.  It is up to you.  I invoke the name of God and His power and come against every power of sin and Satanic influence, every spirit and stronghold that God’s name be glorified, in the matchless name of Jesus.”  I think I shared a few more words.

I had just prayed in the center of Port Au Prince.  I was amazed by it all.

My dad told me before he died, “Talk about God and missions.”  I talked about God today.  His name was lifted up.

Note: I will post more pictures next week and write more in coming days. My hats off to every medical person that has contributed so heroically in Haiti.  You rock! I saw many people that have been taken care of, attended.  Still I saw others that needed attention. The Haiti Disaster Relief is moving into a different stage.  There is still a need for medical teams but the initial “first responder stage” is ending.