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.
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.
Subscribe
