One, we wanted to do all we could to influence the starting of a church. Actually, everything we were doing from the beginning had that purpose. We built relationships with some incredible people throughout Santiago. I count them as dear friends, people you would love. We put relationship before anything else and believe all know who we are and what we stand for. The church has started. Cántico Nuevo is a reality. John and Diana Martinez were named pastors of the church at the Foursquare Convention in Santo Domingo on April 9. These connections we have made have become a bridge of friendship to John and Diana. The story continues. We were greatly blessed with a team of six young adults that came from Nashville, TN. We lived together, worked together and prayed together. My life is changed because of them! My hats off to their church, New Song, and the leadership/parents there. They did a fine job in preparing this great team for an incredible missions experience. They added such great value to the birthing of the church. I can’t say enough about them.

We facilitated Noche de Damas where about 200 ladies attended, hearing a message on Breast Cancer, Women’s rights, and the story of one who has been violated.  We also facilitated two back to back Healing Seminars, collaborating with Wind of the Spirit Ministries from Silverdale, WA.  We saw healings, deliverance and lives changed with more than 100 pastors in attendance.  More than 1000 people attended our final night of healing.

Second, we wanted to serve some way in Cien Fuegos, an area that is infested with crime, sex abuse, drugs etc. Many there do not have title to property let alone a birth certificate. We have established the Barnabas Project. (Proyecto Bernabé) The focus is three fold:
• Clean Water-The station has been built and equipment will be installed next week. 5000 people, 12,000 gallons a day. We are working with Water for the Children.
• Health Education-For three years we have brought medical teams to Cien Fuegos. After the second year, we made a decision for long-term influence. In that context, we are working with Indiana-Purdue University (IPFW) and Pontifica Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) to develop on-going health care attention in this area of more than 300,000 people. It is an historic first. We are connected to 160 barrios throughout Cien Fuegos but we will focus initially on about 5000 people with health care and clean water.
• Micro-Finance-Our goal of influence was the development of a cooperativa (credit union, loan institution) that is in the name of a Catholic priest, Father Ramón Dubert. Father Dubert was a well-known priest that died as a man of compassion. We found his initial paper work that he was developing before he died. After careful planning and hard work it is now registered in the country. I am very proud of the Dominican team that has put this in order.

We will receive a tremendous team from Life Pacific College, San Dimas, California. There is a program called IGNITE. We will work with this team of 15 for 2 ½ weeks through May 21. I am expecting great things. Thanks in advance to those that are sending them.

I close with one more thing. We feel we have been obedient to the Lord. Nancy and I have traveled back and forth for a season of our lives while she finishes her Nurse Practioner degree with emphasis in reaching the poor and deprived. We will close out our apartment May 25. Our mission here in Santiago has become bigger than what we ever dreamed and therefore we can easily say it is His cause and He gets the glory for all that has taken place.

After various speaking engagements that we have, the goal is to wait and listen to what God has next for us. I know that may sound trite. We feel that the Lord has given us this clear mandate for now. We will read, study, pray and exercise for a season. Nancy will continue her studies. We will still be connected to the DR, traveling there to encourage, meet with Health Education personnel, Water Station personnel and bring nurture to the new church; but for short strategic trips only.

Support for what we are doing and what we will do is needed more than ever. You can send offerings to Barnabas Task, 10917 Summer Chase Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46818 or use the PAYPAL available on this website. Your gifts are tax-deductible.

He has broken me

In the course of several months I have read three biographies/memoirs. George Bush (Decision Points), Karl Rowe (Courage and Consequence), and Donald Rumsfeld (Known and Unknown). All three were at the White House at the same time.  All three experienced the political process, the economic meltdown, 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanámo Bay, etc. from different lenses.  All three were correct in some fashion or another.  They quote and mis-quote each other. They agree and disagree. Lens. Perspective.  Paradigm.  They saw differently, remembered differently.  In that context though, government policy was directed and developed accordingly.

The books have humbled me actually.  As I reflect I have been wrong on occasion.  I have been mistaken and perhaps have not read or seen through proper lens, perspective and paradigm.  To whoever reads my post, please forgive me if that human inadequacy has touched you in any way. I ask forgiveness for my shortcomings and for any lack of consideration for you.

Water station ready for equipment

Planting a church in Santiago and serving the people of Cien Fuegos have brought me to this place of humble brokenness.  I am a different person, I believe, and the preface for this report must be the love of God.  He loves me so deeply that he has broken me, changed me, and caused me to reflect much.  I am not my own.  I am at a good place.

We taught more than 100 pastors

We hosted two healing seminars with Larry and Audrey Eddings and their team from Washington state. They did a fantastic job teaching the healing power of God, providing ample time in small groups for application and process.  In our second seminar we had more than 1000 people in attendance the final night.  More than 100 pastors received this clear simple teaching, taking it back to their churches.  It was a multi-denominational event.

The Water Station is built. Installation of the purification equipment begins on April 2. When completed, this gift to the squatters’ rights community of Cien Fuegos will deliver 12,000 gallons of water for approximately 5,000 people. A solid group of some extraordinary Dominican friends now regulate the station.

The church Cántico Nuevo is a reality.  A group of people meet weekly, while potential exists for a separate group to form soon.

John and Diana Martinez

Developing emerging leaders meet weekly.  John and Diana Martinez, the pastors of the church, are leading with grace and wonderful wisdom.  Continue to pray for them. They also need financial support.  What an investment.

Finally, a new network has been established between the Catholic University in Santiago and

Compassionate medical care

Indiana/Purdue University (IPFW) in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The goal with this network is to establish ongoing health education for the community of Cien Fuegos and subsequent medical, training, and teaching teams on a quarterly basis.  Why not dream that these Dominicans can have medical care like they have never had before? I believe it can happen.

If I am a fool, I am a fool for Christ.  I believe that change and increased influence come through daring to believe and due diligence coupled with a clear proclamation that   mercy can re-write lives. God planned it that way, and Nancy and I have set out to follow this plan.  We are fulfilling what we set out to do.

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

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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.

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.

Translating for Nic Mihailoff. We spoke to 60 businessmen.

Hosting a team from Ignite Foursquare was a delight this past week.  Laughter, connection and God’s amazing grace put it all in perspective.   Pastor Todd Sywrus, Nic Mihailoff, Tom Gordon, Doug Wilson and Robb Malcolmson added value to what we are doing here.  Great insight. Dude, can they eat!

Pastor Todd Sywrus spoke twice in Cien Fuegos.

We attended Parroquia San Ramon Nonato on Sunday morning.  The team from Michigan was with me.  We separated inside the church as to not be too obvious.  The team is doing what I would do here if by myself.  I am on a learning track, feeling, observing and discerning.  This would be the type of church I would love to see built here.  What a powerful influence it would be.

What a beautiful facility it was.  I was impressed with its cleanliness and open doors and windows.  People that attend this church seem to have consistent well paying jobs but there was a mix of others present who were distant.   What would happen if the prostitute walked in?

Meeting with businessmen in Cien Fuegos was a delight.  We spoke to 60 businessmen about growth in their  business. A commission has been formed to develop Micro-Finance.  Huge.  It has taken a year to birth this.

Todd Syruws preached twice in Cien Fuegos.  He did a wonderful job and was received well.

Through a significant relationship the right person was identified to contact for a piece of property to place a Water Station.

We met an EMT in Haiti from a Foursquare church in Gresham, Oregon.

Travel to Haiti was a fun trip with Nic Mihailoff and Phil Pritchett, both businessmen traveling with me.  Never a dull moment. Nic is a mentor of new developing business projects working with the University of Michighan.  Phil has been with me  on four trips and has been trained to take a Barnabas Task  team anywhere in the world.

Clean water is an issue in our world. This little guy had an empty water bottle. Broke my heart.

Haiti is tough to process.  I don’t have easy answers.  Planning for the medical team in May was a lot of listening at first.  Several times I pulled away just to process.  There are so many factors.  At the end of the day, we decided to place the May medical clinic close to the street, beneath a large covering provided by USAID. I had a brief conversation with the Director of Norwegian Church AID.  They will come to the clinic when we have it to observe.

We left Haiti with a sense of sincere desperateness.  It has happened before to me.  Who? What?  When?  Where? And How? seem to be trumped so many times it is hard to find the beginning.

We drove to Bonao to meet with John and Diana Martinez.  They are a wonderful Colombian couple that are  raising their own support to be here.  Foursquare Flint Ignite invested $500 in a new Micro-Finance business the Marinez’ are establishing to help raise the support they need to live here.  It would be patterned after a “Tent maker” philosophy with a strong edge for development and planning upfront so that it would be successful. They sell jewelry, cards, and other proto-types that will have their personal signature.  We are committed to this.

John and Diana Martinez will move to Santiago in November to join us in the church plant.

Supporting Barnabas Task is supporting what you have read.  We are grateful.  Plowing continues.  I have a vision that is clearly written on one page.

Habakkuk 2:2 says  ”For the revelation awaits an appointed time;  it speaks of the end and will not be false. Though it linger, wait for it;  it will certainly come and not delay.”

Habakkuk was forward thinking.  This vision was not about him.  It was for others.  They would carry the message.  It was other-people centered.   Others will benefit from what we are doing.  This is not my gig.

I understand this.  We are living in tremendous times.

Last night, we drank coffee and pondered the future with a young adult named Andy Martinez.  He expressed the need for relevance coupled with intercession.  He said, “what you are  attempting to do here in Santiago, Dominican Republic is noted.  People are hungry for what you offer.”  The vision tarries.  We are in place for the greatest move of God in our life time.  To Him be the glory and Honor.