Barnabas Task

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.

About 12 years ago, Chileans were on vacation going south through Valdivia when a torrential rain caused havoc on the roads, brought flooding and even frightful, horrific landslides.

As they passed a fairly sharp corner the bridge they were driving over gave way, forcing everyone on the bridge to fall to their death.  Others rounded the same corner and fell helplessly to their death as well.

El Mercurio, a Chilean newspaper, said that as this drama quickly unfolded some were fortunate enough to finally stop themselves from the tragic fall into a deep ravine below.

Still,  others became human stop signs, attempting to prevent others from going around the corner.  They sacrificed everything.

They stood in the way, risking their lives so others could live.

I know someone else who risked everything so that others may live.

I am on a journey.  I have not arrived yet.

I am grateful that Jesus Christ stood in the way for me.

Prayer in His presence.

I have talked often about prayer.

God send workers!

• Prayer is conversation with God.
• Prayer is expressing the need for workers
• Prayer could be getting away to spend some quality time with Him.
• Prayer could be that whisper that is yours as you approach or leave a situation.
• Prayer could be intense intercession combined with fasting
• Prayer could be staying until broken before Him
• Prayer could be that daily time that is more than regiment;  rather lovely desire
  

  Prayer is a bridge

• Prayer is spiritual but not holier than others
• Prayer is a bridge to the Father.  He does hear us and wants our conversation.
• Prayer is waiting, maybe not understanding.

Praying builds hope!

I have not arrived yet. I just know that there is a heavy anointing right now on Nancy and I.  We are humbled by this.

It reminds me of Philippians chapter four.

It says in The Message, “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Pray for direction

This is what I know.  I am seeing answers to prayers we prayed six months ago.  I am also waiting on other prayers I thought would be crystal clear answers by now.

Prayer is about a relationship. We are in the palm of God’s hands. He has it all figured out.

I think this is what Psalm 37:5 is about.

“Commit your way unto the Lord, trust also in Him and He will direct your pathway.” (NIV)

I like what my friend Chuck Girard wrote:

Lay your burden down

Lay your burden down

Lay your burden down

Take your tired mind and your troubled heart

And lay your burden down  (at the foot of the Cross)

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

Love you so.

Serving without agenda speaks volumes

We went into a school today.  I loved it.  A door has opened wide.  We taught professors and encouraged them.  Each received  a gift.  We taught Self-Esteem, Character and Integrity to the students. The Young Adult team with me from Level 13 Wesleyan Church has been awesome.  They are hitting the mark and doing a great job.

One of the things we did today was pick up trash at the school.  Within minutes, students joined in to help. It was great bonding time with.  Serving without agenda is a strong message that creates trust.

Snuggles and Wuzzles was introduced in the Dominican Republic

I love children.  I loved to watch them respond to the “fun” teaching that was given. Simultaneously, the teachers received the same teaching that the students recieved so that they could have a time of review in the classroom later.

The team picked up trash for about 45 minutes, joined by students

Then it happened! Snuggles and Wuzzles, my two hand puppets,  came alive.  My two friends caught everyone off card especially the team.  And Snuggles and Wuzzles were invited to come back again!

The journey continues.  I am so impressed with the Apostle Paul.  He had all the credentials/tools to do what he “wanted.”  But he chose a different pathway.  I spoke on this subject the other night to the new “baby church,” Cantico Nuevo.  ”You know my

KIds loved the presentation on Integrity, Character and Self-Esteem

pedigree…”  (Philippians 3:1-6) Here’s the deal:  Paul called his achievements ‘trash” compared to knowing Christ.  He was a changed man after an encounter with Christ.  “I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally….” (Philippians 3:10) Gently and kindly I explained to my new friends that I was in a journey, had not arrived yet but understood that Christ was everything to me. He is the difference maker.

I hope our Christianity will speak volumes to the world you and I live in. Marcos Witt wrote the song, “Hazme radical,” which in Spanish means “Make Me Radical.”  I loved picking up trash today.

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

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 what  is 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.