Barnabas Task

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.

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.