Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Although the night was not as restful as it could have been, we were blessed to have a roof over our head. We were up early and took off to the orphanage to visit the kids. Once there we loved on the kids and waited for Russ’s group to show up. When they did arrive we talked some more and took notes on the specifics that need to take place for this place to survive.
We had one more pow-wow and then prayed and we were on our way back across the mountain via the beach. As always it is a long tough ride across the mountains but it is always rewarding to go and see the kids. God provided some extra funds for us to leave with the orphanage to buy some food for the kids and staff. What a blessing it was. We were all tired upon arrival to the guest house and all just went to their rooms and it was good day. Tomorrow we head to Malential to visit our dear friends Deacon and Val.
What better way to start a day than with a good breakfast of fresh fruit and boiled eggs. This would jump start us for the trip to the coastal town of Jacmel. The first task was to negotiate a mini bus to take us over the mountain which we were successful in doing. The saying ” just one more” has a whole new meaning when it comes to public transpiration in Haiti. If there is room for one more person on the mini bus they put three more on. The drive through this part of Port is crazy yet very interesting and entertaining. The drive over the mountains in a very overloaded mini bus is even more insane. I happen to like the reckless abandonment but it can get a little nerve racking. But hey this is Haiti at it’s finest and until God allows someone to help us with a vehicle down here then this is what we do. We are actually getting really good at it and with Pastor Harry at the helm it always works out good.
We made it to the coastal town of Jacmel and got checked into Guys Guest House, grabbed lunch and headed for the orphanage. When we arrived the kids were at school but we met Pastor Russ and Abel there. We showed Nancy and Brent around and gave them a quick history of the orphanage. From there we had an impromptu meeting with several other folks about the plans for this orphanage and the kids. Russ and Abel were doing a outdoor revival at night for the week and invited Pastor Harry to speak so we got back to the guest house and ate got cleaned up a bit and headed out. We all rode motorcycles through the small urban trails of Jacmel till we came to a place called Demomtel where the ho- down was. As always the service was awesome with worship and preaching. The back drop of palm trees and stars made it that much more special. Beat up from the day we headed back to our crib for what I hope will be a good night sleep. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, what an awesome day.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. We all got a good night sleep, had a killer breakfast and hit the ground running. So far this guest house has exceeded all expectations. The name of the guest house is Mon Chez Moui. I think that means ” the cheese is mine”… Just kidding, I don’t know what the heck it means but will find out.
We headed for the school so our guys could check out the work. Well it’s really Gods work not our work – He has just allowed us to join in and be a part it. This is a day that I have anticipated for a long time. Nancy, who has been in education for about 40 years agreed to to come down to help evaluate the teachers and encourage them. We have many people that want to help with the school but our foundation must be firm before we can start building. The school’s foundation is the teachers and their dedication to the Lord and the students. We know our teachers need more training but we will take small steps with them to make sure they understand we are not here to Americanize the school but to help them reach the students in a better way.
We have much work to do and know that God will continue to give us the discernment needed to see that the children get the best education possible. Students today, leaders for the future. Nancy had a good interview with the teachers so now we have something to work with. Brent and I just kinda did a lot of observing and I answered the many questions about the school, community, church, country etc.
We left the school and headed north just a bit to visit a school that has been around since 1979. The school master took some time out and shared her story and answered the many questions that we hammered her with. This meeting was helpful and informative but I am not sure their model applies to us. It was another long hard day in Haiti and I think everyone was beat, including me. It was also another successful day in Haiti. Tomorrow we get up early and head to Jacmel to the small orphanage that we are helping. This is also an area that we feel God will allow us to start a school. Should be another very cool adventure.
It seems like forever since I have been down here. We had a couple of reschedules that set us back a bit. It really kind of messed me up mentally. I was starting to feel a little disconnected. We have been so blessed to stay very involved in Haiti and we were able to keep things fresh.
As we flew in I felt as if I were coming home. I am here with Nancy Hale and Brent Allen who both sit on our board of directors and neither have ever been to Haiti before. I have served with both in the past on other mission fields. I am stoked to have a couple of board members come down. I have been waiting for this for some time now. Nancy will be observing our teachers at the school to evaluate them for further training and Brent will be getting to know the lay of the land better. I know this will be be a blessed time for all. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Ali’s Bistro, FWB
Anchor Screen Printing
Angler’s, Okaloosa Island
Bay Cafe, FWB
The Black Pearl
Bryan Pest Control
Buffalo Wild Wings
Carrabba’s
Dr. Tony Clark, DMD
Coach-N-Four Steak House
The Crab Trap—Okaloosa Island
Floyd’s—Okaloosa Island
Fluid Surf Shop
Fudpucker’s, Destin
The Glass Slipper Tea Cottage
Golden Corral—Mary Esther
Harbor Docks
Hope 4 Haiti
Islanders on the Boardwalk
JTE Solutions
Kinsey Properties
La Paz
Legacy Vacations
Longhorn Steak House, Destin
Longhorn Steak House, FWB
Mary’s Kitchen
Olive Garden, FWB
Sabor A Mexico
TGIF
Tijuana Flats
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. What an awesome day we had for our 4th annual Give Me Shelter Ministries golf tournament. Sunshine and a nice cool breeze covered the course at Shalimar Pointe. This is the second year in a row we have had the tournament here and the staff treats us so kind and really puts a lot of effort in making us feel like we belong.
Today is what I hope is the beginning and not the end. It’s the last day in the field and as always it will be a bittersweet goodbye. I hate leaving my fellow brother but I know my family awaits and I also know I will be back soon, God willing and if the creeks don’t rise. As for the team, I can only hope that the hearts will want to continue. I know their church can only do so much and they already have irons in the fire and should continue to go where the Lord leads them. I do believe that the extension or arm of the church lies in the body. So my hope is that teams will always share what they have seen and learned. It’s all up to God anyway. If I say I want God’s will to be done and truly mean it then I have to be satisfied. That’s a tough place for Christians to be. I am excited to see what happens.
The one thing I know for sure is that these lives this week are changed forever. We took one last trip to the school to see the teachers and play with the kids. It’s kinda hard not to make a fuss while they are in school but they are as stoked to see us as we are to see them. From there we went to the Matthew 25 guest house to let the team buy some souvenirs to share family and friends. I love this place and it was good to see my friends at my favorite watering hole. Tonight the team debriefed and tried to wrap their heads on what took place this week. It was a tough week and this was the perfect team for the task. As each team member is reunited with families, a piece of their heart will remain in Haiti. As Harry always says, God knows. This was fantastic, praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Everyone slept very hard last night after the sojourn up the mountain to Dopillan. I can say at least for myself I was tired, and by the looks of everyone else the team was beat.
We were up early again today and headed towards another journey. We would go south to Jacmel on the Carribean side of the island to visit a small orphanage that Harry and I have been ministering to. We are not involved with the day to day work we only supply food when we can afford to. To make this journey we had to take our tap tap to port Leogane to rent a small bus. From there it was a 2-21/2 hr. Drive over a beautiful mountain range down to the coast.
We arrived at the orphanage to see what I totally expected. Children hungry, dirty and lacking human love. To no fault of the two women who oversee the place, they are running on less than a shoestring budget. Many problems exist here at this 9 children orphanage. This is what has stopped us from getting involved other than staying on the outside loop and just trying to help physically when we can. The teams heart was stirred ( as mine always is down here ) and provided some funds to buy enough food for a month or so. It was a blessing watching the team bring the food to the children. We could only stay for a short time with the kids due to the ride back across the mountain. This was just another ugly face that Haiti can show you. This place can pull you apart if you let it. You must choose your battle and fight it and let the other wars pick a fight with other warriors.
We visited a few other places to include a ride to the coast. We started back a little later than expected. Once down the mountain we ran into a downpour that lasted several hours which ultimately stopped all traffic to due flash flooding. We were stuck for several hours hoping the rain would stop and the flooding would subside. Here again I am with a team as resilient as I am and when complaints would have been easy, all was cool. What a blessing it is to be with this team. I don’t know if I’ll ever see any of them again in Haiti but they will never be forgotten. We did finally start moving again and reached the guest house very late. Another day rode hard and put up late. It was another day in Haiti. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
It’s scary to think something can be perfect or at least close to it. Well I can say for sure that this team is as close as it gets. We embarked on a journey today that not a lot of people can handle. We were blessed to go up to a village at the top of a mountain called Dopilan. This is a village that I have visited twice before. It’s about a 4-5 mile hike straight up a mountain and I mean straight up. A very difficult trek even for those in great shape.
This place is a very poor place that God has laid at our feet. The resources are few and the poverty is a hard thing to get your head wrapped around. An absolute beautiful place but the beauty does not fill the belly or bring much hope. All we can do is depend on God to guide us through this very difficult door. The team embraced the children and mountain top much like I did the first time I visited. We always try and encourage the children and the teachers of the school. One broken building doubles as a school and church and both struggle. I often wonder why God puts these places in my path when we are such a small mission organization and we can only do so little. I do know a little love and compassion goes a long way in the witness of our real reason for being here.
What a blessing we received for the hard work it takes to get to this place that is voiceless and lost to the world. The trip began with a crazy bus ride over Mon Cabrit ( goat mountain ) with 20 people in a 14 passenger van. Public transportation is not for everyone but it’s cheap and until God finds that vehicle for us we will continue to use the Tap-tap and Mottos.
You see this is what I was talking about when I said this team is totally a body of one, close to perfect. It’s almost as I am walking with one instead of six. They know why they are here, they are here for God’s agenda and not their own.
The trip back is no cake walk either… it’s just backwards. Today reshaped a lot of lives. Tomorrow is another adventure to a similar place. Will we be reshaped and molded all over again. God knows! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
What a blessed day today has been. I absolutely froze last night and really did not get much sleep at all due to an A/C that kicked butt. I am still trying to sort that one out in my head. The fact that I am in Haiti for like the umpteenth time and this is a first for me. I must be living right or something. Oh well, this is a good problem to have down here. I am sure this will be a gig that may not last… Who knows?!
Anyway, we left the guest house this morning around 9:00 (slow start) and headed to our school in Croix des Bouquet, a town outside of Port. I was very excited to introduce these guys to the Evangelical Baptist School of Trinity which we launched in October of last year. The school is located at Harry’s church. We have 80 students and 11 staff. We are so blessed to have a man like Pastor Harry over see the school. We are also blessed to have John Smitts as a school director.
When we arrived at the school the whole team just embraced the kids and our staff. It was such a beautiful sight watching the interaction and the love that was shown. I was humbled to the max. You do not always see that kind of response from visitors right off the bat. The kids were excited to see us too.The girls brought some treats and bracelets to give out to the students. Our group was able to see the the workings of a normal school day. They also got to witness lunch being made and served.
Once school let out, Harry sent one of his church leaders to get some lunch for us. We did a killer grind down in the church and then got ready for the bumpy ride back to the guest house. On our way back we took the crew to Harry’s property to see the house that we started building back in July of last year. We are in the roofing stages and are praying God will continue to provide funds to complete this house for a very worthy servant. Once back at the guest house Pastor Jeff and his daughter Sarah took a dip in the devils swimming hole aka swimming pool haha. We had a nice supper and a great Bible study to end the day and what a good day it was. Tomorrow we hike up to Dopilan, a small village way up in the mountains. It will be another adventure in Haiti. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
