Prayers for travel and a very funny story :)

Hello,

Hope you are all well. We have a broken generator and are now running on a small capacity generator, which is again making it difficult to keep up good communication. We are on the brink of going solar though, thanks to friends from Cookshill Community Church, they held a fundraiser for a complete solar powered system for the Children's village and medical clinic here in Marose. So this summer thanks to them and a couple of other friends we will be going solar. God is so faithful.

Tonight Mike is flying back to Washington. Please pray for safe travel and connecting flights. Pray for safe travel to and from speaking engagements and also two fundraisers. We would also appreciate prayer for our two fundraisers. The first one is tomorrow (Saturday), in Lynden. This fundraiser is our annual US fundraiser. The second one is the Mission Store, which will be held on June 27th. For more information on tomorrows fundraiser you can view the invitation below.

Now, for the funny story. Yesterday Mike rode his motorcycle into the city. He has lost some weight since moving to Haiti. He is finding himself pulling up some of his pants frequently, so they do not fall down. The shorts he wore into town were bothering him, so when he parked his moto, he noticed some twine on the back of his moto. He was removing it when a Haitian man came up to him and asked him if he was Haitian or American? Granted all Haitian's are black not white, but this was not what the man was getting at. Before answering Mike bent down and grabbed a rock and laid the twine on the edge of the road and started hitting the twine with the rock to cut it. He then picked up the twine and threaded it through his belt loops to make a belt to hold up his shorts. After watching the process, the man answered his own question. He said that it was obvious that Mike was Haitian :) Hope this brings a smile to your face as it did ours.

On a side note, I would also love and appreciate your prayers as I negotiate living in Haiti with five children on my own for the month of June. 

Blessings,

Chris

Hello,

We have had an interesting last few days. So glad all of you have been praying for us. We have had our son and his family visiting, which has been great. Three days ago we decided to visit a little oasis we have found in the city of Gonaives. It is a work in progress, but a very peaceful place to be. We found this place right before our 5 year old daughter's birthday and celebrated her day there. We also celebrated my grandson's birthday there before he flew back home with my daughter. We decided it would be fun to take my son and his family there. They have a small concrete pool. One half of the pool is shallow and one half is deep. My two year old grandson was playing in the pool and slipped and cut himself, behind his ear. Our friends from Much Ministries have a medical clinic like we do. Because we were in Gonaives, their clinic was closer, so we took him to their clinic. He needed three stitches. We went back to eat and it started raining. It is the rainy season in Haiti, and when it rains it is serious. We have had four concrete cinder blocks on our window sill holding the curtain down to keep the rain out and the rain and wind has blown them down multiple times. So we are eating outside and have to move inside, within minutes the ground outside is flooded and coming inside the covered patio we are on. The two resident ducks are swimming in the yard outside. When it slowed up a bit we decided to head for home. The only problem is the three bridges we need to cross are not passable and the road around the bridges is 10 to 15 feet under water. So now we have 5 adults and 8 children unable to make it back to the children's village. Our friends from Much Ministries had also been eating where we were, so we called them and they graciously offered to put all 13 of us up for the night. They already had a team staying with them. God was looking out for us.

The next day was bright and sunny. Mike, Jacob and Nathan had a youth event planned for the day. Mike started preaching, then it started raining again. He had to compete with the sound of the rain on the metal roof of our church. The youth also had to play musical chairs as the wind and rain choose to change direction and come in different windows. Nathan lead worship before, during and after. Jacob then gave a message. He preached on how great Heaven would be and how great it was that most of them in the room would be able to be in Heaven. Then he shared that as each one of us comes to the Lord, we are given a stack of invitations to pass out. He also shared that some of the people around us would not be in Heaven, because we had not passed out those invitations. Then he challenged them to use the invitations given to them and invite their family, friends and others into a relationship with Jesus. They worshiped for a while and then Nathan asked any one who wanted Jacob to pray for them to get in a line, so Jacob said he prayed for a huge line of youth. God gave him individual words for each of one. God is so good. 

So while the youth event was going on and the youth were getting prayed for, our rooms were flooding and our beds were getting soaked. Bedding and mattresses from 13 beds, plus curtains, clothing etc. We came home to a mess, water running out of our door. Water also flooding the 2 apartments we are building, one of which is going to be our home. So we were mopping the floors and cabinets in the apartments too. 

Today all is back to normal, what ever that is here :) Only my laundry (which is all washed and rung out by hand) got wet by the rain today. I would really appreciate your prayers for the window man to finish installing glass in the windows of the team rooms, one of which our family is in, the other of which Jacob's family is in, along with Kiana, also the windows in the apartments. The glass would protect the cabinets and our things once we move in. Please also pray for the electrician, plumber and cement worker to finish their part of our apartment. It would be really helpful to be in more then one room. 

Tomorrow Nathan will be leading worship in Pass Rien and and Mike will be preaching. Kiana, Amber and Jacob will probably be sharing something also. Please be praying that God continues to move in the hearts of the people of Pass Rien. And thank you for all of your prayers for the ministry and our family, I am certain things would have looked very different the last three days if you had not been praying for us. As it turned out, there was little damage and just a whole lot of work. 

Blessings,

Chris

Riding in a tap tap

Some of the bibles YOU purchased.

Playing with dolls.

                                   

Sewing clothes for dolls.

Playing with Legos.

Our CTK Team

Jeff and Darrell 

Children drawing in our room.

The huge baptism from all of our churches together.

Hello,

Hope all is well with you. We have had some amazing experiences with God these past two weeks. Last week the village of Perou held a revival each night. The theme was "Rebuilding the wall with God's help." It was based on Nehemiah 1:4. Mike preached some of the evenings and Nathan lead worship some of the evenings. During the week Mike also spent time during the day meeting with the Pastor of Perou and also with some of the leaders. He spent time walking around the village and visiting with people. He was able to see sugarcane harvested and also sugarcane syrup being made, in much the same way as it was hundreds of years ago. Complete with actual horse power. This past Sunday was the final day of the revival culminating in a 5 hour church service. There were over 30 salvation's during the week. There were also many re-dedications and prayers for healing. The Holy Spirit has been really moving. God has been so merciful to the village of Perou. Please continue to pray for the village of Perou.

This Monday my son Jacob and his family have come for a visit. They will be in Haiti for two weeks. They brought all of the ingredients with them for making Tacos. Tacos is one meal that Mike has really missed. We fixed the Tacos tonight and they were wonderful. It has been a blessing to have some of my children and also some of our friends visit these past few months.

Our apartment is getting close to being finished. Please pray that we are able to have most of it finished and be moved in before Mike flies back to the US for our annual fundraiser and a Logos Bible Software seminar. He will also be back in the states for Rose's Mission Store and for various speaking engagements. It would be easier for me to be settled and not living with all seven of us in the same room. It has been much like camping. And, after almost 3 months of living this way I am really looking forward to a little bit more space :) I can't even have quiet time in the bathroom.

Last night a very sad and exciting event happened. Nathan's wife was at the hospital where she works and a lady came to the hospital to give birth, which is unusual in Haiti. She must have been having trouble. Afterwards she left and would not take the baby with her. Madame Nathan offered the hospital to take the baby and care for her. The hospital gave her permission, so now Nathan and his wife are the proud parents of a little baby girl. We are sad for the mother, but at the same time very excited for Nathan and his wife. I will post a photo as soon as I am able to take one. 

Thank you all so very much for your faithful prayers for the ministry and our family.

Many blessings,

Chris

Hello,

I've missed writing to you. We only use the generator for power in the evenings so between going to the nightly church services and having the internet down for a few days, I have not been able to update you.There seems to be no rhyme or reason in regards to our ability to connect to the internet, other then harassment from the enemy. 

We were blessed to have a CTK team visit us. They were here for a pastors conference, they also did some teaching with our Good Shepherd pastors. They spent time with the children, including giving out glo-sticks, which the children love and they spent some time praying for us and encouraging us, both of which were greatly appreciated. The team also attended Friday's all night prayer and worship celebration in Pass Rien. Rusty taught and each team member shared testimonies or stories and scriptures. It was a special night for Pastor Rusty as he was with the team that went to Pass Rien the first time, nearly two years ago, to pray over the village and try to sense if God was calling us to work in Pass Rien. He helped to lead 4 of the 7 people to the Lord that first visit. It was also exciting for the team to experience the Spirit of God moving in Pass Rien.  We had 27 people give their lives to the Lord that night. The worship led by Pastor Nathan was very powerful. Thank you for all your prayers for Pass Rien, the people still are meeting every night, they just love worshiping God and learning about Him.

Mike is preaching every Sunday, plus a couple of times a week. He would greatly appreciate your prayers. Also we are still in the adjustment period as a family and would appreciate your prayers for our family as well. We were able to get a break as a family. We found a hotel with a pool, and took our three youngest children along with the two children we are in the adoption process with. They had never been to a hotel before, it was a very new experience for them. It was also a great bonding experience. We are getting a bit better at speaking the language which helps. Jonas, one of our translators is teaching us now. Total immersion also helps, when there is no team, there is no translator to help us, except when Mike is preaching. So we are learning out of the necessity to communicate :) 

Next week, Jacob, one of our sons will be coming to visit with his family. I am excited to see them. 

Please know that we are very appreciative of your prayers, they are very important to us.They are our life line so to speak. 

Many Blessings,

Chris

Hello,

Our friends from the Seattle area have arrived and are helping to get our house or apartment finished. They have really been a blessing to us. It is good to have friends around who have known you for a long time. Friends who have grown with you, so to speak. Friends who have walked through life with you. They know you well and can speak into your life. Friends who understand what makes you tick :) So the blessing has been not only the help finishing our home, but also fellowship.

Last Saturday we had four weddings, they were a lot of fun to participate in. It is great watching the Spirit of God move and draw people, causing people to want to change their lives and follow Him. Pass Rien is such a changed community. There is a real feeling of community and peace. They are a very welcoming and hospitable community now. The spirit of fear and oppression has left.

We also had a baptism celebration that represented all 5 Good Shepherd churches. First we had a church service. Next everyone hiked about a mile behind a marching band. There were 10 musician's in the band. And as usual by the time everyone arrived at the river the crowd had almost doubled. There were a few hundred spectators by the time we reached the river. We had  3 other pastor's and Mike baptizing at the same time. Becca was also baptizing her leaders from her women's bible study groups. There were between 60 and 70 that were baptized. I tried to catch most of it on video, so at some point we will make a DVD for those of you that would like to experience a Haitian baptism. I did manage to get a couple of photos in between filming. After the baptisms everyone followed the band back up the hill to the church, where we had another service celebrating the baptisms. There was a choir from Acahaie, of 50 men and women. Their voices were absolutely beautiful. They were so clear and the timing of their voices were perfectly matched. Even though we more than doubled the size of the church by opening one of the long sides of our 40' X 60' military tent and using some of our shade cloth making it 100' X 80', we still had many people standing outside of the church. I was one of the people outside on the back side of the tent, and as I was listening to the choir I turned and was facing the hills surrounding us. I was then reminded of a verse in Luke. Luke 19:40, where Jesus says even the rocks will cry out. Pass Rien is a farming community. And as I looked at the ground and then back to the hills, I knew that the choir's worship was echoing from the hills and I felt like God was saying if they continued to worship Him, He would heal their land, which as farmers working the land, it was very significant. 

Pass Rien is still having church every night and they will be having all night prayer and worship again this Friday. Please continue to pray for the people of Pass Rien. Pray that the Spirit of God continues to draw the people and set them free from the bonds of voodoo and witchcraft. This morning we attended church in Pass Rien, Nathan lead worship and Mike preached. Jeff and Darrell also shared a little bit. 

Jeff, Darrell, Becca, our daughter and our grandson Felice will be traveling home Wednesday afternoon and Thursday. Please pray for safe travel for each of them. Please also pray for us, Becca and Felice have been with us for two months now and it will be very hard for us as they leave. Pray also for them as they go and for the women who's hearts Becca has touched. Some of the women from Pass Rien were very sad as they said goodbye to her today. She has helped to open a whole new world for them and she has shown them how to have an intimate relationship with Jesus. They had her sit with them in front of one of their homes today and sent her off with mangoes. She has two home bound women in particular that she visit's and prays for that will also miss her. As I have shared in a past e-mail, the leavings are particularly difficult. We really appreciate your prayer's as we continue to adjust to life in a new land. 

Blessings,

Chris

Hello,

I thought I would write and update you. Both for interest and prayer requests. Our son Jeremy and his wife Davida and my granddaughter Jessie just left for Washington today. They have been staying with us this past week. They helped to celebrate our youngest daughter, Lizzy's birthday. We were able to find a nice place with a small pool to spend a quiet day as a family. Well maybe not so quiet :) we had 8 children with us. But it was good family time. It was with tears that I said goodbye. It is hard knowing I will not see them until December probably. Davida is pregnant and due in July. I will miss seeing the baby. 

In one week, we have two friends that we have known for over 30 years coming to visit. They are both very good carpenters and decided that they wanted to help us get into our house sooner, so they booked a flight and are coming next Thursday. They will be leaving the same day our daughter Becca and grandson Felice leave. The coming is great, but all this leaving is very hard. Becca has such a great handle on the language here, not having her with me will make a huge difference in every day living for me. She has had a very amazing and fruitful time here. She has been teaching in all of our villages. She is trying to spend multiple times teaching and developing relationships and leaders in each village. The women spend a good part of the day with her each time. In Pass Rien, she spends time walking through the village now and visiting the women, they are so excited to see her. She usually has a parade of children with her that grows as she visits. There are several women who want her to baptize them on Saturday. When she is finished teaching they sit with her until her ride comes and they bring her coconuts to drink and eat. They have really accepted her and love her.  And, there is much fruit, couples who are living together wanting to get married. Women sharing their hearts with her about their struggles and challenges. Women wanting to be baptized. And women growing in their knowledge of Christ and desiring an intimate relationship with Christ. In her time here God has greatly used her. He has showered blessings on the women of Haiti and drawn them to Him. Please continue to pray for the fruitfulness of her teaching.

The following week we have a team coming from Anacortes. So prayer for all of the traveling of different teams and individuals would be greatly appreciated.

We are so excited this weekend. Saturday there are four couples who are new Christians, that will be getting married. All of them have children together. Before coming to know Christ they did not understand why they should be married, each of them is choosing to make their living situation right. Please pray for them as they are married on Saturday. 

We are also very excited for Sunday. We will be having church in Pass Rien. It will be a gathering of all 5 Good Shepherd Churches, the name Pastor Nathan choose for our ministry in Haiti. At the end of the church service we will be baptizing about 70 to 80 people. God has been so compassionate and merciful. It should be an amazing day. Please pray for good weather and that God will continue to draw hearts. Please pray that all who want to be baptized will be able to come. Prayer is so important, it is a HUGE part of the revival in Pass Rien. We are SO thankful for for prayers. 

Blessings,

Chris

 If you have ever been to Haiti with New Generation Ministries, then you have surely seen and felt the passion of “football” (soccer) in Haiti. Soccer is the national Haitian pastime and it isn’t any different at the Good Shepherd Children’s Village. Every evening as the temperature slowly drops the soccer game begins. Our short term mission teams have observed some hard played and passionate games. The kids go all out, especially if another local team has come to challenge our boys.

  The problem, and it is a Third-World problem, is that our fields are mostly gravel and the ball really takes a beating. So much so that a good $40 soccer ball will last 2 or 3 days at best. I’ve seen one good game destroy a new ball. The kids are unfortunately left to playing soccer with water bottles and stuffed animals or whatever they can find.

   Finally after observing this problem all over the globe, some smart guys were challenged to find a solution. “Futbol” has designed a somewhat indestructible soccer ball only available to ministries like ours to help these kids with their favorite, healthy pastime. “Futbol” can’t be punctured and can’t go flat. It has an extremely durable cover, and yet kicks and feels the same as an official soccer league ball.

For the children at the Good Shepherd Children’s Village, and some other ministries that we have shared them with, this has been a God’s send. If you would like to ask me more questions about the Futbol or how to send more Futbols to the orphanage, please feel free to respond……………Mike

Hello,

We wanted to send out an update. The team arrived home safely. They flew out Monday morning and had a layover in New York that evening. They flew to Seattle the next morning. Some went to a hotel, some saw the empire state building, the M&M wall, and some did street evangelizing. 

This week and last, the children have been out of school for carnival and Easter. We have been spending a lot of time just building relationships this week. Also we have been working on language. Becca and Janae are really getting good at the language. 

This week also has been spent preparing for a wedding. Nathan's sister, one of our nurses named Betsy, is getting married tomorrow morning. Mike will be giving the message. There have been many friends and family helping. Becca has been the official gas oven lighter. She is the best at it. I was able to help make the wedding cake. It has been fun seeing all the special food items that are being prepared. There has also been painting and decorating at Nathaniel's house, Nathan and Betsy's father. 

Please pray for Mike as he shares the message and for Betsy and Figleson, whom she is marrying. It should be a fun celebration.

Mike will also be preaching on Easter Sunday, please pray that he shares what God has for the people. That it will be encouraging, uplifting and hopeful.

Both Becca and Nathan's health is improving a little. We felt a spiritual lifting happen as we prayed for them today. Today is the first day that we have seen real improvement. Thank you for lifting them up in prayer, we really appreciate your prayers.

Blessings,

Chris

 Kat and Laura playing UNO

 Steph making fruit loop necklaces

 Rose and one of the children

 Lynn giving one of the books she made

 Tami painting nails with flowers

The girls making doll clothes

 Hanging on the new monkey bars

 Unloading the 40 ft container of food for the schools and children's village

 Worship

Mike, Brenda and Kathy

 The Haitian bibles you bought for Christmas

Kathy's gingerbread cookies for the children

Dustin and two of the children

 Julia with one of our children

 David, Laura and Lynn, part of the dental team

 David and Tami doing dental work

 Kacie playing barrel of monkey with the children

 Caitlin and I making fruit loop necklaces

Before the dentist helped us

Helping me do my laundry :)

Getting our nails painted complete with flowers