Good Morning to all of you on this very grateful Thanksgiving Day. We are so very, very grateful to all of you who have so faithfully supported us and this ministry to the children in Haiti. At times it has been a challenge beyond capacity, but your prayers and support have made it all possible.
I write this greeting to you with much emotion after just arriving home two days ago. Sad to leave the ones that I have grown to love so much, but glad to return to my wife and children and grandchildren that I also love so very much. As I contemplate this Holiday morning, I can't help but feel that, like many of our American holidays, maybe the real meaning of the day has been slowly eroded by our lifestyle. I look around my home and realize that most of my many rooms are larger than the average mud hut in Haiti. My closet has ample clothes for me to wear for nearly a month if I choose to, while most Haitians have a daily and a church outfit, if that. And the stuff that is filling my closets and attic and garage would fill a large truck, while most Haitians personal belongings would hardly fill a single cardboard box. Have I taken the rich blessings from God and kept them for myself?
The first celebration of thanksgiving came after a long cold winter, barely survived by the new pilgrims of our country who had found themselves in such dyer need. Then the caring, generous natives of this Kingdom shared their resources with those in need, and not only their resources but love, encouragement, security, faith, and salvation. Isn't this the calling on all of us who share in the rich blessings of Gods Kingdom? For us to be generous as He has been generous with us. How far do we dare go in satisfying our own desires until we have crossed the line of neglecting the poor and lost and hurting and needy. Surely He has given us plenty. Surely He has shown us, "O man what is good and what the Lord requires of thee. But to act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Mike
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
November 18,2011 - Very exciting news
Hello,
I talked with Mike tonight. The team flew out according to plan this morning. I have heard back from the team also, they landed safely in Seattle a few minutes ago. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Last night when I told the story of the couple that came to the Lord, I forgot to mention that they both told Mike and Pastor Nathaniel that they wanted to be married as soon as possible, they are trying to do things right. Please pray for them.
Mike made it safely back up to Archie. He had a great day with the Lord, he felt like he was given direction and words. Again thank you so much for your prayers. Please continue to lift him up in prayer Saturday as he spends more time with God. Sunday morning he has been asked to teach at Nathan's brother in law's church. There is usually about 1000 in attendance. He would appreciate prayers on Sunday morning also :)
Nathan and Mike have been invited to a meeting Sunday afternoon for orphanages. It is being held by IBESR. IBESR is like our child protection services in the states. They also have authority over adoptions. Please pray that the meeting will go well and that the rules will be helpful to the adoption process.
This brings me to the exciting news. When Mike and Nathan were talking to one of the IBESR authorities, they were told that since the earthquake IBESR had decided they needed a way to rate orphanages. They came up with a system that assigns a color code to each orphanage. The lowest being yellow, next best orange, then red and finally the best is given a green code. In the Gonaives section of the country there are many orphanages. After IBESR made their decision, there was one orphanage that did not even reach yellow and their orphanage was closed. They had about 20 children and the children were given away to other orphanages. One being our Haitian friend Perry's orphanage. Pastor Perry is in our pastor's association. Nathan was also offered 8 to 10 children. He told them no, not at this time. I believe he said this because, we would need more Nanny's and staff. It is difficult to find good staff and even harder to get them sponsored so that we can pay them a fair living wage for Haiti. We were then told that pastor Perry's orphanage had received a green color code which is the highest. Then Mike and Nathan were told that only two orphanages received the green color code in the Gonaives area and our orphanage was the other orphanage given the green color code. This is huge for us. We have been trying to follow through with what God has put before us. This is why 2 different times now, when children have been found that needed a safe place they have been brought to our orphanage. It is a huge YAHOO for God.
It is an answer to prayer as we have felt called to be a Christ centered, church centered ministry to the WHOLE community. Thank you so much to all of you that have helped to make the orphanage, schools, church and medical clinic possible. You have helped us to be a bright light in the community, and thereby making God the bright light in the community. Praise God!
Many blessings,
Chris
Friday, November 18, 2011
November 17, 2011
Hello again,
Today was a good day for the team. Bergerlande continues to do well. She is no longer sick. She runs around, laughs and plays with the other children. Praise God for His mercies.
In the morning the team went up to visit Pass Rien. They handed out candy and some clothes from one of our containers. The witch doctor was not at home, so they were not able to meet with her. Please continue to pray for her salvation. In the past she has shown Mike and pastor Nathan the place where she does her voodoo ceremonies. She has asked Mike while there if he is afraid, multiple times. He always answers her back no, that his God is more powerful. So today the team went into her voodoo worship place and spent time praying against the powers of darkness and claiming the area for Christ. Then they spent time praying over and claiming the piece of land where we would like to build the school and church. They prayed on the concrete pad that once had been the front steps to a church that apparently years ago had blown down in one of the storms, and had never been rebuilt. The witch doctor owns this piece of property, along with much of the property in the area.
The last few days Mike noticed a new girl helping with the laundry, he had said hi and acknowledged her, but had not really spent much time talking to her. Some of the other women at the orphanage said she was filling in for another worker. This afternoon, Mike felt like God said to go and talk to her. So he did, He asked her if she was hungry and she said she was, so he took her to the dining room and got her something to eat and found our interpreter and started to ask her about herself. He said at first she was embarrassed and had a hard time talking. She said she had a baby and a husband, but as she became more comfortable talking she admitted she actually had another child also and she was not really married. She had been a Christan and had made a mistake and become pregnant. The church she had been going to kicked her out. She also had been going to school, but because of being pregnant and poor she had to stop going. So four years later she was poor, uneducated, had no clothing, was living with a man, and was ashamed. Mike shared with her that God loves her. That God wants us to do things in the right order for blessings. That God was not punishing her. Mike asked her if she wanted to give her life to Jesus again. She said yes. He told her our church would not discriminate against her clothes. Then he asked her if she thought the father of her children would want to hear what he had said to her. She said he might, so Mike told her to go and see if he would come talk to Mike. So she went to ask and brought him and the children back. Mike talked to him and he too gave his life to the Lord. Mike gave her little girl a pillowcase dress and some candy, then he took them to meet Nathan's father, pastor Nathaniel. He assured them he would greet them warmly on Sunday and that he was proud of the choice that they had just made. They said they were going to go home and share with her mother, whom they lived with and see if she would come to church with them. Praise God!!!!!!!!
Tomorrow morning (Friday), or rather tonight, at 3:30 AM Haitian time, 1:30 AM our time, literally in just a couple of hours from now, the team will leave for Port-au-Prince and start heading home. Please pray for safe travel and on time connections. This trip, the team has members who have all been to Haiti with us before, so Mike and Nathan will be seeing them to the airport and then Mike will be traveling back up north to Archaie. Mike wants to set aside some spiritual time for God. He believes that since he is ministering in Haiti, that it makes sense to spend the time in Haiti. Please pray for Mike over the next 4 days, for his protection. Also please pray for words, dreams, and clarity from God. Please pray for vision, understanding, direction and that he hears Gods heart.
Thank you soooooooo much for all of the prayers you have prayed over the last 10 days. We truly could not accomplish everything without your support.
Blessings,
Pass Rien
Chris
Today was a good day for the team. Bergerlande continues to do well. She is no longer sick. She runs around, laughs and plays with the other children. Praise God for His mercies.
In the morning the team went up to visit Pass Rien. They handed out candy and some clothes from one of our containers. The witch doctor was not at home, so they were not able to meet with her. Please continue to pray for her salvation. In the past she has shown Mike and pastor Nathan the place where she does her voodoo ceremonies. She has asked Mike while there if he is afraid, multiple times. He always answers her back no, that his God is more powerful. So today the team went into her voodoo worship place and spent time praying against the powers of darkness and claiming the area for Christ. Then they spent time praying over and claiming the piece of land where we would like to build the school and church. They prayed on the concrete pad that once had been the front steps to a church that apparently years ago had blown down in one of the storms, and had never been rebuilt. The witch doctor owns this piece of property, along with much of the property in the area.
The last few days Mike noticed a new girl helping with the laundry, he had said hi and acknowledged her, but had not really spent much time talking to her. Some of the other women at the orphanage said she was filling in for another worker. This afternoon, Mike felt like God said to go and talk to her. So he did, He asked her if she was hungry and she said she was, so he took her to the dining room and got her something to eat and found our interpreter and started to ask her about herself. He said at first she was embarrassed and had a hard time talking. She said she had a baby and a husband, but as she became more comfortable talking she admitted she actually had another child also and she was not really married. She had been a Christan and had made a mistake and become pregnant. The church she had been going to kicked her out. She also had been going to school, but because of being pregnant and poor she had to stop going. So four years later she was poor, uneducated, had no clothing, was living with a man, and was ashamed. Mike shared with her that God loves her. That God wants us to do things in the right order for blessings. That God was not punishing her. Mike asked her if she wanted to give her life to Jesus again. She said yes. He told her our church would not discriminate against her clothes. Then he asked her if she thought the father of her children would want to hear what he had said to her. She said he might, so Mike told her to go and see if he would come talk to Mike. So she went to ask and brought him and the children back. Mike talked to him and he too gave his life to the Lord. Mike gave her little girl a pillowcase dress and some candy, then he took them to meet Nathan's father, pastor Nathaniel. He assured them he would greet them warmly on Sunday and that he was proud of the choice that they had just made. They said they were going to go home and share with her mother, whom they lived with and see if she would come to church with them. Praise God!!!!!!!!
Tomorrow morning (Friday), or rather tonight, at 3:30 AM Haitian time, 1:30 AM our time, literally in just a couple of hours from now, the team will leave for Port-au-Prince and start heading home. Please pray for safe travel and on time connections. This trip, the team has members who have all been to Haiti with us before, so Mike and Nathan will be seeing them to the airport and then Mike will be traveling back up north to Archaie. Mike wants to set aside some spiritual time for God. He believes that since he is ministering in Haiti, that it makes sense to spend the time in Haiti. Please pray for Mike over the next 4 days, for his protection. Also please pray for words, dreams, and clarity from God. Please pray for vision, understanding, direction and that he hears Gods heart.
Thank you soooooooo much for all of the prayers you have prayed over the last 10 days. We truly could not accomplish everything without your support.
Blessings,
Pass Rien
Chris
The concrete pad from the old church.
--
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Baptizing
The band gets ready
The procession starts
Others join as the procession goes along
Teaching
Baptizing
They are covered with white as they leave the water
Ending in prayer
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Hello,
This morning started off with a precious sight. Bergerlande, the new girl I wrote about a few days ago, came in with a giant grin on her face. She was ready for her first day of school. Apparently she had been sick and was given medicine by Dr. Ralph, and she was doing better now. Also, she did not have shoes to wear to school, so she had been taken into town to get shoes and a pair of white frilly socks. So, in a borrowed school uniform with her hair done up, new shoes, socks, and a borrowed school back pack from Mannrose, she came to get her photo taken. Mike said she was very excited.
Later the team went into Gonaives. They walked around town some and purchased supplies. Before lunch they went to Emory's to feed the children. Mike said it went well. Emory's team came back to the orphanage later for lunch with our team. In the afternoon the team did crafts with the children. Usually all the children enjoy crafts, it does not matter if they are a boy, a girl, young or one of the older children. It is something new to experience. While the team did crafts, Mike went to Peru to teach the bible study. He said it was a powerful and fun experience. When everyone started to gather, the woman whose leg had been healed during the all night prayer and worship time, came running up to him calling out "pastor Mike, pastor Mike" pointing to her leg. She was thrilled about being healed and wanted him to know she was still doing well. In the evening the team did glo sticks with the children and had devotions.
Tomorrow the team will be going to Pass Rien, please continue to lift up the property and the witch doctor to God. Pray that he continues to draw her heart towards him.
Pray for the team also, as tomorrow will be their last day at the orphanage. It is hard to say goodbye to the children, especially for the ones that are adopting. They will start traveling very early Friday morning. Again, many thanks for all of your prayers.
Blessings,
Chris
This morning started off with a precious sight. Bergerlande, the new girl I wrote about a few days ago, came in with a giant grin on her face. She was ready for her first day of school. Apparently she had been sick and was given medicine by Dr. Ralph, and she was doing better now. Also, she did not have shoes to wear to school, so she had been taken into town to get shoes and a pair of white frilly socks. So, in a borrowed school uniform with her hair done up, new shoes, socks, and a borrowed school back pack from Mannrose, she came to get her photo taken. Mike said she was very excited.
Later the team went into Gonaives. They walked around town some and purchased supplies. Before lunch they went to Emory's to feed the children. Mike said it went well. Emory's team came back to the orphanage later for lunch with our team. In the afternoon the team did crafts with the children. Usually all the children enjoy crafts, it does not matter if they are a boy, a girl, young or one of the older children. It is something new to experience. While the team did crafts, Mike went to Peru to teach the bible study. He said it was a powerful and fun experience. When everyone started to gather, the woman whose leg had been healed during the all night prayer and worship time, came running up to him calling out "pastor Mike, pastor Mike" pointing to her leg. She was thrilled about being healed and wanted him to know she was still doing well. In the evening the team did glo sticks with the children and had devotions.
Tomorrow the team will be going to Pass Rien, please continue to lift up the property and the witch doctor to God. Pray that he continues to draw her heart towards him.
Pray for the team also, as tomorrow will be their last day at the orphanage. It is hard to say goodbye to the children, especially for the ones that are adopting. They will start traveling very early Friday morning. Again, many thanks for all of your prayers.
Blessings,
Chris
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Hello again,
Today the team went into Gonaives and visited our school. They passed out candy and saw the children. They also went into Gonaives to buy supplies. Later, Mike and Nathan met with the mayor of Gonaives. We originally heard that the city of Gonaives, the third largest in Haiti, was going to have a power grid, giving some of the people electricity. The power poles went up, but stopped short of our orphanage. People in Marose have asked for the power to come to their village. Marose is about 20 mins. or so outside of Gonaives. The main highway going north from the city goes right past us. So Mike and Nathan met with the mayor and explained how important power would be to the medical clinic, school, church and orphanage. They explained about our plans to start a market on the other side of the church next spring. They explained how we were in the process of having micro loans for people to start business's with, and how we were going to teach classes on business. They explained how our containers would be remolded and set up as shops. How it would bring jobs and commerce to the area. They told the mayor he could be at the grand opening and that it would be good for votes. He told Mike and Nathan that he would get back to them. He called Nathan later in the afternoon and said he had worked it out so that if we could buy 15 power poles, he would take care of the labor, wire, etc. This may be really good news. We have everything wired to run on the diesel generator. But, we also wired it to run on solar power and electricity, all three of which could be feeding into batteries to store the extra power created, but not used. We have had a system designed, and are now in the process of locating and purchasing the needed inverter and the right type of batteries. Even in Port-au-Prince the power grid is not dependable, it may come on for an hour, then go off and come on in the middle of the night for 3 or 4 hours. Then not come back on for days. So, we know the power would not be dependable, but we could store it along with other sources of power and then have dependable power. This is part of our helping the orphanage to become self sustaining, so that we can minister in even more villages. Please pray for this possibility, as we already have people in place that are working on the market remodeling, micro business loans and the business classes.
Mike shared a fun thing the team experienced today. Doo Doo, our traveling souvenir salesman made the team lobster with a homemade dipping sauce of citrus and peppers and lemons. Mike said all of the team was not up for trying it, but the ones who did really enjoyed it.
Mike said the meeting with the Good Shepherd pastors was powerful today. He shared vision, and what he thought the next season would look like.They talked about building a good foundation and leadership structure.
They talked about how it was a team effort. Nathan helped Mike to share some of this, which was encouraging.
You know someone is understanding what you are trying to share, when they can turn around to others and teach it. Thank you so much for your prayers today, they made a huge difference.
The team cooked popcorn for the children and staff at the orphanage tonight as a treat. They spent time again with the children just hanging out and loving them.
Tomorrow they will be feeding the poorest of the poor in Gonaives again. Please pray for the team as I have said in the past, this can be hard.
Thank you so much for partnering with us in prayer.
Blessings,
Chris
Today the team went into Gonaives and visited our school. They passed out candy and saw the children. They also went into Gonaives to buy supplies. Later, Mike and Nathan met with the mayor of Gonaives. We originally heard that the city of Gonaives, the third largest in Haiti, was going to have a power grid, giving some of the people electricity. The power poles went up, but stopped short of our orphanage. People in Marose have asked for the power to come to their village. Marose is about 20 mins. or so outside of Gonaives. The main highway going north from the city goes right past us. So Mike and Nathan met with the mayor and explained how important power would be to the medical clinic, school, church and orphanage. They explained about our plans to start a market on the other side of the church next spring. They explained how we were in the process of having micro loans for people to start business's with, and how we were going to teach classes on business. They explained how our containers would be remolded and set up as shops. How it would bring jobs and commerce to the area. They told the mayor he could be at the grand opening and that it would be good for votes. He told Mike and Nathan that he would get back to them. He called Nathan later in the afternoon and said he had worked it out so that if we could buy 15 power poles, he would take care of the labor, wire, etc. This may be really good news. We have everything wired to run on the diesel generator. But, we also wired it to run on solar power and electricity, all three of which could be feeding into batteries to store the extra power created, but not used. We have had a system designed, and are now in the process of locating and purchasing the needed inverter and the right type of batteries. Even in Port-au-Prince the power grid is not dependable, it may come on for an hour, then go off and come on in the middle of the night for 3 or 4 hours. Then not come back on for days. So, we know the power would not be dependable, but we could store it along with other sources of power and then have dependable power. This is part of our helping the orphanage to become self sustaining, so that we can minister in even more villages. Please pray for this possibility, as we already have people in place that are working on the market remodeling, micro business loans and the business classes.
Mike shared a fun thing the team experienced today. Doo Doo, our traveling souvenir salesman made the team lobster with a homemade dipping sauce of citrus and peppers and lemons. Mike said all of the team was not up for trying it, but the ones who did really enjoyed it.
Mike said the meeting with the Good Shepherd pastors was powerful today. He shared vision, and what he thought the next season would look like.They talked about building a good foundation and leadership structure.
They talked about how it was a team effort. Nathan helped Mike to share some of this, which was encouraging.
You know someone is understanding what you are trying to share, when they can turn around to others and teach it. Thank you so much for your prayers today, they made a huge difference.
The team cooked popcorn for the children and staff at the orphanage tonight as a treat. They spent time again with the children just hanging out and loving them.
Tomorrow they will be feeding the poorest of the poor in Gonaives again. Please pray for the team as I have said in the past, this can be hard.
Thank you so much for partnering with us in prayer.
Blessings,
Chris
Monday, November 14, 2011
Hello
Mike called this evening. He said last night he forgot to share that the team made pizza for the orphanage. We try to take one new food every trip. The children had fun eating it, they love trying the new foods the teams come up with.
This morning the team went to Peru, the stayed so long though that they never made it to Pass Rien. They spent time visiting and passing out candy. They also walked to Yolin's. Mike said he is giggling now by the time the team reaches his hut. This January will be a year from when we first met him. He has come a long way. The team blew bubbles for him again, bubbles is what opened him up, he just loves them. It is such a privilege to bless him and his family. The team also saw the first tent up and full of school children. Mike said they did a great job setting it up. I will post photos when the team gets back. They also were able to go to Gros-Morone, to visit Nathan's sister Betsy. She is interning at a hospital after going through nursing school. The ministry has helped her to afford this, she would like to be a nurse at our medical clinic when she is finished with her internship.They spent the rest of the evening playing with the children and doing devotions.
Tomorrow Mike will be teaching our 5 Good Shepherd pastors. Please pray again for open hearts and spirits. They are part of the pastor's association and are taught each trip during the pastor's conference. They also have a secondary teaching and meeting time as they are over the churches and schools in the villages we minister in, and are on staff with us. In the afternoon the team will go into Gonaives to the market. They will also do crafts with the children. Mike is hoping to be able to visit Pass Rien on Thursday instead. Thank you so very much for your prayers.
Blessings,
Chris
Sunday November 13, 2011
Hello,
I heard from the team tonight. They are doing great. Thank you to all who prayed during the all night prayer and worship meeting on Friday. It started off with good worship and 4-5 pastors sharing a short message, then about 2 hours of really good worship. Then one of Pastors taught for about an hour. After that even better worship and prayer. Mike said there was one lady in particular that needed to be set free, and after much prayer and then focusing on worshiping God and giving him the glory, she was finally set free and then many people came forward for salvation's, healings and to be set free. God really moved among the people and many testimonies were shared.
The Pastors conference on Saturday went well. They are always so eager to learn. Mike has had some leadership training meetings also, which have been well received. The world would have us believe that the ideal form of leadership is in the shape of a triangle, with the top leader on the top of the triangle. Jesus teaches us about servant leadership, in which case the triangle is upside down. In a nutshell the leaders both lead and serve. After the pastors conference the team went down to the river. In the afternoon our friend Dixie and her team visited our orphanage. Dixie and her family have a ministry called Hope in Haiti http://hopeinhaiti.com/
This morning (Sunday) Nathan preached in his brother-in-laws church near Archaie. Mike preached in Marose and said that about 50 people came forward for Salvation, rededication and/or healing.
In the afternoon 4-5 adults and a dozen children came from Emory's and hung out at the orphanage until early evening. They were joined by others from around the area. Then the Marose church had children's church. Sandy Love one of our orphans preached. Gamaniel, another one of our orphans lead worship, and Wisdarline the oldest girl in our orphanage was head of the music program, which is having others come up front to sing. Another little girl did the bible reading. Mike said they all did a really good job.
Tomorrow the team will be traveling to Peru during the first part of the day and to Pass Rien in the later part of the day. Please pray for God's spirit to go ahead of them. The witch doctor in Pass Rien that owns the property to build the church on, is still changing her mind in regards to giving the property up for a church. She had promised in front of the community, but keeps pushing the signing of the papers off to the next week. It is the only available level piece of property to build on in the community. Last May when Mike stood with Nathan and the team on this piece of land, Mike had asked God if they were supposed to start a church here. He had been teaching the pastors about declaring that the kingdom of God has come. He felt like God said well are you going to declare it? So he did verbally declare that the kingdom of God has come to Pass Rien. Some one than tapped him on the shoulder and asked him if he would help them become a christian. Before they left that day, many more accepted Christ in their hearts. As I have shared in the past this women has asked Nathan and Mike many questions about becoming a christian. She is very high up in Voodoo and has messed with the worse. She has shared, that because of what she has experienced, she is afraid now that she is getting older of what Satan can do to her. On the other hand she is afraid of God, because of what she has done to others. But we believe she will give her life to Christ. One of our prayer partners had a vision of her in a dark doorway and the eyes of many people behind her peering into the light, trying to see. We think that when she gives herself to God that it will be like opening a flood gate. That many will come forward. We believe we are to plant a church there and claim the territory for God. Already since May there are about 100 people that have given their lives to the Lord in Pass Rien. We have a Good shepherd pastor that teaches on Sunday and one evening a week. He also spends time in the community through out the week. We also have a youth group once a week.
God is definitely moving in Pass Rien. We do have another tent we would like to put up in Pass Rien for a church. We also would like to start a school there in January or next fall. So please pray for the heart and salvation of this women and that she would sign the property over to the Good shepherd ministry. Please pray that the people in Pass Rien would have a church and a school.
Thank you again for all of your prayers, your partnering with us in prayer makes all of the difference.
Blessings,
Chris
I heard from the team tonight. They are doing great. Thank you to all who prayed during the all night prayer and worship meeting on Friday. It started off with good worship and 4-5 pastors sharing a short message, then about 2 hours of really good worship. Then one of Pastors taught for about an hour. After that even better worship and prayer. Mike said there was one lady in particular that needed to be set free, and after much prayer and then focusing on worshiping God and giving him the glory, she was finally set free and then many people came forward for salvation's, healings and to be set free. God really moved among the people and many testimonies were shared.
The Pastors conference on Saturday went well. They are always so eager to learn. Mike has had some leadership training meetings also, which have been well received. The world would have us believe that the ideal form of leadership is in the shape of a triangle, with the top leader on the top of the triangle. Jesus teaches us about servant leadership, in which case the triangle is upside down. In a nutshell the leaders both lead and serve. After the pastors conference the team went down to the river. In the afternoon our friend Dixie and her team visited our orphanage. Dixie and her family have a ministry called Hope in Haiti http://hopeinhaiti.com/
This morning (Sunday) Nathan preached in his brother-in-laws church near Archaie. Mike preached in Marose and said that about 50 people came forward for Salvation, rededication and/or healing.
In the afternoon 4-5 adults and a dozen children came from Emory's and hung out at the orphanage until early evening. They were joined by others from around the area. Then the Marose church had children's church. Sandy Love one of our orphans preached. Gamaniel, another one of our orphans lead worship, and Wisdarline the oldest girl in our orphanage was head of the music program, which is having others come up front to sing. Another little girl did the bible reading. Mike said they all did a really good job.
Tomorrow the team will be traveling to Peru during the first part of the day and to Pass Rien in the later part of the day. Please pray for God's spirit to go ahead of them. The witch doctor in Pass Rien that owns the property to build the church on, is still changing her mind in regards to giving the property up for a church. She had promised in front of the community, but keeps pushing the signing of the papers off to the next week. It is the only available level piece of property to build on in the community. Last May when Mike stood with Nathan and the team on this piece of land, Mike had asked God if they were supposed to start a church here. He had been teaching the pastors about declaring that the kingdom of God has come. He felt like God said well are you going to declare it? So he did verbally declare that the kingdom of God has come to Pass Rien. Some one than tapped him on the shoulder and asked him if he would help them become a christian. Before they left that day, many more accepted Christ in their hearts. As I have shared in the past this women has asked Nathan and Mike many questions about becoming a christian. She is very high up in Voodoo and has messed with the worse. She has shared, that because of what she has experienced, she is afraid now that she is getting older of what Satan can do to her. On the other hand she is afraid of God, because of what she has done to others. But we believe she will give her life to Christ. One of our prayer partners had a vision of her in a dark doorway and the eyes of many people behind her peering into the light, trying to see. We think that when she gives herself to God that it will be like opening a flood gate. That many will come forward. We believe we are to plant a church there and claim the territory for God. Already since May there are about 100 people that have given their lives to the Lord in Pass Rien. We have a Good shepherd pastor that teaches on Sunday and one evening a week. He also spends time in the community through out the week. We also have a youth group once a week.
God is definitely moving in Pass Rien. We do have another tent we would like to put up in Pass Rien for a church. We also would like to start a school there in January or next fall. So please pray for the heart and salvation of this women and that she would sign the property over to the Good shepherd ministry. Please pray that the people in Pass Rien would have a church and a school.
Thank you again for all of your prayers, your partnering with us in prayer makes all of the difference.
Blessings,
Chris
Friday, November 11, 2011
Hello again,
Please read through to the bottom of this letter, I promise you will be blessed!
Wohoo! The orphanage has Internet! With equipment donated by Phil and Kyle and the tech support of Kyle, along with Chuck being at the orphanage to carry out the instructions, we finally have Internet in the office using a laptop donated by the Canadian RCMP's via Ed. It has taken a long time, a lot of work, and a lot of help from many friends to work out many complications and inconsistencies. Thank you so much. Mike was actually able to print off one of his sermons in Creole for the Pastors conference tomorrow. Please remember to lift them up in prayer as they travel, mostly by foot, to learn more about God and life giving churches. Pray for open hearts and minds, and that Mikes words would be what God wants to say.
The team was also able to move all of the tools and work bench from a make shift shop in a container into the lockable generator room, a lot cooler than working in a metal 40ft. container with inside temps. reaching somewhere around 120 degrees. Praise God!
Thanks to Rose, another good friend, Mike was able to introduce a simple form of bookkeeping to our new secretary. Rose designed, and had translated a ledger book along with instructions in Creole. Mike said Eleazar understood and was excited to implement the new plan. Another praise report!
When Mike called he was taking a break from the all night prayer and worship meeting. He said that the worship so far has been fantastic. Please remember to pray for them as they wanted us to partner with them in prayer through out the night. There are still some open slots in the middle of the night if anyone else would like to commit to a specific hour :)
Also, tomorrow we have a very special friend of ours visiting our orphanage. Her name is Dixie, she took care of our first adopted Haitian son in Haiti 22 years ago. Jesse was our first adopted Haitian child, we now have four Haitian children, hopefully God willing, we will have 6 Haitian children before next year is over. She has a ministry in Dessalines, Haiti. Her team is coming to visit and hopefully glean some things from our ministry. We love partnering with other ministries, sharing what has worked and what has not. Hopefully it will save some of us from having to reinvent the wheel over and over again. Dixie and her family have been a blessing to us and hold a special place in our hearts. A bonus is that she gets our heart and passion and we get hers :) Again Praise God!
And now for the praise story. When we made up the Christmas presents for the children to take on this trip, I felt like we were supposed to make two extra ones, one for a boy and one for a girl. So that, on Christmas day they would be there when the gifts were passed out. Today a new boy about 10 years old showed up, with the usual story. Then IBESR also showed up via the UN Police. IBESR (the Haitian government's child protection agency) has once before brought us a severely beaten little boy, who now lives safely in the orphanage. We praise God that the authorities recognise that the orphanage is a safe haven for children. Well this time, they brought a girl whose parents had both died. Her grandmother had been taking care of her, but became unable to support her so she was sold. The living arrangements needless to say were not good and she ran away. The police found her and she ended up being brought to our orphanage. In Haiti usually life just happens to you and you have little control over it. In the case of a child you have NO control and adults do not take the time to tell you what is happening. Mike said she seemed the size of a young girl, but her hair and clothing which were a mess made her look like she was 16 years old. She was dropped off with no explanation as to what would be happening to her. She started to cry as the authorities drove off. Mike gave her a hug and tried to comfort her and started crying himself. After a while he had Mannrose, the girl we are adopting and her friend Ferentrice talk to her and then show her what room she would be in. Mike then went to a meeting and when it was over he went to check on her. He couldn't find her at first, because he did not recognize her. Mannrose and Ferentrice had cleaned her up, shared their clothes with her and fixed her hair. Mike said she now looks like the 10 year old little girl that she is. She said she had become a Christian when she was 5 years old and loved to go to church. She said her dream was to one day go to school. Monday she will start school. God is so very good. He truly does hear the cry of the orphan. We serve a GREAT GOD who deserves all of our PRAISE!!!
Thank you all for partnering along with us, helping us to be the hands and feet of God.
Many Blessings,
Chris
Please read through to the bottom of this letter, I promise you will be blessed!
Wohoo! The orphanage has Internet! With equipment donated by Phil and Kyle and the tech support of Kyle, along with Chuck being at the orphanage to carry out the instructions, we finally have Internet in the office using a laptop donated by the Canadian RCMP's via Ed. It has taken a long time, a lot of work, and a lot of help from many friends to work out many complications and inconsistencies. Thank you so much. Mike was actually able to print off one of his sermons in Creole for the Pastors conference tomorrow. Please remember to lift them up in prayer as they travel, mostly by foot, to learn more about God and life giving churches. Pray for open hearts and minds, and that Mikes words would be what God wants to say.
The team was also able to move all of the tools and work bench from a make shift shop in a container into the lockable generator room, a lot cooler than working in a metal 40ft. container with inside temps. reaching somewhere around 120 degrees. Praise God!
Thanks to Rose, another good friend, Mike was able to introduce a simple form of bookkeeping to our new secretary. Rose designed, and had translated a ledger book along with instructions in Creole. Mike said Eleazar understood and was excited to implement the new plan. Another praise report!
When Mike called he was taking a break from the all night prayer and worship meeting. He said that the worship so far has been fantastic. Please remember to pray for them as they wanted us to partner with them in prayer through out the night. There are still some open slots in the middle of the night if anyone else would like to commit to a specific hour :)
Also, tomorrow we have a very special friend of ours visiting our orphanage. Her name is Dixie, she took care of our first adopted Haitian son in Haiti 22 years ago. Jesse was our first adopted Haitian child, we now have four Haitian children, hopefully God willing, we will have 6 Haitian children before next year is over. She has a ministry in Dessalines, Haiti. Her team is coming to visit and hopefully glean some things from our ministry. We love partnering with other ministries, sharing what has worked and what has not. Hopefully it will save some of us from having to reinvent the wheel over and over again. Dixie and her family have been a blessing to us and hold a special place in our hearts. A bonus is that she gets our heart and passion and we get hers :) Again Praise God!
And now for the praise story. When we made up the Christmas presents for the children to take on this trip, I felt like we were supposed to make two extra ones, one for a boy and one for a girl. So that, on Christmas day they would be there when the gifts were passed out. Today a new boy about 10 years old showed up, with the usual story. Then IBESR also showed up via the UN Police. IBESR (the Haitian government's child protection agency) has once before brought us a severely beaten little boy, who now lives safely in the orphanage. We praise God that the authorities recognise that the orphanage is a safe haven for children. Well this time, they brought a girl whose parents had both died. Her grandmother had been taking care of her, but became unable to support her so she was sold. The living arrangements needless to say were not good and she ran away. The police found her and she ended up being brought to our orphanage. In Haiti usually life just happens to you and you have little control over it. In the case of a child you have NO control and adults do not take the time to tell you what is happening. Mike said she seemed the size of a young girl, but her hair and clothing which were a mess made her look like she was 16 years old. She was dropped off with no explanation as to what would be happening to her. She started to cry as the authorities drove off. Mike gave her a hug and tried to comfort her and started crying himself. After a while he had Mannrose, the girl we are adopting and her friend Ferentrice talk to her and then show her what room she would be in. Mike then went to a meeting and when it was over he went to check on her. He couldn't find her at first, because he did not recognize her. Mannrose and Ferentrice had cleaned her up, shared their clothes with her and fixed her hair. Mike said she now looks like the 10 year old little girl that she is. She said she had become a Christian when she was 5 years old and loved to go to church. She said her dream was to one day go to school. Monday she will start school. God is so very good. He truly does hear the cry of the orphan. We serve a GREAT GOD who deserves all of our PRAISE!!!
Thank you all for partnering along with us, helping us to be the hands and feet of God.
Many Blessings,
Chris
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Hello,
Today the team spent a good portion of the day playing with the children. They also did the maintenance work I mentioned last night. They now have a list of supplies they need from town when they go into Gonaives tomorrow. On each trip we try to spend approximately 1/3 of the time doing relationship, with the children, staff and people from all 4 of the areas we minister in. We also try to spend 1/3 of the time doing ministry and 1/3 of the time doing projects. We prefer to hire the Haitians in the community to help the economy and help them provide for their families. It does not make a whole lot of sense to us to send Americans down to do what the community members could do. As far as the relationship part goes, Haiti puts relationship first, before all else, I think North Americans could learn something from that. Haiti is a very warm climate relationally speaking and North America is considered a cool climate relationally.
Adam joined the team today, he has spent the last few days learning some more about drilling wells in Haiti. He and Jason are signed up for the first available class on drilling wells for water held in Texas this spring.
Tomorrow the team will visit the Gonaives church and get supplies from Gonaives. Mike will also be having meetings with a contractor and some of the staff. Tomorrow evening there will be an all night prayer and worship time. They would like us to partner with them. So, if there would be a time between 4:00 PM and 8:00Am that any of you would like to commit to praying during, please let me know. We would like to have a few people praying each hour through out the night also. Haiti is 2 hours ahead of us right now.
Mike has, is and will be teaching on leadership from a biblical perspective versus a cultural perspective through out this trip. Please pray for the Holy Spirits leading and preparing. Pastor Nathan has already shared that as he has preached on some verses out of Daniel, that Mike had shared with him, three different times the Lord showed him something new about leading that is different than how leaders lead culturally in Haiti. Evidence that God has already been preparing the way. Pray that Mike's teaching will be from God and not of himself. When Mike saw Nathan last he shared out of the book of Daniel about daring to be different than the culture around you. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers.
Blessings,
Chris
Today the team spent a good portion of the day playing with the children. They also did the maintenance work I mentioned last night. They now have a list of supplies they need from town when they go into Gonaives tomorrow. On each trip we try to spend approximately 1/3 of the time doing relationship, with the children, staff and people from all 4 of the areas we minister in. We also try to spend 1/3 of the time doing ministry and 1/3 of the time doing projects. We prefer to hire the Haitians in the community to help the economy and help them provide for their families. It does not make a whole lot of sense to us to send Americans down to do what the community members could do. As far as the relationship part goes, Haiti puts relationship first, before all else, I think North Americans could learn something from that. Haiti is a very warm climate relationally speaking and North America is considered a cool climate relationally.
Adam joined the team today, he has spent the last few days learning some more about drilling wells in Haiti. He and Jason are signed up for the first available class on drilling wells for water held in Texas this spring.
Tomorrow the team will visit the Gonaives church and get supplies from Gonaives. Mike will also be having meetings with a contractor and some of the staff. Tomorrow evening there will be an all night prayer and worship time. They would like us to partner with them. So, if there would be a time between 4:00 PM and 8:00Am that any of you would like to commit to praying during, please let me know. We would like to have a few people praying each hour through out the night also. Haiti is 2 hours ahead of us right now.
Mike has, is and will be teaching on leadership from a biblical perspective versus a cultural perspective through out this trip. Please pray for the Holy Spirits leading and preparing. Pastor Nathan has already shared that as he has preached on some verses out of Daniel, that Mike had shared with him, three different times the Lord showed him something new about leading that is different than how leaders lead culturally in Haiti. Evidence that God has already been preparing the way. Pray that Mike's teaching will be from God and not of himself. When Mike saw Nathan last he shared out of the book of Daniel about daring to be different than the culture around you. Thank you so much for your faithful prayers.
Blessings,
Chris
November 9, 2011
The team has arrived safely at the orphanage. Thank you so much for your prayers. Tomorrow they will be doing maintenance work, things like changing filters in the generator, and motorcycles, checking the well pump, buying propane, etc. They will also finish planning the rest of the trip out. And of course they will be spending time with the children. Please continue to pray for Jean Jacques, the little girl with the heart condition. Mike has talked to Dr. Ralph about arranging the necessary tests for her.
One of the jobs the team was going to do while in Haiti, was to put up a military style half cylinder tent in Peru that will hold approx. 150 adults for church and more children for school. Mike said that our Christian education director already has set up the tent for Peru! The tent is really heavy duty and long lasting. I believe the cost of one is about $20,000. Two tents were very generously donated to our ministry. One is now set up in Peru and the other one will be set up in Pass Rien, as soon as we own the property. The witch doctor keeps changing her mind about giving the property to us. Apparently she keeps telling Nathan next week she will sign over the property. Please pray that while the team is in Haiti, that the property is secured and that they are able to set up the other tent for the church in Pass Rien. I will write again tomorrow to let you know of other prayer requests. Thank you again for your prayers.
Blessings,
Chris
One of the jobs the team was going to do while in Haiti, was to put up a military style half cylinder tent in Peru that will hold approx. 150 adults for church and more children for school. Mike said that our Christian education director already has set up the tent for Peru! The tent is really heavy duty and long lasting. I believe the cost of one is about $20,000. Two tents were very generously donated to our ministry. One is now set up in Peru and the other one will be set up in Pass Rien, as soon as we own the property. The witch doctor keeps changing her mind about giving the property to us. Apparently she keeps telling Nathan next week she will sign over the property. Please pray that while the team is in Haiti, that the property is secured and that they are able to set up the other tent for the church in Pass Rien. I will write again tomorrow to let you know of other prayer requests. Thank you again for your prayers.
Blessings,
Chris
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Hello,
Our November team left for Haiti tonight. They will fly out of Seattle in about 1 hour. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for safe and on time travel. They are taking all of the Christmas gifts for the orphanage children and staff. 7-1/2 bins of gifts, each weighing approximately 50 pounds :) Thank you to all who helped make Christmas happen for the orphanage children, orphanage staff and pastors of our 4 Good Shepherd Churches.
In the past I have mentioned a little girl who was an infant 2 years ago when we first met her. Dr. Ralph in our medical clinic and our family doctor who has spent time in our medical clinic both believe she has a hole in her heart. A while ago the mother was told by a third doctor in Haiti, that unless she has surgery she will not live very long. We, along with our doctor have made several attempts to find a pediatric heart surgeon and a hospital that would be willing to perform surgery on her. We can not even begin applying for a passport or medical visa without a doctor or hospital, anesthesiologist, nurses, etc already in place. In the past the hospital has been the problem. But we have good news and hope. We now have a willing hospital, if we can get everything arranged and approved by March. So please join us in prayer for this little girl. Much will have to happen quicker than usual for this to work out. Mike will be trying to have some of the preliminary tests and ultra sounds done while he is in Haiti, so that he can get things moving for her. Her name is Jean Jacques. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for her health and all that is required to help her.
Blessings,
Chris
Our November team left for Haiti tonight. They will fly out of Seattle in about 1 hour. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for safe and on time travel. They are taking all of the Christmas gifts for the orphanage children and staff. 7-1/2 bins of gifts, each weighing approximately 50 pounds :) Thank you to all who helped make Christmas happen for the orphanage children, orphanage staff and pastors of our 4 Good Shepherd Churches.
In the past I have mentioned a little girl who was an infant 2 years ago when we first met her. Dr. Ralph in our medical clinic and our family doctor who has spent time in our medical clinic both believe she has a hole in her heart. A while ago the mother was told by a third doctor in Haiti, that unless she has surgery she will not live very long. We, along with our doctor have made several attempts to find a pediatric heart surgeon and a hospital that would be willing to perform surgery on her. We can not even begin applying for a passport or medical visa without a doctor or hospital, anesthesiologist, nurses, etc already in place. In the past the hospital has been the problem. But we have good news and hope. We now have a willing hospital, if we can get everything arranged and approved by March. So please join us in prayer for this little girl. Much will have to happen quicker than usual for this to work out. Mike will be trying to have some of the preliminary tests and ultra sounds done while he is in Haiti, so that he can get things moving for her. Her name is Jean Jacques. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for her health and all that is required to help her.
Blessings,
Chris
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Prayer Partners and Bloggers: Chris and I just wanted to take the much needed time to tell all of you how much we Thank You for all of your support and prayers and encouragement to us personally, and for this ministry to the children and people in Haiti. We are so very very grateful to each and every one of you. There is no way that we could follow Jesus into this type of international ministry without the support that our prayer partners provide.
I am convinced that when we go to be with Jesus in eternity, after our confession of faith in Him, we will be questioned about His greatest commandment. "Did we love Him with all our hearts, minds, and strength, and did we love, encourage and support one another?" You have......... and it is our great pleasure to thank you for doing so, on behalf of the orphans, the hungry, the naked, the uneducated and the lost in Haiti.
Mike
I am convinced that when we go to be with Jesus in eternity, after our confession of faith in Him, we will be questioned about His greatest commandment. "Did we love Him with all our hearts, minds, and strength, and did we love, encourage and support one another?" You have......... and it is our great pleasure to thank you for doing so, on behalf of the orphans, the hungry, the naked, the uneducated and the lost in Haiti.
Mike
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