Just 3 weeks ago the 27 people who made up the 2012 Haiti Team landed in Port au Prince, and then boarded our 2 buses for Christ the King in Merotte, Haiti. Upon our return the team had a chance to share our experiences with the Lord of Life church family. It is really difficult to bring home an experience like that and to share it in such a way as to make others somehow get an idea of what it was really like. If you want to hear the message, simply click on the link below. This link is to the message at the 10:45 service. Unfortunately, the message from the 8:00 service did not get recorded because of some technical difficulties.
http://lordlife.com/sermons
In the early service one of the things that was shared by a team member really touched my heart. He said, "Outside of my marriage to my wife, and the birth of our two sons, this trip was the most life changing thing I've ever experienced." That's a very powerful quote, and helps each of us to see that God does amazing things in the hearts and lives of His people when we agree to follow Him outside of our comfort zone.
Could it be that God is calling you to step outside your comfort zone in some big or small way? My encouragement to you is to try it. Take a step. God will not abandon you as you walk with Him.
Here's the link to the video we shared as part of our message to the congregation. Enjoy!
Learning to Serve the World,
Lisa :)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
On Our Way
We had a phenomenal day yesterday as we gathered with our friends at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Merotte! The highlight was when a little boy sang, "Draw Me Close To You." He had made an effort to learn it in English! What an incredible gift and blessing to us!
We are excited to share our experience in worship at Lord of Life this Sunday.
Next on our agenda is one last Haitian breakfast with French toast, fresh juice, and fresh fruit. YUMMY! Then...off to the airport! We're all looking forward to being home!
Thanks for your prayers for us and for the dear and precious people of Haiti!
Lisa :)
On Behalf of Team Haiti, 2012
We are excited to share our experience in worship at Lord of Life this Sunday.
Next on our agenda is one last Haitian breakfast with French toast, fresh juice, and fresh fruit. YUMMY! Then...off to the airport! We're all looking forward to being home!
Thanks for your prayers for us and for the dear and precious people of Haiti!
Lisa :)
On Behalf of Team Haiti, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Saturday in Haiti
We had such a great day with the people of Christ the King today! Many people go to the market on Saturday so we don't run the clinic or a children's event on the weekend. With everyone at the market we also have fewer people hanging around, making the crowds much more manageable. Here are some of the stories from today:
* One of the workers was wearing his "new" glasses on the worksite. It was very cool to see him able to use the glasses.
* The foundation for the basketball court is poured. They are finishing the smooth coat of concrete so that we can have our big game tomorrow. One of the foremen is so excited about the game! They watch a lot of NBA here and his favorite team is the San Antonio Spurs. I told him they didn't stand a chance against us, and the smack talk between us began immediately! It should be a lot of fun!
* The kids like to challeng the Americans to games of soccer. Our best players don't hold a candle to the Haitian children. They are really good at that game.
* There is a taciturn young painter named Watson. Morgan & I got a chance to paint with him during the last few days. He knows as much English as we know Creole, so communication was sparse. But we did learn that he had a 2 year old son. We encouraged him to bring his son to the church, which he did today. He sought me out 2-3 times to tell me that his son is here. Finally I understood and walked over to meet his son. What I saw was an adorable chubby little boy with one eye completely swollen shut. He was brought by his grandma to meet his dad's friends. But, something was not right. I needed a translator. We have a few, but sometimes they are hard to find. But this time, one was right there and available. He came over and we learned that the little guy has been like that for a month. Umm, we need a doctor. Oh, there is Kelly. Literally right there walking towards me. She comes over, the translator translates and almost immediately she knows exactly what is going on and what the litle guy needs. So, she heads off- back to the clinic. Now, we have seen hundreds of people and supplies are almost completely depleted. But, guess what... we had the medicine that the little guy needed.
The little guy came there because his dad wanted to show him off. And, he is leaving after seeing a doctor with the antibiotics his body needs to recover. Things like this happen and we often chaulk them up to chance. This was not chance. It was God lining everything up, just right! God is good!
* At the end of the workday, we gathered all the workers and cooks to tell them once again what their relationship with Lord of Life means. There was joy in the air and hugs for everyone.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog, and thank you for supporting our trip. We have had a fanatic time. It is so clear that Jesus is at work here!
In His name,
Morgan,Lisa, Justin and the entire Lord of Life Haiti 2012 Team
* One of the workers was wearing his "new" glasses on the worksite. It was very cool to see him able to use the glasses.
* The foundation for the basketball court is poured. They are finishing the smooth coat of concrete so that we can have our big game tomorrow. One of the foremen is so excited about the game! They watch a lot of NBA here and his favorite team is the San Antonio Spurs. I told him they didn't stand a chance against us, and the smack talk between us began immediately! It should be a lot of fun!
* The kids like to challeng the Americans to games of soccer. Our best players don't hold a candle to the Haitian children. They are really good at that game.
* There is a taciturn young painter named Watson. Morgan & I got a chance to paint with him during the last few days. He knows as much English as we know Creole, so communication was sparse. But we did learn that he had a 2 year old son. We encouraged him to bring his son to the church, which he did today. He sought me out 2-3 times to tell me that his son is here. Finally I understood and walked over to meet his son. What I saw was an adorable chubby little boy with one eye completely swollen shut. He was brought by his grandma to meet his dad's friends. But, something was not right. I needed a translator. We have a few, but sometimes they are hard to find. But this time, one was right there and available. He came over and we learned that the little guy has been like that for a month. Umm, we need a doctor. Oh, there is Kelly. Literally right there walking towards me. She comes over, the translator translates and almost immediately she knows exactly what is going on and what the litle guy needs. So, she heads off- back to the clinic. Now, we have seen hundreds of people and supplies are almost completely depleted. But, guess what... we had the medicine that the little guy needed.
The little guy came there because his dad wanted to show him off. And, he is leaving after seeing a doctor with the antibiotics his body needs to recover. Things like this happen and we often chaulk them up to chance. This was not chance. It was God lining everything up, just right! God is good!
* At the end of the workday, we gathered all the workers and cooks to tell them once again what their relationship with Lord of Life means. There was joy in the air and hugs for everyone.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog, and thank you for supporting our trip. We have had a fanatic time. It is so clear that Jesus is at work here!
In His name,
Morgan,Lisa, Justin and the entire Lord of Life Haiti 2012 Team
Friday, January 6, 2012
Overflowing!
Today, Friday, was a great day!
* The pouring of the foundation for the basketball court began today and the excitement from the kids was electrifying! Their joy was overflowing and I do believe God was enjoying the sheer delight of the kids as they watched both goal posts go up. Bryan Thomas had the kids shoot hoops on the side where there was no foundation work. We are ready for our big game on Sunday after church!
* God's amazing faithfulness continues to overflow. Yesterday a little 10 year old boy waited for 3 hours by himself in the line to get into the clinic. He was having trouble seeing. Team member, Anna Marcotte discovered that a nail had come through his head and was causing vision problems. Another team member put his glasses on the boy, and to our amazement, his vision greatly improved. The problem was that we had already given out every pair of glasses we had available. Dee Dee Curran heard about this and realized she had an extra pair of glasses at the hotel. We were able to give them to the boy this morning, and after a low-key vision test, we realized they were just what he needed. It was an awesome moment. He was so filled to overflowing with gratitude that he spent a significant time in the morning and afternoon helping Anna to pick up all the trash littering the ground around the church and school.
* today we worked alongside an organization that came in to run a morning clinic. It was a great experience, which allowed God to multiply our medicines, and to see quite a few more people. During the clinic, team member, Shirley Weglarz was able to share the Gospel with those waiting to be seen.
* We had a great time leading the Children's Event today. We told and reenacted the story of the Birth of Jesus. Dr. Kelly did a great job of playing the role of Mary. We even found a big balloon to put under her shirt for the pregnancy phase. Justin Garberg was an awesome Joseph, Dr. Jodie an incredible Gabriel, and we even used a little Haitian girl to play the role of Baby Jesus. Very precious. A highlight of the event was having our team sing, "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" in English, followed by the children singing it in Creole, and then together! It served as a great reminder that one day people from every nation and tongue will gather at the Throne of Jesus and praise Him together with one voice!
As I said yesterday, "So many stories, so little time!"
Learning to Serve,
Lisa
On behalf of the team
* The pouring of the foundation for the basketball court began today and the excitement from the kids was electrifying! Their joy was overflowing and I do believe God was enjoying the sheer delight of the kids as they watched both goal posts go up. Bryan Thomas had the kids shoot hoops on the side where there was no foundation work. We are ready for our big game on Sunday after church!
* God's amazing faithfulness continues to overflow. Yesterday a little 10 year old boy waited for 3 hours by himself in the line to get into the clinic. He was having trouble seeing. Team member, Anna Marcotte discovered that a nail had come through his head and was causing vision problems. Another team member put his glasses on the boy, and to our amazement, his vision greatly improved. The problem was that we had already given out every pair of glasses we had available. Dee Dee Curran heard about this and realized she had an extra pair of glasses at the hotel. We were able to give them to the boy this morning, and after a low-key vision test, we realized they were just what he needed. It was an awesome moment. He was so filled to overflowing with gratitude that he spent a significant time in the morning and afternoon helping Anna to pick up all the trash littering the ground around the church and school.
* today we worked alongside an organization that came in to run a morning clinic. It was a great experience, which allowed God to multiply our medicines, and to see quite a few more people. During the clinic, team member, Shirley Weglarz was able to share the Gospel with those waiting to be seen.
* We had a great time leading the Children's Event today. We told and reenacted the story of the Birth of Jesus. Dr. Kelly did a great job of playing the role of Mary. We even found a big balloon to put under her shirt for the pregnancy phase. Justin Garberg was an awesome Joseph, Dr. Jodie an incredible Gabriel, and we even used a little Haitian girl to play the role of Baby Jesus. Very precious. A highlight of the event was having our team sing, "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" in English, followed by the children singing it in Creole, and then together! It served as a great reminder that one day people from every nation and tongue will gather at the Throne of Jesus and praise Him together with one voice!
As I said yesterday, "So many stories, so little time!"
Learning to Serve,
Lisa
On behalf of the team
Thursday, January 5, 2012
God Knows What He's Doing and He is Good!
So many things to tell you - so little time! Here are a few highlights from our day:
* A very young boy (maybe a year old) was brought to the clinic this morning because his breathing was raspy. He clearly needed some medicine and a breathing treatment, but how do you do that if all you have is an inhaler? Well, you leave it to Sara Cox. She had a mask, a rubber glove, an inhaler, and a tube and immediately brought those items together in a very impressive "Macgyver-like" move. After a couple of breathing treatments, he was good to go. God is good!
* We have been trying to communicate that our team would help the Haitian workers in painting the school, but the workers seemed to be confused and continued to discourage our people in the task. But we had a major breakthrough today when God worked through our interpreter, Dorlus to figure out a way to solve the problem. We had a team meeting with all the painters, and had a great day of partnership with new relationships forming. You see, we could send the money to Haiti and the work would get done, but our desire is to partner with our brothers and sisters in the work, to build relationships that will allow us to encourage the church and to receive encouragement from our friends as well. God is good!
* Mike Thomas has been working hard alongside the men helping to get the basketball court built. Today was the day Mike had to explain the installation of the posts. He and I met with the Bossman, Claudy, a couple of the foremen, and Dorlus. It was so cool gathering ideas and then settling on a plan that is going to work extremely well. Mike said he would strap himself to the post in a hurricane. The posts and backboards will be up tomorrow and the concrete for the foundation will be mixed by hand and poured by the wheelbarrow-full. The Haitian men have already challenged our men to the first game to be played on the court! Excitement for the court is growing! God is good!
* Nancy Service shared with a few of us that she had felt led to bring a few pair of glasses that are old prescriptions for her and Jim. She has been praying (as have the Kasunic family)that those glasses would be just the right prescription for someone here. God answered in a very clear way as each pair of glasses was given. One lady put on a pair of glasses, and could see. She grabbed Nancy's hand and said, "Mesi". God is good!
Please pray that those we connect with will know the truth of Jesus, our only HOPE! Also pray God's comfort for our team member, Dee Dee Curran. Dee Dee received word tonight that her cousin died. Her cousin was someone very special to her, so as you might imagine, this is a hard time for Dee Dee to be away from her family.
Learning to Serve,
Lisa :)
On Behalf of the Team
* A very young boy (maybe a year old) was brought to the clinic this morning because his breathing was raspy. He clearly needed some medicine and a breathing treatment, but how do you do that if all you have is an inhaler? Well, you leave it to Sara Cox. She had a mask, a rubber glove, an inhaler, and a tube and immediately brought those items together in a very impressive "Macgyver-like" move. After a couple of breathing treatments, he was good to go. God is good!
* We have been trying to communicate that our team would help the Haitian workers in painting the school, but the workers seemed to be confused and continued to discourage our people in the task. But we had a major breakthrough today when God worked through our interpreter, Dorlus to figure out a way to solve the problem. We had a team meeting with all the painters, and had a great day of partnership with new relationships forming. You see, we could send the money to Haiti and the work would get done, but our desire is to partner with our brothers and sisters in the work, to build relationships that will allow us to encourage the church and to receive encouragement from our friends as well. God is good!
* Mike Thomas has been working hard alongside the men helping to get the basketball court built. Today was the day Mike had to explain the installation of the posts. He and I met with the Bossman, Claudy, a couple of the foremen, and Dorlus. It was so cool gathering ideas and then settling on a plan that is going to work extremely well. Mike said he would strap himself to the post in a hurricane. The posts and backboards will be up tomorrow and the concrete for the foundation will be mixed by hand and poured by the wheelbarrow-full. The Haitian men have already challenged our men to the first game to be played on the court! Excitement for the court is growing! God is good!
* Nancy Service shared with a few of us that she had felt led to bring a few pair of glasses that are old prescriptions for her and Jim. She has been praying (as have the Kasunic family)that those glasses would be just the right prescription for someone here. God answered in a very clear way as each pair of glasses was given. One lady put on a pair of glasses, and could see. She grabbed Nancy's hand and said, "Mesi". God is good!
Please pray that those we connect with will know the truth of Jesus, our only HOPE! Also pray God's comfort for our team member, Dee Dee Curran. Dee Dee received word tonight that her cousin died. Her cousin was someone very special to her, so as you might imagine, this is a hard time for Dee Dee to be away from her family.
Learning to Serve,
Lisa :)
On Behalf of the Team
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Haiti Mission Days 2-3
Both mornings started with the children's program. On Tuesday, we shared the parable of the Workers in the Field. We played Grape Football where children passed a rubber kickball around a circle using only their feet. Our team performed a skit and the children serenaded us with an absolutely beautiful rendition of "Alleluia" and "Lord I Lift Your Name on High." So moving to hear both songs in Creole, a reminder that all nations, all tongues will be represented in heaven. On Wednesday, we shared the parable of Weeds and Wheat. We presented another skit and at craft time, the children drew pictures of Kreyesyon Bondye Yo (God's creation). We have many creative artists in our midst! The rest of the mornings and afternoons were spent playing games, soccer, frisbee, and jump rope with the kids. The medical clinic saw between 125-150 people each day with illnesses ranging from malnutrition to blindness to scabies to anemia. They are so thankful just to be seen by our doctors and space on the waiting benches is highly coveted. On Wednesday, Drs. Kelly and Jodie went with one very sick woman to a nearby hospital for additional treatment. We later learned from her family that she was doing better. Work on the basketball court continues but is moving slower than planned. Tomorrow we will finish the interior painting of five classrooms. Our team is working together very well and it is so clear that God brought together each person for a purpose. God is good, all the time. (In Creole, "Bondye Bon, Tu Tan"). We are thinking of our friends and family back home and praying for you as you are for us.
Bonswa!
Leslie (on behalf of mission team)
Bonswa!
Leslie (on behalf of mission team)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Day 1 in Haiti
God is good! We arrived in Haiti Monday morning around 10:30 and were through immigration and customs in record time. We had one little glitch in customs when they saw our box full of medical supplies. They sent us to a customs official who opened the box. Kelly Tieves and I stayed busy talking about how we weren't selling the medicine. He continued looking through the box and then closed it and let us go. God is GOOD!
We arrived at Christ the King to lots of kids with big smiles. We were happy to see them and they to see us! The stucco work on the school is still going on, but we will be able to begin painting. The basketball court foundation is not yet poured so we may not be able to complete it. The plan is to begin work on the foundation today and tomorrow. Please pray that work can begin on that as planned...well plan B anyway.
We are doing a children's event this morning and then will open the clinic. Please pray that God would be more recognizable to the people we meet, and work alongside.
I will try to include pictures in the future. This morning that feature isn't working.
Learning to Serve,
Lisa :)
We arrived at Christ the King to lots of kids with big smiles. We were happy to see them and they to see us! The stucco work on the school is still going on, but we will be able to begin painting. The basketball court foundation is not yet poured so we may not be able to complete it. The plan is to begin work on the foundation today and tomorrow. Please pray that work can begin on that as planned...well plan B anyway.
We are doing a children's event this morning and then will open the clinic. Please pray that God would be more recognizable to the people we meet, and work alongside.
I will try to include pictures in the future. This morning that feature isn't working.
Learning to Serve,
Lisa :)
Day 1 in Hanti
God is good! We arrived in Haiti Monday morning around 10:30 and were through immigration and customs in record time. We had one little glitch in customs when they saw our box full of medical supplies. They sent us to a customs official who opened the box. Kelly Tieves and I stayed busy talking about how we weren't selling the medicine. He continued looking through the box and then closed it and let us go. God is GOOD!
We arrived at Christ the King to lots of kids with big smiles. We were happy to see them and they to see us! The stucco work on the school is still going on, but we will be able to begin painting. The basketball court foundation is not yet poured so we may not be able to complete it. The plan is to begin work on the foundation today and tomorrow. Please pray that work can begin on that as planned...well plan B anyway.
We are doing a children's event this morning and then will open the clinic. Please pray that God would be more recognizable to the people we meet, and work alongside.
I will try to include pictures in the future. This morning that feature isn't working.
Learning to Serve,
Lisa :)
We arrived at Christ the King to lots of kids with big smiles. We were happy to see them and they to see us! The stucco work on the school is still going on, but we will be able to begin painting. The basketball court foundation is not yet poured so we may not be able to complete it. The plan is to begin work on the foundation today and tomorrow. Please pray that work can begin on that as planned...well plan B anyway.
We are doing a children's event this morning and then will open the clinic. Please pray that God would be more recognizable to the people we meet, and work alongside.
I will try to include pictures in the future. This morning that feature isn't working.
Learning to Serve,
Lisa :)
Monday, January 2, 2012
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