Jesu Viv!

It is Saturday and we are home now. We got in last night right on time (hoping the same for Dolly in Puerto Rico) and had no problems anywhere with connections or luggage or anything. It was a difficult and sad moment yesterday in the Ft. Lauderdale Airport when we had to separate ourselves from Dolly as we headed to Detroit and she to Puerto Rico. We were all very happy for her though, to reunite with her husband and children, whom she missed so much. Rick and I are glad to be home and just talking non-stop about this or that experience, remembering the warmth of the Haitian people and admiring their never getting upset about anything. The more Rick and I think about it, Dolly was right on when she observed that no one we saw, ever, in the shoulder to shoulder crowd of town was angry or upset or fighting or violent in any way. This is amazing thing given the thousands of people, cars, motorcycles, buses, houses (to be honest, shacks and lean-to's without windows or doors), bicycles, shops, wares, wheel borrows, fruits, goats, vegetables, dogs, people, all literally and physically touching each other with no personal space whatsoever. All of this and no one anywhere is worked up about anything. No vulgarity (well, except a few times directed at us "blancs" as we came by with our cameras taking pictures of them.) What do they have that we don't? Deeper faith I believe, love of Jesus and superior knowledge of the Bible. Practically every vehicle, building, bus and tap-tap is plastered with proclamations of Jesus' love and I want what they have, trust and assurance of God's faithfulness. Everywhere, Jesu Vive! Scripture references everywhere you look, again on car windshields, sides of buses, business signs, t-shirts and hats and billboards too. These people love Jesus and give all glory to him, despite the conditions in which they live. I want what they have. How do we get it? Spend the time each day in God's word, studying and learning and memorizing and meditating on it. They may not have more things than we do but they have more God than we do.


Rick and I are challenged, wondering how we will accomplish this deeper knowledge - in reality. We are challenged trying to decide which stories to share with people because there are so many. I can see that if we just launch into every little detail to every person who asks, we will be talking for 2 hours, their eyes will glaze over and we will still not have adequately described the experience. Rick wants to tell about how and WHEN he and the construction workers on the roof really began to communicate. It happened when they all quit talking. They finally just stopped talking and started signing to each other, pointing and tapping and nodding and motioning and so on and everything started to click up top. There is a lesson in there for all of us, stop talking.
After picking up our wonderful little doggy, we were home before midnight. We sure were glad for the hot shower (the showers at the Voltaire's were outstanding, just not the toasty hot water we are used to.) We got a good night's sleep in our own bed and thanked God for everything that we experienced. A really big surprise God had for us on this trip was our being recognized as mentors. This was true for Rick as a man, for the other young men expressed how they respect and look up to him. Wow. Other married people with spouses at home spoke to us privately about how "we got it going on" in our marriage, wanting to know the secret while while other single folks told us privately how encouraging we were to them as single people, witnessing how a married couple can be so happy and do missions together. It was very encouraging and a great surprise to hear these things. We thank God for bringing us together and for the relationship we share. It is not always easy but ultimately, if we do what Jesus would do and sacrifice our own wants and desires for the other one, how can it not be good?

Later: Well, it is the end of the day now here on Saturday and Rick has become sick with the same stuff that 5 others got on the trip. Glad I kept one bottle of the prescribed antibiotics. Please pray for him. We really want to be in church together tomorrow.

Lynne

Bondye ak nou!

Today was an amazing day!  Bond ya ak nou! (God is with us).  I had the opportunity to lead day 1 of the Discipleship Workshop at the 14^th Street Baptist Church, in Cap Haitien, Haiti.  There were young and old in attendance, male and female, and each one brought a genuine excitement, to be learning from this guy from the US, and a very real heart for our Savior.  They said I am now a part of their Church, and they wanted to know when I would be back!  I would call the day, part bible study, part language lesson, part singing, and part dancing!!  The participants showed an amazing desire to soak up the Word of God, each one with notebook in hand, writing down everything I said.  Many had wonderful questions, such as when I was describing 5 ways to learn from the bible (Hearing, Reading, Studying, Memorizing, and Meditating), he wanted to know if he should do these all at one time!  I shared with them how we all should be disciple makers, and that each of them should be building and teaching others.  Afterwards, many of them came up to tell me that they would start.  One lady asked me if she should go to the street and find people to disciple, or would it be alright for her to choose some ladies from a bible study that she was in, that meets weekly, at 5am!!  Of course, there were lots of questions about how many kids I had, and if my parents were still alive.  They asked if my Church back home would become their friends and send people to help them learn.  Can we send our youth to lead their Vacation Bible School? They did not want me to forget them. I was amazed at their heart for the Word.  I would say, look up a verse like II Timothy 3:16, and the group would all yell out the verse without looking it up! At least half the verses I shared, they knew by heart.  I shared Lamentations 3:22-23 and after they recited it to me, they asked me if they could sing a song.  They proceeded to sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” to me, which is a song based on Lamentations 3:22-23.  On the fun side, we were in a room that was crowded.  No empty chairs, and though there was a fan in the room, it had to be at least 100 degrees.  I know they had to be crazy hot.  Every once in a while we would take breaks for them to get some water.  On one of the breaks, I know we needed some exercise, so, I asked them if in Haiti, they could dance in a Baptist Church?! I mentioned back home we really didn’t do that!! We all broke out into some crazy dancing and clapping and song.  Many of the ladies came to the front, to dance with me!! It seemed funny that a group who seemed so solemn in Church on Sunday, was boisterous, loud and very fun, today.  It was a time of laughter, dance, English, Creole, singing, and study of the Word of God.  These beloved brothers and sisters in Christ inspired and encouraged me!  Afterwards, many came up and talked to me personally with questions that ranged from “I want to start a neighborhood bible study for kids, do you think that it’s a good idea?” to, “ I dreamed 12 years ago, that you were going to come to Haiti, and that I (he) would be called to disciple men.” To say the least, I was awed, touched, and inspired. I feel such a special link to the Haitian people at this moment.  I feel the burden of their pain on my shoulder.  We talked about Christians and their responsibility to give financially to God.  I talked about how hard this is, sometimes, in the United States. How we like to have boats, snowmobiles, and other things. One lady asked me to not forget about them.  I told them I would always have a responsibility from this day forward to never spend money the same.  How could I spend money on needless things when my brothers and sisters in Christ are starving, and thirsty?  This time, and these friends of mine have changed me.  I cannot rest now, while I am aware of their plight.  How can millions of people, an hour and a half south of Miami, 5 hours in the air from Michigan, not have clean water? How can they go hungry when we have so much?  So, my life is changed, as much as this trip is a fulfillment of my dream. and vision from God to raise up Laborers all over the world, I must now also shout for justice for a people that God loves, that love God, and love me.  Micah 6:8 says “He has told you, O man, what is good: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  There is not justice for Haitians from the eyes of this westerner.  In my devotions today in Luke 11:42 it says “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God”.  As I meditated on this verse this morning, it didn’t have the meaning to me that it has this afternoon.  Haiti has changed me.  It reminds me of a world that I haven’t visited in many years.  My vacations to the beaches of the Dominican Republic certainly don’t qualify as trips to the developing world!  It will take time to process all of the things that God is teaching and doing here.  I know though that He has given me a love for the people of Cap Haitian, and I can declare that BOND YA AK NOU!  God is with the people of Haiti!!

Gary Gilmore

May we love as you do

Thanks to Tom for this beautiful prayer.  I stand with you - as I know many others do - in bending God's ears with these words.

Father…use us. Inject your spirit into us, and course through our veins to carry out your will, and your will alone. Drain my mind & body of all the garbage I hold onto, and give me a glimpse of the meaning of purity. Grip our hearts so tight that nothing else can enter. Fix our eyes on Jesus, and our hearts on the Haitian people. Unify our team under in your arms of love and grace.
May we love as you do.
Amen.

1 Peter 4:8 (amp) Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and ^[a]disregards the offenses of others]

Humbled, Honored, and Grateful

My fellow Michigan Servants for Christ:

In Isaiah 61: 1-8 it says:

 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
   2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
   3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

As I prepare to preach from the Haitian Pulpit this Sunday, I want you all to know that I am humbled, honored, and grateful to God for the opportunity to share the glorious light of his gospel with the people in Haiti. I take this task seriously and will do my best to serve the way that the Lord would have me to serve! I know that you all with pray with me and for me as I preach.  God is great and greatly to be praised! Amen!

by Carnel

Three - Twa - 3

When I looked at the countdown today I about fell off my chair - only 3 days left.  What can happen in three days? Jonah experienced transformation in the belly of the whale.  Abraham surrendered his son -trusting God had a plan.  Esther stood before the King in order to save the entire Jewish nation.  Jesus was crucified and rose again in 3 days overcoming death itself.  A lot can happen in 3 days.

My prayer for these next three days is that God does another great work as we prepare to leave.  Would you please pray with us?

-Tracy

Thoughts on The Great Commission! By Carnel

As I consider the journey that we are about embark on in this upcoming mission to Haiti, I am pondering the great commission that Jesus charged his disciples with!

Jesus said in Matthew 28: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

My dear friends and team members, there is an urgency for us as members of the body of  Christ to fulfill the great commission, which is what is described in the verse I quoted! Part of the remedy for great efficacy for fulfilling the great commission set forth by our Lord and Saviour is to participate in missions such as the one we are going to do! I believe that Jesus is proud of us, God is smiling on us, and the holy spirit( the spirit of truth is with us! Amen!

by Carnel

Blessed? Blessed! by Dolly

I have been pondering on what it means to be blessed and how to see God's glory.  It all started with something I read that alluded to the fact that the only reason we are blessed materially is to bless others and by doing that we show God's glory.  While that can be true, the simplicity of this statement warns me of false conclusions about being blessed.  We have so many material things here in the U.S. that quantifying blessings is the easiest way to know how blessed you are.  Counting the things you own, the abilities you have, and your achievements, and then giving the glory to God seems like a nice formula for knowing how blessed you are and then putting it back on Him for allowing you to have them.  Does that mean that the "have nots" are not blessed?  Did God forget something by allowing some to have and some not?  Or is the statement above about having to be able to give the reason to have?  Part of my preoccupation stems from who blesses who?  Do you have to have in order to give?  Can the have nots be blessed to?  Can they offer blessings? Just thinking about the disproportionate distribution of wealth worldwide puts a burden on those who have and know Jesus, to give.  But I guess my problem is in keeping those who have as the perennial powerful subjects who rely on the notion that others will need them.  The Bible reminds us to constantly look around and make sure we know who are oppressed so we don't allow that.  God is concerned with the fatherless, the widow, and the foreigners over and over again. It is in the Psalms, Jeremiah, Isaiah, among other books of the Bible.  It's a trilogy that represent the oppressed. They are not there to make others feel blessed, this is a consequence of the fault in this world and God chooses to make right a wrong through those who love Him.  Something interesting about this trilogy is that it transcends material things.  It is greatly associated in many cases to the lowest in a given society specially in the context in which it was written, but you don't have to be poor to suffer the rejection of the fatherless, or the loneliness of the widow or the displacement of a foreigner.  So to know what it means to be blessed, I don't want to limit myself to all the material things that I can touch, and see or have done.  I want to rely on what the Bible says in Ephesians 1: instead of being fatherless,the alternative is to be adopted, instead of being lonely, God offers redemption, instead of displacement, his glorious grace.  Instead of oppression, we are His possession for His glory.  This allows us to shine for Him but not because of the material goods we have but because of the Hope we find in our Lord Jesus.  So what blessings can I expect to find in Haiti?  I'm looking forward to the blessing you receive on a warm sunny morning when your feet touches the fresh dew, or you can smell it in the air, and the brightness of a starry night when it is so hot that you can't move.  I'm hoping for a kind word, or a helping hand.  How many of those can we get or give?  I pray for for the blessing of feeling a gentle breeze or sitting under a shadowy tree.  How many of those can I get?  How many of those can I give?  To be blessed happens only by grace.  I don't want to miss my blessings and I don't want to miss how God has blessed us all.  I want to be aware of how He's done it in Haiti and how He is doing it by allowing His Spirit to dwell in our brothers and sisters there.  I want to see His glory in their faces, in their smiles, in their confidence.  I don't want to pity anyone but me if I can't see God's glory and blessings in this trip.

By Dolly

Ekip Bèl

Thoughts from Gary on Haiti!

Thoughts from Gary on  the upcoming trip!
So glad he is on our team.
You can catch up with him on his blog garygilmoresblog!

Been reflecting a lot recently about my upcoming trip to Haiti. Recently I shared from the Word with my traveling companions to Haiti, about spiritual preparation for the trip. I need to take seriously the message God gave to me to share with them! As I think about that, it's funny how God works. Really that devotional was for me. I am the one who really needs to start preparing spiritually for this mission trip! It has really just been in the back of my mind that I'm going to Haiti in July! Now it's getting close, I believe less then 30 days! The words God gave me were from Acts 13 as the Church prepared to send Paul on his first missionary journey. They were committed to fasting and praying. What can I begin to fast from in these next 30 days. I need to consistently include the trip, and what God will desire in my time there in my prayers. I love Haiti, at least I think I do! I remember my first exposure to Haiti was the Tony Campolo commercial where a mother is desperately trying to give Tony her hungry child as he is leaving in a Helicopter. I remember being moved with compassion for that country. God has also given me a wonderful Haitian friend, and I thought that God would send me to Haiti somehow with my friend.

I'm also melancholy about Haiti. There are so many people trying to help Haiti right now, do they really need me? So much money has been spent and yet Haiti seems to be struggling more then ever. What is the answer, and does it have anything to do with me? Over 230,000 people died in the earthquake that struck Haiti. I can't even comprehend that. 80% of the population lives on less then $2 a day. Over 5,000 additional people have died from cholera in the last 6 months. How can I help? I think this trip inspite of all that, is in large measure God working in my life more then my helping in Haiti. God calls me to love and serve the Church we will be "helping". I am called to humble myself, and in humility serve some brothers and sisters in Christ who I don't know. Even though I didn't want it to happen, living in a rural and predominantly white community, has kept me from being exposed to the world community I once so loved. I look forward to the challenges, and joys of serving on a multi racial team! Even as I listened to my brother in Christ share from the Word, I thought how unique and different his style is from what I've heard for the last 12 years of my life. I want to rejoice in that. So as I think about why God would send me to Haiti in the summer of 2011, I'm not convinced it is so much to help Haiti, as it is for Haiti to help me! I pray that as I live, work, and share with 13 other folks from all walks of life, that God blesses me, and helps me to humbly love them. I pray that our love for one another will point to Jesus, the one we desire to make famous. I pray that same prayer for the folks in Haiti who we will work beside, and serve. I do pray that we will spread the seed of the gospel in Haiti during our one week there! I know that it will be God who causes those seeds to grow, and to multiply. I pray that I can rest in this assurance, and know it is only my job to love those who cross my path during that God ordained week! So even as I experience the discomfort on my arms from the vaccinations I just got, may I be prepared to experience discomfort, and may that discomfort cause me to display the fruits of the Spirit. I love Haiti because God loves Haiti, and I'm excited to see what the people I serve in Haiti have to teach me about the love of Christ. I'm also praying for unity for a team of 14 very unique individuals, that we may grow in our love for God, and for each other, as we experience Haiti together!

by Gary Gilmore

Big Wake up Call

Chris wrote this great post over on his blog Watrous Musings!
So glad we can feature his thoughts here too.  Chris, we're glad you are on board!

American christians are soft compared to most of the other Christ followers in the world. This may offend some, but, i am not writing this to make friends. If i get rebuked for writing about the selfishness, gluttony, and immaturity that i see, i'll take it!!! nothing can change my mind!!! tired of always writing scared, not wanting to offend somebody. Gonna put this fear on the backburner for a few minutes.

Yesterday, i got to meet the other members of our Haiti Missions team. There are fourteen of us, from six different churches, most of them in the Detroit area. We all met in Lansing for briefing on our trip. It's intriguing, learning about a new culture. Of a land that is in desperate need of the love of Christ!! life there, is far more chaotic and brutal than anything that i have ever known. As i type this, i am a rookie. A greenhorn. I know that God is gonna blow me away with the harshness that is there, compared to my diamond-lifestyle in Marion, Michigan. I have no clue on the true suffering that goes on there!!!

The only suffering that i know is not being able to buy pizza on a friday night, putting a dent in my newly purchased car, five days after getting it, or having to get up at 3 am to go to a job. I can't relate with the family that got evicted from the "TENT CITY" that they lived in!! I complain about the mild leak in our roof. I have NEVER been without a job. I have had steady employment, since i graduated from highschool, 25 years ago....WOW, that seems like a while ago...lol!!!! how could i ever handle walking around with my loved ones, hungry, with no money to feed, clothe, and shelter them, knowing that as a husband and father, that i couldn't provide?

Last year, we lost our electricity, for a day. We really scrambled, having to use candles or flashlights. We had NO CABLE TELEVISION!!!.....lol!!! In Haiti, this is normal. Lots of people there, don't even have adequate plumbing!! i have no idea what real inconvenience means!!

Churches in America, have state of the art buildings, great sound systems, and no persecution in going to church. We are spoiled in comparison, to so many countries. Over here, we feel that we are entitled to things. We complain if we don't get the best parking spot in church!!! Imagine, if we had to walk miles, to even meet with other believers!! yeah, i said, WALK!! not DRIVE!!

We hear sermon after sermon, year after year, about putting others first, and being our brother's keeper, yet, we are deaf and dumb to these Biblical truths!! most of us will remain spiritual babes, for the remainder of our lives. Our pride and "me first" attitude hold us prisoner!!

As i pen this, i know that i am part of the problem. I am going to Haiti to serve God and the people there, but, sometimes, even more, i think God is taking me there for my big wake up call!!! The Good Lord knows that i NEED IT!!!

Morning Thoughts from Lynne

Good Morning brothers and sisters in Christ - I awoke early and thanked God for
another day, and for the day before. If you were like me, you had many things to
do yesterday and driving such a distance and giving up 8 or more hours seemed a
sacrifice in some way. Maybe not true for you, but I'm an over achiever who
thinks she can do it all. After being together, I was so grateful for that time
with you and I just give all glory and praise to God for his perfect plan and
the excitement in our heart. My devotion this morning is perfect and I just
wanted to share.

Remember that you live in a fallen world; an abnormal world tainted by sin. Much

frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There

is nothing perfect in this world except Me. That is why closeness to Me

satisfied deep yearnings and fills you with Joy.

I have planted longing for perfection in every human heart. This is a good

desire, which I alone can fulfill. But most people seek this fulfillment in

other people and earthly pleasures or achievements. Thus, they create idols,

before which they bow down. I will have no other gods before Me! Make Me the

deepest desire of your heart. Let Me fulfill your yearning for perfection.

Exodus 20:3; Psalm 37:4

Thoughts From Jessica!

Jessica is from Genesis the Church in Royal Oak.  Here are a few thoughts she has about the upcoming trip.

Hi all!  I just want to thank all of you who are invested in this trip by going, praying, and supporting.  I am looking forward to this trip to Haiti and the opportunities we will have to assist the people and responsive efforts already taking place there.   I am humbled and excited to respond to God's calling to serve in this way.  This will be my 6th mission trip overall, but my first one as an adult and I am very excited but also a bit nervous about the trip. It will be a bit of a culture shock , I am sure, but I am very excited to learn more about the Haitian people and culture.   I pray that I will be able to listen and respond to the needs of the people in Cap Haitian and to God's direction while there.   - Jess