Friends In Weird Places

If you've been following my blog, you've seen my friendship with the Paraguayan UN military bloom over time.  Some of my closest friends finished their year of service in Haiti in December and have gone back to Paraguay.  After staying on their base during my last trip, our friends connected us to the new leadership.

After church on Sunday, my close friend who stayed another year, his son and the new Colonel came to surprise me.  I was in a weird place so it was fun to see some familiar faces!

They took me into town to visit the base and meet some of the new people. The Paraguayans have done a lot for the Village I've been working on, so I enjoyed being able to say thank you.

The Deacon at the base is Carlos Martinez, whom I call Hermanito.  In English it means "Little Brother".  His son, Carlos showed me around the base as they had made some changes, then the new Colonel took me to BellMart (grocery store) to buy a card for the phone they gave me.  When they handed it over, they already had all of the leadership team's phone numbers in the contact list.

It is awesome to have such hospitable friends who desire to take care of you in this harsh environment.

I was also very happy to spend time speaking with Hermanito while I reflected on my first week in Haiti.  His insights were helpful and I am so grateful for the friendship.

A Little Honesty

I've got to be honest with you.  I've been a little uninspired to write.  This adjustment to the new group has been more difficult than I anticipated.

I need some serious prayer.  Will you pray for me?

My desire is to serve the people, working alongside Haitians to bring out the best in them to glorify God.

There are so many amazing things happening because of Victory Compassion and through them here in Haiti.  It is incredible to see the blessing they have been while supporting many orphanages, churches and local people in this area.

I'm having a hard time being so far away from town.  I love the action and excitement of the city.  Here, we dwell far out in the country, near the Haitian/Dominican Republic border.

Every day for the first six months I was here was very different.  I've done it all... building shelters, random meetings, interviewing families, gardening, etc.  I've worked alongside the families.  With the new group we have a very consistent routine right now and have been focusing on outreach through their Kidz Clubs.  Even with this being a little different than I am used to, it is an awesome ministry for Christ.  This work is vital to see change in Haiti, but my ministry has been working with the people, building relationships with a small group, not preaching to large groups.

I think a major element has been not having very many people around.  Right now our team consists of three with help from a few Haitians to carry out the work.  I know that once teams begin to arrive, I will see things differently and will also begin more of the administrative work.  For now, I am in a waiting place.

Will you pray for me as God works on my heart and guides me through this experience?  Please also pray for our team, the people of Haiti and their continued development.

Settling In

Well, I made it back!

As soon as the plane began to descend into Port-au-Prince, I could feel the heat rising.
Haiti is hot.  Very hot.

It is a weird yet extremely joyful feeling to be back.  Almost every time I return, it feels like I never left.

Pastor Rod came down for a few days to help with my transition.  He is such a visionary and is so wise.  I really enjoy being around him.  Right now the team at the base includes Chris, Cassandra and I with one translator.  Chris is Pastor Rod's son and is acting as the Director of Haiti Operations of Victory World Missions.  Cassandra runs the Kidz Clubs that we do and I am the Administrator.

Being with a new group is an adjustment, but has been fun.  I've been supporting Cassandra and helping with the Kidz Clubs.  It will be my primary role until two other team members return from their much deserved time off in the States.

I've arrived during some serious down time for Victory Compassion which has made the transition easy, but I'm also aching to do something.  Whenever I'm here, I am usually so overactive that this feels like a whole different Haiti to me.

Everyone has been so welcoming.  Cassandra is my roommate and we have a little dorm to ourselves.  It feels like the Hilton compared to the places I've stayed.  I've gone from a place where I slept on a cot in a mosquito net with no running water and inconsistent electricity to a palace!  I have a huge, legitimately comfortable bed with our own bathroom, two air conditioners, one ceiling fan and a mini-fridge!  A huge blessing!!!!

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers during this time of transition.  The first four days have flown by, but the next three months will be an amazing experience with plenty of joy, tears and adventure.

New Group, New Adventure

Without fail, I always get a little nervous before I head back to Haiti.  Not afraid nervous, more like anxious.  Excited to get there, wondering what the trip will be like.  Every trip has been so different that it is hard to expect anything.

I'm excited to let you know that I am officially going back to Haiti for an extended time.  I will be working with Victory Compassion (a group from a church in Tulsa, Oklahoma) where I will serving as their Administrator.

What I love about this opportunity is that I will be able to do what I've already been doing, but on a larger scale.  I will continue to develop relationships with other organizations so we can reach more people and assist in the coordination of teams that come from across the United States.  It is very exciting for me to be a part of this and to be able to visit my dear friends in the village I've been working on at the same time.