Haiti Article for Church Newsletter

The week after we returned home for Haiti I was asked to write an article for the Church Newsletter.  This was to explain what we did and how our church helped and the future of our church with the Dasmas community.  I thought I would share that with my blog peeps.

“Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this Place.” This song stuck in my head as I boarded the plane to leave the tropical island of Haiti.  For weeks prior to our trip we had been bombarded by news releases, personal testimonies, and fears of our safety and health. Each one of these comments made our purpose and willingness to help all the more resolute.  Prayers poured in and support came from the most unlikely places.  We did make a difference.

 “I can feel His mighty power and His Grace.” We jumped from the back of the truck that took us over mountains, through rivers, and around a nation brimming with people.  We had arrived in Dasmas, our home for the next five days.  The people of the village greeted us to our home away from home; all wondering who were these “Blancs.”  Who were these people and what brought them to a place with no electricity and no running water?  What was their mission? Our job of showing God’s love and being the Hands and Feet began!

“I can hear the brush of Angel’s wings.” Up early every morning, the day’s work had begun.  Our jobs were set before us.  Rebuilding the roof, loving the kids, getting to know the adults, and even joining in a soccer game or two.  We became one with the community.  Regular faces greeted us each day and language was no barrier.  We were not outsiders, but regular members of the village family.  We knew them by name and they called us by name. 

“I can see glory on each face.”  I had been told the Haitians were a beautiful people; a people of strength despite all the hardships that came their way.  Truer words were never spoken.  When they smiled, their whole face lit with the joy of the moment.  Their eyes danced with the delight of the day. The children of the orphanage we visited surrounded us longing for a simple touch, an expression of love.  I’m sad to say there were not enough of us to go around even when we each had three or four children hugging/hanging on us at once, but we offered the love of Christ with all our hearts to everyone we met.  As we left, we experienced God’s glory in the faces of the little children. Reluctant to leave, but warmed by a reunion in our future.

“Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this Place.”  I long for the day when my church family can return to my family of Dasmas.  For the time when we can see the children run to us and return the pleasant smile of the preacher’s wife, who always guarded us.  I know Grace Community made a difference in the lives of the people, and I know there is so much more to give.  This is just the beginning of bringing the presence of the Lord to God’s Holy place, and I beam with pride and love to know you all had a hand it in.  Thank you, or as we say in Creole “Mési Anpil” for truly paving the way so our young adult mission team and our church could continue living as God’s great messengers in the world.

 

I got a text message from a buddy of mine this past weekend.  He went with us to Haiti, his first time out of the country.  His text said "It's kinda crazy, but I miss Haiti."  I assured him it was not crazy at all and in fact, I too missed Haiti.  It's just a place that can grab hold of you. 

Free Christmas!

This year marks the first of a new movement.  A new revolution in the Christmas spirit.  One in which we focus less on the consumerism of the holidays and more to the sustainability of the earth.  A season in which Christmas gifts are not purchased, but rather reclaimed from their deaths.  This is the genesis of "Free Christmas."

Think of it as Free Tibet meets Freecycle.  A movement to save money and to relieve the land fill of a few more permanent guest.  This year, the wife and I made a conscious effort to not buy gifts for people.  This doesn't mean we aren't giving them, but it only means the gifts we find come from the side of the road, a dumpster dive, or our own creativity, sometimes a combination of all three. 

There is no searching for the newest and brightest gadget or knick-knack to fill a quota.  It's all coming from what we find.  Now I know this is not something new to the world, but the label is new.  Free Christmas.  Next year I hope to have a logo and some more ideas on it.  I just got swept away in the lack of Christmas Holiday this year and time ran out.  Plus, we are still in the experimental stages.  We must see the reaction and ease of this new movement.  But, stay tuned in as next year we take Free Christmas from out house to our city, then to the region, then state, then the universe...or something like that.   After the new year I'll post up some more information, that way surprises aren't ruined.  Find your own Free Christmas thoughts and share them with me.

Haiti Pics

this is one of my favorites

earthquake damage

tent city, covered in dust

earthquake damage