Iron Sharpens Iron

Proverbs 27:17

17 As iron sharpens iron,

    so one person sharpens another.

     There are so many things about this trip that I will remember. So many things that will shape and change my future.  However, let it be said that one of the best elements of this trip had nothing to do with Haiti, or the Haitian people.  This trip wasn't just 8 days.  It was several months of planning and meeting with our team.  There are some real rocks on this team.  Folks who stand strong on the word of the Lord.  These people don't just talk about God as this mysterious person on the other side of the clouds.  He is someone they know well because they know him through his word. 

     Everyone on this trip taught me something, but I will be especially  grateful for two particular people.  Every father with daughters should be so blessed as I have been.  My two daughters got to spend a week talking to, working with, eating with, and praying with Pat Wiseman Jones.  This lady has a heart for God, and my daughters got to watch that up close and personal for 8 days.  Talk about an accelerated course in faith!

     Then there is the little giant!  Gene Hartman.  Gene was our leader on this trip.  He wore this responsibility on his sleeve, and it was a heavy weight on his shoulders.  Leading an international mission trip would never be an easy task, but it wasn't just 17 people.  It was 12 adults, and 5 teenagers.  Not an easy task. 

     I realized one thing very early with Gene.  You don't have to be the center of attention to lead.  You don't have to speak much to lead.  Just have integrity, and make your words count.  Gene can quickly cut through the unimportant stuff.  What does God want us to be focusing on right now?  Follow Gene, and you will be pointed in the right direction. 

     Gene is a great leader because no decision is made on his own wisdom.  Gene does everything through prayer and petition.  I learned by watching him every day.  I only hope Gene knows how much I grew to love him during this trip.  At the end of the day, everyone on this team was important to me.  I love each and every one of them.

Ah ha!

Matthew 6:31-33 

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

     

     I want to tell you about the biggest "Ah Ha" moment of my trip.  It came at the end of the first day building the homes.  We had just spent a very grueling first day building.  We did not realize prior to that day that we would have to carry all the building materials down the side of very steep hill, which had no good footing, and plenty of treacherous places where one could be hurt badly.  It was 90 plus degrees, and we were very satisfied that we had finished our first home.  Before we left the village to go back to our mission house and eat dinner, we were to scout the site of the next home to be built.  You see, each day we had to tear down the existing home (tent) before we built the new one.  

    It didn't really dawn on me until much later how trusting these folks were with us.  Into their village comes 17 strange white people from another country, and they let us tear down their home.  It wasn't much, but it is what they had.  What if we left, and didn't finish their home?  We would never have done that, but they certainly didn't know that.   It took a great amount of trust, but they knew up front that we came in the name of Christ, and so they put their trust in that.  

     So back to my story.  Madam Ville was the owner of the tent that we were going to rebuild the next day.  We went to her site to see how much work it would take to tear it down, and how hard it would be to level the spot.  She was a very nice woman, with a beautiful smile.  She invited us to come in her home.  Her tent was made of large tree branches that had been fastened together with nails and rope.  It was covered with a dark brown tarp, and a few strategically placed pieces of tin.    It was approximately 10x10.  She held the door open and we went inside.  

     It was dark inside even in the middle of the afternoon. There were some blankets on the floor where her family of seven would sleep at night.  Also there were a few makeshift chairs, and some utensils that she would use to prepare food.  That was it.  The air was heavy, so thick you could hardly breathe.  She hugged us, and thanked us for what we were about to do for her the following day.  Then, I spotted it.  Hanging in the middle of the tent was a piece of paper protected by some plastic.  My heart began to pound, and the tears began to fill my eyes.  Hanging in the middle of her tent was a copy of  "The Ten Commandments".  I was so humbled by this.  I felt dirty and unworthy of even being in her home.  Shortly after we walked back outside and assured her we would be back in the morning.  As we shut the door I noticed something else, another copy of  The Commandments hung on the front door.  I hadn't seen it on the way in because she was holding the door open.   It was like she had hung the second copy inside as if to say, "If you come in this home, make sure you know we serve God".  

    Here were these people who live in conditions that we just shake our head at, and they are grateful for what they have.  They trust that HE will provide them with what they need.  Not what they want, but what they need.  Madam Ville smiled and waived as we headed up the side of the mountain.  She knew we would return.  I was so tired and worn out, sticky with sweat and dirt, and yet I didn't even want to go back to the house at that point.  I couldn't wait to build her that new home and show her that we loved her, that God loved her.    I will never forget that moment when I saw the commandments hanging in that tent.  I will never forget, ever.  

Bel Timoun

   

Bel Timoun in Haiti

     The primary language in Haiti is Creole.  Bel Timoun means "Beautiful Children.  Haiti may be poor.  That is an understatement.  When it comes to beautiful children, they are rich.  While in Haiti my daughters worked with several other ladies teaching a Bible School. I am certain that they will never forget it!   During our stay, we were working in a village called Montreal.  It was a tent city.  just outside of Port Au Prince.  Our goal while we were there was to build at least 4 homes for the Haitians, and share God's love with the children in the village!  We went hoping to be a blessing to the Haitians, but while we were there, we got blessed!

Let me tell you just a little bit about how they lived in this village.
      Our fist day working in the village we drove in our truck up the side of a mountain.  There were several large homes that belonged to wealthy people in the area.  We got out of the truck and walked to the edge of a cliff.  Below us were about 1200 people living in squalor.  The terrain was treacherous. It was very steep walking down through the village, but in addition, the footing was very unstable.  It seemed like you never had a solid footing.  All of the homes were small.  A few lucky ones had homes made of block with dirt floors.  The rest, what you might call a tent.  The tent however was just whatever they could piece together to make a shelter.   Branches covered with tarps, or pieces of tin nailed to a

Taylor, Peyton, Paige, and Tawna with their new friends, Kiki, Stevi, Wilson, LaVincent and Je Jon Pey.

wooden frame.  All with dirt floors.  No running water, and of course no electricity, and by the way it was over 90 degrees.  It was so dry. There was one toilet in the village.  Actually it was a whole in the ground with a block surrounding.  There were rats, tarantulas (not the poisonous kind, but they were big, and they could still bite), and many other kids of bugs and pests roaming around.  Many of these kids were in need of medical care.  Malnourished, open wounds that had not been cared for.  Things you and I take for granted.  They were none the wiser.  It is just what they know.

The Bible School
The ladies went to a flat area, and began to lay down tarps so children could sit on them.  Within minutes there were young children beginning to appear.  Some of them with mothers, but many just checking out what was going on.  I wasn't fortunate enough to be working with these kids throughout the day every day, but I did get to interact on many occasions, and got to know some of the children personally.  The first day there were almost 100 kids that took part in the activities. The ladies had a translator with them, so they were able to communicate with the kids, sing with the kids, and share bible stories with them as well.  The kids had so much fun, and there smiles were priceless. Here are just a few things that you should know about these kids.

• Most of them didn't get to eat anything of substance until dinner time each night.
• There clothes were really clean, but most wore the same clothes each day. 
• There smiles were beautiful. Many of them had teeth that were perfect.  (Still a mystery to me).  
• Most of them had not seen themselves in a mirror before.  
• They already knew Bible songs.  And they could sing them with passion.
• Making a sock puppet, or coloring on paper was like going on a summer vacation for most kids.  It was a level of entertainment that they were not used to.  These were activities that were enjoyed by even the teenagers of the village.  In truth, one day five grown men approached the ladies and asked for paper and crayons.  They colored the pictures they were given like it was there homework assignment.  Truly a blessing to watch them.  
• They were so innocent.  They were so grateful.  They were so loving.

I wanted to share a few specific stories.  First off, I have always been drawn to kids.  When it comes to teaching golf, I have always enjoyed kids the most.  Any chance to watch the innocence of kids is amazing.  It reminds of this scripture:

Matthew 18:3-  And he said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

As I tell you this next story, please remember that these people have no possessions. They are blessed if they have the clothes they need, and food to eat.  They don't have things, and if they did, they would have no place to keep them.  So, on the first day of bible school, the ladies made bracelets with the children to go along with the lesson.  When I finished building the first day, I got a few minutes to talk to my daughters about their day, and interact with the children.  They introduced me to some of the children, and told me their names.  They had beautiful names to go with their beautiful smiles.  Names like Je Jaun Pe, Lavincent, Kiki, Lovely, Tisa, and Jeri.  However, I had the pleasure of meeting a little guy named Wilson.  Yes, Wilson.  When I met Wilson he smiled at me and he shook my hand.  My daughter Peyton prompted him to show me the bracelet he had made that day.  I made a big deal out of how nice it was and Wilson immediately took it off and tried to give it to me.  I felt terrible.  This little man had nothing, and he wanted to give me something.  I tried to convince him that it wouldn't fit my arm, that it was too small.  So, what did Wilson do?  He stretched it out and put it on my arm.  I was truly humbled.  Tears filled my eyes as he smiled up at me.  My heart was warm.  But that is not the end of the story. 

We returned to the house, had a great dinner, devotions, and then a nights sleep before getting ready to do it all over again.  The next morning as I was getting dressed, the bracelet that Wilson had given me was irritating my wrist.  Without thinking I grabbed it between my fingers and was going to pull it off.  I paused, and decided to wear it anyway.  As we arrived at the village we began to get to work.  While working at the village I was wearing a big floppy white hat to keep the sun off of my face and neck. I suppose that made me easily recognizable.  Anyway, two hundred yards up a hill, I saw a young boy running my direction.  He was running so fast that he looked like his arms were going to fly off.  I recognized him.  It was Wilson.  I met many young kids the day before, and I was impressed that I remembered his name.  When he reached me I said, "Wilson right?"  He looked at me but he suddenly lost his smile.  He was looking at my arm.  I was wearing gloves because of the work we were doing.  I held out my arm, and Wilson pulled the glove back revealing the bracelet.  His smile returned.  He beamed with pride.  He patted his chest as if to say, "I gave you that".  We will be friends for life, even if I never see him again. Lord I pray that I will see him again, and that he will be well.

My daughter Peyton with my friend Wilson.

Matthew 23:12

  "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

     As Americans, we cling to our stuff.  We have so much, and yet we struggle letting it go.  This little boy showed me how much stuff meant to him.  It was more important to him to show me how he felt about me, than it was to have a new possession.  Who would think that you would have to travel 1600 miles to learn a lesson like that from a seven year old boy?  So as I said in the beginning, we went to be a blessing, and we got blessed. 

     There are so many stories to share, but not enough time.  One of the days at the bible school, the group made sock puppets.  The kids got to design them, decorate them, and keep them.  They certainly had a great time doing all of this.  However, the next day was a reminder of how little they had.  We started to notice that many of the children were wearing there sock puppets again the next day, only this time on their feet.  It was funny to look around and see several of the kids wearing one sock.  These children could touch your heart in the simplest of ways.  They were truly a blessing.

     

     

The first 2 hrs

     I had gotten quite comfortable on the plane, and was enjoying the quiet time.  I was thinking about the week, what we would encounter, and also thinking about seeing my wife and son again when we return.  Somebody from our team,( I can't remember who)  said they could see Haiti out the window.  I did not have a window seat, but I stretched my neck in every way possible trying to catch a glimpse, but I could not see it.  Then the plane tilted hard, and out the window I saw it.  It was beautiful.  Mountains just shooting out of the sea.  Nothing like I had imagined.  I will never forget the first glimpse I saw.  However, as the plane began to descend, and things came into better view, the beauty was from afar, and the reality was far from good.   At over 1,000 feet you could already see the poverty, and the devastation.  Not just a few neighborhoods, but a country of despair.

     We arrived at the airport, and went through security and customs.  The inside of the airport was not that different from some of the smaller airports I have visited before.  It was even more commercial than I had anticipated.  We went through a 45 minute search for some missing bags before we left the comfort of the airport, and headed for the mission house.

      The first 30 minutes outside of the airport was difficult to explain.  We were told in advance not to let anyone touch your bags.  Hold on to each other, and if someone touched your stuff, tell them No, No.  When we stepped outside their were hundreds waiting and watching.  I am not sure what they were there for, but they certainly were interested in us.  Staring at us, yelling at us (I have no idea what they were saying).  We loaded on to a large truck with a large cage on the back.  17 of us with bags in tow.  We felt like livestock.  Locked in the back of this truck, peering out at this world around us.  Our truck had some difficulty navigating through the town, and we had to back up several times because our truck would not make it up a hill.  More yelling, some honking, and some nervous laughter among our team.  The traffic was like nothing I had ever seen.  For a few moments, I questioned, (are we safe).  Have I put my daughters in a bad situation?

      Pretty soon, as I began to really look around and feel the poverty, I forgot about my nervousness.  These people had nothing.  Everyone was out on the streets.  Standing, sitting, walking, and even laying on the sidewalks.  Everyone looked to be selling something, but who were they selling to?  It looked as if nobody had anything, so I am not sure who they would make a sale to.

There was instantly a big difference between the Haitian people and us.  We set goals, we think about the future.  We make plans, and do it as if we know what will happen next.  These people were focused on today.  I say the Lord's Prayer daily, but it brought new meaning to part of it for me.  Give us THIS DAY our daily bread.   Not tomorrow or next week.  Just sustain me for today Lord, and I will let tomorrow take care of itself.  I worry chronically.  I realized how sinful that can be.  I can't control things.  We need to focus more on the moment. More on the people who are within arms reach.  I pray that I will worry less, and be more grateful for the little blessings that I receive everyday.

I am reminded of this scripture today:

James 4: 13-15

¹³How foolish it is to say, Today or tomorrow we will go into this town, and be there for a year and do business there and get wealth:

¹⁴When you are not certain what will take place tomorrow. What is your life? It is a mist, which is seen for a little time and then is gone.

¹⁵But the right thing to say would be, If it is the Lord's pleasure and if we are still living, we will do this and that.

Today is the day.

January 17th.  A day that we have been anticipating for months.  It was a bit strange because we headed to the church at 2am.  It was cold, and there was snow on the ground.  We knew that in less than 12 hours we would be in a land where the the temperatures would be in the mid 90's.  We would do bag checks, make sure everyone had the required documents, and then head for the airport at around 3:30am.

No trip like this goes perfect, and neither did this one.  My daughter Peyton left something at home. Living just a few blocks away, my wife headed back to retrieve the forgotten item.  When she arrived home, Tracy accidentally locked the keys in our van while it was running.  What this meant was that Tracy would not be able to ride to the airport to see us off.  I was so disappointed that she couldn't come.  Tracy said it was actually better that way, because she didn't have to  think so much about the Good Bye.

Neither of my girls had ever flown before.  We went through check in and security with ease, however our flight ended up being delayed by over an hour.  I think the girls were so tired of waiting that they weren't even nervous when we finally took off.  I was so disappointed that I didn't get to see there faces when we took off.  My seat was in the front of the plane, and they were in the back.  The adventure began when we arrived in Miami.  We landed, and our next flight was schedule to leave in 8 minutes.  We had to get the entire team to the other side of the airport in just a few minutes time.  We went through the airport like O.J. in a Hertz Rent a Car Commercial.  We made it to our gate as they were closing the doors, but they held the plane for us, and we were on our way.  Haiti here we come!

While we were on the plane flying over the ocean, I thought about what would have happened if we hadn't made that flight.  I felt sure at this point that we were where God wanted us to be.  I was fully committed to whatever God had in store for us. Had it crossed my mind that the trip could be dangerous?  Yes.  But we were prayed up.  We had so many praying for us.  Besides that, when it becomes your hearts desire to do what God is calling you to do, then you become more accepting of what could happen.  Let HIS will be done.  When you turn your thoughts to serving others, you become less interested in yourself.  Lord be with us!

24 Hours

(These entries are being posted online after our trip was completed.  The entries in the blog will be a collection of thoughts and lessons before during and after the trip.)

     So for several months now we have been preparing for this trip.  It has been awesome to watch God do his work even before we have departed for Haiti.  I was skeptical that we would be able to take this trip for financial reasons, but God has provided.  My daughter Paige, wrote letters to friends and family telling them of the trip that she has envisioned. Days later, she received letters from them with financial and prayerful support.  One of my favorite things about this trip was to find out just how much my daughters are loved by these people.  They wanted to help these young girls find out what God had in store for them.

     Every week we have gone to meetings discussing the Haitian culture, their situation, their language in preparation, yet we are just a day away, and I feel like we are venturing into the complete unknown.  I have no idea what to expect, and yet I truly am not afraid.  I am so excited I can barely sit still.  My prayers are many, but among them is that when I return, that I will share the news of God's mercy and grace with everyone.  I pray that this trip makes not only a difference for a few Haitians, but for myself, and for those I come in contact with when I return.

     I have been thinking lately about different times in my life when I have come in contact with people who have shared their faith, or let me know that I was moving in the wrong direction.  I have become more aware that these are not chance happenings, but divine appointments.  I hope that in the future, God will use me to answer the prayers of others.  I hope that I can be an instrument of my Father in Heaven.   I pray that I will feel the presence of those who are lost or hurting and show them God's Love.

     Our team decided that we should have a team motto.  We decided on, "Here I am, send me."  We took this from Isiah 6:8.
Isaiah 6:8

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

      For the week leading up to the trip, every chance I have had I have been singing a song that we used to sing at my church when I was growing up.

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have born my peoples pain.
I have wept for love of them, They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them,
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

Lord prepare our hearts!

   

60 Days

Today marks sixty days until we will depart from Columbus International, destination Haiti.   Today was a great day.  First, I spent time with a friend who has helped bless our trip financially.  Penny sat with me for 20 minutes, and shared some laughs, some memories, and also her experiences from missions that she has taken.  Penny was a lady who attended the church where I grew up, and I was so overwhelmed by her and her families generosity in helping us make this trip (like so many others).  Penny is one of the first that I have gotten to sit face to face with and discuss our mission.  Needless to say, by the end of the conversation I was filled with joy and blessed by the time she spent with me. I told Penny of my plans to chronicle the trip in this blog.   I want our friends to feel everything that God is doing the same way we are feeling it.   Penny expressed that she didn't think that she would physically be able to make a trip like this, and I want her to know that she, and all others whom have made this possible are just as much a part of the mission as we are!  God is Good.

    In addition I had lunch today with Pastor John.  We discussed, sports (of course), being a father to teenagers ( it is comforting to know that a Pastor has the same struggles I do), and also the Haiti Mission. John has been there several times, and his stories have me in such anticipation of the trip that I don't know if I can wait 60 more days.  I pray that God will use this time to prepare our hearts for this trip. I pray that we as a team will radiate the love of Christ to the Haitians.  I pray that we make a difference in someone's life.   I have spent time reading about Haiti, and the people, and the situation.  It seems so helpless.  I pray that the spirits of our team are high, and that we focus on the ability to change the life of individuals, and are not discouraged by a country that seems destitute.  I also pray that we are blessed by individuals who show us you can't let your circumstance dictate your joy.  I pray that we learn to see adversity as an advantage and a blessing.  Hear my prayer Lord.