a sweet aroma

My heart is just overflowing with the best kind of pride, and I couldn't keep my eyes from spilling over with tears as this beautiful group pulled out into the rain this morning, headed for Port-au-Prince.

I have to admit that a few days ago, I was a bit nervous. The missionaries going had committed to supporting the students in the work they were going to do...NOT leading the work they were going to do.

After several meetings from the children's ministry group and the evangelism/crusade group, I was a little concerned that some of the decisions being made by the students might not be the best. However, from the start, I have felt encouraged that this must be their trip, and to allow them to make some mistakes, if necessary. I have also seen SO often that what I had thought to be best wasn't what was best in the end, and that our dear national brothers and sisters were spot-on all along. I had determined to trust the Lord to bring it about His way through them.

My biggest concern had been the "Crusade." Crusades can be a very BIG thing here, and after our first few planning meetings, it seemed that EBS's would follow suit. A small group of students wanted it all...stereo systems, band stands, hired singers and musicians, rented instruments for a full band, a DJ, a huge generator, etc. They wanted to hire a famous evangelist to do the preaching, professional musicians to do the music, and a DJ to do all the leading.

We have been to several crusades in Haiti, and our hearts have been frequently saddened by the big "show", the dramatic and emotional and animated speaking, but frequently a lack of Truth, a lack of the Holy Spirit, a lack of that which is LASTING when the emotion has gone. I cringed as I realized that this plan not only would cost several thousand dollars, but most to realize that the 10 students who had volunteered to go would literally have NO part in any of the ministry.

However, I had promised: no interfering. Not my way. So, I told them all that they had $1000 US for the three days of ministry, and that however they decided to spend it, and whoever they decided to hire, that was what was going to happen.

I was so discouraged that evening. I had so hoped that they would pursue a Biblical model of evangelism, not a Haitian model, not an American one. However, I trusted the Lord to speak to their hearts if He wished, or to encourage my heart if I was wrong in thinking that this was not the right way.

The very next morning, the smallest man among them came to me.

"Stacey," he said, "Dr. Cooper always said that he knew big shows were the Haitian way, but that he longed to see Christ in the way we did things, not culture. If we have a thousand dollars, we cannot spend it on speakers and keyboards and DJs. We need to spend it on the people. Those people are SO very poor. We could give them Jesus, AND give them some rice, some help.

"And I KNOW our students might not be the most talented performers, or the most talented preachers. But we KNOW the Word of God. And we preach the Bible and nothing else. I think...well, I think God will bless that. I think He wants to use US, just the way we are. I mean, He uses our weakness, right? I

"s it ok with you if we use the money for one speaker, so people can hear us preach, and give most of it to the people? Is it ok if we just use our guys that can play instruments? Is it ok if we just use the seminary instruments? Is it ok if WE just preach the Word of God?"


I very well could have kissed him. I tried to keep the same demeanor that I had before. "I think that sounds wonderful. Use the money however you would like. Make sure all the students are together with whatever the plan may be."

He came back to me a few hours later. After sharing this new vision with the group, eight of them were thrilled, fired up and ready to go and pour themselves out. Two of them decided not to go at all, if the crusade could not be a "proper" crusade. However, there was no anger, no argument, no harm.

So, the 8 worked out a plan alongside of the 5 students going to work with children. All morning, the 'evangelists' will work with Junior to encourage and teach the many Bible studies he has planted.

The children's ministers, and the 8 missionaries, will work with the children, teaching first Abraham (God has chosen you), then Jonah (but we all sin and fall short of His plan), and then leading into WHY Jesus had to die and how He rose again. All afternoon, all 22 will go door to door, praying with the people of Diquini, opening God's Word unto them, sharing the plan of salvation, inviting them to come to the evening services.

Then, each evening, there will be several hours of worship, prayer, and Biblical preaching, shared with a microphone so that the several thousand that live on that mountain may hear the Word preached.

As they go throughout the homes, they will ask for the Lord's guidance on WHO to help and HOW to help, and have the money to do it.

It poured rain all night last night, and poured rain all morning, and if you have every been to Haiti you will know that Haiti HATES to be in the rain. However, not even the torrential drops could squelch the fire this morning. Many came late last night. Several more left their homes in the rain at 4 or 5 am this morning to make sure they were here on time. Most left husbands, wives, children, and homes to spend 4 days, sleeping on the ground, living amongst strangers.

All 13 gave up their precious Easter break, a short time of rest, to tirelessly minister in Port-au-Prince. 8 missionaries gave up their equally precious Easter break to do the same...


I am just so overwhelmed.

As we prayed together this morning in the cafeteria, I was just overwhelmed by the Holy ground on which I stood. He promises to draw near to us when we draw near to Him, and He was near. The feet around me, which go to a broken place carrying Such Good News, were brilliantly beautiful. As everyone packed into the dripping truck for their wet and bumpy 8 hour ride, my tears flowed for the precious oil being poured out unto the Lord.

I am just so very proud of these 21, and so in awe of our Great Father, who CONTINUES, continues, CONTINUES to make something so horrific and ugly and devastating as the earthquake into something SO BEAUTIFUL that I can hardly stand it.

I can hardly stand it. As I dream about what these next days will hold, I can hardly stand it. I cannot WAIT to hear about what He continues to do in Diquini, what He does through these 21 and Junior, what He has in store for these next days.

As we talk to them daily, we will let you know.

But for now, I am begging for your prayers. I am feeling so strongly this morning that the many of us who are NOT on route to Port this morning must be praying for them "as if in prison with them." As you seek the Lord these next few days, please lift these dear family up, please lift up Diquini, please lift up the many who are perishing and who are being saved.

"Thanks be to God,
who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
and manifests through us the sweet aroma
of the knowledge of Him in EVERY place.

For WE are the fragrance of Christ to God
among those who are being saved
and among those who are perishing.

We are not like many, peddling the word of God,
but from sincerity, from God,
we speak in Christ in His sight."

2 Cor. 2:14-17

For your prayers, the names of everyone...


Front row, L-R: Frantz, Nicole, Hannah, Julie, Kate, Josephine, Jacob, Devicouer, Belony (Evangelism Leader), Rosalvo, Civil, Leandre, Yolene, Denny
Back row, L-R: Pam, Jean-Marie, Simeon, Waldeck, Rachelle, John, Bonamy (Children's Ministry Leader).

THANK YOU!