days of power

My mind is just whirling from the past days...no electricity has meant no internet, but I am praising the Lord this morning for some city power, some water, and a chance to share with you!

You all must be praying, because these past stretching days have brought some beautiful things to pass.

While we've had some hot days and some shower-less nights, everyone's attitudes have been brilliant, and not one complaint has fallen on my ears. Lily is happy to not be bathing, we've had enough city power at times to pull all the drinking water that the 70+ of us need, we are the only Seminary I know of that now has a designated "pee in the garden" rule, and last night was SO uncharacteristically cool that everyone slept well without fans.

EVERY time the situation has neared "urgent", city power has popped on, something our dear friend and maintenance man Abel marvels as a complete miracle. "I have never seen such consistent city power in my life!"

And on top of that, several people have made some beautiful sacrifices, making this "camping" experience a short-term adventure. Don Hulmes, our friend who has helped us out of many binds with his presence and experience, is on the road again, flying in Wednesday morning with a good friend of his, Joe. Joe is a John Deer diesel mechanic (the kind of generators we have) and we are so blessed by both of their sacrifices of work, money, comforts and family to come on such quick notice!

We also couldn't get the parts that we needed for at least three weeks, and a dear friend to us both made some phone calls and those parts are arriving at Don's house TODAY, and he is also sending Don and Joe himself!

THEN, we couldn't afford the parts, because they are ridiculously specialized and expensive, and our faithful and loving friends at NorthRidge Church just picked up the whole tab (THANK YOU, NORTHRIDGE, from all of us at Emmaus!). This is not the first time that NorthRidge has jumped in to help in a time of dire need, and their practical and sacrificial Jesus-love on us continues to be such a blessing and encouragement in our lives.

And finally, and perhaps the biggest gift because it is that which only HE can provide, is, in the words of Nicole (3rd year student), that "last night, God came down and dwelt among us. It was AWESOME."

Around 7:30, Matt, Lily and I checked in on the students to make sure everyone had enough drinking water, and everyone was happily hanging out in the cafeteria with a few flashlights. The plan was for everyone to go to bed early, then get up early with the sun to study for classes that they had been unable to study for that evening.

But despite early bedtime, this morning my guys were noticeably exhausted. They did indeed all go to bed at 8 pm. However, at 9:30, Junior (1st year student) was shaken awake by "hands that gripped my face and were chocking me! I was scared, and I couldn't breath or move, and in my mind, I called, 'JESUS!' and I heard his voice clearly tell me to pray."

Junior lay in bed praying desperately for several minutes, until he heard Jesus speak again. "Now, get up! Pray!"

So he did, bounding out of bed and quickly shaking awake all of his room-mates. They all began to pray, and several heard a voice telling them to "Pray, Pray." They woke up all the men in the dorm, then all the women, and from 9 pm until 1 am, our beautiful student body did just that...PRAY.

They prayed and shared, read and prayed, in deep darkness with only a few flashlights, and all testify this morning to feeling the intimate presence and urgency of the Lord to be praying for Emmaus Biblical Seminary, for Saccanville, and for their Haitian people. They testify to feeling the Spirit intimately with them as they prayed and shared together, and this morning, we have a different student body. Tired, but bound...excited, but burdened...urgent, but full of hope and praise.

"It is no common thing!" Nicole said again, "to desperately want the Lord with 30 other believers and ask Him to come and to meet Him! It was such a gift...He is such a gift. God is at work!"

And it's the seventh day of school???

Sometimes, living in the heat and hardships of Haiti, we wonder what in the world He has called us to. But most days, like today, we are SO GRATEFUL to have a seminary in our front yard, to share Lily's "firsts" with this beautiful family, to bear His yoke alongside of men and women such as these, and to live Christ among the redeemed and the dying in this small corner of His world.

As I type, I can see the third year class and their professor walking around the buildings, hands lifted and waving in silent prayers, leaving the classroom for a few moments to do something far more important than learning...

Thank you for joining us in prayer for power, for Emmaus, for Haiti...for the world.