new day

I know I'm always excited and passionate about what's going on at Emmaus...but I'm telling you, the start of this year has been really unique and special.  God is at WORK, doing new things, and it's a GOOD day to be at Emmaus!

Today was the perfect storm at EBS: the first day of residential courses AND the second payment date of the semester was Friday, which means most students spent the weekend trying to find the funds to pay this morning before class.  A busy day, and for most of our students, a hard one.

We started the week out with Staff prayer, which is proving to be SUCH a good and special time, and as we all headed out, Junior and Simeon suggested that any staff who wanted to could give 100 gdes ($2.30) to help students who could not find the money for their payment.  When I finally found chairs for all of my first year students, Simeon came in and let the students know that if any of them wanted to give 100 gdes, they could, too.

I didn't think anyone would go for it, especially when they had all just scraped together the money themselves, and the students being first year, but when they saw the money the other classes had collected, I was shocked to see so many of them pull out wrinkled bills and add to the pot.

By the time my class was finished, an envelope stuffed with bills was on my desk, with instructions to help anyone who needed help in the Emmaus community, from the Emmaus community.

Again, this may not seem like a big deal.   In the end, it was only about $100, no amount of significant money to much of the world.  But after many years of attending churches with little to NO tithing, very little teaching on giving, knowing how hard it is for our students to find their tuition money...it WAS a big deal.  a huge deal.  Being able to help some of our students this week...because of many of our staff and students this week?  AWESOME.

These are culture changes...Biblical thinking, Biblical culture.  So fun to be a part of the transformation...so thankful you are, too!

These guys got off safely this morning, which means that tonight is our first night without visitors in over five weeks!  Bittersweet....we had such a special group here!

Kevin (far right) has been working his magic on the generator situation this past week, and I wish I could give a more technical update for those mechanically minded out there!

We had a ton of wiring and programming issues that he entirely corrected, as well as installing new parts, reprogrammed inverters, got a lot closer to diagnosing our generator issue...bascially, things are a LOT better than they were...we have our back-up generator and inverters working together again, we have power pretty much 24/7 again, Phil doesn't have to manually switch everything over 6 times a day...so much better!

So, all that is left to do is figure out for SURE what is wrong with our best, most efficient (well, was best) generator and get that FIXED and we are good to go!!  THANK YOU, NewTribes and NorthRidge, for working together and making it possible for Kevin to genius our situation!

Living God at Work

Good morning!

So many little updates, everyday.  Our God continues to be a Living God, active and at work...sometimes through us, sometimes through others, and sometimes just through His Spirit.  So grateful to be serving a LIVING God today.

1) Power situation.  
The inverter parts finally came on Tuesday, and somehow...things are even worse than before.  Ryan has very endlessly and tirelessly worked out very temporary ways to get fans at night (mostly) and to have power during the day, but with Ryan only being here for another week and nothing actually working the way it's supposed to... sigh.

Our dear friends at NorthRidge are working to get someone here ASAP.  We'll keep you posted.

Side Note: some have been wondering when we'll get the "air conditioners" going again... there ARE no air-conditioners!  On the entire EBS campus, there is one A/C unit in the library for the books, and one A/C unit in Matt's office (his predecessor had to have it for his health, and Matt has NEVER complained :)  Aside from that, we are working to get power going again just for the fans we cling to :)

2) My sister and Baby Evie are coming tomorrow!
Yes, I know you know.  I'm just still really excited :)  She has been thoroughly warned by many of the many dangers of Haitian life, and I'm just so thankful to have dear family who live life with us, right where He's called us!  We CAN'T WAIT (but will terribly miss Uncle Adam!)

3) Speaking of Uncles.
In light of the many maintenance issues we've had starting into this new year, Uncle Don has scheduled his annual trip for REALLY soon!  VERY excited to have Uncle Don, and our buddy Jeremiah, joining us on the 25th...Don for a few weeks and Jeremiah for a few days!

4) Our VP's are jumping in so well.
What a joy it is to be living life with these four godly men this week and next.  We are going through a lot of His Word, a lot of stories and life experiences together, and a lot of cookies and Coke.

5) Our new students are jumping in so well.
I start interviewing our first year class for their testimonies and stories this week!  Very thankful to have this new group with us, very thankful for the spirit of the class, and very thankful for this chance to start getting to know them better (and sharing them with you!)

6) We couldn't have done it without Carol.
Financial brains seriously are SUCH a gift to all of us, even if we don't know it.  Her brilliance, dedication and awesome attitude have been such a gift to all of us this month, but especially just to ME.  I needed the encouragement and the practical help of a very talented and very true friend, and I'm just so thankful.  I wish she could stay forever...but she's leaving early Saturday.

7) We underestimate how very much God can work through us to change people's lives.
I always pray to be one of those people.  Lately, I feel far more the recipient, making this feel all the more true.  Press on in pouring out yourself unto Him and for others...even when it doesn't seem to be getting through.

8)

9) Health is still sketchy.

Phil and Emily both continue to be feeling pretty awful, though they are both on antibiotics, and the rest of us are fighting it for all we're worth.  Having so much on everyone's plates lately have us under attack all the more.  Please continue to pray for good health, and we're all working hard to take care of each other and to get enough sleep, drink our OJ, etc.  

10) The girls are lovely.

Their second day of school was wonderful, with lots more kids slowly heading back as well.  When they both marched out in single file lines with their classes yesterday, I thought I was going to cry.  Such big girls.  Yesterday Sofie made me a picture of four little stick figures with hearts around them, and when I asked if it was Mommy, Daddy, Lily and Sofie, she said, "NO! That is me and those are my three friends from school!" and I was thankful.  am thankful.  Thanks for patiently enduring so much talk about them lately...they are always on my heart.

11) Final part of the Junior in Baron story can be read here!

lessons from the Central State

It has been just a crazy few days!  A lot of crazy-good, and a little bit of just crazy-crazy...  Here's some lessons from the road.


1) Don't dive into a deep conversation about the theology of suffering at 6:30 am on the way to an airport you've only been to twice if you don't want to miss you turn, add an hour to your trip and arrive less than an hour before take-off with a car for long-term parking and 2 car-seats.  

2) On that note, don't take small children through airline security alone with an expired driver's license and two sippy cups in your bag.  


3) Don't think that the vegan ways of the day are popular in the Wheat State.  You will eat meat.  A lot of it.  And you will like it.  Because well...it's like nothin' else GOOD.


4) Don't think that a rural town means friends are few and far between.  It might feel small and quiet, but friends gather in a big, boisterous way.  NorthRidge seemed to be the hub and common-ground of the weekend, but it was downright thrilling to meet so many people who are genuinely anxious to do and be whatever He asks.  WhatEVER.  WhereEVER.  WhenEVER.  


5) Our support system isn't just functional--in the sense that it just helps us get things done in His kingdom-- but it's relational...a community that cares about us, with or without Haiti, with or without success, with or without Emmaus.  Praise the Lord!


6) Spending time with people whose blogs we read is even better than reading their blogs!  sidenote: I OH-SO-GREATLY wish that everyone had a blog!  I know you know everything about us.  But I know NOTHING about you!  I know my sister says they are only for the "older" generations like Matt and I and upward.  But I still really do.


7) Having people who rather consistently appear in the lives of our girls--stateside or overseas--is SO important, and such a joy to behold.


8) There are a lot of people out there whom we've never met (many until this weekend!) who read our blog and follow and PRAY.  


9) Lily cares deeply about being involved with other children her age the RIGHT way. She wants to watch what they're doing here in America, make sure she can do it the same as everyone else, and then jump in there tentatively, happy as long as there is no confrontation, unhappiness or loudness. 

10) Sofie does not care whatsoever what anyone thinks, and will throw herself at anything she wants and be as loud as she can.  And eat everything in sight.

11) Martin can be incredibly mischievous and ornery and a great blessing at the same time.  I don't know how he pulls this off.  He probably thinks it's a gift.  What I do know is that it is a gift that his dear wife isn't constantly smacking him.


and finally...


There is little better in life than to be surrounded by friends old and new who make you feel like we are all in this together.  If we love Jesus, and we're in the Word, and we're wanting to be for His glory, then we're all in this together.  One vision...His.  If you're sharing Him in your job or sharing Him in Africa or sharing Him in a church plant or sharing Him at the grocery store, then we're together.  


If we're all His children and anxious to make Him known in our lives and words and works and relationships, then we are all working TOGETHER...I don't think I've ever felt and realized that reality as much as we have these past few days.


B&J are working in a church plant in Nebraska and J&J are looking at preaching the true Gospel in the community next door and M&K are feeling called to live among an unreached people group and C&J are preaching the Gospel in the middle of the US and trying to mentor so many to closer walks with God and M&S are working to put missions into DNA and C is trying to challenge Christians to go deeper and... Matt & Stacey are trying to teach the Gospel in Haiti--We're just all working together as His children.

None better, none worse, none alone, none in the same walk and work.


What great comfort, support, energy, power and relationship is to be found in that...His body...His church!


While we are thankful to have thousands of miles safely travelled and to be safely back in O-H-I-O, we are so grateful for these few days we had in Kansas and to therefore feel a renewed passion for just being HIS.  With YOU.


Thanks, Sabetha!

a week of thanksgiving and elbow grease

It's about all we can do to hang on lately!  There is SO much going on!

Most exciting news: Junior spent the afternoon in Konpech this afternoon, sharing the Gospel, and today, the witchdoctor who owns the property/runs the community came over to listen.  For whatever reason, after Junior was finished the witchdoctor told him that he could see that what Junior is doing is a good thing, and to keep coming!  This could change everything for everyone, as that many people have been concerned that listening to Junior could cause the witchdoctor to kick them off the land...we'll see where this goes!

For now, it looks/feels a lot like a miracle...something only God can do!

Other very exciting news: tomorrow morning Matt is proctoring my first year English final exam and then teaching both of his courses while Lily and I go to the airport to get Aunt Lisa and Uncle Adam!  Adam's going to help out Don, and Matt where he can, and Lisa is going to help me...get everything done at the office (month end finances, year end finances, financially register all 45 students for next year, grade all 45 finals, create/print diplomas, create/print 150 programs, finish making our "year at Emmaus" DVD, etc.) by watching Lily, help me get the house ready for us to go, and help me go through all of Lily's old stuff, sort things for Sofie, rebuild Lily's crib, see what we'll be needing for Sofie, etc.

I am REALLY beginning to feel 35 weeks pregnant (swollen feet, sore everything, can NOT cool down, can't sleep...you know) and WOW, I would be COMPLETELY overwhelmed by this upcoming week if my little sister (who also happens to be incredibly organized and shockingly efficient) weren't coming to take care of me :)

Other fun news: This week, in lieu of a "normal" graduation ceremony due to the fact that there are only 3 students graduating from the fourth year program, we are doing a full week of activities followed by a large "Thanksgiving" service on Friday involving members of the community, local church and past-graduates.  That means that this week will also be full of soccer matches, musical chairs (this is a BIG and frequently VERY passionate party game here in Haiti :), Coke drinking competitions (last year, Borgella won by drinking 12 large glass bottles of Coke in less than 30 minutes), egg races, dramas, musical performances, a talent show, a Bible trivia competition and...I can't even remember what else.

Lily, Sofie and I head for Ohio a week from tomorrow, so we also have a lot of friends to visit/farwell this upcoming week!

Praise the Lord for the invaluable help of so many Americans/Haitians/Canadians during this time to finish the school year WELL, to help the students finish well, and to relationship-build, kingdom-build, and literally build-build with Emmaus at this time!

Don's sidewalk project complete and already decorated by Lily...

Prayer request: tomorrow Matt, Lucner and Paul have the very unpleasant and painful responsibility ahead of them to let a student go.  While everyone involved is increasingly confident that this must be done and is the right thing to do, it's looking as if this will not go well and Matt's been dreading it all weekend.  Please pray for everyone involved.

We had a lovely Easter weekend...lots of eggs, good food, baseball, good time together and with friends, good time with the Lord and good time to catch up on some much needed laundry/sleep/grading papers...and a new group from NorthRidge Church joining us today!

A few months ago when we mentioned that EBS was in trouble with not enough visiting professors, NorthRidge wrote right away and said, "How about Chris?"  So Pastor Chris, along with Jason and Jess, is on the way today, prepared to start teaching tomorrow!  What an answer to prayer...

Matt also started a new first year course today, and like always, was concerned about how much work teaching a new course is all the past week, and then had a blast today!  "I love teaching!" he announced bounding through the door at noon today, and I thanked the Lord again that He matches calling with passion.

Meanwhile, Don, alongside of a Maxi, Abel, Augustin and Magloire, is finishing the big sidewalk project this afternoon, though the sun is boiling!  (or maybe that's just "gigantically pregnant" speaking).

The only damper on the weekend was an increasingly critical and heart-breaking struggle within the Saccanville church.  We'd like to continue to ask for your prayers for this very divided and dwindling group of believers, for wisdom and His great help in knowing what to do and how as a Seminary and as Saccanvillians and as part of His body, and for revival.

When we arrived in the service yesterday, we truly questioned whether the church was aware of the fact that it was Easter!  Discouraging weeks of power-struggle, changes in leadership and hurt-feelings resulted in a service that felt a lot like a funeral, void of any genuine praise, celebration, joy or Biblical study...

Please be praying with us.

blessed.

Our blog had it's 20,000th hit today! Man alive...grateful for all of your support and encouragement that comes from taking interest in our lives and in the lives of our Haitian family!

We had such a wonderful time in Kansas! We met up with so many friends from our last trip to NorthRidge, friends from Haiti at one time or another, and made some new friends, too...We're just so thankful for this sincere, sacrificial, generous, loving and gracious body of believers.

In this church and community of Sabetha, Matt and I were able to see a rare living out of true God-honoring Christian community, and it was a blessing to be a part of and was an inspiring example for us as Christians who also live in community in Haiti.

Sharon and Martin were our loving hosts, who showered us with love, friendship, good coffee, good food, shared their home, bathroom, car and motorcycle with us, gave us lots of time with different friends, loved on Lily, gave us good encouragement and advice...their home was just such a wonderful place to be. THANK YOU, guys! (Look, Martin, I made you LOOK like you are sleeping again!)

It was hard to say goodbye to the Aberle's, especially when Lily continues to ask for "Ahhh-zeeee!" over and over, but I am so thankful that they made the 15 hour (yes! at 10 days-till-due-date) drive to come and see us...we are so blessed by your precious family!

Jane, Robert, Luke, Anna and Issac had us out to their lovely home Saturday night along with a bunch of other friends, and we had such a good time....thank you for this encouraging and fun time! (They also might be our most rigid blog stalkers...we love your family! :)

BLESSED.

People keep asking how we feel about heading back to Haiti, and that is my first thought, just BLESSED. We have been so blessed by our time here, and by the love and sacrifice and prayers and friendship of so many friends and family around the States.

We have spoken to literally thousands of you this summer about our friends, family, churches, students, testimonies, communities and ministry in Haiti, and we feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of His kingdom in Haiti. We are ready! After speaking for 7 weeks dozens of times about how we feel led to live and love in Haiti, we are ready to get back to it! We want to see if Jil's house is finished, want to worship next to Pehpay, want to hear about the ministry packed summers of our students. We want to get back to Bible training, catch up with good friends, get back into the Word with my Saturday class and encourage our neighbors.

We'll have our chance soon! Saturday afternoon we arrive home, and start officially with Emmaus on September 1st. This week we have packing, laundry, a presentation in Northern Ohio on Wednesday, final runs to Wal-Mart, final shots, final DQ runs, final phone calls, and final time with family! Please be praying for His presence and preparation these next days...

We'd also love to ask for your prayers for Pop-Pop, Matt's grandpa, who has been a joyful, encouraging and loving part of Matt, Lily and my life. He has been fighting cancer and other health issues for several years now, and the last few times we have seen him we have made sure to have good time with him and made sure to say good-bye, just in case. These last few days his health has taken a major turn for the worse, and while he has told us countless times that he is very ready to be with the Lord and out of pain, we are heartbroken thinking about Mom-Mom and thinking that his time with us might be finishing on earth.

Please be praying for Pop-Pop and for the whole family...thank you!

our brethren in the world

(standing out front of "Butchies", the steakhouse that Sam would share dreams about over beans and rice hot nights in Haiti...we FINALLY all ate there...not lots of charm... LOTS of beef :)

Next to 1 Peter 5 in my Bible there is a list of names, names reminding me that we are not alone in His work in the world..."Resist the devil, stand firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world...God, who called you, WILL Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you."

Know matter how hard things get or have been, knowing that there are others around the world loving and praying and preaching and teaching and training and encouraging, seeking and following, giving and going and sending and sometimes even dying that HE might be made known is just DEEPLY encouraging.

Sam and Cammie are two of the people scrawled on that page, encouraging us from afar by the sheer knowledge that they are unwaveringly faithful, deeply committed and uncommonly obedient to the Lord. We flew to Kansas from Ohio, they drove down from Colorado (though their baby is due in 15 days!) and today I was overjoyed to have precious time with these dear friends and their ti-mouns, Azi and Gideon.

I love being with people that make you want more, more, more of the Lord and less, less, less of you! Hanging out with Godly people makes us so much more hungry for Him, and helps us long for holiness and unity with Him over all else. We are blessed to be surrounded by several of these couples this week, giving us rest and friendship, ice cream and encouragement!
Lily was as thrilled as we were to hang out with Azi and Gideon, and kept right at their tails all day until crashing this evening...she's probably dreaming of monkey bars and forts right now :)

"Stand firm in [the true grace of God]" 1 Peter 5 ends. We are thankful to be on the journey with you!

Tomorrow and Saturday, more time with friends, with another Haiti couple coming up tomorrow evening!