Pilesgrove Preach

Tomorrow morning (Sunday, June 16) we'll be at Sharptown UMC in Pilesgrove, New Jersey.  Main campus, 8:30 and 11:15 am, and North campus, 10:00 am.  Matt'll be preaching, and we'd love to see you there, if you're in the area!

just a little piece of our Sharptown family, in Haiti, first in 2011...

...and then in 2012!

love and prayers

We are just having internet issues galore!  It's been down for several days and I'm finally able to get on the blog but am struggling to post it and can't receive email...ah.  What can you do?  We may soon be relying upon smoke signals.

So, 10 Random Things to Share...

1) Eric and Jeremiah successfully determined the problem of generator 2, which has been down for 6 months, and fixed it...Praise the Lord and THANK YOU.  

2) We also had a new generator that we've been waiting a long time for make it in on Wednesday, and Uncle Don and Sam are working on hooking it up as we speak.  This new energy efficient generator should save us a gallon of fuel an hour, which saves around $68 dollars a day...$476 dollars a week....Yeah, this could be BIG!  Electricity (and anything that most people don't have) is SO EXPENSIVE!

3)  Sunday at Coup-a-David was fabulous.  Rick and Carol joined us for their first trek up, and we all had a great time seeing “the world” and walking through peoples lives.  I also got to see the triplets who were new born last time we came through, and they are pudgy and happy and blessed. 

Enick preached a powerful and humbling sermon on the widow who had just enough flour and oil left in her jar for two last loaves and made bread, instead, for Elijah, from 1^st Kings 17.  Oh man, it was good.  We don’t have to have much to give it, and to trust Him with the results.

It was a great and MUDDY mud day, great worship, good fellowship, and the feeling (for me, anyway) that it was a good day to be in Haiti.

4)  Sofie very proudly and happily brought me a dead bird today.  Like, was flinging it around happily and tried to hand it to me, pronouncing "GUCK!".  What if we had had boys???

5)  Random made-me-crack-up of the day Monday: 

Eric:  “I was welding the gate, and then a couple kids showed up.  They wanted me to sharpen their machetes and knives, so I did, and before I knew it, there were TONS of kids.”

Me:  “So what’d you do?”

Eric:  “I sharpened all the knives.”

Me:  “So….You sharpened knives for small children today?”

Eric:  “A dull knife is very dangerous!  This will help them so much.”

If you’re not laughing here, remember this is a very different culture.  Every little boy is wielding a machet by 5.  You can laugh…

Plus, in the midst of fist-bumps and machetes, check out that loaded banana truck!

6) Bible study: The women’s Bible Study I’m a part of on Monday’s continues to be a really powerful and touching time.  We studied the end of 1 Corinthians 1 yesterday, in which we’re reminded that the wisdom of God is seen as foolishness to the world, and vice versa.  I asked if anyone had any examples of this, and one woman shared a very common story.

Her husband left her and her five small children a few years ago for another woman…and soon left that woman for another.  My friend worked and struggled to care for their five children, and shared with us painstaking and sacrificial ways she had managed to get some of them some education.

After three years, her husband came back…three years with NO word to her or their children, with not a penny to help.  He returned with NOTHING, deathly ill, hungry.

I was devastated at this point to hear her share this dark time.

And do you know what she did?  Wisdom of the world: Kick his mangy butt to the curb.  (or Stacey wisdom.)  Wisdom of God, Word of God: She took him in.  She cared for him.   She bought him medicine, fed him their food, took care of him. 

This man who had damaged and abandoned their family and her heart entirely.  Who had caused such suffering.  She cared for him, and restored him to health.  Because she felt this was what the Bible told her to do.  Love endlessly.  Care for the sick.  BE the Good Samaritan.

I can’t even imagine.  To close, I asked if their relationship has been restored.

“Once he got his feet under him again,” she told us, “He left with another woman.  Now I see the Bible is also telling me to forgive, so I’m trying to do that.  Can you pray for me?”

It’s a good hour.

7)  Eric and Jeremiah left Wednesday (Thank you guys and your families SO much!) but much to Lily's relief, Uncle Don is still here for another week. She told me today when upset with me for making her take a nap, "When I grow up, I'm living at Uncle Don's house!"

8)   This is our road.  The guys weren't supper impressed.  We think it's getting better.

9) Lily...I'm just so proud of Lily.  When I wait outside the gate for her each afternoon, and see her come around the bend, meshed in a huge crowd of kiddos, grinning and chattering...ah, it just kills me.  She has done it.  The impossible.  The cross-cultural.  The bi-lingual.  The terrifying.

With joy.  

Despite her worry-wort mother.  She's singing her sha-la-la, writing her A's and O's, eating her Chico's and busting out her classic Haitian kid camera pose.  She's chatting in Creole, she's playing with 200 kids on three swings and a balance beam, she's sporting her ribbons...

With joy.

  

10.  It has been MONTHS, months months since Matt and I have had a meal together by ourselves...or had anything that comes close to a date.  And today, we finally just put the girls down for their naps and went out for lunch, and yes, it was rice and beans and the road is bad and it was only 90 minutes...but the girls never even knew we were gone and it was GREAT to have some time together.  

We've got to stop neglecting that.  Someone remind me :)

Love and Prayers and Joy for today!

climb every mountain

Thought I'd give you a break from my perspective and give you Eric's instead, written after our day at Coup-a-David to his wife. 

You will notice that Matt is "amazing"-- but that I am referred to as "nuts."  Yeah, Eric's probably been around too long :)

Listen in...

Martie,
It's Sunday afternoon. We are relaxing around the house after returning from the mountain church.

The experience we had today was intense. We left at 7:45, drove a half hour on rough roads, then began our hike into the mountains. The hike took us past some fields, livestock and houses where the Haitians were going about their business. 

They are extremely poor. Starving.

The hike was an hour and a half over rough terrain, muddy ditches, steep hills and stream crossings. Stacey is the one who really wanted to do this hike and she wore flip-flops. She's nuts.

When we got to the church, we were quite sweaty and exhausted. We went in to the block building and our whole group sat on the front pew which sagged under our weight. We were the only "blancs" (foreigners) in the congregation of 150. They asked us to stand and introduce ourselves, so we stood and Matt introduced the whole group. 

The entire service was in creole, but Matt translated most of it for us in real-time. He was amazing.

I could not believe how well-dressed the people were. Women in pure white dresses, spotless who had just hiked the same trail that left me sweating and dirty. Little girls in fancy dresses, boys in suits with tie and jacket. Amazingly clean. I was the dirtiest person there.
The singing was spirited, enthusiastic, and in tune. 

The message was one of encouragement from the story in 1Kings of the widow who used her last bit of flour and oil to make bread for Elijah, herself and her son, even though it was all she had and she expected to starve to death after that. The Lord provided for them because she was faithful to give what she had.

The pastor used this story to encourage the hatians to give God what they have, however little that may be. It was heavy. Especially knowing how very little they have. These people know hunger. They just came through a 6 month drought which was devastating to their crops.

(Walnique, second year student, brother Enick, past graduate and pastor, and brother Matt)

Overall, a time I'll not soon forget. I took some pictures too.
Love you,
Eric

 Sofie, Matt, Lily, Stacey, Jeremiah, Uncle Don and Eric, of Sharptown NJ!

family

Matt is home, and just flowing with great stories, good relationships and the blessed experience the last few days have been.  I was thrilled to get to read some of the survey feedback from the weekend (though it made me aware that MANY of you shared my burden of suffering through Matt's endless repertoire of Bible and Theology jokes.)

SO GLAD it was such a good time for so many of you, and your appetite for Christ and for deeper study of the Word was heightened.  We're supposed to want more of Jesus after time together with other Christ followers!

THANK YOU:  to everyone who took care of Matt, to Uncle Don and Aunt Brenda for all the food goodies, to Doug and Julie for housing and feeding him, to Sharptown for welcoming, supporting and encouraging us so generously, to Sam and Cammie for feeding the girls and I many a'night so we wouldn't have to do dinner alone, to Junior for checking on us every few hours and THANK YOU to the many of you who have prayed for our little family while we were apart!

We're so overjoyed to have Matt finally home this morning, but almost simultaneously received news that Blaise's wife  (from this post a few days ago) went into labor this morning, and their little son passed away.

I'm just so heartbroken for them, and have seen visibly the burden on Blaise's shoulders as he's been sleeping in the hospital, trying to calm and strengthen his wife, come to class every morning, minister to his church...

What a great burden and what a great heartbreak.  The one thing that does not change: What a great God.  A great God who weeps with Blaise today.

man.

Thank you for being our family, which means you're Blaise's family, too.

a fallen short give

Where in the world is he?? I thought to myself around noon.  Abel had taken Matt to the airport at 8:30...he should have been back by now.

At one, Abdian came to the door and explained why her dad and our truck still weren't back.  Abel's sister had been in some kind of a car accident, and he drove way east to find her, took her to a hospital, and now was driving her far back west to a different hospital.

"Ok, Ok, no problem." I told her.  "We'll be praying!"

But as she walked away I found myself thinking dryly, I wonder who will be paying the 75 cents a mile for all of this.  I know exactly who.  WE will.  This ALWAYS happens.  

Not a few minutes later, I found myself bent over Lily and her crazy-haired mermaid Barbie, talking to her yet again about why it is important that she share with Azi. 

Before I even straightened by hypocrite back, the Spirit convicted my heart, squeezing a pain through my chest.

Just a few days earlier, I'd ben studying Luke 6, blessed and convicted by the simplicity of the commands following the Beatitudes.

Love.  Do good.  Bless those who curse.  Turn the other cheek.  Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.  Treat others the way you want treated.  

Love.  Do good. Lend. Expect nothing in return.  Be merciful.  Do not judge.  Do not condemn.  Pardon.  

Give.  

For his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Four years ago, when we found ourselves 6 months pregnant with no reliable or available transportation, we asked supporters who were already supporting our little family to also consider helping us fund a vehicle.  

What if, upon being asked for help YET again--help that would NEVER personally benefit any of our supporters--our friends had carried the same sentiment that I secretly whined today?  

Ouch. Ouch. OUCH.

My own sin...NOT going what God has asked me to do in Luke 6, pained my heart as I know it pained His.  My thriftiness and wise-spending pushed to the extreme...stinginess.  Stinginess in the face of family crises.  Attitude.  Attitude when all I have received is grace.

After I got the girls down for naps, I was anxious to spend some time with my Father, repent of my silent sin that only He had seen and be made right with Him again.  As I sat with Him, the many ways I have failed just the simple commands in just this passage were made clear to me.  (I truly have nothing to boast aside from Him, or I would never share any of this with you.) 

As always, Oswald nailed it home (even more).  

Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest--your best for His glory. 

Many people have turned back because they are afraid to look at things from God's perspective.


Thankful, today, for God's perspective on a "little thing"...a thing that never even left my heart...that was NOT a "little thing" before Him.  

Thankful, today, for the cross and the new life and new day He continues to give me to seek hard after Him, to allow the Spirit to further work on that which fills my heart.  

Thankful for His forgiveness and release.  

Thankful for the opportunity to GIVE and to give Him glory by obeying His command to GIVE.  

Search our hearts, O God, and give us your perspective...

_______________

Follow-Ups: 

ABEL:

When Abel returned around 5 pm, he shared that his sister's tap tap (public transportation) had been going around sharp bend far too fast and plummeted over the side of the mountain.  The truck had been overflowing with people, two died on site, and several more were never expected to reach the hospital.  

His sister is still unable to speak, and has suffered a major head injury.  She is still in the hospital in town, along with several other people whom Abel was able to take, thanks to the truck.  There's no calling "911."  As he handed me the keys, eyes numb, he assured me that he had washed all of the blood out of the truck before returning.

Please be in prayer for Abel's sister and others who suffered this trauma.

MATT:

After a several delayed flight out of Haiti, Matt missed his connecting flight, had to buy yet another ticket to a different final destination with a different airline, etc, in order to get to New Jersey in time for church serviced in the morning.  THANK YOU, Uncle Don, for driving all the way to New York at 10 PM to get him, and thank you, all, for your prayers as he continues to travel and preaches tomorrow morning.

professor Matt

I know I've been groaning and grumbling about Matt leaving us for a week--but what about the 10 things that come up every day at Emmaus that we run to Matt's office for, the 1000 times a day that Sofie screeches "Pa-pa-pa-pa-paaaaa!" and the weird guy with the gold chain at the door asking for 100 dollars..."Maaaaatttt!"

Let me try again.

I know I've been grumbling and groaning, but, I AM still excited about what he's leaving us FOR.  

Our sending church (and yeah, one of our favorite places to worship in general :), Sharptown UMC, is doing a really neat "going deeper" type series called Sharptown U.  And the guy who's teaching it?   That would be president-pa-pa-pa-pa-Maaaattttttt.

 You can check out the details here: Sharptown U.

We're praying and trusting that this is going to be an awesome time of growth, ministry, seeking transformative truth and fellowship.

Matt's on his was to New Jersey now, and if he can't be with us, well, we'd love if he could be with you!  

If you're in the Jersery/Delaware/PA region, considered yourself enrolled!

If you're in the Northern Haiti region, come babysit! :)

family blessings

Sharptown family, it has been to our true joy and pleasure to be with your wives, children, siblings, husbands, fathers and friends this past week...to sweat alongside them, to translate their testimonies, to serve them and to be served by them, to give the Gospel with them, to share rice, to laugh together, to learn their stories, and to realize anew that EVERY person has a journey.

Every person has a story, and each, a gift.  Every one our own valleys and shadows.  Every one our mountaintops and joys.  And to share our stories with one another and realize that we have each been gripped and dramatically changed by our God and His grace...what a gift.  


This team has reminded me anew that we're not sharing the Gospel with Haiti, or with America, or with any place, but with people.  Individual, complex, intricate, gifted, personalized, storied people.  What a gift that is, to work life-on-life and be touched by the strengths, the weaknesses, the heartbreaks and the joys of each other.  


I've never done this before, but want to take a second to thank each of you for your help, your friendship, and your peanut butter :), and to share with you specifically the Christ I see in you--the hope of glory.  


(If you've never heard of Sharptown or any of these people or live on the other side of the universe, I hope you're still touched by the family we're all in.)
  
There is no flattery or empty compliments here.  This is the Christ I saw in you each this past week and our prayer for you, and I'm giving Him the glory!




Uncle Don--  "Faithful" is just always the word that overwhelms me when we thank our God for you.  Unwaveringly faithful to your Father and to your family.  Faithful to only and always do your very best at every task.  Faithful to do the work you came to do.  Faithful to be encouraging, to be positive, to be humble and to bless those around you.  We could write a whole post about what the faithful and generous giving of your God-given gifts has meant in our lives.  We love you, Don, and are so glad to have you as family.  (you can come back now)


Nana Brenda--  We know that this time in your life and this place that we're in is not the easiest for you, and yet here you were, laying down the burdens in your own life to alleviate some of the burdens in ours.  Any woman will tell you that there is no sweeter gift than that of a clean home and that of another woman caring for and loving your children as if they were your own.  We were SO thankful to have you with Don this time (and so glad Lily finally agreed to let you stay in "Uncle Don's Room").  We love you and are grateful to know that we will each continue to carry to the Lord the burdens of each others lives.  


Emily--  Em, I continue to just be so blessed and even amazed at the gift that God has given you to work with youth...and with joy, energy, patience and His great love!  We all have our "talents", but your ability to Jesus-Love the often neglected and sometimes very-difficult-to-love 12-20 category of God's creation is of HIM.  It's downright beautiful to see Him at work in you, Emily.  Praying for continued direction, provision, and peace for the journey as your family works towards Him!



Melissa--  It was the very first prayer I translated for you that truly opened my eyes to your sincere and deep love for our God and for others.  The theology and Gospel packed into those prayers was as sweet, clear and powerful as any evangelism done this week.  You possess the "at peace" Spirit that I so greatly desire as an easily frazzled mama.  Thank you for sharing that with me...you have our prayers as He reunites and expands your family!


Judy--  I never heard a complaint or harsh word leave your lips, and never looked at you, no matter how hot or tired, that you didn't give me a big smile.  I was so blessed your attitude, but never more than at the cooking lady's house when you shared your testimony and then the Gospel with such a passion and joy in your voice that I could have sworn the woman was your dear friend.  "That's how it should be," I thought, and am so grateful to have met a woman of your example.


Natalia--  "That is one brave chick," I thought when you not only volunteered to join the door-to-door evangelism group, but then joined the group that had no other women.  There is more of His strength in you than you realize, made perfect in our weakness!  Your heart to serve, Christ-like attitude and the courage to go and do what you feel you should blessed me greatly.  Keep ON.


AJ--  You came looking for the one thing everyone else was avoiding: tarantulas :) Sorry I didn't do a better job finding you one!  AJ, we had a GREAT time with you, and while I know parts of the trip were a stretch beyond what you thought you were ready for, you let Him.  He is able to be victorious through us when allowed, and it was GOOD to see that in you.  THANK YOU for making this trip, AJ, and for acting on the love you have for Him.


Katie--  Your passion and emotion and interaction while sharing the Gospel surprised me...and may have even surprised you!  The way you are able to powerfully share with others the heartbreaks and joys that God has shared with you is a true gift.  He has so much for you, Katie...such a deep, rich, uncompromising and free life, and you have everything you need to embrace it!  Keep handing Him the control...I'm so glad you're our sister!!


Sami--  Lily isn't the only one who loves you, Sam!  I'm SO glad you were able to be here with us and have this "one last family hurrah" before heading to Asbury...and SO GLAD you're heading to Asbury!  Beyond your gifts and talents you have a love and patience for children that is beautiful to watch.   During the "report" session of evangelism day as we all sat together, I saw you sitting on a back bench surrounded by children, one of them being a lame little girl I had just watched you gently carry to your side, and I was blessed to see Jesus in you "let the little children come."  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He will make your paths...


Shelby--  Whether it comes from Jesus or your mama, I'm not sure, but your attitude is just unmatched.  The joy that Jesus IS in your heart radiates even when you're talking about flavors of pop or your favorite movies.  I know it seems trite to say you have a fantastic attitude as you work or play, but it is rare, friend, and of HIM.  What you put out exudes what you possess in the secret places of your heart, and I was so blessed to see that this week!


Leann--  Why don't you sweat, how are you so good at Jungle Whatever, and how in the world do you sleep on these roads?  I don't know, but I've never seen a girl work a machete so hard or persevere so long, and your insight runs deep.  Your gentle spirit and constant determination (like, coming to Haiti AGAIN after having all of your possessions stolen the first time) will take you far, but it's your concern for what HE wants that will take you just where He wants you...the best place.


Rachel--  I can't tell you how many times this week Matt or I have said, "Rachel is REALLY thoughtful."  You see things that others miss and jump to do them, think of things that others would forget and ask about them, and care about things that might seem unimportant to most, but not to ONE.  All of that we call "Christlikeness" :)  Your story, His call on your life and your desire to be like your Father has touched our hearts.  We're blessed to be in His family with you, Rachel.  Praise the Lord!


Jake--  Besides being Lily's first real crush ("Mommy, I like him so much because I LOVE him...do you think he'll like this shirt?") you are also Don's first real echo.  We've never seen anyone work as diligently, thoroughly and thoughtfully as Don until now!  Your obvious (even if you deny it) gift with children, the way your attitudes and approach includes everyone, and your desire to do what He has for your life, not just what you can, are inspiring.  He loves you deeply, Jake.  Hang near to His heart...


Mason--  Whether is was your hair or your dashing good looks the girls in church were mesmerized with, we'll never know, but it was your "ready" that we loved.  Ready to go, ready to work, ready to play, ready to share, ready for whatever came. Your openness and desire to be changed by Him and by this experience testified to us both.  Continue to be ready to speak of what He's done and who He is, and ready for the plans He has for your life!  


Dylan--  When I asked if you were ready for tomorrow, and you told me you like to take things a day at a time, I immediately thought, "I'm pretty sure the Bible says something about that!"  What a testimony you are for embracing the moment, worrying not about tomorrow, and for giving everything you've got to the day.  The way you speak to and treat others is the way you should be spoken to and treated, and I'm pretty sure the Bible says something about THAT, too.  We are blessed to have found out you're our brother.


Hannah--  There may still not be an American Ninja Warrior, but I think you qualify for the Haiti division.  You were bought with a price, Hannah...know how dear you are to Him and how great the plans are that He has for you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future.  We are SO glad to have met you and so glad that you came, and persevered.  Keep giving Him you...it's all He wants!


Ryan--  When I was told that you'd be "all over" the door-to-door, I was surprised...because it's hard to find people excited about walking through a foreign neighbor, knocking on doors and preaching Jesus.  But man, they were right, and it was SO FUN to watch you have so much fun Tuesday, unhesitant, passionate, and ready.  It is He who has made you, and we're pumped to see what the future holds with all of the gifts He's given you.  Keep givin' 'em back as best you can, and let Him work.


Kelli-- As I got to know you throughout the week, Kelli, I realized more and more how much of a s-t-r-e-t-c-h this week must have been for you.  What a testimony your coming and your giving and going all week is to His call on your life and your commitment to obedience!  Your willingness to be stretched and your determination to cling to Him, man...I am touched, Kelli.  Touched and very incredibly blessed to know you and to call you sister!  


CHOP, CHOP, Sharptown team!  We're sending you to the mission field!

"It's not a matter of our equipment, but of our poverty;

not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts in us;

not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, nor of experience--

all of that is of no avail in this concern.  

The only thing of value is being taken into the compelling purpose of God and being made His friends.

We are here for the purpose of God."

O. Chambers

go

I don’t even know where to start. 

 

Today was GREAT.  When you tell a group who’s been in Haiti for 2 whole days that you’re going to a remote village and that they are then going to walk around and share the Gospel with complete strangers…I was just thankful there wasn’t a meltdown.  That’s a lot.  I would have understood if they did.

But true to form, these 18 are no complainers.  There were a few tears, and more than a few fears, but we spent the evening planning, and at 6 am this morning, we those to Jesus, climbed into the truck, and went. 

 

     Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations…Matthew 28:18

It took two hours to get there, and with grime in our teeth and sleep in our eyes we met in the church where dozens of children had already gathered.  We worshipped through song and prayer for a bit and broke into three ministry groups: sharing the gospel with kids, with women, and door to door.

     For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole purpose of God…Acts 19:27

From 8 until noon, joined with a slew of students, members from the church and members of an evangelical group Junior’s been working with, we worked.  The church, His church.  Teens, adults, Haitians, Americans, English speakers, Creole speakers, going through this huge community.

Sharing testimonies.  Praying with people who were hurting…Women who recently lost children…Mothers of 7, 8, 9 children completely unable to take care of them and worried…A woman who was demon possessed…A witchdoctor…children. 

 

Telling charcoal sellers why God made them: to be in relationship with Himself.  Sharing with households that sin, unlike commonly believed, is not just murder, but anything that rejects God’s plan or is less than holy.  Drawing lines in the sand to show people the divide now created between a Holy God and unholy men.  Glowing to tell attentive children and smoking old men about God’s solution to the problem, and the opportunity to live with Him now and forever. 

     To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by Faith in me…Acts 26:18.

Matt worked with one of the door-to-door groups, but I worked with a group of 5 women, sharing with all the women (and quite a few men and children) that we could find.  All the women in the market, families frying fish, women nursing children, groups chatting around the lottery booth.

We were working along a fantastic young man, Lindsey, who is currently being discipled by Jodenel.  Everywhere we went, we greeted everyone, and then he opened with this:

“I know when you see groups of foreigners like this, you think that they are here to give money or to give food, because that is what foreigners usually do.  But let me tell you that today, they aren’t giving those things.  But they are giving something more precious than gold.  Something that lasts longer than food.  I’ll let them tell you.”

 

     Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for He is with us…Acts 17:9

Then, the women I was working with took turns sharing their stories, sharing the gospel message, and praying with everyone.  Tentatively at first.  Scattered at first, but then more and more passionately, completely, powerfully.  I was so incredibly, for lack of a better word, PROUD.  I mean, sister proud. 

The Gospel was shared so personally, so passionately and so purposefully that I was just astounded, blessed, and reminded all over again that Lindsey was right.  We DO have what is more precious than anything else.  We DO have the only thing that lasts.  We DO have the one thing that EVERY person, regardless of race or national, culture or language, sex or age NEED. 

And the more I was overwhelmed by how grateful I am for His forgiveness, His death, His redemption and His Holy Spirit, the more I wanted to share it. 

Which is EXACTLY how it’s SUPPOSED to be. 

Sharptown, the family you sent to Haiti knows the Truth.  And shared it boldly to hundreds of men, women and children in Haiti today.  They were not phased by the demon-possessed woman chained to cement blocks, but put their 14 year old hands on her and prayed for her instead. 

They were not intimidated by the dying woman on the floor, but instead crowded into her home and sang her songs of His peace.  They stepped their beautiful feet over running sewage, blackened their hands holding hands brimming with charcoal, burnt their flesh standing in the blazing sun to tell His story, OUR story, over and over and over, gave all their energies climbing the Zaccheus tree, slithering like the snake and singing their hearts out with clingy, desperate for attention children. 

     We are also just men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from the vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them  (Acts 14:15).

Sometimes, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 4:29), just means obeying God rather than ME.  Doing what He asks us to do:  Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15), instead of what is comfortable, what is easy, what we feel like, and what we already know how to do. 

     We are also just men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from the vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them  (Acts 14:15). 

We had some follow up as a group of 60 afterwards that was also very sweet and shared lots of conversions, follow-up names and phone numbers, and hundreds of seeds planted.

Ah, I could talk about it all night, and Matt had several moments that he has detailed as some of the “very best of my life that I never want to forget” that I’ll share with you soon (BUT I AM TOOOO TIRED!).  It was great. 

THANK YOU for your prayers for the day and all the encouragement and love we've received since yesterday's doggie drama.  (Sof is still doing well...)
THANK YOU, Brenda for keeping the girls so I could do this with the team and translate and share my heart out

THANK YOU, Sharptown Group for being willing to do something so crazy and for pouring yourselves out so selflessly

THANK YOU, Junior for helping us plan and tweak and set this all up,

THANK YOU, Jodenel, Jean-Marie, Jean-Baptiste for being faithful to Him in this large zone so we had true disciples and fired-up evangelists going with us,

THANK YOU, Cammie, for stretching way out there (“I’ve got to be the Yay-Rah person?  AHHHHH”) and leading the kid’s evangelism,

and THANK YOU Lord for BEING more precious than gold, everlasting, for WANTING to be in relationship with me, for going so far as to even sacrifice your ONLY and innocent Son to reconcile that relationship that I screwed up, for forgiving me, for giving me new life, for letting me follow you, for HELPING me follow you by the Holy Spirit and for giving me LIFE, now and forever. 

Oh man.