OpenSource Pastor

Haiti 08 Day Seven

A Day of Rest
A Day of Reflection
A Day to Vision

John 1:35-51
 
 
Late in the morning we gathered round and shared our praises for the week. All were invited to share how they had seen Jesus this week. Several folks shared inspired and moving testimony through song and speech. Maybe some of fellow travelers will post their reflections in the comment section.  

I had prepared a homily for the morning. The more people shared the more I saw my homily become a written summary of all that had been said - remember I pre-wrote this. 

Sunday Morning Homily
“What good can come from Nazareth?”

Philip had been invited by Jesus to come follow him. Knowing this was the promised one of Israel he enthusiastically went to his friend Nathanel with the Good News. Nathanel responded his with far less enthusiasm, “Nazareth, can anything good come from there?”

Nazareth was one of those towns in untouchable lands. Israelites cared little to nothing for the people of Samaria. Nazareth was a small town the heart of the Samaritan region. What good can come to Israel from Nazareth, a dirty little place in the untouchable land of Samaria?

Nazareth was one those towns your parents told you not to drive to when you got your license. Nazareth was one of those places where you were told not to make your friends. Nazareth was one of those places you didn’t take a date. Nazareth was one of those places you didn’t take a vacation. Nazareth was not a place went a week or more in January. 

Four years ago Haiti was not my radar. I knew it geographically. I knew my reading of the Miami newspaper it was place people were leaving. I knew it was not a place on my list of Caribbean hot spots. When Pat and Larry put a bug in my ear about coming to Haiti three years ago it just was not the right time. The calling was not there yet. I also began to think - HAITI? Can anything good come from Haiti?

Like many of you my first trip opened my eyes to the god of Haiti. Elade has not said it as much this year but “Everyone needs Haiti” - amongst its poverty is a wealth of faith, a gem of God’s goodness, and the innocent love of Jesus Christ. Everyone needs Haiti. We need Haiti to show us Jesus. We need Haiti to remind us of the abundance of God’s blessing. We need Haiti to humble us and bring us closer in our relationship with Jesus. We need Haiti for transformation.

Haiti! Can anything good come here? Yes, in the name of Jesus! For eight years the Hope for Haiti Foundation has turned Haiti from a blip on people’s radar to a place and people burning on people’s hearts. Like Philip who met the Promised One of Israel an shared with Nathanel, we are sharing the good that comes from Haiti with our families, friends, and colleagues. We are sharing what it is like to meet Jesus in the face of a Haitian. We are sharing the wonders of living in God’s simplicity. We are sharing the glory of connecting the Body of Christ across borders, cultures, and mindsets. We share that something GOOD has come and is coming from Haiti.

So what’s next? Jesus’ invitation to Philip was meant as a beginning not an end. The foundation of the Church is Jesus Christ. In collecting the 12 disciples and a band of faithful followers a fiery movement started that continues through the power of the Holy Spirit. The cornerstone lives and we are the ones equipped to share the story. Next for the Church was connecting the whole body of Christ. Next for Haiti is...? US! 

Where is Jesus calling us to go? Z’Orange now has a school and a clinic run by Haitians. Soon enough a teaching church will be equipping the region as well. What’s next? What is the next great thing to come from Haiti? 

Haiti 08 Day Six

The Weary Workers Lifted Up for God’s Glory

Psalm 121; Isaiah 40: 1-2, 26-31; Matthew 11:25-30

“New every morning is your love Great God of love...”

The day began with the words of our Lord as comfort for the weary. Two days of clinic and now beginning our sixth day of travel exhaustion was setting in. Hey it’s Saturday and back in the states most of us would be chillin’. Divine strength was needed for Clinic Day 3.

A renewed sense of energy kept us moving as we promptly moved through breakfast and a brief meeting making staff changes in the clinic. It was an equipping move that showed the greatness of this project. Haitian nurses began to take control of their own clinic. With the changes nearly 500 patients were seen by lunch. We concluded the day with over 770 patients seen. The mass number of patients wore our medical staff down and we concluded clinic early. 

Today I saw an equipping ministry at its best. Eight years ago HFHF had a dream of turning over a clinic to a Haitian staff. Today that step was taken. The close of clinic meant the opening of the Z’Orange clinic five days a week with a Haitian nursing team. Haitians having ownership in the operations is a big thing. It’s what is going on in the school and beginning with church. 

Three clinic days 1885 patients - a new record. Clinic closed and handed over to Team Gerta!! Day six ended with a head of steam. And on the seventh day - we rested.

Haiti 08 Day Five

They Travel Mountains Beyond Mountains

Mark 2:1-12

 

 

Day two began with the words of Mark 2:1-12.  

“The red-letter miracle in the story is Jesus’ healing of the paralytic, “get up take your mat and go home.” I see another miracle in the story. In a room filled with people who come to see Jesus one more needed to get in for a healing.  His friends had carried him many miles. When they found no ground level entry point they took to  the roof. The next part I equate to group of young people taking a chain saw to a beautiful chapel - say Duke Chapel or the Crystal Cathedral. They tore into the roof and lowered their friend to the Healer. 

“Day 2 of the clinic present new challenges, new opportunities, and new people. Many of the folks that come today and tomorrow will travel over many mountains all to come see us. They come for caring, respect, attention, and healing. They come to have their dignity acknowledged. They come to us as the vessels of Christ’s compassion to review his amazing love.”

Clinic Day 2 presented all the challenges considered and then some. People came from many mountains over. The population of young children without parents or guardians greatly increased. We began to ask the hard questions of a growing ministry:

- How do you balance compassion and fairness?

- How do you standardize communication with a language barrier and interchangeable parts?

- How do we remember the call of Christ without jeopardizing clinical standards?

Day five - “hump-day” - complete. Exhaustion pressed us as a late start pushed us to use flashlights to close out the day. The sun comes up tomorrow, a new day, a fresh start - DAY SIX.

Haiti 08 Day Four

Who will be Jesus?

Matthew 25:31-40 

The opening of clinic reminded me of why I do missions. Matthew 25:31-40 tells the story of Jesus welcoming the obedient sheep into the kingdom and letting the disobedient goats go. Asked why the sheep were received Jesus responded that when the served the least of these your brothers and sisters you served me. This verse has shaped my servant life. It’s not just a challenge for I come to Z’Orange, but also an everyday challenge to see the Jesus in one another. We were ALL created in the image of God. We must honor each other’s dignity for we each are an image of God. I think that when God looks at us collectively He sees a reflection. The start of clinic is a welcoming of many people, one of them just might be Jesus, all of them are part of the image of God. 

Thursday night was also the beginning of the three night revival that became four - we can always use some more time for Jesus. Liz and I attended worshipping the spirit present as we did not understand most of the spoken words. We were able to feel their enthusiasm and follow their worship gestures and postures. The attentiveness was amazing. Darkened with only silhouettes visible the gathering continued to respond as the word spoke directly to the young people in the crowd of nearly 100. 

Day four we began to see Jesus. Day five we will see his fresh face once again. 

Haiti 08 Day Three

Tabernacling

Exodus 40:1, 33-38

 

 

Wednesday is set-up day. The morning starts early with the rooster crows coming later this year - 6 AM!!! Thank God for ear plugs!!!  Here are the notes from our morning centering:

“This morning and throughout the day we will be setting up a tabernacle of sorts. Through years of blessing we now have a school to house our place of healing.  Bins will be sorted and dispersed, kits unrolled, pills stacked and labeled.  At the end of the day our tabernacle, our tent of meeting will be ready to receive those whom want to come to the Lord.  They will come to see a nurse, a doctor, a welcoming face. I hope you will step aside so they can meet the Great Physician.”

After breakfast we were welcomed to Z’Orange by the students of the Unified School. A full fledged presentation welcomed in song and prayer. The youngest ones made the greatest impression upon me. They were 2, 3, 4 years old and sang and danced with great spirit. I was moved to tears thinking one of those girls singing solo could easily be my daughter. It was also hard to imagine that just a few years ago some of these young children were patients in the clinic. God is Good!!!

The set-up went as expected ... long and tiring especially for us the pharmacy team. Not sure how many pills were counted and labeled. Just glad I didn’t lick my fingers. The evening wrapped with final prep meetings. Tomorrow the clinic begins. Tabernacle set-up. Day four let His people come. 

Haiti 08 Day Two

Climbing the Mountain
 
Jacmel is a beautiful place. We stay at the Cap Lamandou Hotel on top of the rocks of Jacmel Bay. The hotel is an isolated gem above the glassy waters. 
 
After breakfast I began day two with words from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. In introducing our covenant for cultural sensitivity I thought of Paul’s words to become all things to all people in hopes of saving some. The ascent to Z’Orange is a perfect time to prepare to become Haitian in hopes that some will see Jesus.  We cannot come into Haiti and imperially put our desires in place. Haiti is its own people. What is so great about what the Hope for Haiti Foundation is doing is it is equipping Haitians to minister to Haitians. When we come to Haiti, we become Haitian.
 
No sooner than our breakfast reflection completed when we hit the road for our ascent. The trip to Bainet was as smooth as could be expected. The road from Bainet to Z’Orange would be an adventure. We had been warned that heavy continuous rains could hamper our travels. The quickest way to Z’Orange is via the river. This year the river is too high. Our bus would not make it through the waters, and the mountain road is not conducive for buses. How’s a truck? Haitian transportation includes large flat bed trucks with rail walls to hold its cargo, I mean passengers. Our team of 33 left Bainet with all our luggage, sound equipment, and a few of our Haitian helpers. Some sat on the benches, some of us stood while my travel buddy Jan took the great adventure of sitting on top of the world, I mean rail. Two hours of climbing and ascending winding our way up to Z’Orange. The road gave us the opportunity to see God’s great beauty as luscious green mountains gave way to the horizon of Caribbean sea. Just watch out for the abnrches along the way - they hurt!
 
Our layover in Bainet was more extended than planned. That’s what happens when Elade has to move from plan A to B to C to X, Y, and Z! A group of “fou bla” - that’s Kreyol for crazy white people, and all Americans, in Haiti is like a circus. All of us hanging out in town square was a hoot as we entertained each other with dancing, bubble blowing, and stories. Our interactions were a sign of comfort as the people of Bainet welcomed us into their community, albeit for a short while. 
 
Up on the mountain we set up our home. Casa de Obed became tent city. Reunions ensued. Day two we ascended and became Haitian. Day three we tabernacle. 

Haiti 08 Day One

Travel Day 1
The day began early in the morning. I actually slept a solid five hours before the alarm at three. A solid night with such pressing issues like getting out of the house on time to meet the traveling party at the airport on time - 4:30 in the morning. Valentino was at the house promptly at 3:30 with the car so I took the opportunity to get a head start over to the Buttertons. We drove through a darkened Apex and pulled up to the Buttertons darkened home. I knew this would have a bad ending.... My knock on the door became LandP’s alarm clock. They quickly gathered themselves and we loaded the car still making good time to be at the airport in good time before our 4:30 deadline.Valentino began trekking us out of Apex. Being early - did I mention it was still dark - we were all telling bad jokes and stories approaching the intersection of Salem and 64 when LB shouted with pure clarity - “I forgot my passport.” We quickly u-turned back through town, retrieved the passport from the locked house (there is no breaking and entering on your own property, right?). Fortunately this funny beginning would be the roughest point of day one - other than the rocky roads.    
Check-in for 33 people and 66 bins at RDU was hastened by AA’s self-service international check-in. Of course 33 people going through self-service at one time still makes some unhappy - sorry Mr. Man-in-Hurry (although) it was still only 4:45 AM. The brief lay over in Miami offered last chance for clean water and the American way of life. I found some fruit and pastries, while other team members stashed a last bite of pizza. Our flight to PAP was lifting off by 11 AM.   
The flight to PAP offers insightful observations of what is to come. Abroad a flight to PAP are missionaries, business people, Haitians of all classes, those who are returning home to stay and those returning home only to visit. There are those who speak English, those with a French tongue, and others speaking the native Kreyol. 
Landing in PAP brought new adventure. First sight was that of the new jet bridges being built. Maybe next year we will walk in to the airport without touching the tarmac. We were greeted be a Haitian hospitality band providing some cool Caribbean tunes as we entered immigration. A normal trip through immigration is taking your passport and papers through a immigration booth then waiting for our checked bins. This year we entered the airport were collected to the side of the hallway by some immigration officials where our passports and papers were collected. We were whisked away to an upstairs VIP room thinking - UH-OH! Would this be the end?
Turns out special arrangements had been made and this was a VIP room. It was a sign of the good things that were to come. We stayed in the room long enough for all paperwork to be completed and bins collected. We loaded our bus and were treated to a picnic. Air travel ended. Bus travel began; destination today - Jacmel. Since we arrived in PAP at noonish and left the airport by 2:00 Jacmel became a dinner destination. Dinner was delicious. The bonding time terrific. Our early arrival in Jacmel allowed for the chemistry of the 2008 team to begin restfully. We discussed our bruises from the bumpy bus rides; tales from last year; and general catching up from the eyar that was. As night fell on Jacmel the Son was rising on our work. Day two we climbed the mountain. Day one was at rest.

Packing for Haiti 08

Fellow Travelers,
 
I’m sitting in my home office with the beginnings of packing taking place. HUH! OK I am a little excited, a little anxious, a little curious of what God is preparing for you and I this year. I wanted to add a few things to your packing list.. don’t worry they won’t add any weight to your packing:
 
1) Pack your openness - We are diverse people that walk unique daily lives. Be open to receive your fellow team members. We will be a traveling family for nine days. Also, be ready to be open to the people of Z’Orange and all of Haiti. 
2) Pack you flexibility - Be ready for anything. Just follow the “Godfather” (a.k.a. Elade) and enjoy the ride.
3) Pack your kingdom eyes - My devotional readings this week had me thinking about where will I see Jesus next week. Glorious things are bound to happen hopefully our eyes will be open to seeing them.
4) Pack your heart - COMPASSION
 
Enjoy the packing. First timers, I thought you might be interested in my first time perspective from last year. Here are a few links to my reflections and thoughts from other team members:
 
Pastor Dennis Peay, Liz Holland, John Brown, and Carrie Franklin at Acts UMC May 6 2007
Link goes to video file of Slideshow and Message Video
http://blip.tv/file/225220 
 
My Haiti Blog 2007
http://dennisinhaiti.blogspot.com/ 
 
El Casino online ofrece una implementaci

Haiti 08 Spiritual Preparations

Fellow Travelers,
 
We are now within the final month before we travel to Z’Orange, in fact, one month from now we will be atop the mountain among our first day of clinic. Our final preparations for Z’Orange come a midst our anticipation of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Here are some reflections from my reading of John the Baptizer’s proclamation of the One to come in Matthew 3:1-12. 
 
I preached on verse 11 a couple weeks ago in Tarboro, NC. John the Baptizer says, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”  The gift of the Spirit that Jesus’ anoints us with is a gift of empowerment. When you read the stories of the early disciples in the Book of Acts you see what empowered people can do - preach, heal, do signs and wonders, and create awe. 
 
In preparation for Z’Orange I hope you will receive the empowerment that Jesus wants to give you. Our work is simply service without it. Granted our Haitian neighbors will be grateful to receive our good work; yet, it is God who welcomes our Christ work. 
 
The following prayer is from St. Teresa of Avila, a 16th century Spaniard. As you pray, remember we will be anointed to be the hands and feet of the One born at Christmas...
 
Christ has
No body now on earth but yours;
No hands but yours;
No feet but yours;
Yours are the eyes
Through which is to look out
Christ’s compassion to the world;
Yours are the feet
With which he is to go about
Doing good;
Yours are the hands
With which he is to bless now.