Best Bits: Come To The River

We love working with teams - short-term visiting mission teams. From the planning stages to (especially) being on Haitian soil doing and seeing and feeling and witnessing all that we've been trying to tell them about (and failing...) in the months before their trip.

This post is part of our Best Bits series - Best Bits from our summer 2013 in Haiti. Check out other Best Bits here.

And this one is a Best Bit from our 'home team', from Columbus (for the first time, a joint team from Community Church of Columbus and Free Methodist Church) led by our good friends Ken & Kellie who'd been on their first mission trip to Haiti with me in 2011.

We had not planned to go there.

But Joli Trou - Pretty Hole (yes, that's the name of the village, seriously) - is where we ended up. At least some of us.

The team from Columbus are all loaded into our airy transportation, along with local translators Regie, Leonie, Orinel, missionary Erica, evangelism workers Wawa and a couple of others I can't quite identify now.

Eighty-year-old Medson, (yes, he's 80!) who leads our evangelism and radio distribution outreach, gets to enjoy the relative comfort of sitting in the front of the truck.  

Lots of smiles early on in our journey, heading east from Cap-Haitien to Capotille, right on the border with the Dominican Republic. The church there is waiting for our arrival, all trained up and ready for a day of fruitful Gospel sharing and giving out radios.

Some people (ok, one person...) decide to take a nap.

Route looks good until we hit a roadblock.

Turns out, the road was blocked by some people who were on strike. All the vehicles were turning around.
So we did too. After figuring out where to go now.

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9, NLT

Some strategy talks between Medson and Storly, prayers being lifted up, and a couple of phone calls later, and we're going back the way we came (for about an hour) and then we turned south, towards Grande Rivière-du-Nord. The church leaders in Capotille had been informed we wouldn't be coming. Church leaders in Grande Rivière, on learning we're on our way to them, start making arrangements for their people to be ready to go with us to an area they identified as in need of hearing the Gospel that day.

Yep, we're definitely heading towards Grande-Rivière-du-Nord (Great North River).

Still smiling...

So our plan was to split into two groups. We dropped off the first group at the prison in the town of Grande-Rivière-du-Nord (which incidentally is the birthplace of Haiti's founding father, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a leader of the Haitian revolution and first ruler of an independent Haiti in 1804). Medson led the way, with John, Rob and Elijah (who were with us from CCC for 3 weeks, a great help!) and others.  

And the other group ended up here, at a little church in the village of Joli Trou...after a parking incident in which the driver of our truck, not me or Storly thankfully, managed to take a tight curve and run over some pineapples, mangoes and other fruits that some ladies were selling on the roadside. Right outside the church. Oh boy, not happy market-sellers. The sweet smell of crushed pineapples and mangoes. And now a bunch of blans (white visitors) need to get out of the truck and spread good news in the community! Argh, not exactly ideal conditions...

Thankfully, after payment for the crushed fruit, we made our way into the little church. And found our brothers and sisters in Christ there were desperately excited that we had come, to join arms with them and help tell their community about the love of Jesus. They were desperately excited. Not inconvenienced because we'd given them an hour's notice of our arrival and we needed to be looked after.

So, we took a few minutes of introduction, refilled water bottles (from the coolers we'd brought with us.....no drinking water fountains here), prayed, got into groups to head out in different directions and plant seeds of hope.

And as Mommy heads out to take pictures and accompany the groups, someone's not happy that she needs to stay with Papa.

Several little hamlets that are part of this area can only be accessed by walking through a river.

So through the streams and rivers we went.

At one of the first homes, this lady was in the middle of doing her hair..quite a long process. She said her husband was not at home, and wanted to wait for him to come back before talking with our team. 

Joan spots a old lady washing clothes in the stream, and heads over to her.

A conversation followed, as our team asked the old lady and her husband if they knew Jesus. 

Great smile, huh?

Todd demonstrates how the solar radio works.

And after Joan, Todd and team pray with this couple, the lady continues on with washing the family's clothes, and the man holds their new radio, listening to the Gospel of Matthew (read by Storly). What a great soundtrack for life.

A little ways up the hill from the river, and we came to the yard where this man (bare-chested) is living. He quite freely starts sharing about difficulties he's facing right now - because he recently came out of prison.
If you read a previous blog post Power of A Testimony: Martin, you may already know what's coming next. As the man's story is translated for our team, Todd knows he's here today to speak with this man because of his own story, his own experience of prison and life after. Of a transformed life in Christ. Yet again, I am blown away to see God at work in and through the lives of these people who come on a mission trip.

Notice the man's put on a shirt before praying.

Todd leads this man to the Lord. Awesome!

And shows him how he can listen to Radio 4VEH, and the New Testament, on the radio we're leaving for him and the others in this home.

He may not look happy, but he was!

Back out onto the street, and there's another group who have gathered, this time a couple of ladies who asked for prayer.

By the time this team were on their way back, the lady who was doing her hair was able to talk (her husband was home now). And Joan prayed for her and her family.

And in between taking all these pictures, helping with conversations and translations between villagers and visitors, I'm called to help Esther with a call of nature. Which she refused to attend to by crouching behind a bush. Or anywhere else that wasn't a 'real' toilet. So she had to wait.

With the teams gathered together again at the church, we shared reports of what we'd just experienced, and how people responded to the message of hope that is the Gospel. We prayed, for those we'd spoken with, for others in the area, for members of this little church, in this little village of Pretty Hole.

And we headed back home. Grateful for the opportunity to visit this place, to encourage the believers here. Thankful for the opportunity to see the beauty, the lushness of  this Pretty Hole. Thankful that we can make our plans but God directs our steps.

And by this point, Kellie is searching for a song on her phone. Come to The River by the Rhett Walker Band. A perfect song.

Come to the river
Drink from the cup I pour
And thirst no more. 

That's the message of Jesus. For all of us. Take a moment to listen to this song. 

Rhett Walker Band - Come To The River (with lyrics)

Post-Its of Remembrance

Just in case you're wondering, it's still winter here. And that's all I'm going to say about it.

I started writing this update last week. In case you hadn't noticed yet, I'm a slow blogger. Partly because I'm chewing on what - and how - to share with you for a while before it appears here. And partly, well, you know, life. Having a single slot of time to get an update written and out into the world is rare. Anyway, I hope you don't get too confused!

Polar Vortex Productivity

So last week, our first full week with the girls back at school after the extended-by-the-polar-vortex-big-freeze Christmas break, and with Storly and myself fully concentrated on work, was pretty productive. Considering I had the flu....Yep, urgh.

In the midst of 'please can you get me another box of tissues?' 'another cup of Hot Honey & Lemon?', we've been doing some woo-hoo-ing at progress being made on the biggest goal that Storly and I have for the station, and it's a financial one. Almost unbelievable progress, I might add. Taking the station to a good place financially that we have never seen before. (I say almost unbelievable progress, but here's the thing. We've been praying for it for years, others have been praying for it for more years, been working hard towards it, sacrificing for it, cutting back to bare bones for it and now it's here.(And it's taking a while to sink in.) To God be the glory!

Along with the woo-hoo-ing, we've been reflecting on how quickly those moments of joy, thanksgiving and reaching new milestones, significant milestones, can pass. Unless we take time to recognize the milestones that they really are, to remember, to give thanks.

Post-Its of Remembrance

On the board next to my desk is this post-it.

Though it keeps un-sticking itself and fluttering all over the place, I'm determined to keep it in front of me. It reminds me of two things.

Firstly, that having children means doodles end up on all sorts of things, even stuff that's supposed to be 'work stuff'. (The numbers 1 2 3 at the bottom are complements of Esther...).

And secondly, it reminds me that not so long ago, the radio station was operating on these reduced broadcasting hours - 5 am-1 pm, and 3 pm-10 pm - instead of 4.30 am till 11 am on AM (and 24/7 online), because funds were so tight we had to conserve money spent for fuel (used in generators for electricity). We were off the air during the day, that's a big deal for anyone in broadcasting.

But we've made progress. And we're not on that reduced schedule anymore.

Let the Rocks Cry Out

About a month ago, I was compiling materials to highlight Radio 4VEH's ministry over 64 years for an upcoming award (more on that later!). Much of what we have as a record of the 'early days' comes from the book written by Rachael Picazo, Let the Rocks Cry Out. An incredible record, an incredible history for an incredible ministry. Two things struck me: back in 1951, a lightening storm burned out the transmitter and the station was off the air for six months, until a new transmitter was in place; and then in 1968, a rebel invasion of Cap-Haitien forced the station off the air for 40 days. Off the air. Unable to 'do ministry'. Unable to do what 4VEH exists to do. URGH!

But only 'unable' temporarily.

I knew about those two events already, but they stuck with me because Storly and I are conscious right now of needing to take the time and being intentional in remembering and sharing with others 'the long view'. The long view back and the long view forward. That's part of our roles in leadership is to help others involved in the ministry - whether it's with coworkers, with people who partner with us through prayer, giving and helping in different ways - to get an understanding of where we've come from and where we're going as a ministry. Of what God has done, is doing and will do.

So often, we, I am focused on the next thing. The next big thing that's looming. And it seems there's hardly time to catch my breath from the previous thing. As I mentioned, last week we reached a milestone.

And after a few moments of joy, literally within minutes, we were back to fighting the next fire.

But I'm determined to set up some stones of remembrance. And that's exactly what I get to do in telling the stories of the ministry. Establishing points to remember all that the Lord has done. In someone's life. In a community. In the life of the ministry.

In Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Decision magazine, Anne Graham Lotz writes:

When have you, too, shouted for joy over the display of God’s glory wrapped up in His character in each day of every year for your entire life?

In Luke 19:40 Jesus said, “If we keep quiet (and don’t praise God), the stones will cry out.” Why would you and I remain silent, forfeiting to stones the joy of praising God for what He has done?

Samuel used stones as a memorial when God’s people wanted to remember His goodness and faithfulness. First Samuel 7:12 says that when God enabled the Israelites to defeat the Philistines, the Prophet Samuel “took a stone and … named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far has the Lord helped us.’”

[This Ebenezer verse from 1 Samuel was the theme for 4VEH's 60th Anniversary in 2010, and it opened my eyes to this whole concept of remembering in the Bible.]

Joshua also used stones to help God’s people remember His goodness. After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, the Israelites experienced the power of God to roll back the waters of the Jordan River, enabling them to cross over and take possession of the Promised Land. Joshua then commanded them to build a memorial of stones as a public testimony of what God had done for them … stones that would remind them to keep on praising Him.

So I'm going to stick another post-it on my board to remember this milestone. Perhaps I'll even get a stone to sit on my desk. How about you? Is there something you need to do as a public testimony of what God has done for you? Something that will remind you to keep on praising Him?

New Year Catch-Up: Part 1 - Snow, Wedding & 'Happy Birthday Jesus!'

...'and Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again...!' Lines to the Christmas song (It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas) that's been swirling around my head the last few days. The girls are finally back in school today after the Christmas break was extended because of the arctic freeze we've had. A heavy winter storm hit here (and many other places in the US), giving us a few inches of snow and way-below-freezing temperatures. The coldest it's been in Indiana for 20 years. Felt like -35 F (-37C). It caused plenty of chaos; for us, it froze our water pipes, but thankfully there was no mess, no burst pipes, just several hours without running water (and we've had some practice at that, so it was no big deal, though it was the first time for using (melted) snow to flush the toilet).

Snow used to flush the toilet after water pipes froze in frigid temps.....brrrr!

It's reminded me a lot of the year (the icy winter) that I spent in Montréal studying at UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal). And it's reminded me that being cold does not make me happy.

LORD, let me ask again, why did you move us from Haiti to live in Indiana? Ah, that's a big question.

So, yes, we're very glad school has started again. Storly and I have been struggling to get back into our work schedules, with projects, deadlines and other demands starting to pile up. Working from home has plenty of benefits (like not needing to go out to work when it's deadly cold), but when the girls are home too, it also means having our meetings interrupted by a ballet dance and fashion show (yep, really...).

Thank you for thinking of us over Christmas

Anyway, thank you for thinking of us - and praying - over Christmas while Storly was in Haiti. We survived, though when we asked each other 'the best and worst's of 2013, Storly being away featured among the top worsts. I'm very thankful in particular to a friend who invited us over to join their family for brunch on Christmas morning. She invited us before Storly left for Haiti, and I really appreciated knowing in advance that we had somewhere to be, and people to be with, on Christmas Day. (Is there someone you've been meaning to invite to something? Don't wait till the last minute. The invitation, the anticipation of something good, something to look forward to, is part of the blessing.)

Here are a few highlights from Christmas 2013: 

Christmas at the Zoo

A last-minute idea turned into a lovely evening at the Indianapolis Zoo for the girls and me. First time we'd been to this zoo, and it was beautifully lit, with a bit of light snow falling, and lots of people with kids generally excited and happy to be out on a cold night oooh-ing and arrh-ing at the animals.

Spot the polar bear!

We loved the Dolphin Show - several dolphins jumping and flipping to a Christmas
soundtrack. And a great opportunity for me to enjoy my fantastic camera that can
take pictures of moving, flipping dolphins from a distance (we sat at the top of the bleachers)
in low light.  

Hannah now wants to move to Florida and become a Dolphin Trainer

Happy Birthday Jesus! 

The candlelight service on Christmas Eve is a gorgeous tradition at Community Church of Columbus. And for a couple of years, Hannah and then Esther too, have been part of the children's choir that sings "Happy Birthday Jesus....I'm so glad it's Christmas". A great reminder that it's not all about the stuff, it's about Him. And only Him. That's why we celebrate.

Towers

Meanwhile, Storly was in Haiti. He was hosting and working with Jim from Towers for Jesus who, at almost the last minute, was able to travel to Haiti for a few days while Storly was there to do a complete survey for replacing the two AM radio towers at Petite Anse (the big project we've mentioned before).

The towers are pretty tall. 270 feet and 200 feet. 

Took this photo in June. Here's Rob Simpson, from our church (CCC), driving the
bobcat and creating a path to be used as he and others helped build 900 ft of wall
around the 9-hectare site.

This is the building at the Petite Anse site, housing the transmitter. 

Jim from Towers for Jesus checking out the state these radio towers are in.
And yes, they definitely need to be replaced. As soon as possible. (They were
 erected  in about 1971, and were used towers then. A poor history of maintenance
 coupled with the harsh salt air hasn't helped.)

Jim with 4VEH Technical Coordinator Jonathan walk through the grass that will
need to be cut before work on the towers begins. 

And look who tagged along - our good friends from Columbus, Steve & Melissa Gross
(serving as missionaries at OMS' Cowman International School)

Cece's wedding 

Switching gears a bit, Storly was then in full wedding mode. Driving to pick up groom Newton, then bride Céline (Cece). Serving as Best Man. And giving Céline away (though not walking her up the aisle as you may be thinking, but representing her family).

Céline lived with us in Haiti, helping with cooking and cleaning,
and then once the girls came along, helping look after them too. Here she's holding
Hannah on Hannah's first birthday in 2007.

Cece and Hannah jump-roping (is that even a verb? sorry, but 'skipping' sounds much better)

And here's Cece (wearing her uniform for the church youth choir) with little Esther in 2008 :)

And Céline, looking gorgeous and happy on her wedding day!

The groom, Newton, looking dapper!

Final preparations - yes, in Storly's office at the station. The wedding took place in
4VEH's auditorium upstairs. 

Here comes the bride!

We wish God's best for Céline and Newton!

4VEH's auditorium decorated for the wedding. [One of the things I got done
last year was the 4VEH banner on the front wall that is now showing up in lots
of photos of events that happen in the auditorium, like weddings, conferences,
concerts etc].

There's a few more things to mention, but they are for another post. For now, I'll leave you with some more snow photos, in the hopes that these will be the final snow photos taken for this winter, and that spring will be here soon. I'm already dreaming of seeing daffodils popping their little heads up. Think I'll have to be patient, though. Enjoy!

Making snow angels.

Esther's quite happy chill-axing in the snow!

After days of hibernating inside, we got out yesterday to go sledding. Had a blast!

Was gorgeous. Camera on my phone doesn't quite do this scene justice. 

Oooops, Storly!