We're Back

After eight weeks at 4VEH in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, we are back to home base in Indiana. Back from the front-lines of daily broadcast ministry life and outreach in communities in need, to the front-lines of sharing the ministry with communities of supporters for me, and back to strategic leadership from a distance, networking with other like-minded ministries, and to translating and recording programs for Storly.

With more than a week under our belts, we've emerged from the fog of switching back to life in another foreign-but-familiar place. The girls are into their second week of school (I know for all you fellow Brits out there especially, that sounds so wrong, right? Your kids have probably just started their summer hols...so enjoy!).

Among the things we brought back are more than 7,000 photos that I took, and am in the process of culling, editing, cataloging (they're not all good or usable) - and many of these will show up in future communications for 4VEH, Resounding Hope and our own ministry letters, and yes, on this blog.

Here's just a few photos for now:

Last ride in the cattle truck, heading to Cap-Haitien airport for our flight out. 

The highlight of the trip for me, worshiping with new believers at a church planted
earlier this year at what felt like the top of the world (and the 2 1/2 hour hike it took to
get there was so worth it). More on that big adventure coming. 

The view over Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital city and home to about 2.5 million
people - from the antenna site where 4VEH is now broadcasting, in partnership with
Radio Sentinelle 93.9 FM and the Haiti Baptist Convention. We were there to get
the station set up and on the air. 

And while our team from Community Church of Columbus was sharing the Gospel
with this sweet one's family, she was busy doing laundry. I pray she'll grow up in better
surroundings, both physically and spiritually, through what she and her family hear
as they listen to the solar radio we left with them. 

That's all for now! Thank you for praying for us, encouraging us, coming and working alongside us, and for financially supporting us in ministry. Blessings to you today!

Celebrating 65 Years

Time's flying here. We've been here at Radio-Télé 4VEH (notice the new "Télé" in the name, yes, TV!) in Cap-Haitien for more than five weeks, less than three weeks left. How did that happen? We've been busy, with not much energy left to blog, and not much cooperation from the internet to post much either. But today, so far, so good, so, here's the beginnings of a catch-up.

We arrived during the middle of 65th Anniversary week. I got called to go and meet a sweet lady who brought her donation to 4VEH for the anniversary. She wrote a note saying: "Thank you God for this radio, it's my university for life, it's listening to 4VEH I've learned everything in life". Bless her!

The girls did great during the 65th Anniversary thanksgiving service at 1st Baptist Church of Cap-Haitien, trying to sing along here. OMS field director Brett (on the right of this pic) was translating for the visiting team from Florida, in to help with the campus electrical project - and he needed a prod in the ribs from time to time to stay awake (he's a busy guy!).

A listener gave these lovely cakes. One of them ended up with us, yum!

Storly was, well, gorgeous - and did a fantastic job, as did the whole 4VEH team. Am proud of them all! Storly made two big announcements - the launch of 4VEH TV on a local Cap-Haitien channel (Channel 11), and the launch of 4VEH in Port-au-Prince, thanks to a new partnership between 4VEH, Radio Sentinelle 93.9 FM and the Haiti Baptist Convention. Both are big news, big answers to prayer. More on that later. 

Key leaders from the evangelical community took part in the service too, and called Storly a visionary (which is true!) for leading the station into these two new areas, TV and into the capital city. As always, great to see and hear the support expressed for 4VEH, great to hear leaders encouraging everyone to be part of supporting the ministry in prayer and financially, great to hear the pride expressed in 4VEH.

And great to see the banners I designed back in Columbus were doing their job!

In the afternoon, the 4VEH family - staff, family and special friends of the ministry - celebrated together at a banquet held in the 4VEH auditorium (upstairs in the radio station). A jazz band did a great job!

 

It was fantastic to see these two big cheeses together! Storly and Gaudin Charles, the only Haitians to have held the position of Station Manager at 4VEH. Both well-known and -loved voices on the air too. Gaudin, who works from his home in Florida, (representing 4VEH among the Haitian community there, and producing radio programs for 4VEH) was the special preacher for the anniversary service. I had the pleasure of interviewing him on video too - he has some great stories about how 4VEH touches people's lives. He's worked at 4VEH for 50 years! And though we've worked together for a number of years, we've never been at the station at the same time. 

The third 'launch' at the anniversary was the new Parole Vivante Living Word bible drama CD (produced in 1960s, still on the air, just released on CD). Here Gaudin, who was one of the voices on Parole Vivante, explains how they made some of the sound effects, clang, bang, clack.... 

One of the projects I'm working on is building repairs, renovations and remodeling, especially the 'public spaces' of the building, including the auditorium. The radio station, though called the 'new building' is now 15 years old, and has served the ministry well. But now it's time for maintenance, repairs, and updates to make it more functional, more attractive, and more inspiring. 

The auditorium in particular is well used by the public - hundreds of people use it every week for weddings (sometimes two or three weddings a day!), conferences, and church services and celebrations. So as we've been using the auditorium, I've been taking special note of how it is used. Though we're still working on putting the official project together to raise funds and book teams to come in and help fix, repaint, re-carpet, we've made some progress already. You'll see some pictures of the progress soon!

Yum!

May Update: Multi-Coloured Pens, Projects & a Medal

It's been a while! 

I usually think that pre-Christmas season is the busiest work time for me, with it being the biggest fundraising season. But no. Busiest time of year is right now. So, sorry if you've missed us in the blogosphere! Hopefully, we're friends on Facebook so you know we're still alive.  

Here's why this is busy season: 

• Radio 4VEH's 65th Anniversary is 2 June. The anniversary is always a major event in Haiti and in Haitian communities in the USA. This year is a big one. So, the staff at the station, Storly and me here in Indiana, and our Haitian representatives in the USA are all busy preparing events, materials and special radio programs. I've been creating, designing, producing brochures and banners, as well as the design for a new CD. More on that later. All in Creole or French or some combination of the two.

• The ministry has expanded beyond radio, and so there's a minor name change and re-branding we're working on. Been re-designing logos, letterhead, etc, all in multiple languages. 

• I'm finalizing a fundraising appeal for the station, ahead of the usual trend in the nonprofit world of lower donations during the summer months. Got a great story to share, and am getting these materials prepared for use in a mailing, online, and to send to our partners (OMS offices in various countries, as well as other organizations who support the station).

• We're putting together projects for various needs at the station, including repairs and remodeling for the building which is now 15 years old; upgrading computer and broadcast equipment; replacing air conditioning throughout the building (mission-critical when it's 100 degrees outside!). Lots of details needed, costs for everything need to be figured out (including 'is it better or even possible to buy it in Haiti or buy in USA, ship to Haiti, and try and estimate shipping and customs charges'....yeh, fun.) And then I need to package all the info in a way that a donor will be inspired and excited to help get the job done. Need another marketing writer! 

• And we leave in two weeks' time to spend the summer in Haiti. So, there's packing, relocating my office (ok, just temporarily, but still thinking through what I might need there, and what I need to hand over to someone else while I'm gone from here), there are major deliveries arriving from Amazon (I always hope it's something for me, but nope - usually some cables, piece of equipment, office supplies, or other things we need to take down to the station). There's things to take care of (dental stuff, medical stuff, house stuff, end-of-school-year stuff). 

• And then there are our girls - two weeks left in school. The day after school's out, we head to the airport. They've been desperate to start packing, and now need serious monitoring so they don't just pack a suitcase full of stuffed animals :)

I've just finished one project, sent it to the printers. So, am taking a little breather with you (and a cup of afternoon tea, of course). Here's a few photos from the last few weeks: 

A gorgeous trip to local state park, Brown County, during Mum's visit at Easter.

For those of you who think Esther is the quiet one,
just check out that expression on her cheeky little face :)

Mum had bronchitis for the first few days here. So it was even more special
to enjoy the gorgeous sunshine once she recovered. 

Happy in sunglasses. 

Me and my mama.  

Weeeeeeeee!

Gorgeous!

Lots of printing of works-in-progress recently. This one is the new CD, the first in a series of Bible dramas written by Rachael Picazo, called Parole Vivante, translated into Creole and produced and aired on 4VEH during the 1960's (and still on the air, and much-loved by listeners of all ages). It's all about going in a Time Machine back to biblical times and hearing the stories unfold. Storly's been working on improving the quality of the audio (which was originally recorded on reel-to-reel), I did the design work. We'll have the CDs in our hands in Haiti for the Anniversary week ($10 a piece, if you're interested. Would make a great gift for any Haitian friends!). 

Esther wasn't too happy that I 'borrowed' her fantastic multi-coloured pen for editing the fundraising appeal I'm working on. But it brought a little more joy to the tough discipline of 'slash and burn' editing of your own stuff.  

Two weeks left in school. How is that possible? They start 2nd and 4th grades first week of August. 

Taken on (American) Mother's Day. These two are growing up quickly!

And the final photo for now. 

I finished my first-half marathon on May 2, the IndyMini. And LOVED it! More details in another post. For now, a BIG THANK YOU for all the support and encouragement! Seriously, I really appreciate it! 

My inspiration for running for 13.1 miles? Getting more Resounding Hope solar radios tuned to Radio 4VEH to bless families in Haiti every day. As founder of the Resounding Hope initiative, I know these radios are making a huge difference in people's lives in Haiti - reaching people with the Gospel, helping believers grow in their faith, building up the church and serving the people of Haiti in Jesus' name. With the help of generous friends, we exceeded my fundraising goal, raising a total of $4,410, to sponsor 73.5 radios (a donation of $30 will make it 74 radios, if you're interested. You can donate securely on my fundraising page: http://org.grouprev.com/katesrunforresoundinghope).

Thankfully, blisters have now healed and I'm preparing for running in Haiti's heat. Should be interesting! 

Well, cup of tea's finished. Back to it. Blessings to you wherever you are! 

In training: the IndyMini

If you've seen some of my Facebook posts recently, you'll know that I'm in training, for my first half-marathon.

Last year, something unexpected happened. It didn't start with running, it didn't even start with working out regularly and becoming active (though that did happen) but I became a runner. I'm still tempted to say I'm becoming a runner, but as my fitness app (MapMyFitness) is telling me I have run 316.28 miles over the last 12 months, (yes, RUN!, I've walked and biked some miles too), I am a runner. And I'm loving it!

Time to replace the more-than-10-years-old running shoes!

But the first few weeks of running around our local park, desperate to get to our end point (a STOP sign) nearly a mile away left me red-faced and puffing like a dragon - just in case you're thinking I'm a natural :) But the persistence paid off. If I had not persisted through the early miles, I would not have learned that it takes me about 3 miles to get into my groove. Then I hear whispers of "Run, Forest, Run"....

After I finished our city's Mill Race 5K in September, we went to the finish line of the half and full marathons and cheered the runners on...I must admit I went a little wild and crazy in cheering and shouting for people I had never met, nor have met since. But seeing people - of all ages, shapes and sizes - working hard, putting in the effort and reaching their goal was pretty amazing. And inspired me to do the same.

But as I started building up my distances from 3 miles to 5, 6, then 8 miles, I began wondering what would keep me going for 13.1 miles. And it was obvious - another family in Haiti receiving a Resounding Hope radio. That's what would keep me going another mile, another mile....

Though I had enjoyed the fact that running was my own activity and not work-related, what I do with Radio 4VEH/Resounding Hope is such a part of who I am, and I just can't separate it! So I'm running for Resounding Hope, to raise funds for solar radios tuned to Radio 4VEH to bless families in Haiti.

I started the Resounding Hope initiative a few years ago, and I know these radios are making a huge difference in people's lives in Haiti - reaching people with the Gospel, helping believers grow in their faith, building up the church and serving the people of Haiti in Jesus' name. Others have ridden bikes across the country, made hair bows to sell, had lemonade stands and pancake breakfasts...all to raise funds for Resounding Hope. 

And so I've been putting in the miles (and miles...) through the cold Indiana winter and now stormy spring to be ready for the Indy 500 Mini (Half Marathon) on May 2 and to raise funds for more radios. 

I was determined not to be just a fair-weather runner, though the winter here can
get nasty. I only missed running outside one week because of ice and wind-chill
advisories (frostbite warnings etc), and one week because I pulled a calf muscle.

Can't have too many hats on when it's below freezing! 

Did you know: 

• 4 in 5 people in Haiti live in poverty
• 4 in 5 adults can't read well enough to cope with daily life

So these radios, powered by the sun, help connect often-illiterate, isolated, Voodoo-background households with the Bible in their heart language, with practical farming & health advice, life-saving information when disaster strikes, and friendly voices (like hubby Storly's) to help and encourage them.

My goal is to raise $3,900 to sponsor 65 solar radios - and bless 65 households in Haiti. That's $60 to sponsor one radio and reach a whole household. And 65 radios in honour of Radio 4VEH's 65th Anniversary in June. And thanks to some generous friends, I'm at 73% of my fundraising goal. 

You can help me reach my goal by making a donation of $20, $60, $100, $600 or any amount you can manage. Every little helps! Go to my online fundraising page here: http://org.grouprev.com/katesrunforresoundinghope to make an online donation. 

If you prefer, you can give by check, payable to One Mission Society with "407870-HRKM1 Kate's Run" in the memo line, and mail it to One Mission Society, PO Box 1648, Monument, CO 80132-1648. Your donation is tax-deductible in the US, and you will receive a receipt from One Mission Society. 

If you're in the UK and would like to give, make your cheque payable to One Mission Society, marked for Resounding Hope (Project RESHO) with a note "Kate's Run" and send to:

One Mission Society/OMS UK, 1 Sandileigh Ave, Manchester, M20 3LN Charity No. 245124    Tel: 0161 283 7992

Be sure to let me know so I can mark your donation against my goal on my fundraising page. 

So, what is the Indy Mini? 

• the biggest half-marathon in the USA - about 35,000 participants
• there's nothing mini about running 13.1 miles
• in Indianapolis, the big city nearest us
• it's part of the Indy500 racing car festival
• the route includes a 2.5 mile lap around the Indy500 racetrack at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - woohoo!
• and it's in 19 days - yikes!

Jam-packed, Overflowing: NRB#15

Back in February, Storly and I had a quick, jam-packed, overflowing visit with thousands of fellow Christian communicators at National Religious Broadcasters annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. And it was fabulous! It was my fifth Convention, and it's become one of the highlights of the year.

Why? Because it's a great reminder, a great encouragement and a great time to get better equipped and connected, to strive for excellence in our craft - of communicating the good news of Jesus through media - so that many people will hear the clear and compelling message, and will respond.

It's exciting to meet others in the same 'business', and to hear how God is using different ministries in so many powerful ways.

With the switch of the convention to four weekdays (instead of part-weekend), and our kids needing to be in school, we were really glad that Storly's mom could come from New York and stay with the girls so we could be away for one night, and one whole day (till 2 a.m. the next day!) at the convention.

Though there's a ton of opportunities to go to training seminars and general sessions, our focus at NRB has become meeting with people and ministries we are already, or are working towards collaborating with in some way, whether it's in programming, in promoting 4VEH among potential supporters, in documenting the impact of 4VEH's ministry, in training, in getting resources, equipment, tools to make the ministry more effective. Despite the tight schedule, we crammed in a bunch of meetings, over coffee, lunch, dinner, in between conference sessions and visits to the large exhibition hall.

Always on a tight budget, I don't usually go for any extras, but really loved the women's breakfast event. It was an honor to hear Meriam Ibrahim speak (she was sentenced to death in Sudan for being a Christian, gave birth in prison in shackles, was finally released). She asked us to pray for so many like her around the world who are being persecuted. Inspiring & challenging.

Also loved hearing Janet Parshall (host of weekday program on Moody Radio, In the Market with Janet Parshall, that I listen to a lot) speak about prayer.

We always look out for our friends at Faith Radio, based in Montgomery, Alabama, who in addition to their own local audiences, are partnering with us to bless English-speaking and English-learning listeners in Cap-Haitien through their broadcasts via 4VEH.  Here's us with Billy Irvin, Director of Ministry Relations at Faith Radio, and yes, he is more than a foot taller than me!

And below is the Faith Radio team in action at their booth - always a busy place. Bob Crittenden at the mic, interviewing Joni Eareckson Tada, Wiley Boswell, the engineer (in blue) and Billy.

Then a planning meeting with Ron Harris, president of MEDIAlliance International, who links Christian broadcasters in the United States with those in various places around the world (like us in Haiti) to grow the impact of Christian broadcasting and the Gospel of Christ. We first met Ron a few years ago, and I had the pleasure of hosting him and our good friend Tim Whitehead of Galcom International (who make our solar radios) on an evangelism & radio distribution visit to Haiti in 2011. Ron is helping us at 4VEH host a media training seminar this summer.

And below, taking pictures of people taking pictures of people taking pictures of people taking pictures. Crazy things happens when communicators get together. 

Fantastic to see the good folks at Galcom and MegaVoice (below), doing amazing things with solar, radio and audio technologies so that ministries like us can use reliable, effective tools to deliver the Gospel to people.

We first met Dianne Becker, an award-winning documentary producer, when she came to Haiti accompanied by the fabulous Sharon Mishler, to film for Radio 4VEH. I was in the morning-sickness stages of early pregnancy with Esther, and so didn't get to go out with Dianne :( 

Dianne produced this video for Radio 4VEH, and we're talking with her about documenting the impact of 4VEH ministry again. 

We also picked her brains on a few other things in the visual world, but more on that later.

Storly in the exhibition hall

Then we got to meet another redhead (always a blessing!). Barb Dowling and I have worked together before, but we've never actually met. Barb works with Faith FM in Kitchener, Ontario, and went on a Resounding Hope solar radios trip to Haiti, and shared some great stories on Faith FM on her return. When our family visited the team at Faith FM, Barb was away. So, it was great to meet in person, and to work on plans to share the Resounding Hope initiative again with the Faith FM audience.

And no photos, but we had a great meeting with ministry partners at TWR (Trans World Radio). Always good to share our 'how God moved us to the US' story, how He connected us with TWR (Storly is the Creole producer of TWR's Thru the Bible radio series) and to share needs, plans and dreams for the future at 4VEH.

One of the biggest impressions we've had over the years at NRB is that we go with this list of needs, burdens, things beyond our knowledge/understanding/training/reach, things we need help on, that we're struggling with, and as we talk with people, we hear "we can help you with that". That's the real beauty of gathering thousands of Christian communicators into the same space for a few days, the "we're together in this mission". Powerful stuff.

And on a final note, Storly didn't believe there's a sofa in the ladies restrooms at Gaylord Opryland Convention Center. But there is!