Haiti : Day 4

The following is a transcript of my journal entries chronicling the events of my first mission trip (with wife in tow) to Croix Des Bouquets, Haiti:


June 19 / 2014
Day 4, Thursday


Everything about this trip challenges our American mindsets. It is a constant assault on our ideals and values. I cannot help but be grateful for all that we have. Today starts the two day Pastors’ conference and I am personally excited to gauge the spirituality of the Haitian leaders.

During this morning’s devotions I was drawn to Acts 4:13-31. Whatever opposition we encounter today I believe that today will be a manifestation of vs. 29-31; with boldness we go out to extend healing hands with full expectation of signs and wonders for we know our God is with us!

View from the "back" of the pastors conf.

Long services are the norm here - children adapt.

 The Pastors’ conference went well. It was interesting to see the reactions of the people to the differing ministry styles of the team members. Pastor Joel Cisneros empowered the congregation to pray over the U.S. team members. It was a beautiful sound and we could feel their love for us. So far there have been very few negatives, (most are beyond the scope of this writing) save for the horrible bus rides, but that is a reflection of my height more than anything else. We are settling in and becoming more accustomed to the people and the atmosphere.

The beginning of the "dance off".

Local Participant.

The pre-crusade outing this afternoon was eye-opening. Our skits and youth dancers attracted not a little crowd. The standout event for many of us was watching my wife and two other sisters’ minister to a crippled and mute boy. When the father (who we found out was a former believer) brought his broken son to us he could not speak, his limbs were contorted, and the boy had no hope of ever walking. After the ladies prayed and interceded; battling a spirit of infirmity, the boys arms and legs straightened significantly and his tongue was loosed enough to say “Jezi” and “Hallelujah”. The ladies tried having him walk, which he did difficultly with assistance. After seeing the sisters progress; I and Pastor Joe Wentering jumped in and began to pray also. We both noted a sense of spiritual opposition and I attribute that to the “incompleteness” (at least in initial manifestation) of the boys healing, which I found frustrating. Even still, what we all saw today has left us with a profound sense of the forces of darkness that are at work in this nation. Despite our disappointments, we give glory to God for the healing that was received and for the boy’s father (after witnessing these events) re-dedicating his life to Christ. Today Gods people confronted oppressive spiritual forces and we pushed back!

Luther.

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Haiti : Day 3

The following is a transcript of my journal entries chronicling the events of my first mission trip (with wife in tow) to Croix Des Bouquets, Haiti:


June 18 / 2014
Day 3, Wednesday


Slept fairly well which was surprising. I was even able to take a warm shower, which I would later discover is reserved for early risers only. The immersion in this environment has caused me to focus on the task ahead; as such the spirit has brought to my remembrance a particular passage, Matthew 14:22-34. Like Peter, I am so far out of my comfort zone as to be completely out of the boat. It is here in this state that I must stay focused upon Jesus, for if I get too involved in the sensation of walking where I've never walked before, I may be tempted to shift my focus on the prevailing winds – and in doing so sink. As I look around at all of us here, studying the word, praying, journaling in the early hours; we show ourselves devoted. It is devotion to Christ, or better our love for Him that compels us to come to this place, to speak a word of life to a dying nation. I (we) am here, Lord use me!

Street ministry was quite a foreign experience for me. The commotion of the people, the ever present garbage, the sounds and smells was stimulus maximum. Our team did experience some opposition from a few naysayers but nothing that diverted us from our mission. Overall at each location we were well received by the people. Today I witnessed a young woman’s swollen knee be healed. For me this display thrust me back to the cramped dining room where I received a similar healing; my own father laying hands upon my knees, watching the swelling instantly diminish. I was just a young boy then, and like this young Haitian woman the memory of our healing will never be forgotten.

Our afternoon venture led us through one of several “smaller” markets which revealed the sad state of life here. For those in our group that have never been here, I don’t think any of us had expected conditions to be so poor. To our American mindsets these conditions are all but incomprehensible.

Here I had an opportunity to Minister with fellow team members.

The evening crusade was amazing. The people were so hungry and receptive to the gospel message. There were many testimonies of healing after we were released to pray for the people. One of those was a woman with some type of extensive body pain (fibromyalgia?) we (Maranda and I) prayed and saw the fruit of her dancing upon the stage as a testament to the healing power of “Jezi” (Jesus). Seeing God work through us in this way was not only humbling but a great faith booster! The evening found us tired yet eager for tomorrow; if for no other reason than to see what God is going to do next.

Luther.

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Haiti : Day 2

The following is a transcript of my journal entries chronicling the events of my first mission trip (with wife in tow) to Croix Des Bouquets, Haiti:


June 17 / 2014
Day 2, Tuesday


I hate travel. We slept in the airport in Florida, which proved less than accommodating. The best way to describe how I’m feeling is “a grilled cheese sandwich that has been left out” – rubbery and greasy.

We got underway – resumed our security dance and eventually boarded. I caught a glimpse of our very young looking pilot, and given our accelerated ascent I have no doubts that his name badge read “Ramjet R.”, but after an otherwise uneventful flight terminated by a “off-roading in a plane” landing we were in Haiti.

We were greeted by the wonderful sounds of local musicians. With all the fanfare it was impossible not to get caught up in the atmosphere of excitement touched with anticipation. Moving through security was mundane for most, and even for those who did have hindrances, they were minor and summarily resolved. It was here at the entrance of the airport doorway that the gravity of a new land impacted me. Stepping over the threshold – from one world into the next, I was truly in Haiti!

Arrival scenery.

Arrival scenery.

 [10:00am] Fatigue is really kicking my butt. I feel sick and lack of sleep is causing me to exhibit some nervous trembling in my hands. it is becoming increasingly difficult to formulate thoughts and so forsaking any kind of settling in, I attempted to rest. I had felt two familiar hands placed upon me and heard words of comfort before falling asleep. My wife’s prayer really made a difference; even though I was unresponsive I knew the spirit was working through her on my behalf.

One of the "Restroom facilities" we encountered.

Random view from the hotel.

The hotel accommodations are so far below our Americanized standards there really is no basis for comparison. We do have running water, a “mostly” flushing toilet, and an air conditioning when the power was on (our unit was new when president Regan was in office, which turned out to actually work in our favor). Thankful for a few hours of much needed sleep, we ate lunch – which was amazing in its simplicity. Now rested and fed; we spent the remainder of the day fellowshipping with various team members. And concluded the day with the evening meal and a time of “corporate / community” worship and group devotions.

Luther.

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Haiti : Day 1

The following is a transcript of my journal entries chronicling the events of my first mission trip (with wife in tow) to Croix Des Bouquets, Haiti:


June 16 / 2014
Day 1, Monday


We arrived at the airport around 3:45 pm, met the team, and begun the slow waltz of navigating airport security. Still nervous about the flight; I’m consoling myself with the idea that if something happens, I’m doing God’s work and somehow that should earn some “holy brownie points” enough to enter those pearly gates, (as if a works based faith model actually had merit). And if the plane falls out of the sky, bursts into flames, or is suddenly infested by snakes; my memory will live on in infamy – at least for the several weeks of news coverage; so much for consolation.

I thought moving out of my comfort zone would be easier to handle, somehow more comfortable, but that really doesn't work does it. So as I prepare to ride in the ominous steel tube to a place I do not know, I am reminded of all the times that I faced strange new worlds of experience and the Lord saw me through. I have every expectation that this time will be no different. Yet again it’s time to put my personal faith to the test, to see if I really believe what I claim to.

[11:38 pm] Touch down. Despite my apprehension the flight was uneventful save for the cramped quarters. My fears now proving to be unwarranted, it is now time to settle in for our 8+ hour layover. Sleeping in any nook and cranny that we could secure for ourselves we found little relief for our weariness. It’s curious that I find my concern for my wife’s needs and comfort somehow bleeding over to the other ladies in the group. It seems that those who cannot rest should serve. Either that or some resident compassion deep within is beginning to stir. But for the sake of appearances we will assume the former.

Luther.

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“The spiritual voyeur”.

1 John 2:16 HCSB
“For everything that belongs to the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in ones lifestyle – is not from the Father, but is from the world”.


If I were asked why I refrain from sharing every spiritual experience, every encounter with the spirit of the sovereign creator; I would respond in this manner. I would compare to a man whom upon making love to his wife, shares every detail with any who would give ear. This man is justified in that it is entirely appropriate for a married couple to engage in intimacy. Yet to share those details shatters the holiness and sanctity of that act.

To believers this idea is no doubt highly offensive. Yet how many of us will go to great lengths to posture ourselves as spiritual people. We take great pains to ensure that all know the number and magnitude of our spiritual encounters. To me this is tantamount to “spiritual pornography” in that we strip ourselves of the covering of holiness and intimacy and with fleshly pride we put on a performance of our spiritual prowess.

There may be times when it is right and good to share what God is doing and has done in our lives. But we need not reveal those special intimate times when our Lord speaks to our heart, those times when “The lover” whispers into the deep recesses of our soul.

I believe that some things are better treasured in the mystery of silence; it is enough to say that we have been intimate with our Lord; the details of these interactions should be pondered in our hearts and withheld from the desirous gaze of foreign eyes.

Luther.