Prayer Meetings are a Waste of Time???

They all live in tin shacks with dusty dirt floors. Some of them do not own shoes. Big sister helps little sister fold her hands to pray. And in this moment where the children of this small Haitian village take a moment to connect with the Heavenly Father, some will trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior, others are praying to be healed of sickness, still others pray for their next meal. It just warms your heart to see this picture of the simplicity of turning our thoughts and attention to Creator God in beautiful conversation. We call it prayer.

And just yesterday I was sent a blog post, written by an American Pastor, “Why Prayer Meetings are a Waste of Time.” The post makes the claim that people pray so that they can feel better when something tragic happens, such as last week’s Boston bombing,  and that this is not the purpose of prayer. Though the blogger makes some good points, and certainly the title was all about shock value, still, I was saddened by the Pastor’s disillusionment with prayer and church prayer meetings. 

We could spend some time here doing in-depth studies and theological evaluations about the purpose of prayer, but as I ponder the sweetness and simplicity of these two sisters, I am so glad that when we are at the end of our resources, when I cannot solve the problem of hunger and poverty on this island, we can pray. And, we can teach our children to pray. And when the adults fail, and the government fails, and life is hard, and sickness is scary, and earthquakes happen, and sin is real, there is a Savior. A Savior that you can know, and experience, and talk to, every day in prayer. 

Prayer is wonderful all by yourself but oh the sweetness when you are weak, and not even able to connect your brain cells together, much less fold your hands, and there is that sister and those brothers around you and you come together to pray. I don’t think that this could ever be a waste of time. 

Just ask the shoeless sisters. 

(This photo was shot by our Missionary Associate, Alex Rousonelos  at a King's Castle outreach in Haiti, with Engage Dominican Republic students, Dominican missionaries Miguel & Mairelys Ovalle and Hidekel King and Haitian King's Castle warriors) 

What the Earthquake Destroyed

On January 12th our island was shaken by an earthquake that caused the destruction of the principal city of Port-Au-Prince. Since that time your television set, newspaper, internet and email inbox have been filled with images and words describing the horrific results of this kind of destruction. To see the rubble, the blood-stained clothes of impoverished children and watch the desperation of a mother in the aftermath of this event is gut-wrenching from across the ocean but to experience it with the people of this island has been indescribable.

Three days after the earthquake Nelson loaded up supplies and left in the middle of the night with a group of colleagues to reach Miguel Ovalle, a Dominican missionary who lives with his family in Port-au- Prince. He was able to see and experience first hand what the earthquake destroyed. He saw the buildings, the roads, the vehicles and the wounded. He wept at the sight and sounds of such tragedy. Then there was that glimmer of light in the midst of such black darkness. It was something else that the earthquake destroyed.

The seismic phenomenon had begun the break down of the division that kept these two nations on one piece of land so separate. For the first time in history Haiti was dependent on supplies and relief that could only come to them by crossing the border. A border that represented years of racial hatred, prejudice and pain. The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the same piece of land in the Caribbean and they also share a difficult history. The history between these two countries is a road stained with conflict, racial prejudice and hatred. The result is a border that separates the languages, the culture, the sport, religious tradition but most tragically, the people.

Yet, since that tragedy of Jan 12, the separation has been diminished. Something is changing in the culture. Dominicans are responding, both in the church and secular organizations. The grocery stores have places to receive donations. Our church leaders have met and ministered to Haitian church leaders. God is at work. Many have responded. Maybe YOU have responded. Some have sent a monatary gifts, others were able to donate tangible items and others have volunteered time and expertise.

As we look to the future of this island we can see something else in the rubble. Doubt has been destroyed by the earthquake. No longer will we see Haiti as a barren wasteland with no hope of a brighter future. The world's response to this tragedy has taken away our doubting. There are so many dreams being born in the debris. But as we dream was see the greatest hope in the children.

The future will be built by the youth and children of this nation. It is our passion to reach them with the only true hope for Haiti found in the Gospel. For we are convinced that with the redeeming power of the Gospel is power to transform this nation. With the Gospel comes wisdom, integrity, and the principles of the Kingdom of God that not only give us a hope for our eternal destiny but make a difference in the here and now. And because of the Gospel we have a true hope that is rising from the rubble of what the earthquake destroyed.

"For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace." Colossians 1:5,6

January 14 2010

Tuesday our house shook. At the moment, we laughed thinking ..."that was weird". Then I got the feeling in the pit of my stomach. I said to my friends "Somewhere this could be REALLY bad". The Dominican Republic suffered a little shake and we are enormously grateful that all is well here. It turned out that this was worse than bad for our neighbors in Haiti.

Here's what we know:

We know that our US Assemblies of God and Dominican missionary families in Haiti are safe. They are already in the midst of disaster response. Communication, however is extremely difficult.

WHAT WE ARE DOING:

First and foremost, we are praying fervently for the nation of Haiti and for our missionaries there. That God would give them strength and wisdom and keep them safe as they begin to respond to the overwhelming needs amidst the destruction. And we pray that the people of Haiti turn to the Lord in their time of need.

Second, we are ready to respond in whatever way we can. We await communication with our missionary colleagues there as to how we best can assist at this time. Already there a plans underway for a caravan to be leaving for Haiti tomorrow. Our Dominican Republic A/G executives are meeting today to see how best to respond as well. Pray for God’s anointing and direction on all parties involved.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Pray with us! Pray for Nelson, as just last week he was named missionary representative to the National A/G in Dominican Republic. This is an enormous responsibility in a time of disaster response.

You can help us respond by sending an offering to our missionary account. Nelson will be driving to Haiti, taking supplies, buying supplies, & covering expenses for this kind of immediate response. We DESPERATELY need your help to cover these surprise expenses. Our account has suffered greatly from this past year's recession and your offering would be greatly appreciated. Click on this link http://tiny.cc/haiti_help and add Class 46 (for disaster relief) to the comment box.

You can also respond by giving to a relief fund that will provide aid through Convoy of Hope. You can give online at www.ag.org by clicking the Haitian Relief button or sending your donation to Assemblies of God World Missions, PO Box 2020, Springfield MO 65802, marked AGWM/COH Disaster Relief 410946-8 (70).

The Dirt Cookie

Yes, I am still writing about our trip to Haiti. There was so much to share and so much that I never want to forget...

We drove into Citi Soleil as Pastor Miguel shared with us the sad and difficult history. It is known as the poorest and most violent ghettos in the Western Hemisphere. Bullet holes decorate the walls of the shantytown shacks and buildings. The children run around naked with bloated bellies. The sadness is so real that it is almost tangible in the atmosphere.

Until we arrive at church. The people are gathered early in the morning. The sweet smile of my Haitian sister greets me at the door. She is beautiful in the midst of the misery of poverty. Her dress is bright green and freshly pressed. Her eyes dance with the joy of the Holy Ghost and I can see that there is no misery too deep that cannot be redeemed.

The children filled the church and we played and sang together. We painted their faces with butterflies and hearts and then someone said, “Jesus--here on my forehead”. JEZI-- of course!!! Then they all wanted JEZI. Red, yellow, black and white, in big letters we painted JEZI!!! As I painted, I prayed “this one is yours Jesus all the days of her life. This one is to be redeemed, rescued by the all-powerful, no violence-too-violent, no-suffering-too severe, no-poverty-too-painful ONE and only REDEEMER. “

When I was in language school, I remember so well when Doug Peterson, our Area Director at the time, taught about what he called “redemption and lift”. I have later learned that this is actually a term coined by social scientists. Historically, repentance and conversion, not social programs, have been the only effective solution for a myriad of problems such as child abuse, child exploitation, poor working conditions, low incomes, high unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse and teen pregnancy. God helps a father to stop drinking and start working; as a result he has more money to provide for the family, he becomes a leader in the church. He is faithful to his wife. He is a good father to his children. His life takes on real meaning.

I have seen the reality of “redemption and lift” over and over again here in the Dominican Republic but never did it feel so true, so authentic as it did in that little wooden church in Citi Soleil.

As we drove away from the sadness and the beauty, Pastor Miguel stopped to purchase something that was being sold on the side of the road in that ghetto. We didn’t know what it was. It turned out to be a perfect representation of both sadness and beauty.

Our last night together in Haiti, we decided to celebrate communion with our missionary host Pastor Miguel and Mairelys. He brought out the strangest piece of “bread”. It looked more like clay than bread. He broke it up and gave each of us a piece.
Then Miguel talked to us about the moment when Jesus broke bread with his disciples, future world changers, just like us. He said that it must have been a difficult moment, as he knew what was to come. Jesus knew that He would soon take upon himself the bitterness of the sin of the whole world. Then Miguel read the scripture and we ate the bread together. An incredibly bitter taste filled my mouth. It was pasty and hard to swallow, a taste that lingered and was difficult to remove from your teeth and tongue.

Miguel explained to us that this was a “dirt” cookie that he bought in Citi Soleil for just a few cents a piece. He told us that many Haitian children survive on eating these “dirt” cookies that are made of mud and lard. It represented to us the terrible reality of poverty that is a result of sin in this world. Tears poured down all of our cheeks, as we together had tasted this reality in more ways than one and that taste would not be easily removed from our memories or our hearts.

Still, the sadness was quickly displaced by the joy of knowing that this bread and the juice that we shared together were the symbols of the very real REDEMPTION that we encountered in Citi Soleil. Because even in Citi Soleil, there was no misery too enormous that can eradicate hope that comes from our resurrected Christ and His saving work.

Viv Jezi!!!
Jesus Lives!!!

I have always said that this blog was more about never forgetting all the amazing works of our missionary God than it was about writing for an audience. I am always amazed when I find out that someone actually reads this stuff. I have always needed a place to put down the details of every story of grace, every miracle big and small, and a place to express this enormous gratitude that fills my heart because of this privelege that I have to serve HIM. So that being said there is at least one more story about Haiti to come.

Day 1 continued-- Beautiful Feet

It wasn't long before the men of the village pulled together some corn from the crop that was growing on the mountain. They made a fire with the old husks, and cooked us some corn. Some of it even popped up like popcorn! It was dry and not very sweet, most likely due to the scarcity of water in the region. The sweetness of this corn was really found in the act of sharing. We had brought goodies for them, but they also gave of what they had to us. On this side of the island, we have erroneously believed that Haiti is full of people that always take, and never give.


We then gathered together in the church, and Pastor Samuel told the story of the rich man and Lazarus found in Luke 16. He must have been an amazing storyteller because the people were mesmerized, and the children were completely quiet. We did a program, and a prayer tunnel. We prayed for everyone on that mountain. It took awhile; I think we counted over 200 people squeezed in the little church.

Among those 200 people I saw a woman who was wearing a familiar shirt. I took a second look, and realized it was the same shirt that was given to my boys when we visited Life Church in Roanoke, VA. Now, this was amazing to me because we were really in a remote place. How did that shirt get to somebody way up on this mountain? I asked Pastor Samuel. He was not nearly as amazed, and I loved his answer:

“Sister Rennae, you say that shirt was from an Assemblies of God church. Well this church is an Assemblies of God church, and we are all one family. Pastor Bill (Bill Smith, our AGWM missionary) is always giving us donations to take up the mountain. We load up our back packs and mules, and bring whatever he gives us.”

Each of the kids received cookies, a pair of flip-flops, and the Book of Hope. They were thrilled! Then we began our walk down the mountain. As we walked, some of the children followed, holding our hands to keep us from falling. It was steep going down! I noticed that my little traveling companion had no shoes. Flip-flops would be useless for going down this mountain. I had been regretting the whole day that I was doing this hike in converse tennis shoes knowing that I had a perfect pair of hiking shoes in my closet. My regret quickly turned to gratefulness for my undeserved abundance.



Coming down the mountain we took time to stop and eat our lunch. Granted, it was about 4:00 pm, but there was no way that we could have eaten while at the church with people who had such need. We had brought a few extra sandwiches, but our traveling friends were more than we expected. So we prayed for the multiplication of bread, and God supplied the need. The funny thing was, that just like there were leftovers in the story of the Gospels, we also ended up with leftover sandwiches!!!

Coming down the mountain, I looked around at my tired, smelly, and filthy team. Our shoes were dirty from the hard climb. But one thing is for sure, our feet were BEAUTIFUL!

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Isaiah 52:7

Day 1 Walking and Singing Together...

"If you want to walk fast, walk alone; if you want to walk far, walk together." African Proverb

During our training days I shared this African proverb with the warriors. We talked about how missions requires partnership. In order for us to go to the ends of the earth we would have to be committed to the long walk TOGETHER. Little did I know that we would LITERALLY be walking far together during our trip to Haiti.

Pastor Miguel told us that we would have to be up early the next day (4:00 AM) because we would be traveling far into the mountains. He was taking us to a place called Pino that no foreign team, American or any other country for that matter, had ever been. He said that even the UN had not visited this place because it was so remote. For places like Pino, humanitarian supplies are dropped from helicopters. We drove up in a tap-tap (a converted pick-up truck that holds passengers in the truck bed on small benches) and met Pastor Samuel and his wife along the way. Pastor Samuel pastors an A/G church in Port –a- Prince that planted this church in Pino. It is the only evangelical church for these mountain people. Pastor Samuel’s church also sponsors the children to go to school right there in the church. It was a two-hour drive up through the mountains to get to the bottom of the Pino Mountain.

Our wonderful missionary host, Miguel Ovalle, kind of left out a detail when he told us that we would be walking three hours to this remote community. He neglected to mention that we would be climbing a mountain. As we climbed this mountain it became very clear as to why we were the first foreigners to visit Pino. It was a STEEP desert mountain filled with cactus. We had one mule that carried our water and our puppet stage and then each of us had a backpack full of ministry supplies like cookies and candy, copies of the Book of Hope, our lunch and a big bottle of water.

As we gathered ourselves together at the bottom of Pino we saw a group of women and children washing clothes and filling buckets with water. This was the river that served the mountain people. This was the only water that they had access to. From this river we walked three hours to get to the community where the Pino Assemblies of God church was located. I snapped a picture of the children with buckets of water on their head; amazed at their ability, and also struck by the harsh reality of their daily lives.

We walked together Dominican missionaries with American missionaries, Haitian pastors, Dominican Castle warriors and Haitian castle warriors and as we walked we shared. We learned Creole along the way. We laughed together. We learned together. Pastor Samuel showed us the Voo-Doo witchdoctor houses. He showed us trees with Voo-doo symbols and he reminded us that this was the ONLY church in these mountains while Voo-doo places ofworship are scattered throughout the mountains.

Voo-Doo temple that we saw as we climbed the mountain

Pino Assemblies of God Church

When we finally made it to the top of the mountain we were greeted by the community of believers that was waiting for us at the church. The humble church was made with wooden poles and palm leaves for the siding. The roof was made of tin; the floor was a dirt floor with small wooden benches. (My friend Shirley, who used to be a missionary to Haiti, calls them "cut-your-butt" benches, which is a much better description)

Upon our arrival Pastor Samuel gathered us all together on that mountaintop standing outside of the church with the mountain views all around us. He said “Let us give thanks to the Lord for bringing us safely”. We expected him to begin with a prayer but instead he began to sing. The words were strange to us in Creole but the tune was well-known by all who were gathered on that mountain. He sang “How Great Thou Art” and as he sang I heard my beloved Dominicans join in “Mi Corazon entona la cancion, cuan grande es El…” It was overwhelming. Tears filled my eyes because I knew that I was in the middle of the most beautiful moment. It was as though the complicated political, cultural border that divided these two countries was magnificently erased by the beauty and greatness of the God who had brought us together.

Check back again for more of Day 1.

Getting rid of my shades…

Ninoska, a Castle Warrior and I at the border about to cross into Haiti

For sixteen years I have lived, worked, and loved this island that is known as Quisqueya. Our work has been on the Dominican side and it was only this past week that I finally was able to cross to the Haitian side. Going to the other side was an amazing experience that has enriched my life tremendously and changed everything that I ever believed about Haiti.

The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the same piece of land in the Caribbean and they also share a difficult history. The history between these two countries is a road stained with conflict, racial prejudice and hatred. The result is a border that separates the languages, the culture, the sport, religious tradition but most tragically, the people. Everything that I ever understood about Haiti until this past week I understood with a Dominican understanding. It was like I was looking across the border with a pair of tinted glasses. I was close enough to see Haiti but my view was darkened by those Dominican shades.

I could see Haiti because so much of Haiti is here. There are Haitian Beteyes (Haitian communities usually for the purpose of farming) where we have been active in ministry for years. There is the history of independence from Haiti. Dominicans celebrate independence from Haiti. Independence was won in this city, Santo Domingo and my children have studied in a Dominican school. I have visited the monuments and sang the songs of liberty. My neighbors across the street are Haitian and I have missionary colleagues that plant churches among the Haitian community. Haiti has always been here, but I have never been to Haiti.

Last week, we took a team of Dominicans (Kings Castle warriors) to work with our missionary Miguel and Mairelys Ovalle in Port-a-Prince. Miguel has been a part of Castle practically from the beginning of Castle here in the DR. He and his wife are THE ONLY Dominican missionaries the LIVE FULL TIME in Haiti. They are giving their lives to reach the children of Haiti and that speaks volumes to the Haitian church.

If you could hear each story you would find that each of the Dominican Castle warriors would tell you about someone in their lives who did not understand why they wanted to go to Haiti. Someone who did not think it was worth the money to be spent on one week in a place of so much hopelessness. But this is a group of warriors they have heard the call to go to the other side and together we took off the shades of our understanding and got to see Haiti in a whole new light.

Praise and More Praise

Praise!

We just came back from a short trip to Dallas, Texas for a convention with the men and women who work with Construction, Planning and Development for overseas projects in the Assemblies of God(formerly MAPS department). We were so thrilled that this year our project was chosen as the focus project for CP&D. At this convention, they were raising funds for our CIMA del Rey ministry training center project and also recruiting teams to be help us build on the property.

The result of this amazing weekend is nothing short of a miracle. The final total came to $220,000 in cash offerings and pledges!!! Most of this will go towards the construction and development of buildings on CIMA del Rey, but also $42,000 was raised in pledges to help pay off the purchase of the property. We are so excited!!! This is a HUGE blessing and relief. If this all comes in, we are basically finished with raising the purchase funds.

Now we are working on raising the development funds. We are already working on the plans for the dorms and dining hall. At the convention, 13 teams made plans to help us with construction, but we are hoping to find 37 more teams in order to complete all the buildings.

It is impossible for us to doubt for even a moment that God has His hand on this project. We are praising the Lord for his amazing provision. It is so wonderful to be a part of what God is doing and to be where He is working. In this faith journey to purchase this property, we are so grateful to all of you who have prayed and given offerings to make this miracle possible.

More Praise!

So Nelson jumped off an airplane and less than 24 hours later Nelson is on a bus headed to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He spoke to the national conference of Assemblies of God Pastors about the importance of reaching the youth and children. Nelson was accompanied by Miguel and Maireny Ovalle. This young Dominican couple have a call on their lives to the children of Haiti. They are presently missionary candidates raising funds in our churches here in the DR to live in Haiti as missionaries. They were among some of our first King's Castle warriors.

It was exciting for Nelson to work with Miguel as they were asked to minister to a group of youth leaders that came to the conference. For the first time the Haitian church is organizing youth and children’s ministries within their churches. Nelson was thrilled to cast vision for these ministries among the youth leaders.This was an amazing opportunity.

It would bore you to elaborate on all the details that have demonstrated that the kingdoms of darkness were opposed to this trip. We believe that this was a momentous time for the Assemblies of God in Haiti and Dominican Republic. We know that as we see the racial, social and cultural barriers broken down between these countries there will be no obstacle to the MAJOR SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION in BOTH countries. The final night the Haitian church presented our young Dominican missionary, Miguel with a beautiful Haitian painting. The Superintendent shared that the painting should serve to symbolize a pact unity and service and between the two countries.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Praise report from Haiti Trip!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR HAITI!!!

It is such a blessing to share with you this incredible praise report from our missions team that just returned from Haiti. Because of your prayers they crossed the border into Haiti and stayed in Cape Haitian, one of the principle cities in the interior of the country. This was a twelve hour rigorous trip that included crossing the so-called dangerous border zone and traveling the un-paved, difficult dirt roads through Haiti’s country side.

We fought so much opposition to make this trip happen. The main opposition was the fear of violence in Haiti. Because of the tension between the DR and Haiti, Haiti is a pretty dangerous place for Dominicans. The newspapers are always reporting of Dominicans killed in Haiti. We prayed and the Holy Spirit gave us clear direction that we were to make this trip and that we would be under His covering and protection. Our team named their trip “Vida por Vida” (A life for a life) and signed a pact that stated they would give their life for the gospel. They understood the cost.

Well the newspapers may report the bad news between Haiti and DR, but we have some good news to report!! (I have goose bumps even as I write this blog) Hear are the headlines!

1. Dominican Kings Castle Warriors Reach 2,638 Haitians with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The outreaches took place in Cape Haitian, a city known as the Voo-Doo capital of the World.
2. 149 Haitians made the decision to follow Christ!
3. Dominican Warriors experience SUPERNATURAL security! Amidst the volatile atmosphere of political elections season, our team was NEVER in any threatening situation!
4. Venezuelan missionary family catches the Kings Castle vision! The Sirit family is an Assembly of God missionary family sent by the Venezuelan A/G churches. They have been ministering in Haiti for four years. Their teenage children translated for our team and also were mightily used by God. Brother Sirit told us, “Just the fact that the team crossed the border to come visit us was a blessing enough. We never could imagine that we would receive so much from this small group of young people!”
5. Warriors make plans to birth Kings Castle evangelism teams in Haiti.
6. Speed-the Light Van makes it ALL THE WAY to Cape Haitian and back with out a problem. Miraculously NO FLAT TIRES!! Our Van was filled with bags of food sent in by Convoy of Hope, clothing donated by warriors and their families, and school supplies donated by local Castle teams.

“But I tell you, look around you,
and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting.”
John 4:35
When Jesus spoke these words, he was standing in Samaria. The usual Jewish view of Samaria at that time was that it were no more than a vacant lot, filled with rubble. Jesus removed the blinders of prejudice from their eyes, to help them see a flourishing harvest field. Haiti is our Samaria. Jesus is adjusting our vision too, and the five warriors that came back from the Voo-Doo capital of the world have white fields shining in their eyes.

Thanks for being a part through your prayers and faithful support. This all started on the mountain of CIMA del Rey (our Caribbean Institute for Missions Advancement) where we prayed and caught of vision of these Haitian fields ripe for harvest. Some of you have sacrificially given offerings to help us pay for CIMA. Others of you have been standing with us all these years with faith promises, and intercessory prayers. And still others that are reading this have stood on Dominican fields (a lot of them baseball fields), put their hand in a puppet and joined us in preaching the Gospel. There are a few of you the have white fields in your eyes because our missionary vision here is so contagious. I know whatever your role in this great big missionary endeavor, all of you are rejoicing with us as we celebrate the work of the Lord of the harvest!