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).

World’s Best Coffee

The movie “Elf” is one of my Christmas favorites; it’s the story about a naïve elf that goes to New York City in search of his father. He is a fish out of water in the big city. I probably enjoy it so much because, as a missionary, I can relate to all his culture shock and the wonder he experiences in his new and strange environment.

In one scene Elf walks by a “hole in the wall” coffee shop with a sign in the window that says “World’s Best Coffee”. He enters the shop applauding and says exuberantly, “You did it! Congratulations! World's best cup of coffee! Great job, everybody! It's great to be here!”

Well, you can tell by the appearance of the diner that it was definitely not the place to find the “World’s Best Cup of Coffee”. Yet it is my experience that sometimes you actually can find the best things in the least likely places.

The best cup of coffee that I ever drank was not from Starbucks. I drank it this past August in the mountains of Haiti in a little wooden church with a tin roof and a dirt floor. We had traveled three hours on incessantly rough roads in the back of a “Tap-tap” which is a Haitian pick-up truck with skinny benches in the truck bed for passengers. The journey was not without adventure. At one point, we were stuck in the mud and the bathroom break not at all conventional. So when we arrived, dirty from the dust on the road, and worn out from the bumpy trail; we were elated to hear that the local church had prepared bread and coffee for us. My response was just as exuberant as the Elf of the movie.

As wonderful as the coffee was for me that day, even more special was the ministry to the children. The church was completely packed. Some of the children found holes in the slats of the walls of the church and looked in from the outside so that they could see the program.

So in this season, when family and friends gather to share a warm cup of coffee with Christmas cookies or Grandma's AMAZING apple pie, I find myself reflecting on the truth in the World's Best Cup of Coffee. It seems that the babe in the manger was just another example of how the best gift of all was found in the most unexpected set of circumstances. After all, it took a whole host of angels to make sure the shepherds would believe the story and a SUPER nova star to guide the three wisemen. So my Christmas wish for today and in the coming year is that we will remember the lesson of the Worlds Best Cup of Coffee, that sometimes the best things in life are found in the least likely places.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

What I (Rennae) want for my 40th Birthday...

What I want for my 40th birthday…

1.A house for Bethesda Home. ( $300,000) Yep. That’s all. But if I got that for my birthday that would be my DREAM COME TRUE. If you wanted to buy me this I wouldn’t ask you for anything else my whole entire life. (at least I would try not to ask you for anything else)

1.UNA CASA PARA HOGAR BETHESDA SOLO CUESTA US$300,000 PERO SI QUIERES COMPRARME ESTO NO VOY A NECESITAR NADA MAS EL RESTO DE MI VIDA.

2.A whole apartment building for Master’s Commission. This might cost a $1,000,000 but the same rule applies here.

2.UN EDIFICIO PARA APARTAMENTOS PARA COMISION DE MAESTRO. LA REGLA DE #1 APLICA AQUI TAMBIEN

3.A ministry van. This is a LOT les expensive folks $50,000. I want a Toyota so that it will last until Jesus comes.

3. UNA GUA-GUA PARA EL MINISTERIO. MUCHO MENOS COSTOSO. VERDAD?

4.An all expense paid trip to New York City with my BFF, Rhonda Gray. We would go see girly musicals like Wicked or Beauty and the Beast. Eat really good food. And buy fake designer purses in the china town. I know that is totally selfish, consumerist and materialistic. Wow but hey a girl can dream. Oh I miss my BFF today!!!

4.QUIERO IR A LA CIUDAD DE NUEVA YORK CON MI MEJOR AMIGA EN EL MUNDO RHONDA GRAY

5.Ok it looks like now this list is getting long. Really I’m not that hard to please. All that I really want is another office chair in my house. You know that kind with wheels. Nelson tells me that we don’t NEED another one. OK so maybe it’s not a need. I just want one. I am tired of fighting over the one chair that all four of us share upstairs.

5.DE VERDAD SOLO QUIERO UNA SILLA DE OFICINA PARA MI CUARTO DE ARRIBA

I could make a long list but I'll just stop there because in reality I have everything I could ever dream of on this day that I am turning 40. I have JESUS. He is my everything and I could not ask for more than everything! As a bonus Jesus gave me an WONDERFUL husband who loves me and four AMAZING BOYS who make my world an exciting adventure. I am also blessed with all my friends and family.

I am so loved and that is a perfect 40th birthday gift. There are too many people in this world who don't have that assurance. They can't say they are loved with an everlasting, not-dependent-on your-mood, not-having-to-earn-it kind of love. For 40 years I have known this love and I will live the rest of my days on this earth making sure that others know this love too.
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If you are seriously interested in helping in any way, small or large, Bethesda home, click here to make a donation online on a secure server. IMPORTANT: ADD CLASS 62 TO MEMO LINE!!!

Rennae & the Bank Robbery

Last Thursday morning, October 29^th, 2009 I woke up with this song in my head. It was a song that I hadn’t heard anyone sing in years AND it was in English. I thought it was odd that it was in my head. I didn’t even sing it out loud because I don’t particularly like the tune. But the words are great. They are taken from the Scriptures “Fear not for I am with you”. I was checking my Facebook and I was just about to write that scripture for a friend who was going to get some medical tests done and something interrupted me and I never wrote the words down. It turned out that the song was not for her. It was for me! The Lord gave me that song!

I had a full day planned for Thursday and it started with going to the bank to pay the credit card bill. We have a Dominican card so that we do not have to carry around a lot of cash. Petty theft is rampant here and we have been robbed at least four times during our missionary career. So we have learned to be careful. I had paid the credit card two days before but came up short and needed more cash. So I had returned to pay it in full. Thank the Lord I would have had over $3000 in cash in my purse had I not paid as much as I could the day before.

As I walked in the bank, I saw a young man who was wearing tattered clothes and had an earring in his ear. Something didn’t seem right. His eyes looked glazed. I never actually processed that this might be a bank robber or that it was unsafe and I should go someplace else. Now that I reflect on this, I really believe that the Holy Spirit was giving me direction and I was too preoccupied with my “to-do” list to pay attention.

Thank the Lord for his grace even when we aren’t listening to the still small voice. I walked up to the counter, took out my wallet and began the payment. I heard some yelling in the background and then I saw that the security guard was on the floor. It seemed unreal and then I looked at the teller with a look like, “huh?” His expression actually gave me peace. He didn’t seem panicked or worried at all. Then the gunman yelled directly at me to get on the ground. I was thinking, “Ok, but let me gather my things here.” Then he waved his gun and said, “Just leave your purse! LEAVE IT! GET ON THE GROUND WITH YOUR FACE TO THE FLOOR!!!” He seemed like he meant it, so I did.

There on that marble floor of the bank Jesus came near to me. I felt his presence SO REAL. Immediately my thoughts turned to my boys and that was too overwhelming. The Spirit directed me just to focus on Jesus and the power of his name. I said “Jesus” out loud over and over in Spanish and in English. I spoke in tongues. I felt the weight of his glory all around me. HE WAS THERE WITH ME, like a weight on top of my back. I can still sense how it felt and it gives me chills because it was supernatural. In the midst of that presence, I had a sense that I would walk out of the bank unharmed. I just knew it. I really cannot tell you how much time passed. It seemed like an eternity.

Finally, a silence fell in the bank and I knew that the robbers must have left. Someone yelled to us to run upstairs to the second floor. The bank personnel began to check to make sure that we were clear and if everyone was safe. One of the tellers came up stairs trembling with tears in her eyes. I ran to hug her. My heart felt for her because she had been threatened directly by the gunman. The other customers were all shaken up but we were all just so grateful it was over. The women had their purses. The men had their wallets. I had nothing. My keys were on the counter! My wallet! My purse!!! Omar, my teller that day ran down to see if anything was left on the counter. He found my keys!!! Praise the Lord! But everything else was gone.

We were then instructed to come downstairs for questioning. Coming down the stairs, I could see that there were already police swarming everywhere. They asked us to wait so that the police could write a report. The other bank customers (there were six of us) were all on their cell phones making phone calls. I watched as they explained to loved ones and felt the relief of speaking to someone that they loved. I didn’t have a cell phone anymore.

A customer who was lying on the floor near me during the robbery asked me, “Were you praying? I thought I heard you praying.”

“Yes!” I responded. “God was with us. I know it! I am sure that is why no one was hurt. He was protecting us!!”

One of the other customers was very kind and handed me her cell phone and I was able to make a call to the office and talk to Sugeily, our administrator at our ministry office. She immediately got a hold of Nelson and LaDawn, a missionary colleague. It wasn’t long and I was able to speak to Nelson and after that I felt like I was able to exhale. Everything was going to be ok. I could breathe again.

It turned out that I was the only customer that had the misfortune of being robbed personally. They did take my purse that had around US $300, my cell phone, an itouch, an ipod, and then just the usual stuff. They asked me to stay and give a police report about the things that were stolen.

The other customers left one by one. But the man who asked me about my prayers came back to me to say “Gracias”. It was a sweet moment. I am convinced that he felt the weight of HIS GLORY too.

I was blessed to be surrounded by friends and family upon my return home. My boys and I shared a very sweet moment together as we prayed and praised God for his mercy & protection upon my life. As my son prayed, he included the thieves in his prayer, asking God to redeem them from the sin that was destroying their lives.

At the end of the day that is why I am here in Dominican Republic. These days the misery of poverty and unemployment, the rise of drugs and the resulting violence only gives me more of a reason to be here. I am here because when you know and love and walk with the POWERFUL PRESENCE of the Almighty God; you want everyone to know and walk with Him. You realize that the only hope for the misery and desperation that I saw in the glazed eyes of the thief at ScotiaBank, is in a real redemption by an authentic Savior.

I have come to understand the power of God’s presence in the moment I needed to know His reality the most. HE is real. His promises are real. His plans are perfect and I TRUST HIM. I TRUST HIM!!! He is worthy to be trusted! And because of HIM, and all that I know about HIM, and the MORE that I know HIM and the deeper that I go with HIM; I ache to know and go more. I cannot stop. Because of HIM. There is no fear, because of HIM and because HE IS WITH ME.

“The best evidence of God’s presence is the devil’s growl.” C. H. Spurgeon

I, for one, am not afraid of the growl.

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.

A Walk in Bonis' White Shoes

Bonis has some nice white shoes. Seriously, I have always admired how white he keeps those shoes walking around here in the Dominican Republic. Bonis is a missionary intern from Castillo del Rey (King's Castle) in Nicaragua. And as a missionary, Bonis is walking the walk of faith in those white shoes. He has come here on a very tight budget and there are days when he doesn’t have a peso to his name. Today was one of those days.

Today he was supposed to come the office and share devotions in our staff meeting. The title of his message was to be “The benefits of obedience”. He walked out the door not sure how he would get to office and praying for God to provide transportation some how, some way. He has been serving in a small town 45 minutes away from our offices, so it was going to be a long walk in those white shoes.

As he walked Bonis contemplated what he would share in devotions. He had hardly walked just a few blocks when a car pulled over. It was someone Bonis had never seen before. Bonis explained to us that it turned out to be a brother who had seen him at an evangelistic event. The brother offered him a ride to the capital.

This morning we were all encouraged; there was not a dry eye in our devotions. We all understood. Every one of us is walking this walk of faith, in one way or another --just without the white shoes.

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.

What the note DIDN'T say...

She ran to me with a little note covered in butterfly stickers and placed it in my hands. "Take this to Julie*. I don’t want her to forget me."

I opened the note knowing that I would have to translate it for Julie. Julie didn’t speak Spanish. Yet even without the benefit of the language she had made a special connection with this little girl. A child who once lived as a slave in a miserable shack before she came to Bethesda Home.

The note read:
To: Julie
From: Alejandra
Julie I love you so much. Thank you for coming to share with us at Bethesda Home. Thank you for the shoes. Julie, I will always remember you. Thank you for coming to share with us. I love you Julie.

Julie
&
Alejandra
Friends Forever

What the note didn't say, but what I know is in her thoughts everyday was this question, “Will Julie remember me?”

Julie came with a team of women from her church and they spent just one week with the Bethesda Home children. That week was a special time for the children as they tremendously enjoy all the attention and mother love. Now, they ask about the ladies all the time and they cherish the photos that we put on the wall to remember our time together. And every time I visit, they ask me if the ladies remember them.

Bethesda Home is a home for abandoned and at-risk children. Some have mothers who are prostitutes and drug addicts; some have been rescued from domestic abuse and slavery. Sister Ketty began this beautiful rescue in 2004 and along with the partnership of her local church and other ministries; she has been able to rent a house for these children. The house that they currently live in is up for sale.

Last Thursday I sat down with Sister Ketty after she called to tell me to pray about a meeting that she was to have with the lawyers representing the house. The owners are now giving us two months to purchase the house or they will be forced to take it back.

So today we find ourselves in anticipation of a REALLY BIG MIRACLE. The owners are asking $250,000. This is a very large home and the PERFECT location for the home. We really do not want to lose this house.

Please pray for Bethesda home and Sister Ketty as we walk this journey toward our miracle. Ask the Holy Spirit how you can be a part and then ACT in FAITH & OBEDIENCE. You will never regret it.

I feel a lot like Alejandra. We were blessed to meet some amazing women on the teams that came to visit but there is that nagging question in the back of my mind. It's what the note didn't say. After the ladies left, “Will they remember Bethesda Home?”

PLEASE consider helping us. You can make a secure online contribution by clicking this link http://tiny.cc/BethesdaHome Please note Project #14261 Class #62 in the comment field.

Or you can send your contribution to:
Assemblies of God World Missions
1445 Boonville Ave
Springfield, MO 65802
Mark your check or money order for project #14261 Bethesda Home Dom. Rep.

*some names have been changed to protect the identity of those involved

World Water Day

In 1992, the UN General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water. The Dominican Republic, like the majority of developing world countries, has serious problems with water supply.

Many people live without running water and for those who do, they must deal with the reality of constant water shortages. Also, like other majority world countries the running water is not potable which results in sickness and disease.

Dealing with this water issues in the country is a part of daily life and our ministry as we work to serve the needs of this country. Yet the issue that is of greatest concern to me is solving the problem of spiritual thirst. Jesus is the real answer to the world’s water problems not digging a well (not to minimize well-digging BRING IT ON!!!) Yet even with contaminated water I have seen God’s people live joyful abundant lives! You see it everywhere in this country. So my passionate quest is to get to the ones in this country who have the least access to living water. And my compassionate actions i.e. well digging and grocery giving, are the tangible demonstration of the eternal, rescuing and thirst quenching message that I am compelled to PROCLAIM.

Friday night I stood in the rain on a street corner with a group of shivering, scantily dressed girls huddled under cardboard boxes. They were there to sell their bodies. We were there to offer them water.

I put my arm around my new friend Luzmely*, three months pregnant holding a saturated piece of cardboard over her head. I asked her if she would trade her piece of cardboard for my umbrella. She smiled at my absurdity, but gladly made the trade.

My friend Rita told the story of the Samaritan woman and her encounter with Jesus. I was amazed at how these girls were totally captivated by the story. As Rita shared, cars stopped at the corner waiting for a girl to come to the car in order to be whisked away into the night. Yet the girls would not move; they wanted to hear the story. Meanwhile, I noticed that one car circled around three times!

It was like Jesus was there with us Friday night just like he was with the Samaritan woman—offering water! As the rain fell on us, we did what Jesus would do, we offered them water, but not contaminated water, not water that is always in short supply. We offered living water. And with all the rain, we all went home drenched, both literally and spiritually!

“Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” --Jesus Christ