In the EVERYDAY of it! Part ONE

God is 'in the EVERYDAY of it!  As you read this passage, speak aloud the second part of each verse.... His steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136: 1-16, 23-26   NIV

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods. His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully. His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who place the earth among the waters. His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights-- His steadfast love endures forever.

the sun to rule the day, His steadfast love endures forever.

and the moon and stars to rule the night. His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt. His steadfast love endures forever.

He brought Israel out of Egypt. His steadfast love endures forever.

He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm. His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea. His steadfast love endures forever.

He led Israel safely through, His steadfast love endures forever.

but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness. His steadfast love endures forever.

He remembered us in our weakness. His steadfast love endures forever.

He saved us from our enemies. His steadfast love endures forever.

He gives food to every living thing. His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His steadfast love endures forever.

God is in the EVERYDAY of it with us. No matter who you are, where you live, what you do...      GOD IS THERE WITH YOU! His steadfast love endures forever.

The everyday may look different in your part of the world. I hope you can imagine a bit of the everyday that is experienced here at this time in Haiti's challenging history. 

Christmas time in Haiti is a time where those that practice VooDoo work to combat the celebrations of Christ's birth. Since December 22, we have had ALL NIGHT voodoo 'celebrations' going on down the road from MH Campus. ALL NIGHT music each night. 

This is a voodoo sacrifice area in a local cemetery

This year it seems to be more so pre-recorded music rather than live drumming and singing. From the time it gets dark, which is about 5:30 PM at this time of year, to past 6:00 AM, the music 'fills the air'. It is kind of odd what one can get used to... One night, I WOKE UP... when the music stopped for just a few minutes!!

There are people fleeing the city of Port au Prince because of the gang violence that continues. I saw on the road recently... a 'moving van'... two OXEN with a cart! 

Also during this time with the gas crisis, gas continues to be sold on the street out of plastic jugs rather than at the pump where the price can be stable, the term 'Mache Nwa' is used... Black Market. A recent sighting... a gas station with an estimated 50 vehicles and 200 motorcycles lined up, waiting, hoping to buy a few gallons of gas at a reasonable price. I think the waiting continues. 

Currently on the 'Black Market',  gas is almost $12 US per gallon. Because gas is so expensive, the people that provide transportation of goods and people for hire load their vehicles to the brim and overflowing. On a recent trip to Cap Haitien I would estimate seeing 15 vehicles broken down on the road with flat tires. TOO MUCH being carried on a road that really shouldn't be called a ROAD. 

And not just vehicles are overloaded... Motorcycles are pushing the limits terribly. 

Yes, there is a motorcycle under all of this load. You can see the driver and only one passenger.

There are moments I could think, 'this could be the most spectacular of circus entertainment or the most death defying feat of an Evil Knievel stunt' BUT here it is in the everyday of it. Picture a motorcycle carrying a load of large sacks bursting at the seams, tied crossways on the seat, hanging low over the right and left and piled high. THEN a woman sitting on TOP of the load. Probably seated at the height of the motorcycle drivers shoulders. Just in the  everyday of it.

Another spectacular moto feat... FIVE 55-gallon drums, granted they were empty, but the mass of it alone... one was lengthwise secured to the seat with 2 drums upright on the right and 2 on the left. I saw a public transport '18 passenger' van carrying four drums on its roof and that was a full load. On the road home from Cap Haitien there was a moto... driver with a large piece of luggage balanced on the gas tank and handlebars in front of him, with 3 passengers each with some bags of their own
AND a large suitcase tied behind the last person. And this also is on the road that really can't be called a road. Three passengers plus the driver is the norm. The limits are being pushed even more. We are beginning to see four passengers plus the driver. More passengers bring more fare to pay the price of the 'Black Market' gas. 

This road that can't be called a road has the remains of one 18-wheeled semi and one gas tanker truck that have slid off the road down into the ravine below in the recent weeks.

EVERYTHING is more expensive including building materials. Another in the everyday of it sighting... a TIN CHURCH. I was with MH depot manager, Yves Garard at the time. He said, "Tol anle, tol anba. Bo midi li tankou yon fou!"... Tin on top, tin on the sides, by noon it would be like an oven inside!

The reason for the trip to Cap Haitien was to purchase supplies to stock the new MH school kitchen that will be in use after the Christmas holiday school vacation. 

This was one merchants display in the market area. A masterpiece display.

This is what we purchased for the school kitchen.

What is in the news concerning Haiti is always what's reported from Port au Prince where nearly half of the Haitian population live. I read an article that said the people aren't living, they are trying to survive as they are essentially being held HOSTAGE in their own homes. The whole journey to Cap Haitien, there was no trouble, no sign of trouble. I can say the same for Hinche which is just 15 miles from Pignon as well as Mirebalais which is 2 hours south of Pignon. No trouble, no sign of trouble. We are still cautious. 

While traveling, the thought that was in my mind... how could every person from Port au Prince just abandon the city and reside elsewhere because it seems many other places in the country desire to continue to try to LIVE and not be held hostage in their own land... DISSOLVE the city, leave the city to the gangs in the everyday of it and move on. I am not looking for this to ever happen BUT with GOD nothing is impossible in the everyday of it! 

On Christmas Day, Yves, MH depot manager, and I delivered some gifts of food, packaged in pillow cases, in a nearby community. The people we had on our list were not aware we were coming with a gift. As much as the families were blessed with the gift of food, so were Yves and I blessed by being able to share the LOVE of JESUS in the everyday of it. One old woman shed tears of JOY as she realized the surprise God had for her on this Christmas day. She took Yves' hand and held it to her stomach for him to 'feel' her hunger. She said she had nothing and wondered where her next day's food would come from. We talked with her that this was GOD's PLAN that she would receive the gift. 

Many of the recipients have a relationship with MH already. Two of the recipients have houses that were part of MH Safe Homes building program. One is a mobility cart recipient. One food recipient HOPES to get a mobility cart. One was listening to an Audio Bible given by MH. 

Madam Richardson with her Audio bible. She says she can't sleep without it!

Another recipient of the gift of food, an old man named Annidas, who in the past has made charcoal which he has sold to MH. Yves purchases charcoal that is used to cook the daily First Thousand Days and school meals. Yves has talked to Annidas on many occasions about accepting Jesus as his SAVIOR. During our visit, Yves again encouraged Annidas to come to know Jesus as his Savior. The response from Annidas, 'no, not now.' We are in the everyday of it. Yves will speak with Annidas AGAIN. It is all God's Plan. Below is Yves praying for Annidas, thanking God for providing!

Yves praying for Annidas

Everyday there is beauty in the sea and the sky that surround this tropical island

The country of Haiti is part of a beautiful tropical island BUT nothing is easy, nothing is convenient, nothing is comfortable. There is MUD in the everyday of it during half the year and there is intense DUST in the everyday of it the other half of the year. One recent morning in our MH staff devotions the staff was encouraged in the everyday of it... "Take on the MUD with courage - put BOOTS on your feet - push your wheelbarrow with COURAGE!" 

This pile of dust is the fine dust brushed off the screen door 

Just in the everyday of it!

Most transportation trucks and busses have an expression adhered on the windshield. One truck windshield says, "Pa gen Kanara san deze", "There is no Canaan, Promised Land, without the desert". This is such a solid reminder that in the EVERYDAY of it, we will experience trials, challenges, suffering.  We must have time in the desert before we can experience "The Promised Land of Canaan!"

Remember to speak aloud... often...  His steadfast love endures forever.

Wishing you a New Year filled with Blessings beyond measure. We hope you will await Part 2 of 'In the Everyday of it'

Janette has a bigger mission than her cancer....

This story began on January 28, 2021 when I was waved down while on the main road close to the community where we live. Wilgens, a moto taxi driver, asked if it were possible to pray with his wife Janette who was having some ongoing health problems. I knew Jean Rubert, the MH mobility cart chaplain, was the one to accompany me for this this encounter of prayer because he SO believes in the power of healing through prayer. I mean, ya know, we believe it can happen but Jean Rubert expects it!

On February 3, 2021 we met Janette, learned of her health issues and began supporting her with prayer. 

At this time, several American prayer warriors were commissioned to support Janette in prayer across the ocean. Our God is THIS big! that an ocean is nothing by way of a barrier.

On March 26, 2021 the MH Benevolence Committee met to discuss what MH might offer in the form of investigating what her medical needs were. Experiencing extreme pain, Janette started a two week stay at the hospital in Mirebalais on April 4, 2021. After tests, x-rays, and a biopsy, the doctor encouraged Janette on April 26 to keep a positive attitude. The next thing, the doctor asked,"Ou konn priye?" Basically asking, "Do you believe in prayer?"

This was the beginning of lots of waiting, requiring lots of patience, and practicing lots of prayer. There were follow up appointments made for May 31 and July 15. 

Janette's diagnosis was breast cancer that had spread to her lungs, her bones, and most likely her spinal column. Chemotherapy is available at the Mirebalais hospital and after much prayer and consideration by Janette and her husband and with the assistance of MH, treatments were scheduled for every 21 days in Mirebalais. 

God had already begun to use Janette and her story, even through her pain, to be a balm to others. This along with her the testimony of her unwavering faith was making its IMPACT on many lives. 

For us in the US, we often need the reminder that our circumstance shouldn't be an excuse to be a witness to others. God can use YOU and ME! Also we sometimes forget what real suffering looks like. 

Janette and Wilgens at their house on July 15, 2021

After a trip back to the US in October for us to visit family, several of Janette's US prayer partners sent back cards or a small gift to help her remember she was being covered in prayer. Here is Janette on Nov 8, 2021. During this journey so far, Janette, as well as her husband Wilgens, have shown their testimony through their courage, their faith, their absolute belief that there is NOTHING that GOD cannot do. 

As prayer partners would periodically receive WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger updates, the requests for prayers for Janette would come back to bless the ones praying. These are some of the responses from those that continue to pray for Janette:  "Many could never imagine the way they have to suffer on this earth..."  "...so encouraging yet so hard with physical pain... emotional pain..."   "All I can say is WOW!  Love to see God showing off for HIS glory."  "Prayer: OH Jesus, You know the needs of Janette and her husband. Surround them during this very difficult time. We pray you will give her a miracle to be a testimony of your glory through all of this. We love you and worship you! in Jesus name, AMEN."   "Lord please answer Janette's pleas for a miracle in your perfect will and timing. Hold her tight. She trusts you. You are a Good God."   "So many thoughts and emotions..."    "Being reminded of the reality of their circumstances..."

March 2022 brought Janette back to the hospital for a longer stay to drain fluid from her lungs, a LONG and painful process. Janette knew all along the blessing of her new friends praying for her but in this very challenging time she said directly that she knew, when she DIDN'T have the strength to pray, there were prayer warriors holding her steadfastly in their prayers. 

April 2, 2022. This is Nounou, the friend that is staying at the hospital with Janette and Janette's husband Wilgens on the right. 

During the one-month stay at the Mirebalais hospital, Janette had another opportunity to be a witness. A young woman named Cherline from a communty called Gressier. She had been in an accident that left her with burns so deep that she nearly had no skin to cover the bone of her left leg. Cherline was in the bed right next to Janette. Cherline would CRY in agony non-stop. Cherline's mother was there to care for her daughter. The mother had confided in Janette that Cherline had a daughter that died since they had been in the hospital but the news would be too hard for Cherline to take so she did not yet know. Cherline and her mother are not Christians with the hope and belief of eternal life. 

Janette was able to be strong for Cherline and her mother, encouraging them to understand the saving grace of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 

On the map above you can see the "hand" (literally!) center near the top...That is Pignon. MH, Janette, Wilgens, Jean Rubert, etc. The RED CROSS pin in the center area gets you to the Mirebalais Hospital. Then the "hand" on the lower left is Gressier where Cherline is from.

MORE from the faithful friends that have been on this journey with Janette....    "I pray that God uses Janette and Wilgens among the people he places in their lives, that people can see HOPE and want to know why?"    " ...for Cherline, God wants to use Janette and Wilgens THERE. Janette's HOPE, despite her circumstances is the kind of hope people like Cherline desperately need."   "Lean on the Lord and He will continue to renew her strength."    "Praying against discouragement."   "God is working and will bring Beauty from the ashes!"   "Janette's perseverance is remarkable... and now God has placed another patient near her who she can be a witness to."    "Yea though I walk through the valley I will not fear THOU art with me, YOU comfort me."    "God's plan is unfolding according to HIS timing. He alone is sovereign. He is GOD."   "I will continue to pray for peace in Janette's heart and a miracle cure in the mighty name of Jesus."   "I am blown away by their faith and gratitude. What a different world we would live in if everyone had just a small piece of that. What a true inspiration she is."    "That hurts my heart so much about the little girl and her mother not knowing. How can things be so bad? I think Janette has a bigger mission than her cancer. God is using her and her faith in a much bigger way than can ever be imagined."     "Oh MY! how these people endure the pain of this life."     "Isn't it amazing how someone so sick can be used by God to do great things when we are the ones that should be doing things for her and her family."      "Holy Smoke, That would try even the most patient person but I'm sure you found a lesson in it. She has a strong soul and spirit and I am sure God is using her illness in ways she can't even imagine."

I hope you are encouraged by this story to be strong for the Lord in whatever circumstances appear on your journey.

Prayer time with Janette on Easter Sunday April, 2022.

Currently, Janette's chemotherapy treatments have been changed so that she will have a treatment once a week rather than every 21 days. I keep reminding Janette and Wilgens that they have a choice in this. We will keep communicating before and after these hospital visits. Still praying for a miracle of healing.

Through all this, several of the 'praying warriors' have indicated their own family members have health issues of cancer. I have been able to share these challenges with Janette. Know that SHE is praying for others as well. And be reminded, Janette, and each of us, has a mission BIGGER than the troubles we face.

We are staying in touch with Cherline. She is back home in Gressier. She is at great risk not having money to get to the hospital there to have proper bandaging of her burns. Janette continues to pray for Cherline. I feel the main thing is to pray for people to continue come to Cherline with the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST, that she and her mother can come to know the confidence of eternal life with Jesus. 

 

A Glimpse of Shalom amidst the Chaos of the World

Shalom. Much more than peace. Shalom is a condition when things are aligned the way God intended them to be. Complete. Whole. The presence of serenity, mutual agreement. A feeling of contentment, well-being, harmony. 

This would very well describe the aura of the Saturday morning in December where twenty couples from various communities, attending various churches, shepherded by various pastors, were gathering together for an incredible display of intentional commitment to lead a God-honoring life.

The ties were tied, the suits and dresses altered and pressed, the shoes shined, the jewelry borrowed, the veils creatively and beautifully placed on the radiant brides.

The Grooms waiting to see their Brides. Some brides arranged for gloves, flowers, even a tiara. Filling the air is an atmosphere of anticipation and gratitude. And here is where we sense the serenity, the harmony, the contentment.

Meet Jeanrilus and his bride Ronie. With eight children, they have been together for years. You can probably conclude, from Jeanrilus's size 13 wedding band he will soon be wearing, that he is a hard working man. More of their story to come.

This is truly a Many Hands event! Many hands of Many Hands staff have been working to prepare for the event. Even a group of girls from the MH Primary School and Venia, one of the MH teachers, prepared a liturgical dance as part of the processional as the brides and grooms walk down the aisle.

Do you suppose these school girls, on either side of the couples walking in, are beginning to dream of their wedding day?

This young groom, Anyol, with his bride, Madeliene, are looking very serious. They came to MH by way of the common form of Motorcycle transportation. However, they were in an accident and had to pass by way of the hospital before reaching MH where they would dress for the ceremony. With some scrapes cleaned and bandaged, and some extra tender loving care at MH, all the bride could do is repeat, "Mesi! Jezi, Mesi! Jezi." Madeliene was simply grateful that God had provided protection, not at all dwelling on, "How could this happen?" 

They were able to be focused on the blessed moment and exchanged their vows with confidence. A picture of shalom apart from the chaos.

MH Chaplain, Pastor Jean Ronel, tenderly calms this couple to get through their vows and exchanging of rings.

Imagine sharing your 'Special Day' with nineteen other couples. Does it sound like a time of uncertainty and commotion? On the contrary, look at the faces in the background as they each are in support of the other! This also, a picture of Shalom.

Another couple, together for years, seven children... Magualiter and her groom, Fleuridor, have class, spunk, and JOY! While repeating the vows from the prompts of the pastor, they make their vows complete and whole by making them personal. They have an obvious mutual adoration of each other.

The couple resides in the same area wbere MH will soon open the third First Thousand Days center. (Notice Ronie with her tiara in the background.) 

See Ronie in the background.  Her JOY overflows as she waits her turn.

Benitha is one of the mothers enrolled, with her child, in the MH First Thousand Days program.  Husband-to-be Judnel wiped tears from his eyes as Benitha spoke the words of promise to live together as one.

After all had declared their promises and exchanged rings, the couples stood face to face, arm in arm... in a posture to receive a marriage blessing through prayer.

For Ronie and Jeanrilus, above and below, their day is not yet complete. This couple attends the church that MH Pastor Lumanes leads each Sunday morning from 6:00-9:00 am in the community of LaJeune. To bring an even greater sense of shalom to the chaos of the world, the couple will be baptized by Pastor Lumanes at their church on this very same day.

In the chaos of the world, approximately 350 people witnessed this moment in time in alignment the way God intended it to be. Complete. Whole. In harmony. Serenity. Contentment and well-being. 

Here is the group of supporting pastors who will continue to walk in step with these couples.

What a team MH Staff continue to be. Guesthouse cooks Evenie (L) and Beatris (R) Bake, frost, and decorate the deliciously beautiful wedding cakes.

A whole army of MH Staff scrub high, low, and everywhere in between. The decorations are simple with an easy elegance about them. The night security guards join in the 'tying of the wedding tulle bows'. The bows may be less than 'fluffy' as these guys are more accustomed to tying with ROPE!

MH very own Jean Wil, transportation staff, was united in marriage to his beautiful bride Mania.