The day of the Lord

How is it that hearing heartfelt expressions of love and care expressed by family and friends can produce feelings of real tension? Like a dear friend says, "Oh I am so glad you are safe." and in turn that brings even the sensation of a guilty feeling. 

There has been the need to BE GRATEFUL that God provided refuge for us, even when so many of our Haitian co-workers, friends, and acquaintances have no choice or opportunity to 'escape' the troubled place in which they live. MAN! How can it be?

Many people who know us, know Many Hands, know the work God has called us to, have expressed it well... "I am glad you're here, BUT I am sorry you're here." That kind of sums it up. 

While worshipping on Good Friday, a song based on Psalm 37, titled "The Day of the Lord" from the above worship album, really spoke to the current 'wrestling' of emotion in our hearts.

What an encouragement to know... It's not long till the Day of the Lord!

MH planned out the timing for the start of our 'New Community Conversation' series for Savan Tabak  for after the suspension bridge repairs were complete. Here the final touches are happening the very day of the FIRST in the series.  

A great turn out with over 130 local community members present to hear about the subject for the day, led by MH Spiritual Department, "The Importance of Children According to the Word of God". 

We are able to keep well connected with MH staff. I was talking on the phone with Many Hands lead Chaplain, Pastor Jean-Ronel, about the current state of things in and around the area where MH works. I asked him what he would say to encourage supporters of the work of MH to not lose HOPE, to STAY with us. 

He sent these pictures... and added this response... "I would like to show, despite the country's difficulties, MH "ap frape!", 'is knocking it out!' "  He said, "As you can see here, our whole team is knocking it out in each community. Even though things are hard, we continue to encourage and support people in the ways we are able. These pictures can help tell our friends that support us, even though you hear so much bad news from Haiti, you must continue to support us, because as MH, we represent the hands and feet of Jesus. 'Bondye Beni Nou', God Bless You all."

This is Jean-Ronel early Monday morning, on his way to the Love in Action center in Jean Boule after a much needed, beautiful pre-season rain. He led the Jean Boule staff (pictured below) in devotions to share how they can utilize the MH produced "Plan of Salvation" book.

Here Jean-Ronel uses the beautifully repaired bridge to travel to the MBM Love in Action Center Tuesday morning to train the staff there on the "Plan of Salvation' book. And below, the same topic was shared with the Maliarette staff. Many Hands is being clear on what is expected of ALL MH Staff... evangelism is not only the responsibility of the pastors!

Some computer function issues were being reported last week by the First Thousand Days secretary. Craig would typically be the IT guy. This was an opportunity to engage the service of a local Haitian man with knowledge on computer issues. We are very grateful that the issue was resolved and the computer is back to be used for tracking data for the First Thousand Days program. 

With the price of gas being sky-high, we are careful to track WHO and HOW MUCH on gas usage. 

Good Friday was a travel day for us, driving from Holland, MI to Okoboji, IA. 657 miles according to Google Maps! My idea was some solid reading time in a new book I had started earlier in the week. 

During the drive, we encountered TRAFFIC around Chicago. Then came a WhatsApp phone call from MH Nurse Monette. She is the nurse that does all the prenatal care for the pregnant women in the program. She wanted to report that Mikerlande, one of the women in the MBM center who was 3 months pregnant, was experiencing some difficulty that deserved attention. Nurse Monette had told the woman's husband that they needed to go to the hospital. They didn't have money and had no way of seeking the critical medical help. 

Nurse Monette was calling to ask if it would be possible for MH to assist the family. Even though Good Friday is a national Haitian holiday I began making the necessary arrangements. And here is how it went....

The first thing was to try to contact Jean Rene to coordinate transportation, but his phone is not good so I couldn't reach him via WhatsApp. I told Monette to call Jean Rene and tell him he should go to Kalo's house and ask to borrow Kalo's phone and call me. Monette calls back to say she can't reach Jean Rene. So I try calling Kalo. No answer. Next I message a friend, Gedeon, who lives close by Jean Rene. I message Herby who typically will respond to WhatsApp. I message Yves, Kethlin, and Jean Rubert, telling each of them I need to reach Jean Rene. Jean Rene gets word and goes to Kalo's house, he calls me but the signal isn't strong enough, So he goes to Jean Rubert's house. Calls me. We talk and determine that Jean Rene would arrange transportation from MH to the hospital in Hinche. Jean Rene can do that but he doesn't have minutes on his phone.

We have set up that managers get a certain amount of phone minutes each month to use. Micul distributes that. I knew Jean-Ronel had given Micul money in the last couple of days but guess he hadn't yet gotten minutes to Jean Rene. So I tell Jean Rene to talk to Micul to get his minutes. He does that. I say I will try to call my friend in Hinche, Eliamene, who often helps us out at the hospital. I can't reach her so I talk to Jean Rene again. All this is interspersed with calls to Monette to fill her in on our progress.

Jean Rene calls Eliamene on her regular phone number at the same time he is using WhatsApp with ME on Jean Rubert's smart phone. Jean Rene puts his phone with Eliamene on the other end up to the smart phone with ME on the other end. I can talk to Eliamene and verify that she is available to help!

Jean Rene then arranged the transportation and an envelope with a little cash to take care of food and hospital expenses. WHEW! this is how it goes!! Mikerlande, the pregnant lady, arrived at MH campus with a family member, they traveled to the hospital, met up with Eliamene yet that afternoon.

The following day Monette called to say the Doctor had seen Mikerlande. He wanted her to stay close to the hospital and scheduled a test for Tuesday next week. Eliamene will continue to watch out for Mikerlande. 

We are "Knocking it out!"  Monette had sent a follow up message to say a new baby had just been born to a family in the MBM program.. She said that makes 12 babies since the MBM center opened this past September. AND according to my records, MH has offered extra assistance to nearly half of those!

OUR Easter celebration with family included an amazing vegetable basket!

We made Resurrection Rolls

A Crescent roll baked with a marshmallow sealed up inside... After it is baked... 

Just like Jesus' tomb after his Resurrection.... It's EMPTY!

Because Jesus is ALIVE, 'Put your trust in the Savior and cling to His hand. When your heart burns with anger for all that is wrong, Do not let the dark steal your song. It's not long till the Day of the Lord! Everything that is broken will soon be restored. It's not long till the Day of the Lord!' 

("The Day of the Lord" by Wendell Kimbrough)

LIFE

Life makes it's twists and turns. We want to share that LIFE as of Thursday March 14 has brought us to the US through Santiago in the Dominican Republic. We had a driver in place early Wednesday morning to get us to the Haitian border at Ouanaminthe, Haiti, where we crossed into Dajabon in the DR. The same driver got us to Santiago and then in the morning, Thursday, he picked us up and brought us to the Santiago International 'Aeropuerto'. And NOW we are stateside. We are watching and waiting to see what will happen next for the country of Haiti. 

Ariel Henry, the 'interim' Prime Minister, announced his "demisiyon", resignation, as of Monday evening. This is what the GANGS were demanding. BUT even with this, we heard the destruction of property continues on. News from Wednesday shared with us by MH Lead Chaplain Jean-Ronel is that gangs burned down the private residence of a Director of Police in Port au Prince. Also, there is news of another prison break in Port au Prince. And reports of another private PAP residence being burned belonging to an official who works for Haiti's internal revenue service. 

Tuesday morning was a MH management staff meeting which was focused on planning for the coming weeks. The MH management staff is realistic in their ideas for what could come after the Prime Minister's resignation. They expressed that nothing is clear yet, there is still a battle for power, this will take time, and that we will wait in prayer. This is LIFE in Haiti that presses on.

The planning being discussed for the upcoming weeks needs extra strategy. One reason is that the banks in Haiti are barely functioning. The need for a new strategy is caused by the challenge of having access to ministry operating funds. We will be in communication with Haitian staff daily and will be working through this challenge. God can provide the effective channels needed. 

Life, for our Haitian friends, continues. Below is Ti Rosette with her newborn daughter.

MH Chaplains encountered this situation during an evangelism visit. 

A premie, 3 months early, at the local hospital, the mother died.

Many Hands has new life on campus. Five thriving puppies. All napping together after a 'good meal'!

A local man who has had three surgeries already after an accident. 

He needs one more procedure but has no way to pay.

Life is difficult.

MH preschoolers are offering a 'student teacher' experience (student teachers shown on the right). 

The students are engaging in an outside activity led by their regular teachers. 

The student teachers observe and take notes.

A suspension bridge nearby is very important to the area communities. It has been in need of repair. To help improve the quality of life locally, MH has coordinated the funding and purchase of materials for the current repairs needed. 

Local businesses that benefit from having this bridge available to keep things moving are being asked for support to help with future repairs. MH helped establish a committee to arrange a system for these business owners to give their part to be secured in a bank account. The term being used in Creole is 'kotizasyon' which translates to 'dues'. So far there has been willingness on the part of the business owners to contribute and participate in work that would be needed in the future. 

Materials for the bridge repair: 2x8 treated lumber for the new 'decking', 

4x4 treated lumber for new 'crossbeams'. 1/2" rebar for the 'suspenders'. 

There are also 1300 4" galvanized lag screws and 900 1/2" rebar clamps.

Removing rotted decking

Putting a new crossbeam in place

Stopping for a quick breakfast break. 

I can't help but think of this image of the past....

With gas prices 'sky high' on the black market system in Haiti, a vehicle is pushed to it's limit to cover the cost of gas. (close to $19 US per gallon)

Life is pushed to it's limits.

Tragedy strikes in the LIFE of this family with five young children. They lost their home to fire. 

The story shared with me is that the family owed money to another man. 

They could not pay the debt. The man set fire to the house. 

We thank God that no one was home at the time.

MH has some assistance. 

The first being purchase some sheets of tin to add to the effort of building a new home.

Many Hands lead chaplain Jean-Ronel Joseph arranged the text and scripture verses 

for a small booklet to be used by MH staff as a tool to help each staff person with evangelism. 

MH sees evangelism as not just the responsibility of the chaplains but for all staff 

to participate in the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19 

"Go and make disciples."

During morning devotions, the booklets were handed out complete with 

their own name written on the top. 

This is a tool which gives scripture verses and techniques to help tell others 

the Good News of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

The responsibility of each Christian living the LIFE of a 'Christ-Follower'.

For the Haitian staff and their people, they have two choices-- to walk by faith or to walk in fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear...

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, 

but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. 

2 Timothy 1:7

BUT He has promised to go with us wherever we go in His will...

Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; 

for He has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you. 

So we can say with confidence, 

"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" 

Hebrews 12:5-6

God loves to get us to the place where our strength is little so that we can see His mighty power. His power was made perfect in human weakness...

But he said to me, 

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." 

So, I will boast more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 

Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamaties 

for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. 

2 Cornithians 12: 9-10

This unique tree drops all of it's leaves this time of year to 'highlight' these equally unique blossoms. Life is still beautiful.

The suspension bridge after the second day of work.

There is encouragement to be found here. The life of a moto taximan is greatly improved!

For us, as we are stateside, we will be in commication with MH staff on a daily basis. There is no way to know just yet when we will be able to return and resume our part of the ministry work. One key factor is when air travel to Haiti is back in the picture. 

For this unexpected stay, we are available and would love to connect with YOU! 💕 We ask for your prayers for the Haitian people who just have a desire for LIFE to be possible. 

TODAY! A Great Day for Many Hands

TODAY! What a GREAT day for Many Hands. As unimaginable as the news reports are that are telling what is going on in Haiti's capital city, life in the countryside of Haiti is unimaginable in totally different ways. 

Craig was up early getting a project done before the heat of the day set in. For a moment a couple of hard working bees offered a time to reflect on the status of life. All people are hearing about Haiti is how 'untenable' things are in Port au Prince. I had to look up the definition of untenable. It is an adjective meaning 'not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.'  With no political leadership and too much gang leadership there seems little hope. 

However, the bees.... they have work to do and they keep doing it even among this untenable condition in the country. Now on to TODAY! As Many Hands staff member Jean Rene Deforge and I were crossing the river to visit some people in Me Bel Me (MBM), we saw another MH motorcycle with 2 MH staff from the Agronomy Department. They had already been to MH MBM campus where they are starting a garden program for the families enrolled in the First Thousand Days program. 

Just a few minutes more down the road, we crossed paths with a 'parade' of women celebrating "International Women's Day" on this 'sunshine and blue sky day', complete with a small band of drums and brass instruments. We paused and then continued on down the dirt road to our first destination. We had heard there was a man that had been sick for a long time. We were going to pass by the house to offer some words of encouragement to the family.  

As we arrive, coming from the yard is the cry of a woman in distress. We were invited in to learn that the wife of the man who has been sick is worried that her husband is dying. They have six young children. With no strength to fight, it appears the time is near. We sit together, we talk together, we pray together. We try to offer some comfort. 

Jean Rene and I were back on the dirt road, very moved by the family in distress, we remember a song that church choirs often sing... 'O-o-oo I am not afraid to die. O-o-oo the angels are waiting for me.' Together we agreed this is such a comfort for a person close to dying. We contemplated... what about the family that is left to mourn? Such a heavy feeling. 

Our next stop was the family pictured below.

The woman is enrolled in the Prenatal part of the First Thousand Days program. The house where she and her family live is in very poor condition. MH had provided a tarp a few months ago which is on the left side of the house. Today another tarp and some wire are provided to go over the roof to prevent rain from leaking into the house, preparing a better living environment for when the new baby comes. Life is HARD but the family is making it. 

Two of the older children run down the path to a neighbor 

to borrow a ladder so the tarp can be put in place.

This is Olianise. Her front yard is beautiful with flowers, trees, and bushes. She is a recent recipient of a concrete floor that was provided by MH. In February Olianise had a miscarriage at the three month stage of her pregnancy. This was her sixth miscarriage. Our purpose for the visit was to encourage her to find the comfort of God's love in her life. 

This is the view through the front door of the house. 

Just a small taste of paradise at a very lonely time in Olianise's life. 

Back on the dirt road, our moto encountered a third MH moto with Micul representing MH Leadership Development, on his way to the MBM Love in Action Center to teach a class on"Lead Like Jesus" leadership curriculum.

Baby Witchelson Metelus was next. This little guy was born early February. When he was 16 days old, he still was very jaundice and dehydrated. MH assisted with some hospital care for a few days. Prayers were answered and Witchelson is comfortable at home in MBM with his loving family.

AND this little guy... newest MBM resident, less than one day old, hasn't yet been given a name! On the left is Nurse Monette who is the prenatal nurse for the program. She heard of the birth and was already there to offer some supportive care. Nurse Monette with MH moto driver Jaknel makes FOUR MH motos circulating in the MBM zone, doing the work that God has laid out for MH to do and God is providing the way to do it!

This is the man who delivered the baby. He is from the local area and is respected for his work. 

Another aspect in making TODAY a great MH day is the production capacity of the artisans that work out of MH campus with ViBella Jewelry. We are getting ready to ship some completed product back to the US. 

AND to see progress being made on the newest MH Love in Action center being built in a rural community called Savan Tabak makes for just another aspect of this GREAT day! 

The gazebo is a treasured space on each of the MH campuses. In just a couple weeks, our series of monthly 'Community Conversations' will begin. MH leaders and community members will start to know and understand each other and share what possiblities lie ahead for the people of Savan Tabak. 

I hope the sharing of the events of this day give a picture of a different Haiti than what was so predominantly reported in the news today.

Back to the bees... MH has work to do and we are going about that work just as diligently as the bees who have their work to do. God's blessings continue. He has given the blessing of a peace-filled, safe area, not far from the storm but far away enough to offer the chance to carry on. 

Assurance of God's Protection - Psalm 91

You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."

For he will deliver you from the snare of the hunter and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and defense.

You will not fear the terror of the night or the arrow that flies by day or the pestilence that stalks in the darkness or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

You will look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 

Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

On their hands they will bear you up. so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them.

With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.