Alan Dietrich, live from Croix de Bouquet, Haiti
Remember that show with Mr. T – the A team has come to stand for the best team assembled for a mission. Well, tonight I had privilege of meeting with an A team. Pastor Moise Vaval, our GO Haiti Field Director, met with an amazing group of individuals who are making up our GO Haiti leadership team – including Joseph, Kender, Carmelle, Joseph, Jenette, Gladys – and a few more to come. They are following God’s call in their lives to rescue orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti, and bringing them into orphan villages, lead by the local church. As we talked tonight about what God has done in our lives since the quake, it was thrilling to hear how they have an urgency and life purpose to play their part in this mission. I could not even dream of a more gifted group of people to serve with here, it is another reason why it is so hard to leave Haiti. Thank you for your support that we can assemble such a team to carry out these God-sized plans, and please pray for them by name – to press on for the cause.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Starting Here, Starting Now March 23, 2010
Alan Dietrich, Live from Croix de Bouquet, Haiti
There is a new work being done here. A movement that we are all blessed to be a part of. This new work is about rescue, hope, joy, salvation and growth in our Lord. It is in some of the most insignificant places, yet its impact is undeniable. We are now beginning the phase of mapping out the new orphan villages that will be planted in Haiti this year – God is leading us to new places where the needs are great. This foundation, pictured below, is the start of new life at Pastor Moise Vaval’s church campus, Source De La Grace. It’s a home funded by Isabelle Redford’s cards, and it will house some orphan girls and their momma. It will be filled with giggles and prayers, hair braiding and hugs. Our prayers are for many more this year for so many who need it. Thank you so much for your generosity that provides for this, its starting here and now.
There is a new work being done here. A movement that we are all blessed to be a part of. This new work is about rescue, hope, joy, salvation and growth in our Lord. It is in some of the most insignificant places, yet its impact is undeniable. We are now beginning the phase of mapping out the new orphan villages that will be planted in Haiti this year – God is leading us to new places where the needs are great. This foundation, pictured below, is the start of new life at Pastor Moise Vaval’s church campus, Source De La Grace. It’s a home funded by Isabelle Redford’s cards, and it will house some orphan girls and their momma. It will be filled with giggles and prayers, hair braiding and hugs. Our prayers are for many more this year for so many who need it. Thank you so much for your generosity that provides for this, its starting here and now.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
March 21, 2010
This morning, the team and I attended Pastor Moise Vaval’s church - some of our group really needed to be uplifted after the KU loss last night. We arrived in time to share in worship, and it was ‘all out’ – especially when the church began singing “I’ll fly away” in Creole, and we joined in English. Moise’s church building was severely damaged during the quake and his congregation were all impacted in some way. To hear us all lift our voices praising God for our eternity in heaven puts it in perspective. Moise’s church, Source de la Grace, is one of our 10 village plants in Haiti for 2010.. Much to be done there – and its a great work that God is doing – reaching scores of new folks with the love and hope in Christ.
Pastor Jimmy Dodd preached this morning on Mark 2, and you could imagine their damaged tin roof opening up to welcome the paralyzed man brought in by his friends. Then, one of the folks on our visiting team here, Magalie, was joined by her dad – who she has not seen for 10 years since she was last in Haiti. Reunions are a beautiful thing – here and in heaven.
And, tonight – while some of you watched about Haiti and orphans on 60 minutes (
www.60minutes.com), we were enjoying Mary Poppins (in french)! The kids here now have a new word
Pastor Jimmy Dodd preached this morning on Mark 2, and you could imagine their damaged tin roof opening up to welcome the paralyzed man brought in by his friends. Then, one of the folks on our visiting team here, Magalie, was joined by her dad – who she has not seen for 10 years since she was last in Haiti. Reunions are a beautiful thing – here and in heaven.
And, tonight – while some of you watched about Haiti and orphans on 60 minutes (
www.60minutes.com), we were enjoying Mary Poppins (in french)! The kids here now have a new word
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Haiti Update 3/17/10
From Trace Thurlby live in Haiti:
His Children
“Can we do something about the kids who don’t have parents? See me after church.” – Sage (age 7)
This note from seven-year-old Sage to the Sr. Pastor at Faith E-Free launched the church’s orphan care ministry, Sage’s Hope. Led by a child’s heart, the question being asked is how, not if, every member of Faith E-Free will help orphans.
Two days ago at the OTV, Pastor Chris walked up to Pierre who had his finger in a pink Bible he carries. Chris decided that he would read to Pierre in English the passage on that page.
“Vindicate the weak and the fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; Deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4
God was speaking to Chris through the well-placed finger of a 10-year-old Haitian orphan. No surprise. God loves His children! Seven-year-old note writers, eight-year-old artists, ten-year-old Haitian orphans, thirteen-year-old violinists…He loves to involve His kids in His work…His kids of all ages.
Two of His children that I met this week are Danny and Karen Logan. They’re a successful farming family. They’ve been married for 50 years. They love God and they love their neighbor.
Now in their 70’s, they’ve been to Haiti six times in the last three years. This trip, they slept on the ground for six days, eating military-based MRE’s, and making sure their Haitian brothers and sisters have clean water. Retired? Are you kidding? They’re just getting started!
Danny and Karen, Sage, and God’s other children aren’t out to save the world. They just want to help people, because they love them. It’s that simple. The best things usually are.
In Psalm 131, King David said, “I do not involve myself with things too great or too difficult for me. I am like a little child.”
In Haiti, God shows us what King David knew: God loves His children, no matter what their age! And that’s Good News from one of His kids to another.
His Children
“Can we do something about the kids who don’t have parents? See me after church.” – Sage (age 7)
This note from seven-year-old Sage to the Sr. Pastor at Faith E-Free launched the church’s orphan care ministry, Sage’s Hope. Led by a child’s heart, the question being asked is how, not if, every member of Faith E-Free will help orphans.
Two days ago at the OTV, Pastor Chris walked up to Pierre who had his finger in a pink Bible he carries. Chris decided that he would read to Pierre in English the passage on that page.
“Vindicate the weak and the fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; Deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4
God was speaking to Chris through the well-placed finger of a 10-year-old Haitian orphan. No surprise. God loves His children! Seven-year-old note writers, eight-year-old artists, ten-year-old Haitian orphans, thirteen-year-old violinists…He loves to involve His kids in His work…His kids of all ages.
Two of His children that I met this week are Danny and Karen Logan. They’re a successful farming family. They’ve been married for 50 years. They love God and they love their neighbor.
Now in their 70’s, they’ve been to Haiti six times in the last three years. This trip, they slept on the ground for six days, eating military-based MRE’s, and making sure their Haitian brothers and sisters have clean water. Retired? Are you kidding? They’re just getting started!
Danny and Karen, Sage, and God’s other children aren’t out to save the world. They just want to help people, because they love them. It’s that simple. The best things usually are.
In Psalm 131, King David said, “I do not involve myself with things too great or too difficult for me. I am like a little child.”
In Haiti, God shows us what King David knew: God loves His children, no matter what their age! And that’s Good News from one of His kids to another.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Haiti Update 3/15/10
From Trace Thurlby live in Haiti:
I’m sitting beneath Juli’s beautiful mango tree. With its shade and the March breeze, I may have one of the country’s best seats on this sunny day in Haiti.
If it weren’t for the tree, I wouldn’t recognize this place. Three weeks ago it was rubble and shovels. Today it’s beds, rice bowls and smiles. Gift bags from Faith E-Free started a kid-led fiesta. The frenzy has now given way to bubbles, suckers and soccer balls.
Juli is part of our GO Project family now. We love the story God is writing (from earthquake to refugee camp back home), but it is far from finished.
We’re looking at an addition and raising the wall to give this family more space and more security. They need it, and you all make it possible. Thank you! We love you!
I’m sitting beneath Juli’s beautiful mango tree. With its shade and the March breeze, I may have one of the country’s best seats on this sunny day in Haiti.
If it weren’t for the tree, I wouldn’t recognize this place. Three weeks ago it was rubble and shovels. Today it’s beds, rice bowls and smiles. Gift bags from Faith E-Free started a kid-led fiesta. The frenzy has now given way to bubbles, suckers and soccer balls.
Juli is part of our GO Project family now. We love the story God is writing (from earthquake to refugee camp back home), but it is far from finished.
We’re looking at an addition and raising the wall to give this family more space and more security. They need it, and you all make it possible. Thank you! We love you!
Haiti Update 3/14/10
From Trace Thurlby live in Haiti:
Great day! Church was God-filled this morning. See the blog entry below for more.
Moise and I spent this afternoon with our new friends at Living Water. They have a solar-powered water purification system that will make the most cynical skeptic smile. We were at the launch ceremony of their latest site. I had my first glass of “tap water” in 7 trips to Haiti. Fantastic!
Living Water wants to install another system at Moise’s church and maybe more with other GO Project partners after that. Bottom line: clean water helps people in a big way. Having this system makes the church an even more effective servant leader in the community. Moise and I meet with well diggers on Tuesday, but this is headed in a crazy, good direction.
Then we went to Leogane with Danny, Karen and John from Living Water. I heard Leogane was hit hard by the quake. True. Very true, and sobering, but amidst surreal devastation, we saw hope.
We met Pastor Jean-Claude. He cares for 85 children on probably 4-5 acres of land. His church was pancaked, but was cleared by the Canadian and, get this, Chinese Gov’t as well. Jean Claude needs some help, but he’s doing great work!
God is on the move! GO is feeling called to Leogane. Pastor Jean-Claude is established and caring for God’s kids. The land and location are excellent. We trust God will raise the right partner. He is faithful and active!
Great day! Church was God-filled this morning. See the blog entry below for more.
Moise and I spent this afternoon with our new friends at Living Water. They have a solar-powered water purification system that will make the most cynical skeptic smile. We were at the launch ceremony of their latest site. I had my first glass of “tap water” in 7 trips to Haiti. Fantastic!
Living Water wants to install another system at Moise’s church and maybe more with other GO Project partners after that. Bottom line: clean water helps people in a big way. Having this system makes the church an even more effective servant leader in the community. Moise and I meet with well diggers on Tuesday, but this is headed in a crazy, good direction.
Then we went to Leogane with Danny, Karen and John from Living Water. I heard Leogane was hit hard by the quake. True. Very true, and sobering, but amidst surreal devastation, we saw hope.
We met Pastor Jean-Claude. He cares for 85 children on probably 4-5 acres of land. His church was pancaked, but was cleared by the Canadian and, get this, Chinese Gov’t as well. Jean Claude needs some help, but he’s doing great work!
God is on the move! GO is feeling called to Leogane. Pastor Jean-Claude is established and caring for God’s kids. The land and location are excellent. We trust God will raise the right partner. He is faithful and active!
Haiti Update 3/14/10
From Trace Thurlby live in Haiti:
Can’t get enough
What would happen if we got on our knees and prayed for 40 minutes to open our worship service? What would happen if we sang songs of praise with all our heart for 40 more minutes, and then spent another hour in the Word? Some people wouldn’t come…I agree. People concerned with checking the church box, being at the game for kick off, or beating the church across the street to lunch – those people would be gone in a Sunday or two.
But, let me tell you what else would happen. God would receive our small sacrifice of worship, and the power of His Spirit would move in such a mighty way that most “church goers” wouldn’t recognize it. He would free us from the chains of sin. He gives grace to the humble.
Grace. God’s grace. People want that, so much that we’d fill the church….and churches would have a new problem, they’d run out of chairs.
That’s what happened at church today in Haiti. And don’t believe for a second that it wouldn’t “work” in America. The team from Colorado is loving it, as I always do, as you will when you come.
Thank you for worshiping the King with us. We just can’t get enough of Him!
Can’t get enough
What would happen if we got on our knees and prayed for 40 minutes to open our worship service? What would happen if we sang songs of praise with all our heart for 40 more minutes, and then spent another hour in the Word? Some people wouldn’t come…I agree. People concerned with checking the church box, being at the game for kick off, or beating the church across the street to lunch – those people would be gone in a Sunday or two.
But, let me tell you what else would happen. God would receive our small sacrifice of worship, and the power of His Spirit would move in such a mighty way that most “church goers” wouldn’t recognize it. He would free us from the chains of sin. He gives grace to the humble.
Grace. God’s grace. People want that, so much that we’d fill the church….and churches would have a new problem, they’d run out of chairs.
That’s what happened at church today in Haiti. And don’t believe for a second that it wouldn’t “work” in America. The team from Colorado is loving it, as I always do, as you will when you come.
Thank you for worshiping the King with us. We just can’t get enough of Him!
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