Post by Just a guest on Feb 15, 2009 9:27:40 GMT -5
111 Magnolia St
Magnolia , IA 51550
Feb 14, 2009
From Hinche , Haiti
Even in Haiti hearts flutter on Valentines Day. It just crossed my mind that 92 years ago today my grandparents were married in Eldora , IA. That was the beginning of a very beautiful love story. Before Grammy died (97.5) she told me. “Before we met Ella and Emma, John and I were good…..after that it was heaven on earth.” I feel more and more grateful with the years for what they truly loved and lived.
Maybe you have some word through others of the convention at Cabaret? It set the hearts of many singing, mine included. God was near to us and helped us so faithfully once again. Several made their choices and others were baptized. Later I sat down and counted 17 others who made their start during the year. So it has been a fruitful one for this little country. We bow before the ONE who gives increase.
After convention, Glenn, Madochee and I began our round of visits amongst the churches in the northern port city of Port de Paix. Port city… yes…but without a port. The bay is a hubbub of activity. Roughly hewn old wooden sailboats come and go, offloading and taking on passengers and produce onto rowboats that row to and from shore. The smaller ones with no draft can tie up to a slab of concrete where a crowd mills constantly. From the window of my room that opened right out to the sea, I had a ringside seat to this circus of activity. I watched them lower a Toyota 4Runner from a ship from Miami onto a rowboat. I held my camera waiting to get a shot of it plunging into the sea, but they deftly rowed it to shore. I kept wondering if the scene that unfolded before me was not similar to what the apostle Paul lived in his day (except for the 4Runner). The boats came sliding in, leaning heavily under the wind. The tattered and patched old sails would drop. From afar you could sense the excitement of those who had arrived and those who were waiting for them. Then the sails were pulled up again, they puffed taut, the old ship careened, the gunwale nearly under water, passengers holding tight, and the wind pushed it powerfully out to sea…and soon out of sight.
Five now take part the meetings in this seaside home accessed by a narrow little passage from the bustling street. Lucy was a young high school girl far away in Port au Prince living with her older sister when her older sister professed. She too attended the meetings, but remained fervent in her Baptist church. Later as a young adult back in this, her home city, with a great job now as personal manager in a new bank, she lost her best lifetime friend. The warm tears of sorrow watered a silent dormant seed. Somehow quiet memories of the meetings she attended as a high school girl brought sweet comfort. One morning at 3:00 am after praying earnestly with Psalm 25.4 “Shew me thy ways O Lord….” open before her on her bed, she prayed, “Lord, you have a way, the Bible speaks of it, shew it to me.” Psalm 25.9…”and the meek will He teach His way.” She called her sister and asked, “What did you hear in meeting today?….what did you share?….” The living dormant seed germinated, grew roots in tender faith, and a new life filled her life, heart and soul. Being near her you can’t help but savor the fresh fruit of joy. Her continence shines in her work place and at home. Her mother is now professing and so whole hearted too. But for a year Lucy had kept her meeting alone. We had gospel meetings each night an old school room. Some nights over 30 attended, some standing outside in the dark, listening in at the door. Most all of her of her colleagues from the bank and even the director came. The morning conversation at the bank was the messages heard the night before. Each morning we took a walk with Makens up into the hills and shanty towns above the port to visit some of his friends. Last year the gospel saved him from a life of vagabondage and the change in him is well noted by all who knew him. One day during his first convention he was sitting alone between the meetings. Luquel saw him and approached and asked, “Is something wrong, are you sad about something?” Makens smiled and answered, “Oh, no, I was just sitting here thinking about where I was before the gospel came and where I am today…shaking my head and thinking, “And this is me.” I was just sitting here thanking God with all my heart for the work He has done in my life.” Time and again during the convention, I too, was overwhelmed with a strong conviction, “This is God’s work”… there are just too many infallible proofs. If I were called to testify in court today regarding this I would stand and say before all….”This work is of God and not of man.” Acts 13.41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you…” As we walked with Makens, I felt we were drinking from a source of overflowing joy welling up from a heart rejoicing forever for that work. I don’t know when I have seen someone more happy.
Unless it is Madochee (23) from Cap Haitian who has joined us as a companion in the work. He’s a tall (6’4”) gentle spirit. He and his little brother attended the gospel meetings on their own when he was 11. They came knowing they would get a good beating when they got home from their Pentecostal mother who had dressed them to go to church with her but they would slip away to meeting. I don’t think he ever wavered through his teen years from his purpose to one day give his life in this manner. And he is so happy to at last where his heart has been so long. We have word that Joe Layman from CA can join us in June. We are so grateful for help. Hubert Childers used to say Haiti needed 40 pair of workers. We are far from that. But I feel very grateful for each one laboring in their place. Lea and Susan are pioneering in Ouanaminthe on the Dominican border in the north. Mike and Erick are very busy in the capital where two new churches have been started. Part of their day is spent caring for the sick. Not an easy job where the sick lie on the concrete floor in the halls waiting for a Dr.’s attention and waiting for an empty bed in the General Hospital .
Today we are in the dry central plateau at Hinche. Arriving here you would think you had at last reached a remote point on the planet. This morning for hours donkeys, mules, horses, yoked bulls pulling carts, even a little boy sitting on a loaded saddled bull, and a seemingly never ending parade of sweaty, dusty people on foot carrying produce on their heads and in their hands all streamed into this country town on the dirt road in front of Papoute the potter’s home. All are tying to get to the big Saturday market to sell and buy and return home yet tonight. But two ladies are on their way here at this moment from the plain to the north to be here for meeting tomorrow. It took them 8 hours last time. To them Hinche would be the center of civilization. It is all relative. And tomorrow is the Lord’s Day. May we all be near to Him in that hour. Through the Ministry of the Spirit there is no remote place on earth. All can be close to Him, with Him and in Him. May it be so.
With every good wish.
Your brother
Dan
Magnolia , IA 51550
Feb 14, 2009
From Hinche , Haiti
Even in Haiti hearts flutter on Valentines Day. It just crossed my mind that 92 years ago today my grandparents were married in Eldora , IA. That was the beginning of a very beautiful love story. Before Grammy died (97.5) she told me. “Before we met Ella and Emma, John and I were good…..after that it was heaven on earth.” I feel more and more grateful with the years for what they truly loved and lived.
Maybe you have some word through others of the convention at Cabaret? It set the hearts of many singing, mine included. God was near to us and helped us so faithfully once again. Several made their choices and others were baptized. Later I sat down and counted 17 others who made their start during the year. So it has been a fruitful one for this little country. We bow before the ONE who gives increase.
After convention, Glenn, Madochee and I began our round of visits amongst the churches in the northern port city of Port de Paix. Port city… yes…but without a port. The bay is a hubbub of activity. Roughly hewn old wooden sailboats come and go, offloading and taking on passengers and produce onto rowboats that row to and from shore. The smaller ones with no draft can tie up to a slab of concrete where a crowd mills constantly. From the window of my room that opened right out to the sea, I had a ringside seat to this circus of activity. I watched them lower a Toyota 4Runner from a ship from Miami onto a rowboat. I held my camera waiting to get a shot of it plunging into the sea, but they deftly rowed it to shore. I kept wondering if the scene that unfolded before me was not similar to what the apostle Paul lived in his day (except for the 4Runner). The boats came sliding in, leaning heavily under the wind. The tattered and patched old sails would drop. From afar you could sense the excitement of those who had arrived and those who were waiting for them. Then the sails were pulled up again, they puffed taut, the old ship careened, the gunwale nearly under water, passengers holding tight, and the wind pushed it powerfully out to sea…and soon out of sight.
Five now take part the meetings in this seaside home accessed by a narrow little passage from the bustling street. Lucy was a young high school girl far away in Port au Prince living with her older sister when her older sister professed. She too attended the meetings, but remained fervent in her Baptist church. Later as a young adult back in this, her home city, with a great job now as personal manager in a new bank, she lost her best lifetime friend. The warm tears of sorrow watered a silent dormant seed. Somehow quiet memories of the meetings she attended as a high school girl brought sweet comfort. One morning at 3:00 am after praying earnestly with Psalm 25.4 “Shew me thy ways O Lord….” open before her on her bed, she prayed, “Lord, you have a way, the Bible speaks of it, shew it to me.” Psalm 25.9…”and the meek will He teach His way.” She called her sister and asked, “What did you hear in meeting today?….what did you share?….” The living dormant seed germinated, grew roots in tender faith, and a new life filled her life, heart and soul. Being near her you can’t help but savor the fresh fruit of joy. Her continence shines in her work place and at home. Her mother is now professing and so whole hearted too. But for a year Lucy had kept her meeting alone. We had gospel meetings each night an old school room. Some nights over 30 attended, some standing outside in the dark, listening in at the door. Most all of her of her colleagues from the bank and even the director came. The morning conversation at the bank was the messages heard the night before. Each morning we took a walk with Makens up into the hills and shanty towns above the port to visit some of his friends. Last year the gospel saved him from a life of vagabondage and the change in him is well noted by all who knew him. One day during his first convention he was sitting alone between the meetings. Luquel saw him and approached and asked, “Is something wrong, are you sad about something?” Makens smiled and answered, “Oh, no, I was just sitting here thinking about where I was before the gospel came and where I am today…shaking my head and thinking, “And this is me.” I was just sitting here thanking God with all my heart for the work He has done in my life.” Time and again during the convention, I too, was overwhelmed with a strong conviction, “This is God’s work”… there are just too many infallible proofs. If I were called to testify in court today regarding this I would stand and say before all….”This work is of God and not of man.” Acts 13.41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you…” As we walked with Makens, I felt we were drinking from a source of overflowing joy welling up from a heart rejoicing forever for that work. I don’t know when I have seen someone more happy.
Unless it is Madochee (23) from Cap Haitian who has joined us as a companion in the work. He’s a tall (6’4”) gentle spirit. He and his little brother attended the gospel meetings on their own when he was 11. They came knowing they would get a good beating when they got home from their Pentecostal mother who had dressed them to go to church with her but they would slip away to meeting. I don’t think he ever wavered through his teen years from his purpose to one day give his life in this manner. And he is so happy to at last where his heart has been so long. We have word that Joe Layman from CA can join us in June. We are so grateful for help. Hubert Childers used to say Haiti needed 40 pair of workers. We are far from that. But I feel very grateful for each one laboring in their place. Lea and Susan are pioneering in Ouanaminthe on the Dominican border in the north. Mike and Erick are very busy in the capital where two new churches have been started. Part of their day is spent caring for the sick. Not an easy job where the sick lie on the concrete floor in the halls waiting for a Dr.’s attention and waiting for an empty bed in the General Hospital .
Today we are in the dry central plateau at Hinche. Arriving here you would think you had at last reached a remote point on the planet. This morning for hours donkeys, mules, horses, yoked bulls pulling carts, even a little boy sitting on a loaded saddled bull, and a seemingly never ending parade of sweaty, dusty people on foot carrying produce on their heads and in their hands all streamed into this country town on the dirt road in front of Papoute the potter’s home. All are tying to get to the big Saturday market to sell and buy and return home yet tonight. But two ladies are on their way here at this moment from the plain to the north to be here for meeting tomorrow. It took them 8 hours last time. To them Hinche would be the center of civilization. It is all relative. And tomorrow is the Lord’s Day. May we all be near to Him in that hour. Through the Ministry of the Spirit there is no remote place on earth. All can be close to Him, with Him and in Him. May it be so.
With every good wish.
Your brother
Dan