GH2 is Home

The team faced a minor delay at the PAP airport as their departure was pushed back due to wind/weather at JFK. Once they landed they discovered the driver's (Joe's) van had broken down. A minor snag that just needed some phone calls, being able to meet up, rent a new vehicle and then down the road they went. So much better that a broken down vehicle happened in the States where solutions are much easier to come by. Hopefully the repairs won't be too bad and Joe can get his wheels back today. His service to the GH2 team was much appreciated and added to the adventure.

Luke left our home in the wee hours of the morning and drove 2 hours home. Thanks to his conversing with God he stayed alert and made it home by 3:30AM.

Shortly after that Sherry was waking up to head into work. Talk about jumping right back into the swing of things.

Mark, the fearless leader, seems to have brought home more than just his carry-on duffle bag - he is currently suffering the effects of a viral infection and is sleeping and sweating through his fever.

The rest of the team is back to 'normal' life and this is when even more revelations of the impact of their mission work will come. We look forward to hearing more about their stories.
- dj from the GH2 Homebase, so delighted to have her husband home after another successful mission trip

GH2 has landed at JFK

YEAH! The GH2 team has landed back in the USA. 8:07 PM EST 28 Oct 09

PB's latest

Today (Tuesday) is a day of finishing. We're finishing all we can do for this trip. An incredible amount of work has been accomplished in a short time but in the grand scheme of things, it's not even a drop in the proverbial bucket. You know what that means, right? Opportunity for more trips and more ministry to Haiti for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Last night Pastor Luke and his family joined us for dinner here at the guest house. He has planted 43 churches in Haiti since 1975. He shared his incredible testimony with us after the meal. A testimony that included surviving an attempted murder by a voodoo witch doctor at a very young age, his family being delivered from voodoo into Christianity, turning to Jesus instead of surgery for his infertile wife (They have 6 children!), a feeding program for children, training pastors to lead the churches that are started, and much more.

We were able to visit another ministry (Heartline Ministries, with John McHoul, that GH2 has served in the past) yesterday that involves training women in the sewing trade, a pregnancy center, and an adoption center.

During our visit we have met normal people from Calif., Washington, Vermont, Idaho, and Kentucky who have been called by God to a life of abnormality for His glory, and they said "yes." I wonder, what is it God is calling you to and will you say "yes?" It may or may not be something as extreme as living in Haiti full-time. He calls all of His children to serve in some capacity. Are you living a life of "yes" for the glory of God and the good of man? I pray you are so that you can experience the fullness of the knowledge and love of God.

I look forward to returning to CT with new zeal for reaching our area with the love of Jesus Christ. See y'all soon.

PB

Strong to the Finish

Monday 26 Oct 09
BOTH concrete picnic tables were set up today and they look good! They will outlast us, talk about sustainability.

Tuesday 27 Oct 09
Tuesday's plan:

• finish up with the tables,
  
• fix a pump and generator exhaust line at Mannaserro's,
  
• do some shelving at the guest home,
  
• teach a bible class in the afternoon, and
  
• there's talk of a shopping trip to get stuff to bring home.
  

Can you say "strong to the finish?"
-mark

Feeding Program Pic Day 1

Day 1 Feeding Program

Project pics

Awning project is getting started.

Concrete picnic table pics

table forms being laid out in Haiti

















Prototype table done at Chapel Hill Community Church before the mission trip.

Donation Pics

Some of the donated shoes











Unpacking the donation bins

Keyword = Incredible 24 & 25 Oct 09

Yesterday (Sat) and today (Sun) were both incredible days in very different ways.

Saturday we were in a primitive village two hours into the bush. Over 170 people attended to medically and then prayed over by one (sometimes two) of our prayer teams. I was waved off only one time by a lady who refused to be prayed for. My translator, Anderson, told me she did not want prayer because she is voodoo. She did not want the spiritual provisions that God offers but she quickly accepted the physical provisions that God supplied, something her god (satan) is unable to do.

To try and adequately explain what I saw and experienced in my spirit is difficult. Words cannot express what I felt at seeing a crowd worship and sing and cry "amen" in creole and then see that same crowd literally running little children over and fighting as they tried to get to the rice and beans being distributed. I have preached about the same crowd that cried "Hosanna" and then later "Crucify Him!", but I had never actually seen it until now.

Lives were saved as a result of the visit to this village. To God be the glory! He is doing great things and allowing us to witness it and participate in it firsthand. WAHOO!!

Sunday was incredible because of the great worship at Port-Au-Prince Fellowship. 300 plus people packed into the sanctuary, standing in the doorway, and in the courtyard in front of the church. The level of enthusiastic worship was super fun! I had an absolute blast preaching a message on authentic Christianity. The Lord blessed with one person praying to receive Christ and many re-dedicating themselves to His Lordship.

In the midst of all that I am experiencing in this new mission field, the Father reminds me that His truth is universal. His principles and His precepts work for all humans no matter what country a person is from, no matter how rich or how poor. God always uses the mission field as a clarifying factor in our relationship.

Please continue to pray as we push on with two more days of work and then head home on Wednesday.

PB

Medical Clinic 24 Oct 09

Incredible Medical:

Medical clinic and feeding program today went well, what an adventure! Even our totes are doing triple duty or more, as they were used to haul all the meds and food. The med team and some of ours spent thurs and friday packaging all the rice and beans, and the medicines. We estimated about 1500lbs rice and beans to give away, all in 1quart ziplocks, also the candy that we brought almost a half-tote to be given at the feeding.

Big time mud and mess that the trucks had to go through just to get there and back, what a fun adventure! At one point it looked as though the big truck was going to tip over in a huge puddle, so we started getting out at the bad spots and walking along, praying the truck would make it through!

Just incredible need out there and an incredible day, God really blessed us with an amazing adventure to put our faith into action with people who really need help severely. The medical team was incredible, they worked very hard all day, and the rest of us helped out in any ways we could.

Sue's journal notes 10/23/09

I (Sue) am sitting in the great room of the guest house cooling off from the after noon heat, rejoicing for the low humidity and a breeze that has kept the mosquitoes to a minimum- except for Karen, who attracts them like a magnet even with bug spray on.

The group has worked hard at repairs on the house and pouring the concrete picnic tables - Haitian style, of course. They finished up covering their pours with tarps in case it rains again tonight. Hopefully they will set by Tuesday so they can be assembled before we leave.

The orphanage kids had off school today so this morning Karen, Sherry and Sue spent time interacting with them with arts and crafts. Karen brought a photo printer to take pictures of the girls and they decorated frames for them. Several are skilled sewers and others like to braid bracelets, hair, etc, They all liked the thumb art and stamps Sue brought. We plan to do that again at the feeding on Monday.

This afternoon was another feeding of about 90 neighborhood kids who come three times a week for games, music and preaching by a Missionary from the Dominican Republic, and of course, food. The children here are thin but not noticeably malnutrition. However, they have been coming here for the weekly feeding. I am told we will see the real deal tomorrow when we accompany the medical team into the bush. It is also amazing to see the older children from the orphanage serving and taking part in the worship. They are so good with the children, especially the little ones. They make sure everyone has their portion and even hand feed the toddlers that come, then they help clean up - putting the equipment away and doing the dishes. They are divided into three teams that serve once a week.

I noticed there was a group of kids hanging over the wall watching as we distributed the bowls of rice and beans. I asked one of the young ladies who is here as a intern teacher why they did not come in. She told me they were too old. The program only has enough money to feed this group of children three times a week, they would love to feed them every day and open it to others. Limited resources always seems to be a problem in missions. We can only do what we can. However, God is blessing and expanding Bill and Suzette's ministry here in Delmas 75, so one day they may do just that.

When you actually experience the poverty and hunger, it puts a new perspective to giving a cup of cold water in Jesus' name. Missions are the same here as in the states, just different faces and different circumstances, but always about sharing the love of God and realizing we are all His children no matter the language used, color of skin, or ways one does things. We can all learn and benefit from each other if we are willing to open our hearts and see beneath the surface.

Pastor Bob shared a devotional about letting God's love shine through us. He said we take the presence of God with us wherever we go, all we have to do is listen to His leading and be willing to follow. Our team is doing that this week and we are praying ...

Shine, Jesus, Shine!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA ! "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 ladies check out >> www.thedevotedwomen.com

Got2Go2GH2Haiti in WEDNESDAY!!!

Day 3 - 23 Oct 09

Full day #3 for the GH2 team -

• chicken coop finished
• roof top awning project finished
• concrete poured, tables will be ready for assembly on Tues.
• 100 local kids fed today - many of them won't eat again until Monday afternoon when they return for the next feeding.
• Karen's hair has been "Haitianized"
• Love and laughter abounds as God's love is shared in the simplest of ways

As is often the case with mission trips to places that are far poorer than what we are used to, this is all a bit overwhelming, even for a guy like me who has been on a number of trips like this. I find that God is constantly reminding me that He is Lord of the entire universe, not just my little piece of the world.

As I listen to teenage boys read their Bibles in Creole I am reminded that God is not American nor is He Baptist. I am encouraged by that. I am encouraged because God is bigger than all of it. He is beyond my realm of understanding and yet not beyond personal relationship. He understands and can relate to the suffering that abounds in this place. And just as He loves me in my place of comfort He loves these people in their discomfort.

The Christians here understand that God's love is not about "stuff" because they have very little stuff but much joy and love. Our cooks for the week, Monise and Jeanette, are bright shining examples of the true love and joy of Jesus Christ. These two women have servants' hearts, love for the ones they are serving, and joyous smiles that infect you with joy.

Please continue to pray as we continue to serve and learn more of this great God and Father who loves us so much He gave us His only Son who alone is the only Hope for mankind no matter what country you live in.

- Pastor B

Day 2 - 22 Oct 09

This post is a day late, since the post I actually wrote Thursday night went into Haiti cyberspace somewhere!

It was an amazing day here in Haiti! Loads of activity in one short day....

We began our day walking the girls to school...slipping in our flip flops as we navigated over bumpy roads and around the muddied, water filled holes. The girls scurried along briskly so as not to be late....while some of us stopped to picture take and say "bonjour" to the locals....it is truly enjoyable to see that education is utmost to these kids, they are so excited to go to school and learn.

Once returning to the guest house we had a full breakfast then broke into groups to begin projects. Luke and Mark worked on setting the forms to pour concrete picnic tables, Bob and Brian worked on the guest house roof top building a sunroof over the sitting area, and Sue, Sherrie and I tackled a closet at the guest house that has years of donated clothing stacked on racks and in boxes, with hopes to makes some organization out of the chaos. We made some headway but only made a dent in this project. We also took a trip into town to the market with Suzette (had to purchase the coffee, soooo good!). Sherrie and I braved the ride in the back of the truck, standing up holding onto a metal bar, while "kamikaze" Suzette drove us through some tough terrain....Yikes!!

We had a medical team arrive today from Florida, whom we will be joining on Saturday, where we will drive 2 hours into the mountains to work a clinic and food drive for the locals of that area. In preparation for that day these two teams worked packing up 391 bags of rice and beans. This will be distributed to the Haitians along with other food and medical supplies.

The afternoon was spent with the kids, doing bible stories, games, songs. It is heartwarming to see the eagerness to learn, and love these kids wish to share....

Back to the guest house for a dinner of Haitian pizza (!!!!), some relaxation, reflection, then the much needed sleep.

Aue de voir till the next time :)

K

Sustainability

Update from the GH2 Mission work in March'09:

• The rain water harvesting system installed is still working great and the cisterns are full.
• The metal soccer goals are holding up just fine.

It's awesome to see GH2 has left a lasting impact!

First Day Firsts

Luke's FIRST flight ever and he was a favorite of the flight attendants! They even had a little ceremony and gave him some wings to stick on his chest. Plus, Luke and Mark got a cockpit tour and met the captain, navigator and copilot! It was very cool, now Mark has a first to add to his trips to Haiti!

All the luggage came in and made it thru customs and sticky baggage handlers hands. Thank God!

Our 1st activity: feeding program over at the play yard - must've been a hundred kids from the neighborhood chowing down!

Our 1st dinner was: rice&beans, chicken, fried plantain, Haitian fries, & fresh avacado, a real "welcome to Haiti" feast!!
- mt

GH2 on the ground in Haiti

Yeah the GH2 team is on the ground in Haiti (2:43 EST)! -dj

GH2 on their way to JFK

Traffic to JFK was light at 4:30 AM. The GH2 team flew thru the ticketing/baggage line with special service from the same agents that helped them this past Spring. Their flight was delayed by an hour, but they're now on their way.
-dj from the GH2 Homebase

GH2HaitiOct09 Team Pic

Here we all are at our Oct. 17 pre-trip dinner at Chapel Hill Community Church in Oakdale, CT. The food and fellowship was great, and we enjoyed the chance to share with friends and famliy our excitement for the upcoming trip.

GH2HaitiOct09 Oct.21-28

We have a great "Give Hope to Haiti" team and are getting ready to head to Port-au-Prince in a couple of days! We'll blog here about our adventures as we put our faith in action with our friends of Maison del Lumiere and Child Hope International http://www.childhope.org/.