Haiti Sermonette - "You Just Have To Believe"

Many of you have asked to hear or read the sermonette I gave in Trouin, Haiti during my last visit. It's really nothing special, but Ancy, my Haitian brother, translated and preached it with enthusiasm and vigor! As he said, he preached and I translated in English! :) 

Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV)

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “Why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

I get scared so easily. From the smallest of things like spiders to the biggest of things like hurricanes, I get scared. Probably the scariest time in my life, though, was God calling me to be a pastor. He sent me first to Mexico and then to several churches in America. And then He called me to serve in Haiti. I was nervous. I was scared. Haiti was a country I had never visited. Creole was a language I had never spoken or heard. There was food I had never tasted. Everything was new and different. But God was calling me, "Come." He was calling me to Haiti. I just had to believe. I just had to believe He would be with me and He would lead me if I followed.

You've probably had times like this in your life. Times when you haven't understood God's call. Or times when you doubted and lacked faith. Perhaps after the earthquake or when hurricanes brought winds and floods? But God calls us -- and He told Peter -- don't worry, you just have to believe. 

I found comfort in reading this story of Peter and Jesus. Peter is just like us. He's scared. He's nervous. He lacked courage. But he knew if he wanted to walk on water, he had to get out of the boat. This seems to be a challenge from God all through the Bible. God has said so many times - don't be afraid, you just have to believe. Remember Abraham? God promised Abraham He would make him into a great nation. Abraham just had to trust, just had to come, just had to believe. Remember Moses? God called Moses to be the leader of the Israelites. Moses was scared and came up with a million excuses. He did not want to get out of the boat. But God told Moses, you just have to believe. Remember the prophet Jonah? He may have been the most scared! When God called him, he jumped out of the boat and ran in the opposite direction. But God called him back and said trust me, you just have to believe. And now here we see Peter. Jesus said to Peter, COME. You just have to believe. His will catch us... His arms are waiting.

Why? Why is Jesus so willing to catch us? Because He is the great I AM! He is the God of this city. He is the Lord of this nation. He is the light in the darkness. He is the hope to the hopeless. He is the peace to the restless. He is the great I AM. 

When there is a storm, you just have to believe. When there is sickness, you just have to believe. When there is hurting, you just have to believe. He calms the storm. He heals the sick. He comforts the hurting. You just have to believe. 

I took a leap of faith and jumped out of the boat. I came to Haiti for the first time in 2009. I believed God had a purpose for me here. He would use me to spread love, give hugs, and share joy. He would use me to bring clean water and solar power to His children in Haiti. And now I have been to Haiti more times than I can count, installing 12 clean water systems along the way - the newest of which is here in Trouin. Even though I was scared and anxious, I believed. I jumped out of the boat. I just had to believe.

What is the leap of faith God is asking you to take? What boat is He asking you to jump out of? How do you need to let go and COME to Him? 

He's calling us all. Come. Don't be afraid. You just have to believe. 

Ancy preaching, Ashley translating :)

Blogging Sabbatical

While my gratitude has not been lacking, my blogging certainly has been.

Since returning to Haiti I have been blessed by two VIP visitors, the ending of one school semester, the starting of a new semester, and playing catch up with the best job in the world. Thus, stay tuned... More stories to come and more blogs of gratitude.

Peace be with you!

Day Off

Today, I am channeling the relaxation and quiet of this picture. It was taken back in 2008 in the middle of the Yucatan. It was so quiet, so beautiful, and I truly was at peace.

In an effort to relocate that peace of mind, today has been declared a day off. It's a day off from work...well, other than responding to a few emails, and it's a day off to relax and not care about anything.

Summer school is finished, work is good to go, and John is safely on a boat in the middle of the ocean. There's nothing left to think about, and today has been declared Day OFF. It's time to find a beer and a seat by the pool!

I'd ask you to join me, but... :)

What a Difference a Week Makes...

This was written Sunday afternoon...

What a difference a week makes...

I've been back from Haiti now for six days. Usually, I bounce right back and fall into my normal routine like I had not even been gone. This time, things are different. I don't know why, buy my mind and my heart is dwelling in Haiti. There was nothing out of the ordinary on this trip. It was not harder than usual, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. I've been a bit sickly, and my energy level is down a bit, but that is normal. It can't be culture shock. I've been to Haiti how many times now?

This morning, I was sitting in church pondering where I had been in the last week and the overwhelming change around me. I seem to be in a funk and can't quite get my head wrapped around it.... I finally wrote it all down, hoping it would help me process the changes and unkemptness I am feeling.

Last week, I was preaching a sermon on Jesus walking on water.
This week, I am listening to a sermon about being bold and living my life without hindrance.

Last week, people rushed to lined up for communion, and I placed the wafers in their mouths to serve them.
This week, the cracker and grape juice plate came by me, but there were not enough elements for everyone, so I passed the plate.

Last week, I was melting under a long-sleeve heavy robe while sitting under a make-shift church made of poles and a tin roof. The sides were tarps tied together. This was their church, as the earthquake destroyed their beautiful place of worship.
This week, I have goose bumps from the air conditioning and I find myself sitting amongst 1200 people in a huge auditorium with a loud band.

Last week after church, the community lined up to receive a small plastic cup of clean water.
This week, the line was long for Starbucks inside the church, but we didn't have to wait at our favorite Sunday afternoon restaurant.

Last Saturday night, my entertainment was sitting in a circle of twelve and listening to three of the members practice beautifully the song they prepared for the next morning's worship.
This weekend, I sat with my dear friend and watched performers in the Beatles' Cirque De Soliel show.

Last week, as I sat atop a mountain, I worried about a hurricane, winds, rain, and mudslides.
This week, as I sat in the middle of a desert, I was wishing for rain and wind.

Perhaps I am feeling as though I live in two completely different, separate worlds. Going from Haiti to Northern Virginia never hit me much; however, going from Haiti to Las Vegas is such a great change. Within 18 hours, I went from nothing to over-indulgance. In one world I drive down unpaved roads where women walk miles each day to gather water for their families. In another world, I watch extravagant fountain shows in front of glitzy hotels. In one world, it is realistic to see block after block of families living under tarps and in tents. Back in this world, construction vehicles block my driveway and the building of new homes is going on all around me. In one world, it is not unusual for ten people a day to ask me for food and water. In this world, the restaurants are numerous, and the waste is plentiful. In one world, I often use a bucket to flush a toilet, and here, I rank the hotels on the Strip according to their beautiful clean bathroom facilities.

It is quite the difference in living, in working, in sleeping, in eating...in every aspect of life... Except one. God is the one constant whether I am living and working in Las Vegas or in spending the days in the mountains of Haiti. Perhaps that is what I need to focus on as I attempt to extract myself from this funk. God is never-changing. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Perhaps that is what I need to focus on - the constants rather than the differences.

August Haiti Trip - Day #8 - Monday, August 8

Prayer Partners of the Day - Diana Grace & Barbara Shaffer

The last day in Haiti...until January perhaps! We left for the airport early this morning, and I had no idea we were so close. Our ride was only 5 minutes at the most, which was very nice. The ladies inside the airport took pity on my luggage situation and upgraded me to first class for the trip to Miami! It was a nice little perk!

I must admit, I am ready to go home. Perhaps it is all the traveling I have done this year? Perhaps it is the lack of comfort without my own personal clothes and belongings? Whatever the case, I am tired, and I am ready. Is that bad of me?

So again we close the book on yet another successful installation trip to Haiti. Two communities are drinking clean water powered by solar panels, and two houses are now able to extend their days by having lights at nighttime. Jesus truly is the LIGHT of the world and the LIVING WATER for our bodies and souls. Above all, I am thankful that He is using me to share that LIGHT and share His WATER in the world.

Onward home...

August Haiti Trip - Day #7 - Sunday, August 7

Our team in front of the Cheridant water building.

Prayer Partners of the Day - Jan Koerner (AKA Mom) & Maple Springs UMC

First, Happy Anniversary John! Today is the 7th anniversary of our wedding, and I could not be happier to be married to the most wonderful man in the world. We have yet to spend an anniversary together, due to our travel schedules, and now it has become somewhat of a tradition to spend our anniversary apart! He's definitely with me in spirit, though, and I am so happy to be loved by him!

Back to Haiti...

Our team split up this morning. Half stayed in Cheridant for Pere Desire's worship service, while Rollin, Linda, Steve, Jerry & I went to Trouin for worship. Pere Michaud asked me earlier this week to preach, which I nervously agreed to! Claudia let me borrow her dress, but when we arrived in Trouin, Pere Michaud asked me to wear one of their robes. It was like wearing a blanket! My respect for Olizard, Pere Irnel, and all of the other priests in Haiti just grew 100%! They preach in these robes every week, no matter how hot and humid it is!

The newest solar powered water system in Trouin, Haiti.

The service went well, and if Ancy were here to tell the story, he'd tell you that he preached well, and I translated his sermon into English! :) Michaud asked me to serve communion with him, and I felt privileged to do so. It was a beautiful service, and the celebration of the water system followed. Inside the water building, they brought in the incense to dedicate the system, and we began handing out the first cups of clean water to the community! Linda handed me the cups, and I pulled the lever for clean water. It was AMAZING! This is always, by far, my most favorite day of every installation. So many smiling faces, so many hearts leaping for joy.

Georgette, one of the community members, fixed us an amazing lunch. We had fresh mango, pineapple, avocado, occra, plantains, and so much more. We were napping in the church when the rest of the team came to pick us up an hour later.

The drive back into Port Au Prince.

The drive back into Port Au Prince.

The ride back to Port Au Prince was uneventful. We stopped by Carrefour to check on a survey, but the new well had yet to be dug. We arrived at the International Guest House in PAP to be near the airport the next morning. It was here that we said a very sad to say goodbye to Ancy. I'm used to saying good bye, and seeing him in a few weeks. This time, it may be until January when I return to Haiti again.

One last highlight of the day - a camera crew is also staying at the Guest House. They are filming a documentary for PBS called "Building a Nation is to Build Relationships." (Something like that.) They interviewed me on camera about the work Solar Under The Sun and Living Waters For The World is doing in Haiti. It was quite a treat, and I hope it does make it to television to ignite others to join the cause. (Click here to read the journalist's blog of our interview.)

Tonight we will sleep in "air conditioning" and head off to the airport early in the morning. This week went by much too quickly, but I am more ready to go home than I have been in awhile.

August Haiti Trip - Day #6 - Saturday, August 6

Prayer Partner of the Day - The Hogan Family

My cheeks hurt from smiling so much today! It was an early day again. Chris, Jerry, Steve & I went toward Jacmel to pick up the replacement parts for the solar systems, only to turn around 15 minutes into our drive, come back to Cheridant, repack and head toward Leogane. We made a stop at the monastery to pick up supplies, drop off supplies, and give hugs to the brothers. Then we were off to Leogane to the Notre Dame orphanage. Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do for the system there, so we made a list, made notes, and put a call into Bertone.

Rubble still sits in Cheridant as a everyday
reminder of the devastating earthquake.

Jean Jacques Sylvain was awaiting us at the Total station in Leogane to finally give us the solar parts we had been waiting for all week. Of course, since we were at the Total station, we took the opportunity to have ice cream! We stopped back by Trouin to install the new charge controller, and repeated the process in Cheridant. By the end of the afternoon, the operators of both systems had been trained, and the three systems were running on their own.

Finally we were able to get to Ancy's mother's home up the road from Cheridant. The fellas had the system installed under an hour, and four light bulbs were lighting up her home! What a great feeling it was to know we completed all of the tasks we set out to accomplish!

The Cheridant Volunteer House, complete with solar panels.

A bit of sadness hit me this evening when I realized it was our last night in Cheridant. I adore Father Desire, the priest in charge of the Cheridant-area. He is such a great man! Tonight he brought out pictures of his family, and they are just as precious as he is. I hope I will be able to get to Arkansas in October when he & Ancy are there for the Haiti Education Foundation conference. Ancy, of course, has been wonderful, and I do so enjoy being with him any chance I get. Gerald, Chris's Haitian son, has also been with us everyday! We're currently pre-arranging his and Lesedi's marriage! :)

The complete system in Trouin.

It's been such a great trip, despite the storm, and the lack of luggage. I've never been more thankful to be part of a team, especially THIS team. The week really could not have gone better. Many thanks to everyone who has joined us in daily prayer. Those prayers sustain us with energy, encouragement and a great Spirit!