Well, where did that year go? It seems like we just got started and BOOM, the year was over! I have a personal theory about that by the way … I’ll keep it short … I think it is a simple matter of perception … I know you are thinking ‘That guy is a genius!’ Or not! Anyway, when I was, say 15, I had maybe 70 years yet to live, but when I am 70 (I am not yet!) I will have 15 years to live. The more life, on earth, that we have in front of us, the slower time seems to pass; the more life we have behind us, the quicker time seems to pass.
So let’s review the year that just blew by us.
(1) On January 1, 2011 neither Martie nor I had ever been to Haiti. By January 1, 2012 I made five trips to Haiti (about 5 months total) and Martie had made 2 trips.
(2) We moved from Clanton, AL to Eclectic, AL in May.
(3) We connected with five ministries in Haiti: New Missions in Leogane, Thirst No More in Petionville, Children’s Hope, Calvary Chapel and Hands and Feet in Jacmel. (4) We completed construction on Phase 1 of the Children’s Hope Orphanage in Jacmel – 19 Children have lived there since the first of October.
(5) We helped with the delivery of supplies to people who were affected by the tornadoes in Alabama.
(6) We helped build 25 sheds for families who lost their homes to the tornadoes. (7) We have made two separate trips (March and October) to California to speak to churches and groups about our work in Haiti.
God has been faithful to meet our needs and has been leading us to new places of faith. Someone told me the other day that it is important to discern the difference between faith and foolishness. This had to do with a discussion about a problem in Jacmel in November and December. Bandits had targeted the homes of North American missionaries in Jacmel. They were showing up in the middle of the night with weapons (guns) demanding money and other valuables. Nearly all of the missionaries left Jacmel to wait for the bandits to be arrested which they eventually were, we think. But the question raised was “Will God lead you to a place that is not safe?” Now sitting in the stands, watching, we may all nod our heads reverently in the affirmative. But down on the field … maybe looking down the barrel of a gun … well, that may affect our perspective and opinion on the matter. The question my friend was raising was “Is going to Jacmel knowing that danger is lurking faith or foolishness?” My response was that if you know that God has called you to a place, say the land of Canaan with the giants lurking about, or Jacmel with bandits looking for North Americans, God knows what’s up and is sending you there in spite of the danger, but you will not be alone. You have Him as your front and rear guard so you go there by faith. BUT if God is not in it and you go because of some sort of false bravado or self-determination, that is foolishness. Never, and I mean NEVER, try to do a God-thing without God. Any guesses about how I know that? :o)
So what is ahead for us in 2012?
Haiti. Martie and I are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary on the 22nd of this month. She told me she wanted to go to Haiti as her anniversary gift. (Let me off easy!) So on the 28th, we are going to Jacmel. Martie for a month and me for 3 months. We are starting Phase 2 of the orphanage construction. God continues to bless us by connecting us with just the right people at the right time to do the work that needs to be done in Jacmel.
We are building a total of 8 buildings in Phase 2. They will be concrete block with wooden trusses and metal roofs. It is going to take some time to get this work completed. Andy Birchfield, the director of Children’s Hope Ministry, is also looking at launching a Tilapia farming project at some point in the future. As you may recall, we are providing the construction support for Children’s Hope in Jacmel. Children’s Hope is a ministry out of FBC Montgomery. FBC Montgomery is the church that asked Martie and me in 2005 to go to Bay Saint Louis, MS and help them establish a volunteer camp there.
In May we will be moving from the house we are living in Eclectic. At this point we are not sure where we will be moving to, but we know that the Lord will provide for us. Please be in prayer with us in that regard. For this next year, Martie and Jessica will spend the majority of their time in the U.S., while I will be mostly in Haiti, although Martie will continue to make short trips to Haiti.
As I just mentioned, we need to find another place to call home (beginning in May) while we are in the States.
We still lack the funds to purchase the block press that we want to use in Jacmel. The total cost of purchase, shipping and importing the block press from India to Haiti is $8000. Rather than delay the construction, we intend to start building with conventional blocks and improved construction methods.
Transportation costs to Haiti are about $1000 per trip per person. Between Martie and me, we will make 7 to 8 trips in 2012.
Health Insurance costs.
We want to expand our spiritual impact in Jacmel. We’re not completely sure about the scope of that so we asking God for clarity.
Purchasing Haitian Creole Bibles and the Jesus Film in Creole.
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