Priorities - sad what we value

Today I have been studying away from the office.  I will be doing this for the next few days in an attempt to get ahead with my studies.  I have found that the staff is encouraged and assisted in their work when I work ahead.  During this time away I will be putting together our next study on the Gospel of John.  Beginning on June 5 and ending just before school starts back in August we will journey through the four book of the Gospels.  I hope you will make plans to be here as we grow together.

Priorities

What defines your priorities?

What makes certain things important for you?

As American's we have been born into wealth.  Now, some of you may be responding with indignation, "I'm not wealthy!"  However following my trip to Haiti last week I have come to realize that all of us who live in Habersham County and for the most part of America is wealthy.

I am sitting here in my camper on the lake in middle Georgia.  I brought my black lab, Midnight, to hang out with me as Nathan played around and spends some time with his grandparents.  Tonight as I was reading and thinking the TV was playing the background.  I had stopped on the Speed Channel earlier in the day and the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction was on.  Tonight's show was focused on Corvette's, those American iconic hotrods that most every man would enjoy.

I glanced over at the screen at just the right time I guess, a time when I my mind was drifting back to the experiences of last week.  On auction block was the most beautiful deep blue Corvette.  As the auctioneer told about the car it became clear it was something special.  A not yet released 2011 Chevy Corvette LS7 Z06, this would be the first delivered corvette for the 2011 model year.   The bidding started and the buzz grew as several men fought it out to see who would conquer this beast.  Now the typical retail price of this car would be in the $85,000 price range.  To my amazement two men bid for several minutes and the final price was well over $210,000.00.  Going once, going twice, sold while children around the world die.

Immediately my heart broke and I wondered what the hungry and hurting of the world must think about our priorities.  Next came my wonder at what God must think about our priorities.  James 1:27 tells us that one who is a real Christ follower will care for the orphan and widow.  $200,000 would open two orphanages for a year that could house up to 75 children each.

I pray that you and I would take a close look at our priorities and take on the priorities of God.

Last day in Haiti

Haiti day six This day would start with a new adventure for me.  The host asked me to drive the truck to the airport to turn in the rental van.  I can check that one off my bucket list.  To say I had a great time would be an understatement. The next stop this day was the tent orphanage.  My wondering from the days before about the rain in the compound would be answered.  The tents were flooded and water standing everywhere.  The children had moved their meeting place to higher ground in the compound. Once again they were singing praise songs and smiling with joy.  One would wonder if this were part of the leaders attempts at making outsiders think the situation was better than it looked, but I can say to the best of my abilities these children were happy. The next hour or so we spent time with the children.  Since it was our last day on the ground I took all my snacks and we gave them to the children.  As we handed it out, it was amazing to watch the children sharing.  One child even went to a care taker who was washing clothes and made sure she had some.  Following the snack we played with the children.  I became a two armed merry go round and a climbing tree.  I sat on their bench playing like I had went to sleep while they piled on and them I suddenly awoke to scare them.  The chuckles and screams were precious.  At this point I had about 8 children, sometimes more tickling me and me tickling them.   We had a blast! During our play time doc was treating a set of triplets, yes three babies born in a third world country, two boys and one girl.  We had been told about them because the girl had pulled an oil lamp over on her and she was severely burned with 2nd and 3rd degree burns scattered all over her body.  It was heart wrenching to see, but also amazing to witness survival at it's best.  Doc said other than the burns the family was doing a great job caring for the children. Leaving is always difficult in this country.  Your heart is given to those who you are working with and you want to stay as long as you can.  The children I was playing with all gave me bear hugs and we said our goodbye's.  I would be lying if I said it was easy, my heart hurt to know that I may never see these children again.  I wonder what will become of them? How long will they endure?  Will they find homes soon?  My mind was flooded, I am overwhelmed and hurt!  Lord give me understanding and peace. The second part of our day was a ride through port au prince city.  We saw the broken buildings and the palace building and downtown.  I have never seen so many people, people everywhere.  Later in this writing I will tell more about this. On this day we would stop for lunch, your not gonna believe what we had, dominos pizza.  A third world country that has a Dominos! Following lunch we drove for what seemed like hours up the mountain.  Arriving at the top the temperature was much cooler and the homes much nicer.  Our trip would take us to an overlook of the country of Haiti.  As i looked off the mountain down on the city my mind wondered to Matthew 9:35&36.  Jesus was on a mountain looking out over the people.  He saw they were hurting, helpless and like sheep without a shepherd.  Earlier in is day as I sat in the mission house these verses we part of my morning devotion and reading.  God used my time with Him to show me my day.  Haiti is a country filled with people God loves, I wonder what Christ followers will do about it. Coming down the mountain was an event in Haiti traffic.  Stop and go for what seemed like several hours.  In my pictures that will be posted on Facebook when I get home it became a time to see people and what they do along the streets.  Since unemployment is at around 80% most peoplenbuy and sell good along the street.  One can purchase spices, water, veggies, and yes meats of all kinds.  One man pushed a wheel barrow by our truck with a hog that had been gutted, the ladies in or group were shocked.   The funniest thing we saw was a truck filled with cattle and people that had goats hog tied along the side, this truck would make PETA proud!   The next stop on our tour today was at the khadasha orphanage where Whitney and josh's babies where.  It was where we spent one day earlier on the week.  We reunited with the familiar child and began to play.  Jr. Went to sleep in my arms and we took him to his room.  As soon as my hands were free other children longing for love came to my side.  We played and enjoyed each others company.  A little girl about 6, one whom I had played with earlier found me and came to my arms.  We played and then she wanted me to hold her.  She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged my as tight as I have ever been held.  We played, I tickled her and she tickled me, i think I enjoyed it as much as she did.  As we wrapped up our visit she hugged tighter and said one word that rocked me more than anything that happened all week.  "daddy!". Now I am messed up, I began to weep.  I had to peel her arms from around my neck and walk away, it was the hardest thing I think I have ever done.  I am in Haiti, 6'6", 275# blubbering redneck, but I was blessed and possible touched by an angel. In His faithfulness, God sent His Word to me.  If you have done these to the least of them, you have done it for Me.  Ah, the father was giving me a glimpse of how he feels when I wrap my arms around Him and say, "daddy!" Our ride back to the mission house was difficult, I couldnt help thinking about my day.  Wow, I am blessed. We had dinner, shared as a group and began to pack for the trip home the next day. Although I have enjoyed my time in Haiti, I am ready to see my wife and kids.  And I can't wait to begin planning for my next trip to see the children God has blessed me with.

Haiti day five

Haiti day five The morning started out with a ham and cheese omelet, watermelon juice, a roll (formed like a cinnamon roll) with a grapefruit preserve.  Wow! The first part of our day took us to the future retreat center for the orphanage on the coast.  The site is three acres with about 100 ft of Caribbean  water frontage.  incredible view and location.   We worked on clearing the water of broken bottles, plastic bottles, and trash that had washed up on shore.  I used one of the machetes to clear brush that had grown along the ocean front.  We built a fire and burned the brush and trash.   Several of the guys went snorkeling in the ocean but I just sat reflecting on the days gone by.  Haiti has changed me, it has broken me, it has hurt me and I am asking God what I should do about it. It was time to head back to the mission house and I road in thie front of the van with Greg, our host.  We talked about the potential future of the relationship between fellowship and the ministry to children here. Tomorrow I think we will be back in the orphanages and preparing for our trip home.  Although I wished I could stay, I long to see Tina and Nathan. Until tomorrow let me encourage you to pray for what you and I are supposed to do with what I am experiencing.

Haiti day four

Haiti day four Today began with an oatmeal breakfast and a large, ice cold bottle of coke.  Can't get enough of that cane sugar coke. We loaded up the flat bed truck and headed out for an over night trip.  Traveling through town we experienced the normal crazy drive and stopped by the airport to rent a large van for the 2+ hour drive to the coast.  Once on the van we experienced our first detour of the day as it was flag day in haiti.  Parades and traffic slowed our progress. As we left port au prince we came across a bottom country that overlooked a mountain range.  As we came to the end of the road we were introduced to the tent city called Canaan.  200,000 people call this home following the earthquake.  I couldnt help but wonder what their night was like in the rain. A left turn put us on the coastal road to our destination.  About ten minutes into our ride we made a right turn and I saw a large cloth cross with a wooden cross at the top on a hill side.  We drive-up the road and began to see hundreds of little brown crosses.  The van stopped and Greg our host began to tell us about the mass grave yard before us, the place where it is estimated to hold the remains of 300,000 people who lost their lives in the earthquake.  A strong sense of surreal wonder and heart break filled my soul.  I began to wonder how many didn't know Jesus?   I wondered how many mothers and fathers were hurried without their children were laid there?  How many children were buried in the deep mass pit of bodies?   We loaded the van and off we went.  As we drove my mind began to speed along with thoughts about why God would allow such devastation?  I wonder why so many had to die in one crack of the earth.  The questions flooded my mind.  But the one thought that permeated my mind, what could Christ followers do to better care for the world so when this happens so many will not be lost.  It doesn't explain the why, but it does cause us to action. We arrived at our accommodations and several of us left for another orphanage.  We arrived to find several children lying on the concrete pavilion floor on a blanket.  A small Haitian dog was lying under a table and a 12 year old girl was overseeing the group of 8 kids.  We interacted with the children and waited on the director who was at the beach for a day retreat with the rest of the kids.  Whitney picked up a baby who was crying and didn't have much luck getting it quiet.  I noticed a bracket on the child and when I enquired was told the child belonged to a voodoo witch.  They mark their children with beaded brackets, and she was dropped off at the orphanage frequently for her mother to party. We greeted the other kids as they arrived from the beach and then returned to our hotel.   Our group enjoyed a great coastal dinners and then went out on a Oceanside gazebo for a small worship time.   Time for bed and the end of day four.

Haiti day three

Haiti day three Today by far was the most bitter sweet.   We loaded the truck and took a 45 minute ride to our first work of the day.  The ride alone can take it's toll on a new bee.  Probably only 25 mile, however the road was filled with bumps, deep potholes and many drivers. As we made our way into the deep country we were told that it was the most dangerous community in Haiti.  It is know that 12 year old boys walk around with ak's or shot guns.   Finally at our destination we pull up to a lot with tarpons fencing and a rickety gate.  The camp leader met us with the familiar bomjour, however he was carrying a 14" machete.  To say it was a little unnerving was an understatement but our translator assured us he was friendly and wanted us there.   My for the moment was to watch out for the ladies in our group as they entered the camp.  As we waited for our host to finish a call in the truck I heard children begin to sing songs that I did not understand but knew as a familiar children's songs.  Our host joined us at the gate and we entered. A group of about 30 children were huddled into a small tarp covered bench filled area as the older children played drums and gouged in the songs.  I took a moment to greet the children and even received a few hugs.   We were asked to do some cleanup and then we started the clinic.  Soon I was working with the doc as his pharmacist, dispensing his PWRs tiptop is and putting the interpreters instructions in a baggy for the home mother.   I noticed a few of or group huddled into the largest tent, an army surplus green field tent with one end open and the sides just blowing open as the tropical breeze blew through.  I walked over to find tow boys in malnourished condition sitting alone in the sweltering heat, each maybe 6 months old, slowly responsive and lathargic.  My heart sank, these two boys, near death save our days efforts to rescue them (literally).  Two of our ladies picked the boys up and we moved them to a cooler tree and then bathed them and offered them food and water.  On this day they would retur. To the mission house with us for care and possible adoption.   This orphanage houses 76 children who's parents have either to the earth quake, died of disease or just abandoned .  The tents they lived in were just a covering with no pallet, sheets or blackest.  The ages range from 6 months to 16.   In the clinic we treated wounds that were infected, respirator sickness, infections of ears and many other normal childhood illnesses.  Each child received their turn with Doc steve.  It took about 1  1/2 hour to see everyone. Then we had some fun.  We gave them new soccer balls and each child got a surgical glove.  We  made blow the gloves up and drew faces on them.  Then I took one of the gloves and filled it with water, bit a hole in one of the fingers and started spraying the children, it was on!  Smiles and a joyful spirit filled the air.   Our time at this orphanage came to an end and we said our goodbyes.  Many of the children hugged our necks and a few tears were shed.  We were able to take the two boys back to the mission house for nourishment.   To say that we are blessed in American is an understatement.  For some reason I was born who I am and I must wonder why.  I don't think I can explain all I am feeling as I write this.   Before I move to our next adventure Josh (our new children's directors husband) and I are sitting in the mission house listening and watching it rain.  We both wonder what the children in the tent community must be experiencing tonight.  It is lightening, are they scared?  Are they dry?   It is now around 1 pm, no lunch for us and no complaining from me.  We moved on to town to pick up the mattresses we ordered yesterday.  Then we delivered them to the orphanage we visited yesterday with the cholera outbreak.  When we arrived the spirit was better and the building was ready for us to install the bedding.  We continued to help in the clean up efforts and then headed back to the mission house. Supper was incredible, sphagetti with hotdog wieners and spices.  Um um good!  And the cokes in bottles are out of this world. That's all for now.  I can't wait for all God wants to show me tomorrow.

Haiti day two

Haiti day two This morning I was awaken by the shower flowing next to my bed.  The whole room was a buzz at 5:00 am. What?  These Christian hedonist wake up to early.  I got up and took my turn at the shower.  The water was only a trickle and ice cold but refreshing.  No complaints here just trying to give you a fill of my journey. Breakfast time.  Eggs and fresh fruit. Following breakfast we prepared for the day ahead.  We traveled to a medical clinic to drop off Dr. Steve.  Traveling by car, truck or motorcycle in this country is an adventure.  No lanes no signals and no right of way.  People pass you on every side, we even had someone pass us on the sidewalk.  Ricky bobby would be proud.   We then traveled up the road to our first orohanage.   There we found 12 children ranging in age from 8 months to 1 years old.  As I walked in a little girl about 2 took me by the hand and escorted me around on the tour.  When we finished I sat on the porch and she sat in my lap for the next couple of hours.  We played with the children and did some teaching.  They ate lunch and we snacked until about one.   Michelle (the wife of our host) came to us and told us about another orphanage that had a child come down with cholera.  For Haitians cholera is deadly and for americans it causes a very difficult illness.  We were asked to go help disinfect the building.  We were not prepared for what we found.  The house had no water inside, roaches were infesting the clothing and beds.  The care takers had taken all the mattresses off the beds and moved them to the roof to be sprayed with clorox.  I asked about new mattresses because most of them were torn and tattered beyond being useful and then committed to buy as many as needed.  We need 33 at $25.00 each.  The mattresses are made here in Haiti and will be ready tomorrow.  We cleaned the inside of the house and then burned the old bedding and most of their clothes.  What a challenging day. By now it was dark and we had been told to stay in after dark, the ride home was really fun and uneventful.  We arrived safely to our mission house. Dinner tonight was off the hook.  Beef tenderloin, green beans, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob.  The highlight was the freshly juiced orange mango drink, yummy. Well that wraps up our day two in Haiti.  Most of what you will read is unedited so give me some grace here.  Looking forward to tomorrow and the opportunities God sends our way.  Unfortunately I can't upload pics at this time. God bless 

Haiti Day One

Haiti day one The day started early to get to the airport.  Security was not to bad.  I did get the scan and body pat down. The flight down was good, the landing felt like we were shot down.  I think I slept for most of the flight but came to life with the touchdown.   We had a two hour layover in miami and had some lunch.  Following lunch we sat at our gate and I met a girl name elizabeth who is a native of Haiti.  At first she was skeptical but the. Opened up to us.  After about an hour talking we talked about the Lord.  I asked her two questions   What was Gods purpose?    What was her purpose?   We exchanged emails and then said goodbye. We boarded about 30 min late in Miami and had a good flight to Haiti.  Once again I thought we got shot down, very rough landing.    Once off the plan we boarded a bus to immigration.  The bus was filled with almost everyone on the plane.  Let's just say it was crowded.  We filled out our paperwork and waited in line.  Once cleared we were bombarded by people trying to carry our bags.   Our driver found us and we had to walk about a half mile to our ride, my suitcase (new) broke and I had to carry it.  Then we got to the truck and loaded (I will post pics).  It is a flat bed truck with metal mesh siding and a metal roof like a goat truck.  The ride to the mission house was crazy. There are no lines, no speed limits and no police.  People just pass you when ever they can.  I thought New York was off the chart but haiti beats it.  While driving we had people beating on the truck begging for help.  One woman with a baby cam up asking for a dollar. Following a 30 minute goat track ride we arrived at our mission head quarters.  You should know that we passed chickens and cows all along the road, sharing the road.  As we passed it was as if there were no boundaries, but there it.   The earthquake damage was visible everywhere.  One buy,ding destroyed and right next door nothing wrong.  People homeless everywhere. Tent cities all along the route.  Definitely there is great need here. The mission house is a concrete mansion type house painted pastel colors and gated and walled in.  The driver blew then horn and the house hands opened the gate.  The walls are block and concrete with rolls of barbed wire molded to the top.  The landscape is very lush and tropical.  Today's weather was cooler than they normally have. It is high 70s with a cool breeze.  The huse sits along a ridge looking back at a mountain range. We settled in our room, a large room with 8-9 beds with one light and fans everywhere.  The bathroom has two showers, a toilet and sink.  We have a verandah that over looks the valley of cows and people walking everywhere The house keepers were cooking dinner, beef (not sure what kind) rice with beans ( the staple) spiced with a slight heat to it.  Platans fried and a salad.  Oh yeah they have real old type coke in the big old style coke bottles. We encountered our first time with babies.  Two sets of twins orphans  sweet babies. Held them for some time.  They are being adopted to a better life.  That may seem harsh but that is what their parents say and want.  Really sad and eye opening.  In the days to come there will be many more children who need loving couples who would consider adoption as an option.  Both sets of twins were 1 year old and 9 months old, they all weighted around 10 lbs.   Had a group meeting and settled in for the night.  Slept good.

Church Out of Church MAY 22, 9AM

In an exciting partnership, Fellowship Church and community volunteers will serve making Habersham County Better on Community Service Day, Sunday, May 22.

Located at 230 Industrial Park Road, Fellowship Church is no stranger to leading community events. In the past 5 years they have helped sponsor Peachy Clean Day for the City of Baldwin, handed out Free Cold Drinks on Hot summer days, wrapped Christmas Presents, free garden plant give away and recently gas cards.
“This is going to be an exciting day for Fellowship Church and the broader community. We’re encouraging everyone to get out there and do a service project during the weekend," said Stan Crump, Campus Pastor. “There’s something for everyone, so I hope to see a great mix of individuals, families, students, teachers, seniors, non-profits, service organizations, faith-based groups, and members of the business community join me in volunteering on this day of service.”

Fellowship Church events are fun for the whole family. No experience is required. Start time is at 9: AM May 22 and lunch will be served. Preregister by emailing contact@fellowshipga.org or call 706.894.1500