Haiti Mission Trip July 2014

Haiti Mission Trip July 2014

As always, we had a great trip that was a blessing to me and those who went with us.  God has been faithful to Christian Mission to Restore Haiti since our inception four years ago.  Pastor Andre and I were in Cap-Haitien for a week this trip; Melissa, Pastor Mallory and Christa, and Pablo did not accompany us this time for various reasons.  Melissa was just there a month ago on an information gathering and medical clinic trip. 

As usual, we had our difficulties, but it was nothing of unexpected proportions.  Electric power was contrary; it worked when and if it wanted to.  I was there for an hour before power decided that it was tired and needed a rest.  Several times a day and during the night it went on and off.  Since there is no AC, it only affected the microwave – which I needed for my meals – and the refrigerator that we were able to send there recently.  And, of course, it was hot, especially in the villages we visited.  The rooftop sitting area in Cap-Haitien has a breeze most of the time.

I spoke in all four of our churches and our Bible Institute.  The institute is progressing very well.  We have a new professor who has been a pastor and seminary professor for over twenty years.  The students are learning and using what they learn to lead their respective churches.

In the Robillard church (pronounced Oh’ bee are) there was a man who seemed to attract my attention.  He was attentive and expressive in his worship.  After the service I was introduced to him.  He is 69 years old and has been saved for 9 months or less.  His name is Jacquelin Robillard (on right in picture) and for 48 years he was the village witch doctor.  He drank excessively, smoked all kinds of drugs and had five women living in his house.  He discovered that he had growths in his body that his “magic” could not cure.  He was scheduled for an operation when he woke up one morning and the growths had completely disappeared along with the pain.  God had healed him.  He got in touch with Pastor Maurice of our church and he was able to lead him to Christ.  Jacquelin burned every bit of his voodoo and witch craft paraphernalia and has been serving the Lord ever since.  He quit all of his drinking and drug use and has put four of the five women out of his house.  He will be marrying the one remaining woman soon. 

This is just one of the results of our Bible Institute training.  God is to be praised for His mercy to sinners.  Another of our students, who is our top student, is seriously considering politics.  He asked me is it was appropriate for Christians to be involved with politics.  I assured him that it was and that God could greatly use him in that career.  Others are anxiously awaiting graduation so they can be ordained and become pastors. 

Our church in Bas Limbe has been remodeled and looks great.  They have been waiting for several years to have it done.  A new floor with tile inlay, inside walls replastered, outside replastered, new raised pulpit area, and new paint.  We had the dedication service on Sunday.  I preached the sermon for it.  There were well in excess of 100 in attendance. 

On Friday after our Institute we went to Bas Limbe for a baptism.  We walked two miles to the Bas Limbe River and Pastor Andre baptized four.  Then two miles back.  HOT HOT. There were seven scheduled but only four were able to attend.  Pastor Jocelin will baptize them soon. 

A youth group from Pittsburg joined us on this trip.  They were a great group of teenagers who held a vacation Bible school in Dubre.  There were well over 100 who attended, both children and adults.  They sang, did two skits, and had several activities and crafts for the children.  And candy, of course.  The youth pastor, Brian Ham, preached in Cap-Haitien Sunday morning and did a good job.  He is currently attending Reformed Theological Seminary studying for his Master of Divinity degree. 

Because of lack of funding we were unable to hold medical clinics on this trip.  We are in need of monthly support to reestablish this much needed service.  Everyone in Haiti it seems has some medical issue or another.  Other clinics in the area have also been forced to close due to lack of adequate funding. 

Our financial needs are as follows: $350 per month for the Bible Institute; to reopen the clinic $400 per month.  We have had four pallets of food donated and they are in Fort Lauderdale right now.  We need approximately $700 to ship it to Cap-Haitien.  We are in need of a pickup truck for the ministry.  We have $2000 toward it, but in order to buy one in Haiti that is in fairly good condition we need at least another $2000-3000.  It is much cheaper to buy one there than to buy one here and ship it.  A $4000 truck here would cost close to $10000 by the time we shipped it and paid duty for to enter the country.  Each time we go, the transportation costs are excessive. 

Thank you all for your prayer support and a special thank you to those who support us financially.  Without prayer and financial support we just could not go and do what God has called us to do.  A very special thank you to Quay and Betsy Baker from East Naples Baptist Church who drove me to Fort Lauderdale at 2 AM Monday July 7 and picked me up there Monday July 14 and brought me back to Naples. 

Report on the July 2013 Mission Trip

Report on the July 2013 Mission Trip

Christian Mission to Restore Haiti spent 10 days in Haiti this past July.  It was one of the more difficult trips we have taken recently, yet we feel it was productive.  Two of our officers, Fred Correll and Melissa Shatney could not travel with us this time due to various reasons.  Pastor Andre brought his wife Unique, his daughter Jotan, and two grandchildren with him.  Pastor Andre and Pastor John were joined this trip by Pastor J.D Mallory of Naples and his family; wife Christa, son Nick and daughter Cassidy.  Accompanying them was Pablo Garcia also of Naples.  They are a welcome addition to our team.

Instead of giving a moment by moment accounting of our trip, I’ll give a brief overview.  We arrived on Monday July 21 at 8 AM in Cap-Haitien.  Immediately we began discussions with Methelus, our in country administrator, about our medical clinic in Dubre.  Due to lack of donations equal to our need there, we have been forced to temporarily close the clinic for the month of July.  Our plans are to reopen in August.  Our nurses are anxious to resume their responsibilities.

Our Bible Institute is doing well.  The students are learning and progressing in their Bible knowledge.  I gave them an oral quiz on the Gospel of John and they did well.  In addition to our regular professor, we had a guest professor who taught them church administration.  If finances allow, he will be a regular on our teaching team.  The students love coming to study and learn.  Our desire is to hold the institute two times per month, and eventually increase it to every Saturday. 

On a visit to Robillard to see our church there, we travelled through Plaine Du Nord.  The village was completely trashed.  The reason was there had just been a four day voodoo sacrifice held there.  Thousands of people from all over Haiti and the USA were there to “appease the evil spirits” by sacrificing cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, goats and other animals.  As hard as it is to believe, this sacrifice was sponsored by St. John’s Catholic Church.  There were at least three other sacrifices scheduled by three other Catholic churches.  The people travel from one to the other. 

View video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp3eJ86dKr0&feature=youtu.be

How the sacrifice works is this: the Catholic priest drinks a portion of alcohol, passes the bottle around to others and call for the evil spirit to land on them.  When the evil spirit comes, they kill the animal and pour its blood and throw a hunk of meat into a large mud hole that has been filled with water.  Then the sacrificers jump into the bloody pool, thinking that now the evil spirit is appeased and will leave them and not bother them again. Voodoo is still a large part of Haitian life, even in some churches of all denominations.

The next day, while holding services in the morning, Pastor Lucien of Dubre was attacked by men wielding a knife.  They told him they were taking over the building that the church has maintained for 27 years.  They beat him with fists and left.  Pastor Lucien verbally restrained his people from approaching the men, thus protecting them from harm.  The next day they returned and damaged the gate to the property and further threatened Pastor Lucien.  He was able to contact the police who arrested the men. The next morning Pastor Andre and Methelus went to Millo to the court where the judge collected $400 (Haitian) from them to go to Dubre and inspect the site.  After finding that it was true, he told the perpetrators that they would remain in jail until they repaid Pastor Andre the $400.  My concern is charging them with assault with a deadly weapon.

Pastor Andre bought a half gallon of Mott’s Apple Juice at the local market for 400 gourdes, which is approximately $30 US.  In the USA it sells for under $4.  Any US product there is horribly overpriced.  Most Haitians live on rice and beans - when they can get them.  They are malnourished, thin with gaunt faces.  Few are healthy.  We are attempting to begin a self-sustaining food program for our four churches (to begin with). 

For hundreds of years Haiti has been severely oppressed physically, emotionally, mentally, financially and spiritually.  Those of us who have ministered there understand why they are in the mentally exhausted state of being.  “Why try when nothing seems to work?”  They have been beat down mercilessly by despots who have ruled their country and by the witch doctors of voodoo.  They reached the end of their rope years ago.  But we believe that the Haitian mindset can be changed from “give me” to “I need to work to help myself.  I need to trust in Someone much bigger than me.”  That is what we are striving to achieve.  Many are turning to Lord Jesus Christ as their only means of hope and salvation.  But there are so many more people who need to be reached with the gospel.

Our church in Cap-Haitien has out grown the current building.  We have an opportunity to move to a much larger – 4 times the size - and more modern building in a part of the city where there is no church.  Already our bus driver, Navior, who lives adjacent to the building has been “evangelizing” to let the people know that the church may be moving there.

Many are excited about the possibility.  The cost for the yearly rent is $2,500 US, about double the amount for the older building.  We need your support for this to happen. 

On Sunday we went to Bas Limbe for church and Pastor J.D. preached on David and Goliath and how we can overcome giants in our lives.  Christa, Nick, and Cassidy sang.

It was a good service.  18 years ago, Pastor J.D. came to Bas Limbe and worked on the building, 

putting the roof on with his own hands.  This was his first time back to Bas Limbe since then. 

That evening I preached in the Cap-Haitian church on forgiveness.

During each service they have “worship time.”  Here is a shortened video of “worship time.” Usually it lasts 10 minutes or more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9-2j5xHPPs

I asked them why they get so involved with “worship time”: was it the music that they loved?  To a person they said “We love Jesus.”

Daloune is a 12 year old who I first heard sing two years ago.  She has gotten better.  The video is not the best quality, but enjoy her singing “Agnus Dei.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZLWuinap7s

Our visits on Monday to the villages of Robillard and Dubre reminded me of the church in Smyrna.  Jesus said concerning them in Revelation 2: 8 “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: “The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says:  I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich.”

These two villages are extremely poor financially and materially, but the churches there are far richer spiritually than many in the US.  Neither building is anywhere close to being completed.  Both need walls and roofs.  Both of them have chickens that walk through on the dirt floors during the services.  No one seems to mind.  Pastor J.D. commented that the visit to these two churches were the highlight of this mission trip.  These churches must be experienced to be fully appreciated.  The two pastors are Godly men who have taught their congregations to love Jesus.

On Tuesday we went to the Citadel but because of the high cost we did not go to the top of the mountain, but instead toured the Palace San-Souci, which was the home of King Henri Christophe in the early 1800’s.  He was an evil man who murdered tens of thousands of Haitians just because he could.  When Napoleon sailed to Haiti on three ships and ordered him to stop, he burned many houses in Cap-Haitian.  Napoleon sailed his one remaining ship back to France after Christophe burned the other two.

On our last evening we got sad news that Lismany, the 16 month old daughter of Bergemane Toussaint, the guitar player in the Cap-Haitian church fell into the river and drowned.  That night the Cap-Haitian church gathered at his house and held an all night prayer and hymn singing vigil.  Three nights before this, the entire church held another all night prayer and singing service.  Services that last all night are a regular occurrence in this church. 

Bergemane faithfully walks an hour and 15 minutes each way to church every time there is a service, at least 3 or 4 times a week.  He desperately needs a bicycle to ride.

As we were flying back the next morning, she was being buried.

Someone mentioned to me that they just could not go to Haiti for any reason; it would be too uncomfortable; there is no A/C, no running water, the power goes off for several hours at a time.  There are many other inconveniences and discomforts.  For me it is also the food.  I like the taste, but it does not like my stomach.  There are so many excuses one could give for not wanting to be involved in mission work.  What I have resolved is that God did not call me – or anyone else for that matter – to a life of comfort.  That is not His primary concern.  He has called every one of His children to a life of obedience and faithfulness.  Missionaries go to their God appointed field knowing what lies ahead, but they go anyway because of their desire to obey our Lord.

I am not naïve enough to believe that everyone is called to go to the mission field, but I am absolutely convinced that if God does not call you to go, He has called you to send others.  No Christian is exempt from mission work; either going or sending.  Your mission field may be foreign or local, but we must all be involved in His work.  The great commission still stands today. “Go… baptize…teach.”

The need is urgent.  What does God want you to do?

Haiti Missions Trip February 2013

Haiti Missions Trip February 2013

Once again Christian Mission to Restore Haiti had a blessed experience ministering to our Haitian brothers and sisters.  Pastor Andre, Melissa and I spent 8 days in Cap-Haitien at Pastor Andre’s house and travelled from there to the other locations.

Monday February 4 (first day)

I arrived in Ft. Lauderdale at 11PM on Sunday night.  I knew that if I waited until 1 AM to leave home, I would be very sleepy driving across Alligator Alley from Naples.  I tried to sleep for a few hours in my truck, but I couldn’t, so I took the shuttle to the airport, arriving a 2 AM.  The plane was scheduled to leave at 5:30.  As it is with most, if not all things dealing with Haiti, the airline, IBC, which is an American owned company that operates in Haiti, operates on Haiti time, which means it may or may not be on time.  It wasn’t.  We were 4 hours late taking off.  We had to stop in Exuma, Bahamas for refueling due to the weight of the aircraft, a two engine propeller plane.  We arrived about 1 PM.  Pastor Andre met Melissa and me at the airport and immediately suggested that we go to Mont Joli, an American hotel, for something to eat.  Good idea. I had been up since 7 AM Sunday and was not feeling too chipper.  We did and then went to Pastor Andre’s house in the middle of Cap-Haitien.

That afternoon we met with the nurses who operate our medical clinic in Dubre.  They have been very patient while waiting for the clinic building to meet all of the Haitian government’s standards – which mainly means plastered walls and paint, dead-locks on doors, bathrooms, a well (which we drilled in July) and a wash room.  They have all been completed.  We decided the clinic would reopen on Thursday this week. 

We needed to resupply the clinic with medicines, so we gave Methelus, our in country administrator, the money needed for him and the nurses to buy enough medicine to get started again. We decided that a $10 Haitian fee would be charged to all patients.  There are approximately six Haitian dollars to one American dollar, so it would cost the patient about $1.40 U.S. per consultation.   The charge for any medicine dispensed will depend on our cost to buy it. 

Also, the nurses are in desperate need of support.  We must not only provide their transportation to Dubre but also give them living expenses.  On a motorcycle, the preferred mode of travel, it takes about a half hour to get from Cap-Haitien to Dubre.  The road is worse than anything you have seen in the USA.  In a car, it takes an hour, shaking your body down to the bones.  You are exhausted after that trip.  The nurses agreed to go there each day for $600 Haitian per month ($100 U.S.) plus their travel expenses of $600 per month.  As you can imagine, this figure is far below the expected income for a professional nurse (between 2,500 and 4000 Haitian dollars per month), but they are Christian ladies and their hearts are tender to the needs in Dubre, which is the most medically needy village we minister to.  They are willing to sacrifice to go there and serve the needy.  If you are at all sensitive to this need, please give what you can for their monthly support.  Please make any support a monthly commitment, for their needs are ongoing.  But, if a one-time gift is what you want to do, then we will gratefully receive that.

We had a second meeting with them that evening to iron out a few more details.  By 9 PM I was ready for some much needed sleep.

Tuesday

In the morning we headed off for Bas Limbe (pronounced BAA’ (short “A” sound) lim bee) to check on construction work we were doing on the church.  The church walls have been in need of plastering.  For about 25 years it has just been rough cinder block walls.  The men were working on them when we arrived. 

School was in session there and the administrator, Felix, immediately greeted me with a question regarding needed support for the school. He was under the impression that since we took pictures of the school in July it automatically means money is coming.  I tried to explain to him that taking pictures does not mean money is going to flow into the school.  I told him that we are waiting for support to come in and cannot at this time send money.  We have many other projects underway and that any money people give is given from a heart that God has touched to give.  Since they are under extreme economic stress, they do not understand that America is experiencing economic pressures at this time.  I understand completely why he feels this way and sympathize with him and his concerns. 

And, yes, we in America do have so much more than they have.  The videos I have posted on my youtube channel (pjnaples) does not adequately show the desperate conditions there.  You must see it with you own eyes to understand it.  When you do see it, you will never again criticize them for what they do.  I know that some of you have seen the poverty in third world countries first hand, especially in you have served in the military or have been on mission trips.

After our visit with the church, we set off to visit a medical clinic on the beach in Bas Limbe.  We had to drive through a stream that crossed the road and there was a question as to safety, but the bus made it with no problem.  The driver headed down the beach and about ten men came running out waving their hands to stop, but it was too late.  We were stuck.  We could not move either forward or backward.  Thankfully, the men pushed us out backward.  

We then walked the beach to the clinic.  Melissa fell in love with the area.  I said “Gee, this looks just like a Caribbean island…Oh! That where we are, isn’t it?”  Directly across the bay was Labadee, the area that is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruise ships.  If you ever go there, you can easily see the beach we were on.  The clinic gave us a tour and a few pointers, then we headed back to Cap-Haitien. 

Wednesday

Wednesday morning was uneventful.  We had reserved the day for the Cap-Haitien Health Network meeting at the King Christophe Hotel.  This is the reason we had postponed our scheduled January trip until February.  Dr. Ted Kaplan, who Melissa contacted via email several months ago regarding our clinic in Dubre and whom Pastor Andre and I met in Naples a few months ago leads this network of doctors, nurses and other health professionals in the Cap-Haitien area.  He is an American doctor who travels to Haiti several times per year to help there. 

Since Carnival was being held in Cap-Haitien this year, with an expected influx of over a million additional people to the already overcrowded conditions there, the cholera potential was raised considerably.  This problem, along with other health issues, were addressed.

Thursday

We travelled to Dubre to reopen the clinic. As we got close to the church, some children saw our bus and began to jump up and down.  Dubre is a special village.  The people there are very tender toward us and show enthusiasm when we come.  They have had the same pastor for 27 years.  Pastor Lucien is a Godly man who is dedicated to God and to serving his people.

In July we drilled a much needed well there that has adequately served their village of 4,000.  We witnessed many people pumping water and carrying it away.  Also, it is the first place we chose to build and supply a medical clinic. 

Thursdays mornings in Dubre are set aside for fasting and praying.  The church had a group of people gathered who were singing and praying.  Each week someone different leads the group with songs and prayer.  They would sing a few songs, pray out loud, sing some more, pray, etc.  This continued all the time we were there. 

The sign painter was putting the finishing touches on the name of the clinic.  It is painted the official color of all clinics that are authorized by the government.  That shows all people that we are registered with and approved by the Haitian government.  It gives us significant credibility. 

While Melissa was videoing the clinic, she saw a spider.  The following link shows her reaction while the church kept on singing.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83Rz4p2ckEY

Fred, our technology expert, could not travel with us this trip due to health issues.  Pastor Andre announced this to the church and he led those present in prayer for Fred.  Here is the video of the prayer for Fred.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45jwxXFH6FE

After the prayer we walked to Pastor Lucien’s house to see if he was ready to plant some seeds that we brought for gardens.  We are attempting to teach the people the importance of growing their own food and how to do it.  Several months ago Melissa sent instructions to them for making a compost heap to mix with the soil.  Pastor Lucien had his heap and his garden ready for planting.  We supplied three villages with hand tools for planting and enough seeds for a great harvest of vegetables. 

On the way back to the city we stopped at an orphanage that Melissa had contacted.  They have been in Cap-Haitien for 25 years and have an average of 47-62 orphans at any given time.  A young couple from Tennessee are running it now.  They are to be commended for their dedication to serving in a hard environment, one which most Americans would not even consider doing. 

Friday

We met with many of the leaders of the churches for another seminar on leadership.  The concept of Biblical leadership has been foreign to them.  The Haitian way is every man for himself.   We are teaching them the Biblical way.  They are receptive when they hear how God wants them to lead, but many times they forget.  So we keep reiterating it to them.   It is beginning to sink in. 

Saturday

The institute met at 8 AM for prayer with most of the students present.  One pastor had an emergency that he had to attend to and two others could not be there for other reasons.  Overall, the institute is progressing well.  There are a few minor problems, but Pastor Samuel, our institute professor is a well trained teacher and pastor and is doing a great job.  They are currently studying the book of John with emphasis on the I AMs of Jesus.  There are several other pastors and leaders who do want to join our program but we are holding off admitting anyone else until finances make it possible.  We do not charge any tuition; it is totally free.   Should you sense a burden to help with the institute, your monthly support is greatly needed and appreciated.

Sunday

At 8 AM Melissa was taken to the airport to catch her plane back to Ft. Lauderdale and eventually Kennebunk, Maine where 3 feet of snow was waiting for her.  After dropping her off we went to the church in Cap-Haitien where I preached the morning service.  We hurried off to Dubre where I preached again at 11.  At each service the people were enthusiastic in the worship and in their “amening” the sermon.  A preacher always like to hear an “amen” when he preaches.  It demonstrates that he is getting through to the congregation. 

The church lingered for additional music and praying as we boarded the bus for Cap-Haitien, the sounds of music drifting through the open windows as we slowly left the church.  Dubre church is a wonderful place to worship.  Come and see on our next trip.

What I have not told you yet is that Pastor Andre had been sick all week with a cough and stuffy nose and headaches.  He was feeling miserable the entire week.  I was scheduled to preach again Sunday evening in Cap-Haitien, but due to him not feeling well, we did not go.

Monday

Nothing was scheduled for today, but early in the morning Pastor Samuel showed up and I had several hours to get to know him much better as we sat on the roof of Pastor Andre’s house.  About 1 o’clock I suggested that we all go to Mont Joli for something to eat.  I had been eating MREs every day and needed something different. 

Driving to and from the hotel took 5 times longer than normal because of Carnival that was being held in Cap-Haiten this year.  There were between 2 and 2.5 million people crowded into the city for this 5 day party that has its roots in voodoo.  At one intersection, we could not navigate through for 15 minutes due to the crowd of people and vehicles.  There was literally not a square foot of available space to occupy that was not taken up by someone.  Voodoo still has a hold on so many here, but the Lord is breaking that stronghold in many.  Please pray for continued evangelism among the people here.

Tuesday

Our driver was supposed to pick us up at 8 AM to take us to the airport for our flight home, but at 8:30 we called him to find out why he was not here.  His bus would not start, so we had him call a cab for us, which he paid for out of his earnings for the week since we were paying him for 8 full days.  I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare.  Pastor Andre, who stayed until Friday, was not allowed through the security because he did not have his passport with him, so he went back home. 

As you can imagine, we have many and varied needs that you can help in supplying.  See our web site www.cmrh1.org for further information.

I was grateful, as always, for how God worked in and through us to serve others.  I again offer you the opportunity to come and see what God is doing in our mission.  Our next trip is scheduled for July.  You just might be blessed more than you can imagine.

Obama Wins and America Loses

Obama Wins and America Loses

America has spoken, but has America spoken truth?  Neither candidate was my preference for president; but then, I did not have any choice in the matter.  There were only two viable candidates.  One was a known quantity, albeit not a quality quantity.  The other was unknown on a national scale.  Both lied through their teeth during the months leading up to yesterday’s election.  In politics, you must remember, that it is acceptable to tell as many lies that are necessary in order to get votes and money. 

For those of you who voted for Obama, last night was not cause for rejoicing and celebrating, nor is it a reason for you to gloat over his election win.  I do not call it a victory, for half of the country did not vote for him.  Indeed, it was not a victory for America, but a resounding defeat.  America is following in the footsteps of other world powers that have fallen because of their rejection of Godly principles and instead choosing immorality and idolatry.

Do you really think that God is going to bless a country that chooses a leader who deliberately rejects Godly principles?  Can we still sing God Bless America and believe He will hear and answer?  Please!  Do not profane His name by asking for His blessing if you voted for him.  God cannot nor will not bless any country that deliberately rejects Him and His law. 

But, someone says, not everyone in America believes in God.  We have a right to have the kind of government we want.  You Christians can’t force us to believe your way.  If we want humanism, that’s what we will choose.  No one is forcing anyone to believe in God if they choose not to believe.  The founding of this country was based on proven, reliable laws that protected all people regardless of their beliefs.  But, it also saw the wisdom in following God’s laws.

History has proven beyond any doubt that any country that turns its back on God and His Word is doomed to destruction.  The greatest example is Israel who were God’s chosen people to bring redemption to the world.  They had God’s law written in stone, had God’s hand to personally direct their steps and to drive out idolatrous nations before them, but they thought they knew better than Him and they rejected His law and His principles, and as a result, were taken into captivity by the Assyrians then the Babylonians.  Later, after rejecting the Son of God and crucifying Him, the Romans completely destroyed the nation and scattered the survivors to the wind.  Rome then fell because of the moral rot that decayed them from within. 

The revisionists have attempted to refute history by telling us that America was not founded on the Bible and God’s laws.  This is an attempt at destroying what they hate.  Their hatred of God and truth will not alter history.  Humanism is also doomed to utter failure.

America cannot expect God’s blessing if they think that homosexual marriage is a normal way of life, that murdering unborn babies is simply a choice that is between a woman and her doctor, that the rich should be mandated by law to willingly redistribute their money to the poor and give them free medical care, that if someone chooses not to work then they should still have the same comforts in life that those who do work have, that if a company is greedy and therefore about to go under that the government should throw money at them to solve the problem, that if Christians speak out against the evil choices governments make they should be prosecuted.  The list could go on and on.  Socialism always fails.  Godlessness always fails.  It must.  God’s law has never failed and it never will regardless of who likes it or dislikes it. 

I will pray for the president because the Bible tells me I must.  I will not pray for him because I like him or his agenda that will bring more pain to this country.  Who knows, maybe God will change his heart and mind.  Manasseh, the most evil of all of Judah’s kings, repented in his later years, yet the nation had to suffer untold misery because of his evil leadership.  He led Israel into the vilest of idolatry, immorality, murder of children, and rejection of God.  How is America today different from those days?  If God judged Israel, give me one good reason He will not also judge America for its immoral and idolatrous self-seeking, self-serving ways.

America must live with what God has allowed to happen.  But, how much will America suffer because of it?  The debt will grow to levels no one even imagined before.  Generations in the future will be saddled with paying it off.  This is not a joke.  It is real.  If I had my way, only those who voted for Obama would be responsible for paying off the debt.  If that were the case, how many would admit to voting for him?  Why should the rest of us pay for stupidity?

For the past several years our constitution has been slipping further and further down the toilet.  Last night, the final flush came.  What so many people, including those in authority seem to think is that the constitution is meant to be interpreted by the newest generation in whatever way it wants to interpret it.  If how the founding fathers wrote it is not the way we want it, let’s change it to suit us.  They are reading into it what no one with a lick of sense would see there.

It seems to me that the only ones who voted for him are greedy people who have their hand out waiting for the government to fill it with money or food stamps or free medical care; those who believe that same sex marriage (yuk! there’s a horrible taste in my mouth by just saying those words) is constitutional and to be admired; who think that it is perfectly fine to kill a baby while still in the womb of the mother; who think that government is the answer to all that ails our country; who think that it is the responsibility of the government to meet all of our needs and wants.  Or, there may be those who are none of the above but want to be thought of by others as tolerant and politically correct.  They just don’t want to offend anyone.  But they offend God.  That seems to be OK.  God will understand.  Wanna bet?

America has gotten just what it deserves.  God has given America a president that He will use to judge us just as He has done to other nations that turned their back on Him in the past.  But there is hope in that God still rules and reigns from Heaven and is able to overrule man’s foolishness.

Why I Hate the Yankees

Well, maybe hate is too strong a word.  I do not hate the individual players.  They can’t help it if they are some of the best in baseball.  No one would expect them to play down their ability in order to accommodate lesser players.  What I hate – again, maybe too strong a word – but then again, maybe it isn’t - is the Yankee organization that believes it has an inherent right to obtain the best because they can afford to pay them more than any other team can.  After all, they are the Yankees.  They deserve the best.  Forget about bringing them up through their farm system.  Let other teams train them, then the Yankees can steal or buy them from other teams. 

Now, I must confess that I have personally witnessed some great games that the Yankees of the past have played.  I was at Memorial Stadium the night Roger Marris hit number sixty to tie the Babe.  I saw the Mick hit a 513 foot home run against the Orioles that cleared the stadium and landed in the parking lot.  How do I know it was 513 feet?  The headline of the Baltimore Sun the next day said so.  To see the Yankees of the 50’s and 60’s play was incredible.  I repeat – I do not hate the players.  Well, some of the arrogant ones who presently play may stir a lot of dislike with in me.  You know who he is.  Oops!  Who they are.  I fully expect the Yankees to buy more and better players this off season. 

Now, I understand the free enterprise system, and I suppose that the system works in baseball also.  But what I liken the Yankee mentality to is a card shark stacking the deck in a poker game.  Make sure you win at all costs.  Make sure you get the best cards (players).  Cheat if you have to, but win. 

This year I’ve seen Derek Jeter cheat on at least two plays.  He claimed to have been hit by a pitch when clearly – replay confirmed this – that the pitch hit the end of the bat, not him.  He put on quite a show to convince the umpire that he had been hit.  He also pushed a runner off of second base to tag him out when he was clearly safe.  Is winning a game – and baseball is only a game – more important than playing fair?  What role does sportsmanship play in modern baseball?

The Yankee fans seem to have the attitude that if the Yankees are not in the World Series, it just is not the World Series.  Again, the Yankees deserve to win because they are the Yankees.  And no, this is not sour grapes on my part.  It is my sense of fair play.  Let the Yankees fill positions that are not quite up to par like every other team does.  Bring them up through their farm system; do not buy them from other teams.  No one except Yankee fans thinks their team building strategy is right.

Shoving Christianity Down Someone’s Throat

From time to time I hear people say that they don’t want anyone to shove Christianity down their throat.  When anyone says that someone is trying to shove Christianity down their throat, they really don’t have any idea what they are talking about.  They are speaking out of complete ignorance.  In their arrogant pride they are proclaiming that they have all the answers they will ever need in life.  No one can teach them anything.

If the truth be known, Christians cannot shove their beliefs down anyone’s throat.  No one can be forced to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  No one can be forced to believe truth.  Believing is a purely voluntary acknowledgement that one is a sinner in need of a Savior.  It is only hatred of truth or failure to recognize truth that makes anyone reject salvation. 

When someone tells me they don’t want Christianity shoved down their throat, my response is that I don’t want anyone to shove arrogant unbelief down my throat.  If by telling someone the good news of Jesus is shoving Christianity down their throat, then they must follow their own standard and never give their opinion on anything. If they do, then are they not trying to shove their opinion down someone’s throat?  Or is the standard now different?

Truly, it is those who reject Christ who are trying to shove their way of life and thinking down the throats of believers.  Everywhere you turn there is godlessness in abundance.  The degenerate cesspool that is Hollywood cranks out such filth that no one is immune from its influence.  The so called “stars” live totally immoral lives, yet are praised and lauded and worshiped by mindless minions as “role models.”  Role models for what?  Godlessness?  Demonic living?  How to go to hell?

Most TV is trash.  Garbage abounds on the internet.  Media of every ilk pours out liberal anti-Christian filth.  Politics is anything but wholesome and honest.  Is there any politician who does not lie?  Who, then, is trying to force what down whose throats?  It is Christians who are standing alone - yet we are not alone - in this world. 

You who attack Christians for telling the truth about this world and the ultimate destiny for those who reject truth are the ones trying to shove your unbelief down our throats.  It has always been that way.  Those who live for the Lord have always and will always – as long as this world exists – be subject to the attacks of the wicked. 

It’s OK for you to shove sin and godlessness down our throat, but we should never speak up for truth?  Who should be obeyed – God or man?

All that matters in the end is the eternal result.

Haiti Missions Trip July 2012

Christian Mission to Restore Haiti is thankful to God for His blessings on our recent 9 days in Haiti.  Pastor Andre, Fred, Melissa, and I arrived on Wednesday morning July 18 and were met by Methelus, our administrator in Cap-Haitien along with our driver for our time there.  Instead of having a car to use, we boarded a small school bus.  We found that in many ways it was more accommodating than a car -  except for no A/C and a stiffer ride. 

We accomplished much more than we anticipated.  A much needed well was drilled in the village of Dubre that will serve many hundreds of people – perhaps well over a thousand.  The well is 70 feet deep and was drilled entirely by hand by three men.  A video will be posted later showing the process. 

Three scheduled medical clinics were held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and one impromptu one on Tuesday that served between 600 and 700 people.  A Haitian doctor and two nurses were present to see those who came.  The two nurses, both members of the Cap-Haitien church, decided they wanted to establish a permanent clinic in Dubre, the most medically needy village we minister to.  It seems that everyone in Haiti has a medical need of some sort.  The clinic will be held at the church and will begin very shortly after proper documents are secured from the government.  In Haiti, nurses can write prescriptions.  We must have about $600 per month for the nurses and medication.

Pastor Andre baptized 28 people in the Bas Limbe river on Sunday afternoon after I preached the morning service. We walked about a mile and a half to the river, then back again.  Then we went back to Cap-Haitien where I preached the evening service. 

Each morning and evening we were treated to authentic Haitian cuisine.  Beginning Tuesday, Fred, Melissa and I decided that we could survive very well on canned soup and crackers and peanut butter.  We all had intestinal tract problems.  I think I just got over mine this morning (Sunday).

The Bible Institute went well.  We have 16 students who are very pleased with what they have learned so far.  God blessed us with a Haitian seminary graduate who will be teaching the students once a month the courses I have provided.  We will provide transportation for the students and food when they come into the city.  It will cost us $130 per month.  Our goal is to expand to 2 days per month, and eventually 4 days per month.  The students are excited about this new change.

We have stepped out on faith in all we have done.  God has put into our hearts these ministries, so we know He will supply all of our needs and provide what is necessary.  We are seeking prayer and financial support partners to join us.  We just cannot do it ourselves.  Yes, God is helping us, but He uses other Christians to accomplish His will.  Please pray about what God will have you to do to help those in great need.

I must make one more comment.  Missionaries go on short term or long term mission trips with the full knowledge that the probability is very high that they will endure discomfort of many kinds.  It is not a possibility.  It is assured.  Two out of the three times I have gone in the last 12 months, I have had bowel problems; each time we have endured heat with no A/C, no running water for showers or flushing, sewage in the street and many other discomforts.  All of that is but a small sacrifice for the honor of serving the Lord.  I will continue to go as long as God gives me the strength.  Those who go imitate Jesus.  He came to earth knowing the suffering that awaited Him, yet love drove Him to come.

God has called every Christian to serve Him.  No one is exempt.  John 15: 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

We do not choose how we will serve, but Jesus chooses how we serve for the purpose of bearing lasting fruit.  Some are chosen to go, others to send.  Many Christians I know are overly concerned with being comfortable, both physically and financially.  That is not what God has chosen us to do.  Those who do not go are chosen to send others.  Those who send imitate God the Father in that He sent Jesus.  No one is chosen to do nothing.  Eternity is just around the corner and we will all be comfortable then.  Each person must recognize how God would have them to serve.  Will you go or will you send?

We just heard from Cap-Haitian.  The health department has approved our request for a clinic, but we need to complete two buildings first.  We need $1,600 to finish the project we started so we can open the much needed clinic.  Will you help?

www.cmrh1.org

Thanks.  God bless.