October 30th Haiti Update
We had a pretty big last couple days in Haiti, the Lord was good, as always, and His mercies were new. As everyone in Base Camp woke up to start the days, we knew it'd be full of productivity. We had days of laying new foundations, bringing good water to the Haitians, creative expression, giving dental care, and ultimately bringing God's glory down. As you know, Haiti experienced a major earthquake, and the Foursquare Church had to be destroyed because of the damage it took. Currently, our new metal building is on it's way to us, but we have had to do a lot of preparation. So, the day of laying the cement slab for the church was a highly anticipated day. However, as we ran into many difficulties that come from working with Haitians, it began to rain just as we finished our second of three slabs.
A project that I have been given is taking care of our water at Base Camp and at the church. We have two major water purifiers and I have learned how to use it and make water drinkable. When I went out to use our purifiers on our water I successfully purified a 500 gallon tank and a 1000 gallon tank. However, when I attempted to purify our water cistern for our Base Camp, I wasn't as lucky. For some reason, beyond to my knowledge, the filter that I used once successfully, would not work.
This is where "TIH" is explained. A saying many people use here to describe how life is, "Haiti moves at the speed of life." Ever watch grass grow? It's kinda like that. What makes things rough is that things never quite work how you'd like them. A real testing of your patience and ability to hold your frustration. So, we have developed this, "TIH" phrase as a way to subside our anger in how things are working. "TIH" means "This is Haiti"
An example: Today, a fellow worker and I grabbed two containers full of 100 backpacks that we gave away to 100 children so they could begin to go to school. However, after we loaded the containers into the truck, I noticed a huge black furry spider (probably a tarantula of sorts) on my coworkers shoulder. After a high pitch scream, and Rachael says I did a little dance, I ran over and grabbed something to knock it off him and did so. But before I knocked it off of him, I noticed another spider of the same sort crawling right next to my foot. Then I realized the spiders where probably underneath the containers, which where now in the bed of the truck. Which only a few minutes later I found myself sitting in. Honestly, I was a bit afraid that I'd turn around and see one crawling on my shoulder, but all I could do was give God my fear and simply tell myself, "TIH"
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
A Word on the Cholera outbreak in Haiti
This last week it has been confirmed that cholera has broken out in rural areas outside of Port Au Prince. Cholera is an intestinal infection caused by bacteria in contaminated water and food. Officials are unsure of the source, but are attributing it to flooding caused by all the rain Haiti has received the past couple weeks. Cholera’s main concern is dehydration. Clinics and organizations are working hard to supply infected regions with rehydration kits and water purifiers. Cholera is normally not a deadly infection, but because of the lack of access to clean water and medical attention, cholera is a great concern in Haiti.
While it is pressing and in our thoughts and prayers, those of us living at Foursquare Base Camp Haiti, have not been directly affected by the outbreak. We are constantly aware and careful of all food and water that is brought into the Base Camp. Safety is always a concern, and we do all we can to insure that those living here, as well as teams that come and serve, are safe and healthy. We use purified water, as well as water filters, for teams if they travel away from Base Camp. These filters eliminate 99.9% of all harmful water borne bacteria. If anyone becomes sick, we are diligent about looking after him. If we have any concerns, we will take him to a medical clinic just minutes away. Currently, we are on schedule for all teams that are on our calendar, and we have no worries for health or safety. We appreciate your concern and prayers, but would also like to put your mind at ease about the current situation.
-Rachael
While it is pressing and in our thoughts and prayers, those of us living at Foursquare Base Camp Haiti, have not been directly affected by the outbreak. We are constantly aware and careful of all food and water that is brought into the Base Camp. Safety is always a concern, and we do all we can to insure that those living here, as well as teams that come and serve, are safe and healthy. We use purified water, as well as water filters, for teams if they travel away from Base Camp. These filters eliminate 99.9% of all harmful water borne bacteria. If anyone becomes sick, we are diligent about looking after him. If we have any concerns, we will take him to a medical clinic just minutes away. Currently, we are on schedule for all teams that are on our calendar, and we have no worries for health or safety. We appreciate your concern and prayers, but would also like to put your mind at ease about the current situation.
-Rachael
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Righteousness and Justice for all who are Oppressed
This nation is a nation who have given themselves over to idols, over to the enemy but the Lord is faithful. He does not deal with us according to our sins. The Lord's heart beats for these people, His heart is for creating something new out of nothing. These people live in survival. They live for the day. They know the hardships of life.
Do we remember that our lives are but a moment? I was asked this week by a pastor here, "What is the meaning of life?" Why are we here? We are here to bring glory to our Creator. He made a comment about all the work being poured into the building of the new church, "If one person comes and hears the gospel, believes and is saved, it is all worth it." The salvation of one makes it all worth it. Do we live with the mind set that everything we do is for the glory of God. For all the work we do in our lives, if one comes into the fullness of God our lives are fulfilled. The Lord is stirring up the hearts of His people. He is calling His people to himself. He has so much to pour out. The Lord is at work in ways we can see and in ways we will never see. He orchestrates in the realms of the impossible.
Pray that these people will give the Lord all they have and serve Him alone. The Lord has not forgotten these people. He is here and He is pouring himself out on this hungry and thirsty land. Pray against the enemy who has been given territory. The Lord has died for the redemption of these people, we are taking back land. We are declaring the victory we have. "Beni Swa l'Eternel"
-Rachael Tenneson
Do we remember that our lives are but a moment? I was asked this week by a pastor here, "What is the meaning of life?" Why are we here? We are here to bring glory to our Creator. He made a comment about all the work being poured into the building of the new church, "If one person comes and hears the gospel, believes and is saved, it is all worth it." The salvation of one makes it all worth it. Do we live with the mind set that everything we do is for the glory of God. For all the work we do in our lives, if one comes into the fullness of God our lives are fulfilled. The Lord is stirring up the hearts of His people. He is calling His people to himself. He has so much to pour out. The Lord is at work in ways we can see and in ways we will never see. He orchestrates in the realms of the impossible.
Pray that these people will give the Lord all they have and serve Him alone. The Lord has not forgotten these people. He is here and He is pouring himself out on this hungry and thirsty land. Pray against the enemy who has been given territory. The Lord has died for the redemption of these people, we are taking back land. We are declaring the victory we have. "Beni Swa l'Eternel"
-Rachael Tenneson
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Foursquare Haiti Blog
Please take some time to check out our Foursquare Haiti Blog at www.foursquarehaiti.wordpress.com and become a follower to receive updates about new posts and events taking place. This is a great resource to inform people about what we are doing here to help and testimonies of what God is doing. Let's join together and raise awareness of what's going on here, by telling your friends and people you know about this blog. Thank You.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Prayer Requests
So being here, you definitely see life and ministry in a new way. New places of breakthrough, new issues, new atmosphere, new ways to communicate, new ways to love and worship God. I love being here and love being apart of the amazing things God is doing in this country.
Recently, we had a break-in happen at our base camp, the intruder did not come into the house but went into our security guards house within the walled property and stole a bunch of important things from him. It just so happened that our security guard was gone taking a three day trip to an orphanage, in Jeremie, and back about 150 miles aways, so that some work could be done at the orphanage. John Booker, our missionary here, is in a bit of frenzy everyday, either answering his phone, working on a project, or dealing with an issue. Within the last couple days we have started to give attention to an orphanage nearby, and some major things are coming to the surface.
So please be praying for our safety and that fear would not reside in this place, but that we'd claim our authority, carrying His light. On the trip to the orphanage in Jeremie, four guys serving down here, went there to do some construction and we found out today that we have to leave them one more day, so be praying for them, and that the trip someone will have to make to get them and bring them back will be safe and go smoothly. Continue to lift up our missionaries, that they'd have a clear mind, insight, and vision for what needs to be done and how to do it best. Lastly, I ask that you'd be praying about the big things in store for the orphanage, because the owner is not a Christian, we have already put a lot of money and labor into it and for a church to take over an orphanage is a big deal.
Thank You for you support.
In His love,
Jonathan
Recently, we had a break-in happen at our base camp, the intruder did not come into the house but went into our security guards house within the walled property and stole a bunch of important things from him. It just so happened that our security guard was gone taking a three day trip to an orphanage, in Jeremie, and back about 150 miles aways, so that some work could be done at the orphanage. John Booker, our missionary here, is in a bit of frenzy everyday, either answering his phone, working on a project, or dealing with an issue. Within the last couple days we have started to give attention to an orphanage nearby, and some major things are coming to the surface.
So please be praying for our safety and that fear would not reside in this place, but that we'd claim our authority, carrying His light. On the trip to the orphanage in Jeremie, four guys serving down here, went there to do some construction and we found out today that we have to leave them one more day, so be praying for them, and that the trip someone will have to make to get them and bring them back will be safe and go smoothly. Continue to lift up our missionaries, that they'd have a clear mind, insight, and vision for what needs to be done and how to do it best. Lastly, I ask that you'd be praying about the big things in store for the orphanage, because the owner is not a Christian, we have already put a lot of money and labor into it and for a church to take over an orphanage is a big deal.
Thank You for you support.
In His love,
Jonathan
Friday, October 8, 2010
Orphanage
Hello there,
I got the amazing privilege of going to a couple different orphanages. I went to one yesterday called Love A Child, it is a very large beautiful compound with a million dollar budget, funded by mainly, Joyce Meyers. I didn't see many children, as our focus was not on being with the orphans, it seems to be a self-sufficient organization doing good for Haitians.
The other orphanage that I went to today was originally a pastors house. When the earthquake destroyed so many homes and families, children filled the streets. When this pastor saw all the children, he opened his home to them, starting an orphanage with about 120 children. It has developed much more and has great leadership, however this particular orphanage has gone a few days with no water or electricity. You wouldn't see it on the children's faces though, only joy and love was seen in there eyes as I got to spend time with them. I played drums and showed off my beat-boxing skills, played some small hand games (thumb war, etc.), they showed me where they slept and to wrap up my time there, I sat with five or so kids draped on me and in my lap, as we watched, The Spy Next Door, in Creol. It was an amazing time, and I really felt God's heart for the kids and kept hearing the verse in my head about how we are told to love the orphans, widows, and helpless. Overall, I was blessed to know God has entrusted me as a vessel to love these kids as I know Jesus does.
In His Love,
Jonathan
I got the amazing privilege of going to a couple different orphanages. I went to one yesterday called Love A Child, it is a very large beautiful compound with a million dollar budget, funded by mainly, Joyce Meyers. I didn't see many children, as our focus was not on being with the orphans, it seems to be a self-sufficient organization doing good for Haitians.
The other orphanage that I went to today was originally a pastors house. When the earthquake destroyed so many homes and families, children filled the streets. When this pastor saw all the children, he opened his home to them, starting an orphanage with about 120 children. It has developed much more and has great leadership, however this particular orphanage has gone a few days with no water or electricity. You wouldn't see it on the children's faces though, only joy and love was seen in there eyes as I got to spend time with them. I played drums and showed off my beat-boxing skills, played some small hand games (thumb war, etc.), they showed me where they slept and to wrap up my time there, I sat with five or so kids draped on me and in my lap, as we watched, The Spy Next Door, in Creol. It was an amazing time, and I really felt God's heart for the kids and kept hearing the verse in my head about how we are told to love the orphans, widows, and helpless. Overall, I was blessed to know God has entrusted me as a vessel to love these kids as I know Jesus does.
In His Love,
Jonathan
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Anthem Team in Haiti
Just put up a slideshow of pictures that Rachael took while the Anthem team was down in Haiti for a week. The team took a trip up to a mountain to spend time with and minister to a village that has not receive much contact since the earthquake. I heard stories from the team that they had church every night, and it was powerful. They'd wake up at 5am and hear villagers playing drums and worshiping, what a beautiful way to wake up, the sound of praise. I heard that in times of worship, with the Haitians, language barriers did not exist, Haitians and Americans sang out in their prayer language, and caught glimpses of how worship would be in Heaven, as all join in one sound.
Found out that the Foursquare Church located just down the road from Base Camp, was finally torn down. It had taken some pretty bad damage from the earthquake, actually offsetting the roof from the building, so as you can see in the pictures they have brought it down. They have a new metal structure on the way to the church where they will be able to assemble it within a couple weeks. The only hang up is actually getting it, because with the way things are in Haiti, shipments and supplies have a hard time getting where they need to be.
Please be praying for the church and their new building, that somehow God can continue to expand His Kingdom without the need of a perfect place for people to gather under a roof. Also, be lifting up Rachael as she is getting to know John and Debbie Booker more and wants to continue to bless them and help serve them more as she continues to be open and passionate with them. I will be leaving Tuesday to drive to Portland and then fly out Wednesday, so be praying for safe travels and smooth times in my connections and through customs.
In His Love,
Jonathan
Found out that the Foursquare Church located just down the road from Base Camp, was finally torn down. It had taken some pretty bad damage from the earthquake, actually offsetting the roof from the building, so as you can see in the pictures they have brought it down. They have a new metal structure on the way to the church where they will be able to assemble it within a couple weeks. The only hang up is actually getting it, because with the way things are in Haiti, shipments and supplies have a hard time getting where they need to be.
Please be praying for the church and their new building, that somehow God can continue to expand His Kingdom without the need of a perfect place for people to gather under a roof. Also, be lifting up Rachael as she is getting to know John and Debbie Booker more and wants to continue to bless them and help serve them more as she continues to be open and passionate with them. I will be leaving Tuesday to drive to Portland and then fly out Wednesday, so be praying for safe travels and smooth times in my connections and through customs.
In His Love,
Jonathan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)