The Upcoming Election

There has been a lot of talk in the news about the crazy things going on in Haiti right now with the upcoming elections. Today at lunch I talked with a Haitian who works for us, and he told us that yesterday a student died, supposedly because of political reasons. It's amazing that a country that has suffered so much because of corruption, poor economy and government, and natural disasters, still has people who fight, argue, and hurt each other even more. We heard individual presidential candidates have specific places you can go to vote for them. This is dangerous because secretly, presidential candidates will hire people to go to competitors voting spots and riot, fight, kill... in order to keep people from voting for that candidate.

It's hard to even know how to be praying because in years past, Haiti has experienced coups and riots against presidents. In saying this I mean that we can pray that Haiti will have a good president, who is not corrupt, but that would mean that he is taking a stand against many influential/powerful people who might want otherwise. The other option is seeing a corrupt president come into office and not see much change or very little as the president focuses on his issues rather than the people's.

I think it's appropriate that yesterday was Thanksgiving and this Sunday is the election, because as Americans we have so much to be thankful for. We don't even know what's it like to be hungry, and hungry in a sense that you don't know when you'll be able to eat again. Here in Haiti money is power, and I think that Americans have a lot of just reasons to complain and be upset at the government. But let's be thankful that our government has done a good job of balancing money and power, and have concern about it's people. Let that thankfulness fuel your prayers as you lift up Haiti and the upcoming elections.

Beyond What I Can Do

The other day I helped lead Beaverton Foursquare's Young Adult team, as we went out to a very close neighborhood/small tent camp, to help lay small rocks for the floor of a beginning school. When we arrived, there were at least twenty children under the age of twelve ready to greet us. We said "Hello" and went to work. However; we didn't realize it but soon our team of six multiplied into sixteen as a bunch of the young boys helped scrape up the rock, load the wheel barrows and buckets, and lay it under the building. There was a point where half our Beaverton team stopped working and began to love on and play with the kids. I continued to work, as I focussed on the task at hand. As I pushed a full wheel barrow to where we were putting the rock, I had four kids running along side me the entire way there, and I thought they just wanted to help me. My thinking was right, but their "help" was not what I had in mind. They did help strengthen my muscles, because after I emptied my load of rock, I received another load of three boys who wanted a ride back. They were just as heavy and a lot more "rocky" as they shifted and moved around in the wheel barrow. It was a bit irritating at first when my work got harder and took longer, but the Lord spoke to me and helped me realize the amazing moment that was taking place.

Romans 4:23-24 says: "And when God counted him [Abraham] as righteous, it wasn't just for Abraham's benefit. It was recorded for our benefit too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead."

When I read this verse it made me think about how Abraham had a promise and (3:18) even when there was no reason to hope, Abraham kept hoping - believing that he would become the father of many nations. So... because of Abraham's choice to believe and have faith in the Lord, he was counted as righteous. But his righteousness wasn't fully for him, it was for us too. His life and the way he lived it, impacts me and my life, here and now. With all the things I am doing here in Haiti, I believe that what I do can be so much more impacting if I choose to hope, live by faith, and love as I am commanded. Even when I have a day like the last two where I am involved in building/lackering/giving away benches, making almost 200 cement pavers, building the foundation for a chicken coup and talapia farm, putting up tents at a clinic, filtering 1000 gallons of water, driving a stick shift on the streets of Haiti, helping organize a mass clothing give away, and keeping a team I just met, focussed... none if it matters, if I don't seek and listen to the Lord. But when I do seek His face, those things I do, do impact and change lives beyond what see or imagine.

Paul says something along the line of how, if anyone has reason to boast about the things they have done, he does, because he followed the Law flawlessly. However, he realizes none of it matters when compared to knowing the Lord. When I came to Haiti in May, I saw how God can give people strength beyond what they have when they allow themselves to depend completely on God. Now I see that I have to continue to desire this heart, because if I ever move in my own strength, it will lead to frustration and irritation, as things don't go my way. But as I listen to the Lord and obey, I will begin to receive a greater strength and He will be able to do greater things through me, beyond what I can do.

Appreciation

It's been awhile since we've been able to write about something that we've noticed or about something that has happened to us. However, I felt like I'd shed some light on what I've observed concerning the hearts of Haitians. For all the people who have not been to Haiti, one of the first things that will impact you (if you're there on a Sunday) is seeing their thankfulness and worship. During most teams (that are here for a short time) debriefing meetings on Sunday night, I always hear them talk about the how they are amazed by the Haitian's grateful hearts and how much they love to worship. They watch in awe as a people who have lost so much and live with so little are so 'stinking' thankful and joyful. It almost makes the American jealous, because they have so much and continue to need more in order to feel some joy. Like the little boy who is happy playing with a cardboard box, while the girl who has her own pony continues to whine and cry about how she never gets what she wants.

When I have had the opportunity to meet some Haitians, one of the first things they always say to me is, "Thank you." They are so thankful that I would give up everything that I have in America and pay to come help out this country. They don't even know what I'm really doing here or how I am helping, but their attitude is of gladness, not resentment (which I think I'd feel if someone came to my neighborhood to help make it better).

Today a team here went out to a neighborhood about a block away and put on a little church service for mostly children. While I was there I talked with two brothers and they shared with me about how they appreciate that we came and did that service. One of the boys (who is 26 years old) explained to me that he would not be able to put on a service like we did, yet he knows that people need to know about Jesus. I responded by telling him, we aren't coming to Haiti to do anything for them, but help empower them to help each other. He didn't quite understand what I was saying at first so I gave him an example. I leaned over and picked up a rock, and said "I don't need to pick this up. I want to help you be able to pick up this rock." So, I took his hand and helped him bend over and had him pick up the rock. I told him, "This is empowering." He laughed and said, "You are a very good teacher." At that moment, I think it clicked in him what my heart is, and he was very thankful. I was surprised after this, because he kept talking about how he needs us and would not relent about how our assistance is needed. I think his response was coming from appreciation that we were there and he wanted me to know what we were doing was important. He did not want me to feel like I wasn't needed or felt insignificant. To me it seemed like such a thing of beauty for him to give me so much credit and have so much confidence in me, that I was doing good in this country. Definitely a different heart than I have experienced in the states, where their is such a mentality of self gain or self good.

Sorry this is getting long but a couple verse just popped into my head:

"Then he [Jesus] said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" - Luke 9:23-25

"Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful." - 1 Corinthians 1:27

Ups and downs and "TIH"

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"

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

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

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.