Monday, June 30, 2008

Big Day

Today is the big day! We had a day yesterday with a great breakfast, lunch, and supper (Kayla picked what we ate for supper) with great company. We are mostly ready with just a few things to do this morning. I'll be posting as soon as it makes sense which may be after we get Lou. So this next family picture will include our newest son.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Plan update

We leave early Monday morning and fly straight through Miami (with a two hour lay over) to Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP). We have heavy bags. The weight of the carry-ons is what I personally care about the most since those bags will be with us through the trip. After packing (and re-packing) the checked luggage, one bag will be at 70lbs since we were told that we could purchase extra weight (and it is heavy!). We are at the weight limit of every bag. I have the biggest backpack known to man!

It was suggested to us that it would be best to pick up Lou the day after we arrive since the flight into PAP is typically late and by the time get near the mission, it would be too dark outside to pick up Lou first. So the new plan is that we will arrive at the airport and go straight through to the BHM. We'll drive back down the mountain to PAP to pick up Lou on Tuesday (oh happy day!). This will give us a short chance to get unpacked on Monday and ready for Lou.

Other than that, there has been no change to the plan. We'll be cleaning my parents house today where we have been staying (thank you for your kindness, patience, and helpfulness Mom and Dad!) and tomorrow we will be doing final packing of our carry-ons and clothes that we have been wearing.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Time is flying

Staying true to one of my purposes of maintaining this blog, I will write about a process of missionary work that we have just completed:

Time is just flying by this last week. The last two days we have been working on sending our first letter out to friends and family. It was a process that has been in the making for quite sometime. From the content of the letter, to the distribution list, to the logistics of putting it together and sending it out.

We will put them in the mail today. There is a two page letter that is printed front-to-back, a one-page form for submitting donations, and a return envelope. Thanks to my dad for his helpful diligence, we got this done without too much trouble. We pre-filled most forms with the specific recipients personal information and even put their return address on the envelope within which the donation form is to be included. Each letter is customized to each recipient. Tina and I prayed over all the letters with the hopes that people receive the letter and see that we have been led by God to (and through) this journey thus far and that we will continue to follow the Lord and do His work in Haiti.

Increasingly, we have had to pass on a number of opportunities to get together with friends. I regret each and every opportunity that we have had to decline. I hope that everyone understands. Two particular opportunities that I regret declining the most is not being able to meet with our small group and not being able to make it to the last Missions Fellowship that our church holds the last Friday of every month (with thanks to some great people - Julie and Tom!). Time is so short and I pray that I am using it wisely.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Deep Waters

This was an encouragement to me this morning. I hope it is to you as well.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Clarification - Plan Update

I had dinner last night with a good, long-time friend of mine, Dave, who laid some things out striaght for me (Dave has a blog that focuses on remembering "that we are mortal and like all before us and after us, each of us will someday die.")

One of the topics of our conversation was when he asked me how honest he should be in his answer to my question of "Tell me what you think of what I am doing." On a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being brutally honest, I did not hesitate to ask for the 10. After a lengthy discussion, one of the things that I learned from that part of our conversation was that what I was planning to do at the Baptist Haiti Mission was not all that clear. So the point of this post will be to clarify what I expect to be doing while serving as a missionary in Haiti...

Tina and I have known for quite some time that we have servant hearts - we like to help people and be behind the scenes (i.e., not on the front lines). Tina and I have both taken a couple of those personality/spiritual gifts tests that confirm that this is the way the Lord made us.

That being said, it is my expectation that Tina and I will be servants to the Lord through the Baptist Haiti Mission. At the mission, I plan to do whatever they need done. This includes things like fixing cars/trucks/doors/windows/locks/hospital equipment/generator/water systems/gardening/deliveries/construction... the list is virtually endless. We will take the opportunities to share our stories to those we are with by developing relationships with them first. By helping the mission do the work that they need done, we will be helping them to help the people of Haiti in the name of Jesus. These expectations of mine may not be exactly straight, but they will be very close.

Dave, thank you for your word fitly spoken.

I plan to write in the near future something more about how we were drawn to Haiti. Things like this are really hard for me to get in writing, but I'll do my best (with the help of my wife).

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Math: 5 Loaves + 2 Fish = ???

A crucial lesson in kingdom supply-side economics...

Monday, June 23, 2008

Yet More Luggage Fun

Going through our belongings - phase III...



To replace our checked luggages, we got suitcases from our friend Greg, from two thrift stores, from a store (two of which were broken and so I got a good deal on them), from my parents collection, and from a friend of my mom's. Thank you all so very much!

So far, this process took a half-day or slightly longer. Now we have about one whole day left of repacking. This would have been much, much worse had we found this out on our day of travel at 5 AM. I have no idea what we would have done then, but I am glad that I do not have to think about it. Thank you Adele and praise God!

More Luggage Fun

After talking with four more people from American Airlines and getting three different answers, I finally spoke with a supervisor. I CAN buy extra weight in the free baggage allowance, cannot buy extra bags and CANNOT use our Rubbermaid containers. They are considered a box and cannot be used during the summer travel embargo. Time to start locating cheap suitcases no larger than 62" in total length, width, and height and to start repacking. Giddyup!

Luggage Fun

Based on a suggestion by one of the missionaries at the Mission, I called American Airlines to make sure that we were all set with the luggage situation. When I ordered the tickets in the middle of May, I asked about luggage and was told one thing. I called a couple weeks later, closer to when we were packing, and was told another thing (that we couldn't purchase any extra luggage or buy extra weight).

Well...the conversations yesterday were totally confusing. The first lady that I talked to told me that there were no restrictions on buying extra luggage and that I could buy whatever I wanted to. I asked her to verify that information because it was different than what I was told last time and so she tried but very confidently said, "There is only one page of information that I can look at and this is what it says." I thanked her and immediately called right back to get another person. This other person, John, also was very confident, but he told me something different. I could not buy extra luggage, yet I could pay for extra weight. BUT THE REAL KICKER WAS THAT I COULD NOT USE RUBBERMAID CONTAINERS!!


Somehow I managed to remain calm and evacuate my true feelings on either side of my brain as I discussed the fact that I have now received four different answers from four different people. Since it is 4:21 AM right now, I'll wait to call again until I am fully awake, but I will be calling at least two other times later today to figure out the rules. I am not very confident that I will be able to get one "correct answer" and I almost fully convinced that in the end it will be up to the agent checking in my luggage - which makes it all the more difficult. One thing I know for sure is that I do not want to go to the airport being concerned that I may have to re-pack all of our stuff right there in the airport and leave more things behind. So, after making a determination of how we should pack, we may have to make changes, which in the end may be a good thing because we could purchase more weight or baggage. I just can't tell you how sick I am of packing after doing it for a month!

I think this may be training ground for the experiences that we may have in Haiti. God does have, after all, a purpose for everything. Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Saturday, June 21, 2008

House

On Thursday, we presigned paperwork for the closing of our home. On Friday, the new owners signed their paperwork and the house situation was complete. Tina and I went to pick up the check. Thank you for your prayers in this matter! The buyers were the best we could have asked for and everything went as smoothly as possible - God deserves all the praise for this because it was a significant event! We have said that it was as if this was one hurdle that was removed for us in our journey. We put everything in the Lord's fully capable hands, trusting that He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

It's amazing how little money was left when we got the check. When I think about how long we have been there, we should have more money to show for it. We would have more money to show for it if we hadn't gotten caught up in the materialism of life in our earlier years (I'll take most of the responsibility here). Taking a home equity loan out for a vehicle and travel trailer/camper makes a significant dent. Credit card debt in our real early years are still the roots of that tree. To think of the money that was earned, spent, and virtually wasted on ourselves sure makes me think about what my money should be used for. We have been changed significantly in our handling of money since about 2 years ago. I cannot directly see what our tithes given to church have done, but I know it has been used for something better than a bottle of pop, a dinner at McDonalds, or car parts - all of which were done for myself (selfishnes, comfort, etc...) and none of which I can recall. I have more reflection to do on this. If the Lord calls us back to the States to live, I pray and know that I will do things differently than we did in our beginning. God is so gracious!

We have driven by the "old" house a couple times already. The first time it was strange to think that if we walked on the yard, we would be trespassing. The second time we saw one of the new owners carrying a baby with a little dog on our...on their front porch. Two vehicles were in the garage (I wonder if they'll paint over the flames on the wall...). We have some good memories of that house. It is now time to create some new memories that will, by the Lord's grace, reflect our treasure, an ever lasting treasure - knowing and trusting in Jesus.

Dog

We received a call on Thursday from the new owners of our dog. They were calling to find out if we had the micro-chip in her. They lost her. She ran away.

She had apparently broken two of their other chains and had now had been missing for a couple hours. They had a choke-collar on her. Why someone would put a choke collar on any dog is a little beyond me (with few exceptions for rottweilers, american terriers, etc...). He said that they were training her. How you can train a dog with a choke collar, on a leash, all by itself in a yeard is beyond me (distance learning/training perhaps) - it seems rediculous and not too thoughtful.

I hadn't attached to any dog as much as I had to this dog. Parts of me are pretty torn up inside. We have their number so we can call them back to find out what happened (if they got her back), but I think I would rather just not know. I would like to leave the possibilities of what happened to her wide open instead of narrowing them down. I want to be able to believe that she disappeared far away enough to find a new owner that cares for her and she for them. The owners said that they could tell that she missed us greatly. This tells me that she wasn't attaching to them. When we had her, we didn't have to chain her up at all in the yard - she always stuck by us. Her behavior with them isn't normal (although, the situation she is in isn't normal either).

Hindsight being 20/20, I would have checked out a few folks to see which one we and the dog liked best. We had a number of people email me saying that they wanted to meet her after these new owners had come to pick her up. I think now that one of those would have been a better choice (or two, three of those).

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

It's Small, it'll Fit

Our new saying for the last two weeks has been - "It's small, it'll fit." It was funny at first, but is starting to not be funny. We are not only out of room in our allowed baggage, but we have to get rid of things that are already packed. I think we'll probably end up unpacking to re-prioritize and re-pack. We'll be working on that in the next couple days.

I don't think that we could have packed any other way without knowing how much will fit. My original plan was to have a bunch of stuff outlining a room in prioritized order and then start packing. Things didn't work out that way, but that's fine. This works, but is more work. Some of our carry-ons may be out of compliance in overall dimensions, yet I think we'll be OK.

How's that for a boring post...

Discipline and the Pony Express

The following is taken from:
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Donald S. Whitney

The Pony Express was a private express company that carried mail by an organized relay of horseback riders. The eastern end was St. Joseph, Missouri, and the western terminal was in Sacramento, California. The cost of sending a letter by Pony Express was $2.50 an ounce. If the weather and horses held out and the Indians held off, that letter would complete the entire two-thousand-mile journey ina speedy ten days, as did the report of Lincoln’s Inaugural Address.

It may surprise you that the Pony Express was only in operation from April 3, 1860, until November 18, 1861 – just seventeen months. When the telegraph line was completed between two cities, the service was no longer needed.

Being a rider for the Pony Express was a tough job. You were expected to ride sevety-five to one hundred miles a day, changing horses every fifteen to twenty-five miles. Other than the mail, the only baggage you carried contained a few provisions, including a kit of flour, cornmeal, and bacon. In case of danger, you also had a medical pack of turpentine, borax, and cream of tartar. In order to travel light and to increase speed of mobility during Indian attacks, the men always rode in shortsleeves, even during the fierce winter weather.

How would you recruit volunteers for this hazardous job? An 1860 San Francisco newspaper printed this ad for the Pony Express: “Wanted: Young, skinny, wiry fellows not over 18. Must be expert riders willing to risk daily. Orphans preferred.”

Those were the honest facts about the Discipline of serving God. Like the Pony Express, serving God is not a job for the casually interested. It’s costly service. He asks for your life. He asks for service to Him to become a priority, not a pastime. He doesn’t want servants who will give Him the leftovers of their life’s commitments. Serving God isn’t a short-term responsibility either. Unlike the Pony Express, His Kingdom will never go under, no matter how technological our world gets.

The mental picture we have of the Pony Express is probably much like the one imagined by the young men of 1860 who read that newspaper ad. Scenes of excitement, camaraderie, and the thrill of adventure filled their heads as they swaggered over the Express office to apply. Yet few of them envisioned that excitement would only occasionally punctuate the routine of the long, hard hours and loneliness of the work.

The Discipline of serving is like that. Although Christ’s summons to service is the most spiritually grand and noble way to live a life, it is typically as pedestrian as washing someone’s feet. Richard Foster puts it starkly: “In some ways we would prefer to hear Jesus’ call to deny father and mother, houses and land for the sake of the gospel, than His word to wash feet. Radical self-denial gives the feel of adventure. If we forsake all, we even have the chance of glorious martyrdom. But in service we are banished to the mundane, the ordinary, the trivial.”

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Last Days of Owning the House

We have everything out of the house including the garage and the lawn is mowed as of this morning. The buyers are going to be conducting their final walk-through before closing on Wednesday. Our closing is scheduled for the 20th, but our realtor's mother is having surgery that day so we may be pre-signing the paperwork ahead of time. Either way, Wednesday is going to be the last day that we'll be allowed in the house. We have no reason to go back, so that's not a big deal. The garage roof didn't leak the last time it rained thanks to dry weather for the caulk to dry. It should be all set for the new owners.

With less than two weeks left, we are trying to make sure that we have everything done - transferring subscriptions and paying final bills. It is pretty freeing to have just about every tie cut free.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

World Facts

A little perspective...

• 20% of the world lives on $1 per day
• 20% of the world lives on $2 per day
• 20% of the world lives on more than $70 per day
• 40% are somewhere in between $2 and $70 per day

30,000 people die per day from preventable diseases

40% of the world lacks basic sanitation

The combined income of 447 of the wealthiest people in the world is more money than the combined income of 3.25 billion people (50% of the world's population).

Americans make up 5% of the world's population, yet consume 50% of the world's resources.

Statistics taken from Serving with Eyes Wide Open - David A. Livermore - 2006

Friday, June 13, 2008

A Meeting with Steve

God is so good! I am just amazed at grand scheme that the Lord lays out. Back in January as I recently mentioned, we met Randy and Pat from World Wide Village (among others). Randy got us connected with Steve who had lived at the Baptist Haiti Mission for one year - right after he got out of high school.

We met with Steve last night and he had many great words of wisdom for us as we prepare to depart to Haiti. He told a number of stories about his time and expereience in Haiti and at the Mission (that we always enjoy hearing to help us understand what life is like there). He had some great suggestions and information regarding dealing with people, managing/monitoring my own family, and how to make it through the tough times that are sure to be ahead of us.

Both Tina and I felt that we were just sitting there like bumps on logs. We both value the wisdom of other fellow Christians that have been through so much. Sitting there and taking in all that people have to say seems like the best thing to do to us (we did this with Randy and Pat, too). We didn't really talk about ourselves or experience much, but rather asked questions to find out more about the people we are with, to sit and be in amazement of our Lord and the things he accomplishes, and to find out how God may be planning our lives in Haiti (however long we stay).

Steve was, and will probably continue to be, a great resource to us and a great blessing from the Lord. All the praise to God, we found wisdom in him.

PROVERBS 3:13-18
13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

We Cleaned the House

The house is all cleaned up. We spent a couple hours this morning while it rained outside. The roof is still leaking, but it is now leaking white rain. This means I am patching the right area, yet the caulk is not getting a chance to dry. We'll see what happens. Perhaps the rain/caulk mix leaking into the roof is a good thing when it finally dries up.

We got a call from our realtor saying that the new owners want a final walk-through next Wednesday. Hopefully the roof is squared away by then...it is a monkey on my back (no, not Carter).

The Dog is gone

We had about 5 people email me within 9 hours of posting our dog on Craigslist. The first person to come by took her to her new home. They had their first dane for a short while (less than a year) and then it got bloat where their stomach twists on the inside and they die. They wanted another right away.

Kayla and Carter seem to be doing well. As the dog's best friend, I may not be doing quite as well, but I'll get over it...eventually.

Monday, June 9, 2008

An Opportunity to Share

Tina and I have been involved in a class for the last few month at our church. We attend the early service and then go to a Christ-centered parenting class while Kayla and Carter go to their Sunday school. This last weekend was the last week of the class until next fall.

We were asked by the wife of the leader of the class to present to the class what God is doing in our lives. This was a great blessing (thank you Bill and Nancy)! We got the opportunity to share how the Lord has led us thus far and what he has done along the way to prepare us for this journey. We also talked about what the Baptist Haiti Mission is doing and how we'll fit in. After a quick (roughly 15-20 minute) presentation, the leader and his wife prayed for us and invited others to pray as well.

After the class was over, I had great conversations with some people that I hadn't gotten the chance to speak with before. People with things in common and people with things to offer as support. The Lord works in such great ways! In everything that has been happening, I see His mighty hand directing all steps. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is without purpose - in circumstances that are good or bad.

Trials

Dog
We have had a number of people interested in the dog, but when comes down to it nobody has taken her. We haven't run out of options yet, so we'll keep trying... I just put her on Craigslist this morning: (this link will die after 45 days) http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/pet/715772377.html

Truck
I have to start trying to sell the truck. It should be pretty easy to sell a tanker truck that costs $168 to fill up the 42 gallon tank, but hey, you get more than 600 miles on one tank - that's 5 fill-ups per oil change. And you have to swipe your Visa card four times to get the tank full, which is very fun! All for about $4500 obo (which is less than Blue Book). It has less than 100k miles, albeit not much less (99,400 to be exact). This is on Criagslist here today.

Roof
The roof was still leaking as of yesterday. Big frown. About 3 tubes of silicone and I still haven't sealed the right spot. I will run home today to see if it leaked with the overnight rain. If it didn't work, it's time to call a professional (or start ripping apart siding, shingles, and flashing). This leak could be in a much worse spot - I feel blessed that it isn't on an inside location doing damage. I am very glad that it is where it is.

Paying Signing Bonus Back
I knew this was coming, but I was hoping that it wouldn't. I signed a contract when I got hired in October '07 whereby I agreed to pay back a signing bonus if I left within one year. The letter came in the mail today. They want their money. I wonder if they come knocking on my door in Haiti... Just kidding. I signed the contract - I'll pay it back.

I ask for your prayers in these matters. Not necessarily that these items would sell fast or for an awesome price (which would be great), but rather that in our trust of God for the whole process of moving to Haiti, He would be made much of. I truly want everything that I do to point to the fact that it is God in whom I trust - not craigslist, not bank statements, not convenience. He is my treasure and I would love to show/tell how wonderful life is when God is your hope. This is what life is all about.

Nomads

We are officially Nomads. We are staying at my gracious parent's place until we leave on the 30th. Until things settle down a little bit, I probably won't be posting much. We'll be getting settled and continuing to pack and clean up our old place.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Buddy Greene - One of My Favorites

This requires speakers to enjoy. We have been listening to Buddy Greene for almost 20 years. This guy has been blessed to use the harmonica! Tonight we just did a little praising as a family using our only stereo equipment left - the laptop. Enjoy!!



Tuesday, June 3, 2008

BHM Summer Camps

On Saturday, May 31, we received an email from Chris at BHM asking us if we wanted to help out at their two summer camps that run from July 21 - August 2. We will be supporting the camps. We will help setup games, sound, sport field, make questions for interaction, make sure we have water, talk to campers about their personal walk with Jesus, etc.

The camp will be mostly run by Haitian leaders and they will focus on salvation and personal testimonies for evangelism.

It should be a great opportunity to get to know some of their Haitian youth leaders and pastor's children. It will be at BHM's beach property about two hours away from the Mission and a half-hour before Saint Marc (Saint Marc is at 19°06'32.10"N, 72°42'10.56"W for you Google Earth people - which I highly recommend downloading!). We were told that it is hot, but the ocean is nice with a nice reef. Kayla and Carter will come with us and we will be staying in a large house near the camp with Chris's family.

Both Tina and I are excited to start helping out!

From the Kaliko Beach Club

Blessed and Encouraged by New Friends

Last night for dinner, we were blessed to get together with a couple that we had met in January at the Visa Lodge in Haiti - they are Randy and Pat Mortensen from the World Wide Village.

We learned more about each other and had great conversations about Haiti. We hope to see them again the next time they are in Haiti. They are doing wonderful things and have made great connections that, Lord willing, will help to strengthen the Hatian people.

Randy and Pat, both Tina and I were encouraged by you in many ways. We sincerely appreciate the time you took out of your schedule to meet with us! Thank you for dinner, too!

As the Lord Calls You, Be Happy In Your Work

As I was making my decision to move to Haiti, one of the things that helped to encourage me was my lack of desire (given by God) for the work that I was doing. In hindsight, I saw this beginning before I left my previous company in October of 2007. After starting the new job, the feeling subsided while things were new, but it returned quickly. I had little desire to do what I was doing and I was not feeling like this was my place in life (I pray that it didn't affect my work).

Here is what reminded me of it. The following was taken from today's morning reading of:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/devotions/devotions.asp

"These were potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work." {#1Ch 4:23}

Potters were not the very highest grade of workers, but "the king" needed potters, and therefore they were in royal service, although the material upon which they worked was nothing but clay. We, too, may be engaged in the most menial part of the Lord’s work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for "the king"; and therefore we will abide in our calling, hoping that, "although we have lain among the pots, yet shall we be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold." The text tells us of those who dwelt among plants and hedges, having rough, rustic, hedging and ditching work to do. They may have desired to live in the city, amid its life, society, and refinement, but they kept their appointed places, for they also were doing the king’s work. The place of our habitation is fixed, and we are not to remove from it out of whim and caprice, but seek to serve the Lord in it, by being a blessing to those among whom we reside. These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they dwelt "with the king" and although among hedges and plants, they dwelt with the king there. No lawful place, or gracious occupation, however mean, can debar us from communion with our divine Lord. In visiting hovels, swarming lodging houses, workhouses, or jails, we may go with the king. In all works of faith we may count upon Jesus’ fellowship. It is when we are in his work that we may reckon upon his smile. Ye unknown workers who are occupied for your Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have been found upon dunghills ere now, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and ill weeds have been transformed into precious flowers. Dwell ye with the King for his work, and when he writes his chronicles your name shall be recorded.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Happy Birthday Dad!

We started off our day by running over to my parents house to mow their lawn and do whatever extra things we could for them. We had chatted earlier in the morning and found out that they were going to be going out for breakfast, so that meant that the coast would be clear to surprise them. Since my mom's foot and hip are bothering her, we figured that this would be a great way to bless them (and I needed to borrow his lawnmower since we sold ours to leave the country). Nice t-shirt, Carter!

A Dog Story

We had someone come and meet our dog on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday she brought her dog over and the two dogs really didn't care at all about each other. They didn't fight or anything close, but they didn't play either. Our dog will do whatever the other dog wants to do. We have had a number of dogs play with her and she will play if they want to play or sit around if they want to sit around. This other dog just wanted to sit around, so ours did the same.

The person left with the intention of taking her on Saturday (the start of the weekend), but she called this morning to say that a family member had a medical situation in another state and she would be out of town for a couple weeks. She said that she wouldn't be able to take our dog. I told her that she could call in a couple weeks to see if we still have her and if we did, she could take her. She didn't act like that was a possibility.

This didn't disappoint me at all because our dog didn't seem to thrilled about the arrangement. It is very interesting how my perspective has changed over the last few years. When something like this happens, when the person looking at our dog called this morning, my first thought went to wondering what the Lord is doing. I always stand in awe and wonder at what he is doing in our lives - even if it is in something so minor as a dog.