Nuestro Tiempo en Haiti...

Let me start out by saying, “THANK YOU!” to everyone who prayed for our trip to Haiti. In short it was a difficult, yet amazing trip. I will warn you all that this is probably going to be a pretty long blog entry, because there is so much that happened on the trip, and the project trip is the heartbeat of my mission work with EMI. However, for those of you that don’t have time to read it all, I will put my praises and prayer requests first, but the pictures will be intermixed throughout it all.

Also, to all my fellow engineers, architects, landscape planners, and surveyors, I must say that every one of you should go on an EMI project trip some time in your life! It is my desire, Lord willing, that I go on a trip every year, because I never want to be complacent and fall into the routine of working in corporate America – that is if God has me work in corporate America. Vamos a ver!

Praises:

• We were all safe throughout the entire trip! We all had a few bumps and bruises, but nothing major.
• We were able to finish the schematic design for the ministry, and have a good basis for the rest of our design work.
• It seems that we were more of a blessing than a burden to Pastor Maula and his family.
• The Lord is teaching everyone who went on the trip many, many things. Some of which I will share with you in a bit.
• I felt fine on the trip and was not sick during any of it!

Prayer Requests:

• That we now finish the construction documents that we started for the YWAM Gonaives ministry.
• Pray that Pastor Maula is able to raise the money necessary to build the facility. He has an amazing vision from the Lord! I know that God is faithful!
• That all the volunteers and EMI staff and interns do not forget what God has revealed to us. I NEVER want to go back to my old routines. Pray that God continues to create new lasting routines that transform me more into His image!
• Pray for the other EMI team that is Haiti this week on their project trip. Pray that they may be effectively used to bring God glory and that they are changed drastically.

Overview:

Let me start out by giving you a little background about the ministry we went to support in Gonaives, Haiti. The organization is called YWAM (Youth With A Mission). YWAM is focused on Evangelism, Mercy Ministry – the “hands and feet” of making God known, and Training and Discipleship. In regards to evangelism, YWAM seeks to present the Gospel in such a manner that the unreached group they are ministering to will understand. They also engage in church planting among unreached people groups. The mercy ministry annually meets some of the practical and physical needs to approximately 400,000 people annually. The training and discipleship aspect of the ministry aims to better equip Christians to serve in effective and needed ways.

Now let me give you a very brief synopsis of the city. Gonaives has a population of more than 200,000 people. It is the sixth largest city in the country and has been ravaged by two severe floods, one in 2004 and the other in 2008. Also in 2004, there was a rebellion in the city with substantial rioting and violence that was rooted in opposition to the President at the time.

With both the mission of YWAM and the state of the city in mind, allow me to give you a bit of the focus that Pastor Maula has with YWAM Gonaives. The focus of YWAM Gonaives is to minister to the children of the city and to give them a sense of purpose and hope. All the destruction and upheaval that has occurred within the last few years has left the city in a very impoverished state, and unfortunately much of that translates to the youth. Pastor Maula’s vision is to expand his ministry to offer a campus for children to come to live, learn, play, and here about the love of the Lord. He ever so slowly purchased an 11.41 acre tract of land approximately 30 minutes outside the center of town.

Our ministry to Pastor Maula and YWAM Gonaives is to take his vision and create a master plan for the project site as well as produce construction documents for the dormitory, kitchen, and dining facilities to serve 50 students and 10 staff.

Doug and I showing our survey of the site.

The interns!

The master plan for the site.

The architectural elevations.

The skematic of the dormitory.

Our Week:

I woke up relatively early on Saturday (September 19^th) morning – at 4am – to shower, breakfast, and leave for the airport. We had a 7:25am flight out of Costa Rica to Miami International, and then from Miami to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I know what you are thinking, we basically flew over Haiti to get to Miami, however, these where the cheapest tickets and in actuality there are only three places that fly into Haiti – Miami, France, and some city in South America. We left Costa Rica without any problems and arrived to Miami, where we met up with most of the rest of the team at the terminal. While in the airport, I took advantage of having a cell phone again and made a few phone calls. I apologize to anyone who I did not call during my time in Miami. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me! =) Random side note… it was fun traveling, because twice in one week I was in three countries that speak three different languages in one day. Okay, okay back to the story… Miami was where the adventure really began!

In Miami, our plane was delayed for 4 hours due to delays in its arrival to Miami from Dallas, Crew issues, mechanical problems, and thunderstorms. In addition to the delay, when we finally did taxi away from the terminal we were short one volunteer. He had gone to check on his bag that did not arrive to Miami, and never made it back to the plane in time. Hence, he was left behind, but we had taken all his carryon bags. Then, when we finally arrived to Port-au-Prince there was a thunderstorm over the airport, so we circled for about an hour and a half. This worked out fine, because you step off the plane right on to the runway. If we had landed while it was raining, we would have still been stuck inside the plain anyway. Due to all the delays, we decided to spend the night in a hotel just outside of Port-au-Prince, which was a huge blessing in disguise, because our trip to Gonaives was much longer than we had anticipated. So when it was all said and done, I fell asleep around 12:30am Haitian time or 11:30pm Costa Rican time. From my journal I wrote, “Heaven Father! Thank you for a day full of adventures and flexibility! Things did not seem to go according to our planes, but you worked them out as needed. … Praise you Lord for your providence and for our safety here. May we continually find our rest and strength in you, and may there be unity among the team. It is so encouraging to see a group of men, who are believers, from all different countries come together to serve you and the people of Haiti! Amen!”

The next morning we rose early to breakfast and then leave the hotel to pick up our straggling volunteer. On the way to the airport we were stopped by the police and kept for over a half hour. The police were checking that the truck wasn’t stolen. During our time of waiting, we prayed for the situation as well as for the trip in general, and then we started to praise and worship our Heavenly Father through song. No sooner had we started singing when the police let us go! I think God just wanted us to focus in a pleasing and correct manner. After picking up the last guy, we began the trek from Port-au-Prince to Gonaives. Below are a few pictures to give you an idea of our travel arrangements. We rode in the back of a covered truck with wooden benches on each side. The trip in total took a little over 6 hours. To give you perspective on our speed; Port-au-Prince to Gonaives is 110 kilometers or just under 70 miles. So, we averaged just over 10mph. The road was very bumpy, dusty, and most was gravel.

The hotel we stayed at

From another view.

Some of us in the back of the truck heading to the airport to get our last volunteer.

Praising and worshiping the Lord while waiting for the police to let us go.

Our drive to Gonaives.

Driving along the coast.

Pastor Maula's house!

Unloading the truck

Our restroom!

Eating a meal.

To best summarize my week of work, let me simply transpose some of my journal entries.

“Tuesday, September 21, 2009 6:10am

Lord,

Thank you Father for our time of work and ministry yesterday at the job site! It seems that yesterday I woke up with a grumpy and selfish spirit that was honoring to no one. However, that spirit was broken during our devotional, praise, and prayer time. During that time, my heart began to hurt for the Haitians, and realizing the level of both physical and spiritual poverty they face. I couldn’t help but cry during our time of prayer.

On the site, thank you for the children! I am sorry Lord that I was selfish and ate lunch in front of them. I should never have done that! Today, please give me discretion on whom I should give my lunch to! Thank you for the afternoon rain yesterday, because it gave me a chance to play with the kids. It was fun playing out in the rain and then huddling under the thatch roof to try and stay dry and warm. The kids are so affectionate and always want to hold your hand or be in close proximity to you. Also, it was fun how the kids and adults both wanted to look at my sunscreen and look and touch my hair. It is an amazing experience to see the similarities and differences in how you have created us!

Keep me broken today, and use me with this EMI team and with the Haitians to YOUR glory! Also, thank you for giving me the boldness and strength to give my testimony with honesty and sincerity and to not water it down or lessen the work you are, and have done, in my life. Amen!”

Devotional time in the morning.

Praise and worship time with the guys.

Going out to the project site.

Surveying with the kids!

The survey crew, plus a few!

The kids and adults feeling my hair. =)

Singing and dancing with the kids.

Some of the kids that kept me company out on the site.

Gonaives at night.

Water and waste water conversations.

The team hard at work!

“Wednesday, September 23, 2009 6:30am

Galatians 2:19-21 ‘For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!’

Lord,

Where I have cratered to other men and their influence rather than living my life for you. Strengthen me as I fight against my desire to please men so that I can please you with what I do. This life is not my own; it is YOURS! Use me as you will, and especially with whatever faith has been given me.

…

The children have tattered clothing and get excited when they can eat a handful of powdered milk. They constantly desire love, recognition, acceptance, and just desire a hand to hold or an accepting smile directed at them or someone to take interest in their lives. Keep my heart from ever being hardened to them or to the poverty I see here in Haiti.

I give my mind, my words, my heart, my attitudes, my eyes, and my actions over to you today to use as you desire! Amen!”

“Sunday, September 27, 2009 12:30pm

Lord,

What do I make of our trip to Haiti? There are many thoughts that go through my mind right now. First, is that I do not want to forget our time in Gonaives, because you will use that experience to further shape my character. I know too that I desire to remain changed, and if I forget what you have taught me and what you are currently teaching me, then I will simply revert back to who I once was. If I come back unchanged, then how can you effectively use me? How should I go about remembering your truth?

Second, it was heart-breaking for me to see those children in such poverty. Some were naked, others were barely clothed, and some had adequate clothing. They asked often for water and at time for food, yet they always had a smile and enjoyed that which the Lord had provided them. I absolutely loved seeing them waving, smiling, shouting, and running after our truck as we would drive up to the project site. They always wanted to help, and to be close and to hold my hand. We were able to play games, laugh, sing songs, and just enjoy each other’s company. My prayer will be that Pastor Maula can minister to them and that each child comes to a saving faith and vibrant relationship with you. I wish that I could have better communicated with them about the love of Christ and His salvation, but now I can fervently pray for them!

Third, I was surprised to see the name of Jesus everywhere. His name was on most tap-taps, taxi trucks common to Haiti, on buildings, and on signs; it just felt like he was everywhere. However, at the same time He didn’t seem to be truly found in many places. I find this especially true in the United States as well. The name of Jesus can be found everywhere, but He is truly found in so few places. However, in both Haiti and the United States, but especially in Haiti, where He is found, there is deep reverence, love, devotion, worship, prayer, praise, and dependence. For example, every morning at 4:30am a church just a block away from where we stayed would come together to worship the Lord and read scripture. The service would last for an hour and a half, and then they would go to work, back to their homes, to the market, or wherever else they needed to go. Also, that same church had started 50 days of prayer, and the people in the church were praying continuously for that time. God give me the same faith, or really, get me to use the faith you give me to its fullest capacity! How can I more fervently and continually worship you Father? Where in my life am I trying to maintain control? My life is not designed to please man and my actions and decisions are not to make me look good to others. May everything about me be a pleasing offering to you! May I live by your Spirit and not by the sinful nature.

Fourth, I desire that my brother Ben and sister Christy are as deeply affected as Nick and I were. This is a perfect time to continue to grow them and touch them in a real and lasting way. May they be slow to forget as well. Please protect them during their time in Haiti, but more importantly, use them to glorify your name to the town where they are.

Fifth, what is my time back in Costa Rica as well as back in Texas going to look like? Will I really live a life wholly devoted to you, or will I only give you what is comfortable? I also desire and am choosing that all my relationships are ones that are blameless in your eyes. …

Finally, I lift up my fellow Christian brothers and sisters, and, Lord, please make them discontent until they have a real and fervent relationship with you! Have none of us fake our relationship with you through “good” activities just to get church members praises and approval. What really matters is Your approval! My prayer, Father, is that they choose to serve you faithfully regardless of how difficult it is! All of that goes for me too! Amen!”

So I have rambled on for quite some time, and I am not sure if any of what I have written makes sense, but you take away nothing else, Put yourself in such a state that God can move in your life and change you in a real and lasting way!

Thank you all for your prayers and support! I love and miss you all, and I am so thankful to the Lord that He has put me here for this time!

Mi Semana Primera en la Oficina!

I am going to try something a little different this week with the format of the blog entry. For those of you that only have a few moments to look at the blog, I am going to lay out all the important informaton first, and then expand upon everything at the end of the blog.

Prayer Requests:

• I got sick this past weekend and am trying to get over feeling junky. It is tough to speak and understand Spanish when you cannot think very well. Also, it is difficult to work when you feel a bit under the weather.
• My project trip is this coming Saturday (Sept. 19th) until the following Sunday (Sept. 27th.). We will be working alongside an organization called YWAM (Youth With A Mission). Our project, is to help them design a base camp to train and send Haitian missionaries. Pray that we get everything together; that there are no hurricanes while we are there; that the Lord uses us to bring glory to his name; for safety (if that is in the Lord's will); and unity of the team (We are a group of volunteers from all over the country/world).
• That we remain steadfast in our witness to the Costa Ricans in Atenas. That the Lord continues to open doors through which I can build relationships with Ticos!

Praises!

• I am beginning to feel better today, which is awesome!
• Spanish is beginning to get a bit easier. Each day it improves little by little. My comprehension has greatly improved, and my conversation skills simply depend on the day and how tired I am.
• I have an amazing Tico family, who cares for me just like their own son! I could not ask for a better living situation.
• The Lord has been showing me so much this past month, and really for the last several months since before the last trip!

Pictures!

My room at the Chavez house!

Our time at the organic coffee plantation.

Language School.

The canopy tour.

It seems that I have been able to reflect the best upon life and the works of the Lord these days while watching movies with the Chavez family. This past Sunday I thought about the fact that every day we are given an infinite number of decisions to make, and often with seemingly large decisions, we worry that we will make a wrong decision. Like we engineers have learned through the years, there is an infinite number of correct designs and an infinite number of incorrect designs. Yes, some designs are better than others, but in the end, all the correct designs will get the job done. And I am learning that this is true with our lives as well. The Lord allows us to make decisions that have eternal weight and significance, and what He ultimately desires is that we love Him and thus obey Him in all we do. The difficulty I find is when my obedience requires me to do something that is seemingly "illogical"

This has been such a stumbling block for me. God has created me wit ha logical mind and one taht likes to "see" what the next step is or where the next step leads. However, I am realizing that this is foolishness on my side to try to take the place of God. Whether the decision is with the amazing, godly woman I marry or the company I work for or the ministry I do or the place in which I live; these are all simply steps of obedience when I follow steadfastly after the Lord. For so long I have wanted to hold on to to the control of my life, but I am realizing that this is all foolishness. Before my time here, I have worried about so much in my life, but really the only thing that matters is having the Lord supreme in my life and loving Him by obeying his commands. He will take me, as well as you, in a direction that is to shape us more into His image for HIS glory!

I have been here in Costa Rica for just over three weeks now, and this is our first week of "officially" starting work in the office. I am tasked this week with getting all the surveying things in order for the trip. Which entails figuring out how to get AutoCAD LT 2010 to do what I would like the full-blown version to do. =) It is strange to think that of the 4 months of my mission trip, I have spent the first month strictly doing training. However, all the training is important for our spiritiual, mental, and emotional readiness to complete the rest of our time here. Without a broken heart and humble attitude it is very difficult to serve the Lord. Please pray that the Lord continues to keep me flexible and usable for His kingdom.

This weekend I was sick, and this showed me just where I look for my strength, and that is within myself. I am learning right now just what exactly does it mean to depend on and trust in the Lord.

Here is a quick re-cap of the last 3 weeks in Costa Rica:

• 1 week of orientation at the office, which included painting the soon to be kitchen area, testimony time with all the staff, praise and worship time, and cultural sensitivity training.
• Met my host family and am currently living with them.
• Was asked to lead a bilingual praise and worship song my first Sunday at church.
• Language school for 2 weeks.
• A Saturday trip to Esterillos for a canopy tour and time at the beach. It was my first time to try surfing. I successfully got up once! =)
• A Friday and Saturday trip to San Jose to see Maria and Marcos (my last host family). It was a time of learning to be flexible. I never took the buses that I had planned to take, but it all worked out, and turned into a bit of an adventure! =) I also rediscovered that being sick makes understanding and speaking a foreign language a bit more difficult.
• I am building relationships with some of the jovenes at the English classes and at the church, and I hope to meet with some of them each week.
• Daily speaking Spanish and working on improving my conversation skills.
• Currently preparing for our trip to Haiti, and learning some basic French phrases from my Tico sister. I hope that French is close enough to Creol!

So much has happened in the past few months, that I cannot even imagine what the next few months will bring! Praise God for HIS greatness! And Praise God for all of you who have been praying for me!

Aqui en Atenas!

Bueno, I have been in Atenas for right at a week and a half, and once again it is just amazing how quickly time passes. This is especially true when you are constantly thinking throughout the day. You never realize how tiring thinking can be, until you have to conscously think every time you desire to communicate with the people around you. The simpliest sentence at time takes work, not simply because of what you say, but you have to prepare your mind to comprehend the Spanish that is the response. I am learning that Sundays are my hardest days and not really a day of rest, because it is the day that I must speak the most Spanish and "enfoca" (focus) the most.

Things to be praying for:

• Continued improvement on my Spanish, especially on my ear that yo puedo escuchar mejor (I can listen better). I can now pretty well get my point across, but I want to get to a point where a native speaker can speak at "normal" speed and comprehend what he or she is saying.
• For the glorification of the Lord as we go on our project trip to Haiti on September 19th. For those of you who don't know, Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. It is similiar to many African nations.
• I am starting to get to know some of the "jovenes" of the church, and I pray that I can be an effective example of Christ to them. I have found that you are considered a "joven" until you get married. This means that mis amigos are 14 to 19 years old. This actually works out well, because I feel more comfortable talking with younger people, and they help me to understand what is "cool".
• That I can spend more devoted times in prayer to the Lord. I am having some sweet times in the Word, but it is difficult to set aside significant amounts of time to spend in prayer with the Lord. This simply means I stay up later and/or wake up earlier than I might otherwise be inclined to do.

Okay, now for a few stories from my first week! It has been a fun ride these past few days! =) I love the fact that my first night with my host family I had a little "amigo" in my room with me. Which, by the way, I still don't know where he is/went. My friend turned out to be a one foot long (mas o menos) snake that slighered under my bed. I had gone to brush my teeth and get ready for bed, and when I returned I saw a little, what looked like a garden snake, go under my bed. My bed has drawers underneath and a headboard with drawers as well, so when I tried to move my headboard and bed, I never found the snake. Since I couldn't find the snake, I figured the best thing to do was to fall asleep. =) So who knows, I might wake up some morning with a friend in my bed!

This past Sunday was a super fun/exhausting day for me. I went to a small baptist church with my host family and was asked by the pastor to go up and play guitar and sing a worship song for the congregation. I chose one of the few Spanish/English songs that I knew, "Open the Eyes of my Heart". It has been interesting how God has had me once again use my talents of singing and playing guitar to help facilite worship. I pray that He can use me effectively in my time here. After church we went to another church in a town about an hour and a half away to celebrate their 32nd anniversary, which was really cool! Then we ate ice cream for dinner and headed back to Atenas.

Sorry that I am giving you the truncated version of all my stories, but I need to go catch the bus home.

I will try to post pictures some time after I finish my time at language school, which I am at this week and next.

Thank you all for your continued support! I am so close to being fully supported financially! And I know that I am being fully supported in PRAYER! Let me know how I can pray for you all while I am here!