Devastation in Colorado

I cannot sleep tonight.  My heart is broken for the people in Colorado devastated by the flooding.  I have been praying for families, churches, and communities who have been torn apart unexpectedly.  A neighbor is found dead, people are trapped in their communities, families are in temporary shelters, possessions are lost, there is uncertainty about the future, businesses are destroyed, church members are separated by flood waters, and the list goes on.

This is a time when people need help and hope.  Access is limited to emergency personnel at this point and some communities are still inaccessible.  At this point, prayer is needed for wisdom in how to proceed.  Meetings are being held in the next few days that will hopefully result in Christians partnering together to help this devastated area.  ReachGlobal Crisis Response personnel are there helping already and equipping local churches with insights gained from other disasters.

There will be many opportunities soon to help people winterize, clean up properties, gut homes, and start the process of restoration of lives.  Perhaps you will be able to come help.  Perhaps you can provide finances for someone else to come, supplies needed to help, or basic food needs.  If you want to come with a team, e-mail crisisresponse@efca.org.  Check out the blog at http://reachglobalcrisisresponse.wordpress.com/ for up to the moment stories on what is happening in the lives of Colorado residents.  For ways to be involved, see http://go.efca.org/resources/announcement/colorado-flood-response.

Our hearts should be broken for these people, and it should affect how we respond.

Photo by Shelby Smoker

Come to Serve and Learn

 

“I may not be here to serve but to learn,” concluded Pastor Eddie Cole of Salem Church as he watched team members from his church interact with orphans on a recent trip to Peru.  He shared in his sermon back at Salem Church the importance of being humble before God and that we can do nothing for the Lord apart from the Holy Spirit in us.

As teams come with ReachGlobal Crisis Response to serve Staten Island with Salem Church, this is what makes the difference in the impact they will have.  We come to serve, but we must be humble and ready to learn through the experience.  We must allow God to fill us with the Holy Spirit so we can accomplish greater things that we could not do in our own power, and we must be open to what He wants to accomplish in our lives.

Why You Should Come Serve in New Jersey with ReachGlobal Crisis Response

A volunteer in New Jersey explained, “I get the thrill of accomplishment when I’m here.”  He talked about watching Extreme Makeover and the thrill homeowners have when they see their redone home.  “It’s a home. … to leave destruction and come back to something so renewed.”  He is picturing in his mind the joy of the homeowners when they can return to a restored home.

Another volunteer shared about her experience, “Faith moves mountains in my heart.”  She was determined to do whatever it took to serve God this week.  Feeling that she was too unskilled in construction to be useful, she was impressed that people believed in her and loved her enough to provide the finances for her to come.  The team leader explained that it was because her passion to serve was so evident.

One man told us he had gotten more out of this than he had given, but he wanted to share all he was feeling inside with others, to pass on the blessings.  He talked about the 5 loaves and 2 fish that never ran out when they were being passed out.  He said, “Our cup doesn’t get empty if we are pouring it out, but if we hold on to it, it becomes stagnant, stale, and starts leaking out.”  We are meant to share the blessings God pours into our lives and hearts.

The team was pleased with working with ReachGlobal Crisis Response.  “Logistically, you guys make it easy to bring a group down here.  You guys take care of them.”  He felt there was a good balance of work, knowledge, level of challenge, tools, and support.  “This is an organization I can count on to take care of my people so they can have an experience like this.”  The staff didn’t just tell them what to do, but they showed them out to do it.

A bond of love and appreciation was also formed with the people from the local churches working with them.  “Their faith is what brought us to them.”  The green shirts worn by the volunteers were compared to a “beacon of hope” in the community.

Faith Alone in Christ Alone

One of the things I love in New Jersey with ReachGlobal Crisis Response is sharing time.  Last night, I was blessed by both the stories of team members and stories of people from Brigantine Bible Church.  Team members found opportunities to hear needs of local residents and pray with them.  When asked why they were helping, a volunteer explained that he was “compelled as a Christian.”  An ice cream truck driver became involved with a spiritual discussion with one volunteer.  One team was blessed with a 25% thank you discount when they went to purchase lunch.

Kitty, a joyful woman from Brigantine Bible Church, shared her story with the teams.  She is from Ireland and met her husband when he was in the navy and stationed in Ireland.  They returned to live in the United States where they raised a family.  Kitty began drinking more and more, thinking she could stop at any time, but she couldn’t.  She was drinking heavily.  She tried different groups including AA, but no one could help her gain victory over her addiction.

While off work for a disability with a serious rash, she turned on the T.V. during the day.  A voice with an accent caught her attention, because she thought the speaker might be Irish.  He was Scottish and explained that he had been a seventh generation alcoholic.  This pastor explained, “You need Jesus.”  He went on to say, “There is a lady watching today.  You are very religious, but it’s not just religion, it’s a relationship.”  Kitty was very religious.  He went on to say she had tried programs, but he clarified, “It’s not a program.  It’s a relationship.”  Kitty knew he was speaking to her.  She fell down on her knees and gave her life to Christ.  She never needed another drink after that.

Kitty smoked until convicted that her body was the temple of the Holy Spirit.  God helped her give up smoking.  She had relied on pills to sleep at night, but prayed, “Lord, you rock me to sleep tonight.”  In faith, she flushed all her pills down the toilet and went to bed.  It was morning when she awakened.

Kitty and her husband had divorced before she became a Christian.  She called a friend to find a Bible believing church.  Her friend was overwhelmed at this answer to prayer.  She had been calling out to the Lord over concern for her friend, Sandy, whose husband had left her.  She prayed, “Send me someone who can relate to Sandy.”  Kitty was the answer to this prayer.  Kitty and Sandy became prayer partners and friends.

As Kitty read her Bible, Malachi 2:16 spoke to her revealing that God hates divorce.  I Corinthians 7 convicted her that she was either to remain single or be reconciled to her husband.  She started praying that God would bring her husband, Richard, back.  It took 12 years, but God saved Richard and brought them back together again.  Kitty realized that it had taken 12 years for God to make the needed changes in her life before He returned Richard to her.  Kitty said she had to become a Christian to learn to be a wife.  Kitty’s summary of her life now is “Faith alone in Christ alone.”

Kitty's house was condemned 8 months ago due to structural damage, and 2 weeks later her husband died from CJD.  She still holds firm to her faith.

Kitty and Sandy

 

I Don't Have a Watch, but I Do Have Time

I Don’t Have a Watch, but I Do Have Time

By Laura-Jean Watson

“I don’t have a watch, but I do have time,” remarked Dr. Jean Dorlus as he spoke at a brunch at Hershey Free Church about ministry in Haiti.  He is taking time to build relationships, disciple other men, and build into lives around him.  Problems in Haiti have existed for years, and there are no quick fixes.  True change requires an investment of learning needs, prayer, addressing actual problems, changing hearts, and supporting indigenous solutions.

The Protestant church in Haiti has grown 30% since the earthquake, and discipleship has become a major focus and need.  Mark Lewis related, “I was in Haiti for probably the most amazing three days that I will ever experience in my life.  They were three days of fasting and prayer, and I’ve never seen the movement of the Holy Spirit in such a way where so many people … came before the Lord repenting. … Easily saw in one three hour period at one church service, 35 people prayed right in front of us. … I’m seeing this and thinking, ‘What’s disciplemaking going to look like in this context?’”

Dr. Dorlus explained what a wake-up call the earthquake in 2010 was to the church.  Pastors realized that the church was not a building, but rather the people.  Even the seminary changed its approach, because they were not prepared to answer the questions people were asking.  They have since added courses to explain Christian worldview and philosophy of ministry. ReachGlobal did not come saying, “We have to build this for you,” but they came asking the Haitians questions.  “What is it you want to do?  What is it that should be done to change this country?” Dr. Dorlus explained, “It is a long-term approach. … That’s why, one of the things we are doing, is to study the Haitian culture itself to see how we can do discipleship in a completely different way than we did in the past.”

Mark Lewis explained, “Whenever we go to do crisis response, it is always with vision mission.  The mission is multiplying transformational churches among all people.  It is making disciples that make disciples. … As we got beyond the relief stage, the conversation then switched to, ‘Where do we see multiplying transformational churches in this context?  What is the potential for ministry influence, for coming alongside the disciplemakers that are already in the country and adding wind to their sails at this particular time?’”

Jean Baptiste Wadestrant, explained the process of moving past the relief stage and the rehabilitation stage to the developmental stage.  “This is the one that takes a lot of time, a lot of energy, a lot of resources, and a lot of people pulling together to do.”  Americans and Haitians are working together to “see the things as clear as possible and then see what the next step would be.”  This would be something that would last past the individual leaders and be an ongoing process.  “It’s not a better week with some people that played with kids, … but something that even after you leave, when you come back in 5 to 10 years, you see that it is still ongoing, and you see changes really happen.”

Mark Lewis recalled that he has had hundreds of conversations where people all knew someone doing ministry in Haiti, which is good, because people are responding to God’s call and meeting needs.  He quoted Jim Collins.  “Sometimes good is the enemy of better and best.”  Mark went on to explain, “And so, though it is a good thing, it’s good at the cost of better and best.  Better and best is something that changes us. Why are we going?  If we are going to be changed, to learn, that’s a good reason to go.  If we’re going because we think we have something to offer, we’re flat out missing the mark.  I’ll tell you what, these guys have more to offer.  Honestly, there’s more for us to learn in Haiti than anything we would ever have to offer these guys.”

American culture problems, church issues, and personal issues are mirrored in Haiti, but we cannot see them because we are in the middle of them.  Mark pointed out, “Yet, these guys can look and they can see the fruit of our dysfunction in their churches.  They can see it really clearly in our approach, our attitudes.  But the beautiful thing about the relationship is that they also can’t see things in their culture.  And so, we can see things and ask questions."

Initially, Mark recalled, we went to provide physical relief that needed to be done.  We are in a different stage now.  “We want people to come with a heart and an attitude to be instead of to do.  It really goes to Jean’s example of the watch.  Jean has time.  We don’t have time in our culture.  We keep time, but we don’t have time.  So, because of that, it is very difficult for us to be.  We always have to do.  Again, there are some real kingdom principles in there that just start to transform.  Relationships become more important than projects.”

When you return from a week, you may not have built a house, and people will ask you what you accomplished.  “We were.  That’s what we did.  We spent time with people, and we learned about them.  In the process, we learned something about ourselves.”

“At the largest level, I would say in general, the American church is doing a really poor job of listening, because we are going into the context with an agenda.  What we do is we see needs, and we fix needs.  These guys don’t need fixed.”

Mark emphasized that we come as part of an international team representing all the churches involved.  Don’t come in with your own agenda wanting to be served.  As Americans, we have our own expectations of comfort.  “You are investing in this continuum of ministry.”  Prepare ahead of time.  Read about culture context recognizing you are part of the disciplemaking continuum.  “You are going, not necessarily for what you are going to give to Haiti, but maybe you are going for what you are going to invest locally.  What am I going to learn in the process of going that is going to change me so that my walk with Jesus is deeper so that I can transform the people I interact with 52 weeks out of the year rather than going to transform somebody that I’m only going to meet for an hour?”

“I think about the American church, how easy it is for us to simply provide spiritual gifts and services to people without really committing to the path of discipling,” expressed Pastor George Davis.  “So, people come to a church with the expectation that, ‘You are supposed to take care of me, you are supposed to do this for me’.  We even add consumer language to our church experience so we can talk about church shopping and that sort of thing. …  So, in many ways, the challenges you are facing in the Haitian community are much like we are facing, if we would only acknowledge it.  In this partnership, we are on a learning journey together, with much to teach each other. … God really invites us into something much bigger than ourselves.”

Our partnership with Haiti is a mutually beneficial relationship.  Pastor Dave Hyatt brought home a very important closing thought from Revelation 3:17-18 where God is speaking to the church in Laodicea.   “You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”  He said that we are rich with Confederate money. “It isn’t worth anything, but we have lots of it.  We have stuff, but in God’s economy, what God counts is to truly love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. I don’t know how we’re doing on that measure. The call to mission in Haiti is to make an account transfer.“

Volunteer Insights

Volunteer Insights

By Laura-Jean Watson

I love hearing what volunteers have to say after serving with ReachGlobal Crisis Response.  I heard the following in New Jersey.  One volunteer shared, “People pray, ‘Please help me!’  How humbling it is to know we are the answer to someone’s prayer.”

Another volunteer shared how God uses people working in teams.  He sends just the right person on a team to connect with the homeowner perfectly.  It is great to see a homeowner go from overwhelmed to energized. It is even more exciting to see a homeowner find forgiveness and new life in Christ. He also uses teams so they will encourage each other and be able to accomplish more.

Another volunteer prayed, “I expected to change some lives, to make a difference, and You surprised me again, and You changed me.  It was me You were working on- again. … You remind me in Your Word how it’s like a letter You’re writing, and it’s not with ink, but it’s with the Spirit on our hearts.  Thank you that this letter and story is not done.  Thank you for those who are going to come behind us and finish the work You’ve begun.  Thank you that you are faithful to complete the work that You’ve begun.  You amaze us Lord, again and again, how You are working and how mighty You are to save. … Thank you for this local body. … Continue to bless it and increase it and allow them to prosper and be in health and grow and minister Your love.”

Maybe you are the one God is sending to complete the next phase of the work.  Maybe you are the one who will connect to the homeowner and help change their life.  Come and see how God is at work.

Is There Going to be Anyone From the Nations Praising God Because of Me?

Is there going to be anyone from the nations praising God because of me?

By Laura-Jean Watson

Bruce McMartin is part of Vision D’Antioche in Haiti.  The name was taken from the church in Acts.  Their desire is to see the Haitian church get the vision of evangelism and discipleship that the church in Antioch had and send missionaries like the church in Antioch did. Bruce explained that the Haitian people were brought as slaves from West Africa.  It is like the story of Joseph.  God meant it for good so they could come here and hear the Gospel and take it back to their brothers in West Africa in Muslim countries.  At a missions conference at the seminary, photos were hung up from National Geographic showing people in different countries.  The reaction from some was, “Are these real people?”  They were totally amazed at the people in the world who needed the Gospel and their eyes were opened to the fact that Haiti is not the last frontier for the Gospel.  We as believers have a responsibility to share the Gospel with the world, and this is a new concept for many Haitians. 

A Haitian who went on a medical missions trip to Senegal was amazed to realize how rich the Haitian church is spiritually.  He stated that Sunday school teachers in Haiti have more understanding of the Bible than some pastors in Senegal, because they don’t have any training there. 

God touched Roger’s heart at a mission’s conference in Haiti with the verse in Revelations 7:9-10 where it talks about “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” and they are praising God.  He wondered, “Is there going to be anyone from the nations praising God because of me, what I did?”  He ended up going as a missionary to Senegal. “He is in his fifth year as a missionary in Senegal, and God is doing amazing things there.”  This is a Muslim country, but most are Animists.  As black, French speaking people who can understand those caught in spirit worship, they are ideally suited to share the Gospel with Senegal.

Bruce explained that it all has a ripple effect.  Roger goes to Senegal.  He encounters a man named Serge from West Africa who is there as a student.  Serge accepts Christ and his life is changed.  “The next day he is on the streets-nothing- no food, no home, no money, no job, no anything.  ... Serge grows in his relationship, and he is concerned for his family who are Animists, spirit worshippers. … The Haitians take an offering and send it to Senegal so he can buy a ticket and go home and share Christ with his family.”  He is able to share Christ with his family and he is sent on to another village to work on planting a church there.

Jean Baptiste Wadestrant added that, “Haitians have the mindset that we are poor. … We can’t take care of other people.”  “We are working hard to help people understand that while we are working at home, we need to be concerned also about those elsewhere.”

The Bible does not say go and make disciples of all nations once you own a car or a house or earn a certain amount.  The Haitians have realized that the command is for them as well as other Christians.  One pastor encouraged his congregation to find a way to support missionaries.  “If you own two shirts, sell one.  If you own two pairs of shoes, sell one.  If you own two dresses, sell one.”  The people responded, and missionaries were sent.  What are we willing to give up in obedience to God’s commands?  What is more important to us than obeying Christ?

Dr. Jean Dorlus added, “We are very rich- spiritually”.  Pastor Dave Hyatt said Antioch was a very large city with a very small church, but they were willing to send Paul and Barnabus, two pillars of the church, out into the world.  Dave added, “We grow when we are sending.”

Someone asked, “If it costs $1,600 to come to you, would you rather I give you $1,600 and stay here or would you rather have me come to be with you?’  Dr. Dorlus replied that it depended on the situation.  There are needs that do not require human touch or technical assistance, but even then, sending money one time without further contact does not build a relationship.  You don’t know what’s going on.  Not everyone can go, but all can contribute in some way, but it may help the church to actually go and see what‘s going on.  Dr. Dorlus told the story of an American friend who went to school with him in America and would complain about poverty in the United States.  “He took me to a place in the U.S. where he said there was a lot of poverty.  I looked around and saw that everyone had cable television, at least one car, electricity, and water, so I was not moved.  He was very unhappy with me.  He thought he had never met such a calloused man in his life. … He came to Haiti, and right at the airport, he understood.  The trip changed his life.  He complained less about issues in the United States.  By giving the money and not being involved, it removes that kind of life changing experience for you.” 

Dave Hyatt agreed that although giving money does change your heart for “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”, but the experience going is powerful.  Mark added, “It really comes down to recognizing there is leadership and there is vision.  There will be opportunities … to give, to go, to pray, to be transformed, but ultimately, our mission is the same.  It is sanctification, becoming more like Jesus.  If that involves writing a check, there is going to be a time where a check needs to be written.  If that involves going and getting your hands dirty and experiencing something that you can’t experience writing a check, you need to go.  Ultimately, it is about us being a Gospel witness to the people that are around us- holistically.  That means the people around us in Haiti, the people around us in Indonesia, the people around us in Staten Island, and the people around us in Hummelstown. …What is it that God is calling us to do to take the next step in that process of transformation?  What’s the stereotype that I need to tear down?  What’s the prejudice or belief that I have in my worldview that’s not correct? 

“God has all the money He needs for whatever, but He wants our hearts to be transformed.  Sometimes it is through giving.  Sometimes it’s through going.  Sometimes it’s through praying.  Sometimes it’s through going through something else.  Sometimes it’s through going through a significant trial.  We get way more out of relationship, so ultimately, that’s where the focus is.”