Saturday, March 31, 2012

Oasis

It's almost 9:00 pm and we are set up at the orphanage. I am typing my thoughts in the same room my daughter has just spent most of the last three months. Our two precious orphan girls sleep on their bunks barely three feet from where I sit in my little plastic chair, a fan blowing across the room brings a little reprieve from the hot day we have had to suffocate through. Our only oasis was at the few minutes apiece were we all we able the ride in the AC of Rob's Toyota, which we managed to get into the country last November. Did I say what a Godsend it has been! Although, I just got a call that it won't start. Oh well, it's Haiti. We'll cross that bridge when we get to the river. Today has been a day of much contemplation for me, as I ready to minister a message in the morning to a massive crowd of people, my thoughts have wandered the byways of the years of engagement in this country, of all the changes, and all the merry-go-rounds. As we hiked the mountain behind the church this morning, it seemed to me the rubble was worse this time. And yet it also seemed there were more homes. What is this terrible war between good and evil. Ethan mentioned corruption and evil in his earlier post today, he's right you know. There is no other way to really describe what you witness here. Evil in a very raw form. I am one to carress words, to soft speak the truth, always the truth, but the truth in love. With a doctor walking with me, even more of the raw waste and filth becomes apparent. My constitution is very strong, and while I observe and contemplate much, I can also swallow a lot. Years of hard, dirty outdoor labor, and in pastoring while fighting alongside fellow believers have conditioned me, calloused me in ways that perhaps border a bit on the uncivilized. War is that way, and I don't mind the skirmishes. As I have walked beside a doctor and fellow foot soldier the last few days in this land, it has been a bit on the sensational side to say the least. I have written much and often of the pestilence of this land, but it is brought into sharper focus with this new microscope trained on it! And eight brave souls have fought through all that dust, and dirt, and grime, and all out filth with me the last few days. We have lost a few battles, but we are winning the war! As we watched Germaine and Krystle teach the Bell Choir today, twelve children get to make a new kind of music in their homeland, and the expressions on their faces were pure gold. Germaine was brilliant! I am so grateful for his leadership and life change. He and his family have been so rock on this trip, it is hard to fathom for me where God has brought them from, and to where they are going! Therein in part lies my hope for Haiti, what God has done and is so powerfully doing in them, He is also doing here! Little by little we advance, and it seems now each step is getting easier. As I said earlier, I sit now in front of a strong sturdy high velocity fan, this did not exist years ago, I am going to sleep in a couple of hours in an orphanage, this did not exist two years ago. I am sending this blog up in a couple of minutes from right where I sit, this did not exist until four months ago. Today we fixed a well, and pumped about a thousand gallons of fresh water for a whole community who has been carrying water from long distances for six months. The air crackled with excitement as water was restored to the area! Evil beware...your future has been written...good will prevail! Allow me to take you back to the Chronicles of Narnia theme for a moment...there is melting, and dripping everywhere you turn now in Haiti, the cold of injustice still has many in its grip, but the breath of Aslan can be felt all over, and I know in a very deep place in my heart tonight that good will prevail! Of that fact I am most certain! Out with the sword I say, mount your steeds, the dawn comes, let's ride! And besides, I have a message to write yet! Blessings again tonight from your trusted band of warriors in Haiti, good-night to all!

6 comments:

Heidi said...

What brave, strong, determined warriors for good you are! Remember you are dressed in the full armor of God, and He is supplying everything you need. He is seated on His eternal throne, reigning as King! Its only a matter of time (His perfect timing) until His kingdom will fully come and all the evil, corruption, dirt, grime, illness, etc. will be swept away forever. Ethan, remember our Sunday school class last week and the talk about heaven? I love thinking about how brand new, good and right everything will be--and we will worship with brothers and sisters from every nation, including Haiti. I hope your time of worship at the church tomorrow morning is very sweet. Doyle, I'm praying for your message. Germaine and Krystle, how cool to hear you taught the children hand bells today!! I wish I could hear the music! As y'all prepare for your final 2 days, we continue to pray. You are so loved. :)

neil said...

Haiti Team.
All is well here at home. Back to work full time. found out why my feet hurt all the time in Haiti this week, I sat on my duff all winter and gained 25 lbs. Feet are fine now, I know this has been troubling Krystal since I left Haiti, I think she worries too much about my feet and not enough about Charlie. I am very happy to hear that eventhough it is Haiti and it is the slowest place to do things you are all making a huge dent this trip. I will chalk it up to all the hard work and preparation that k&k had to do over the months that the were away from us. I am a very proud of the work you all are doing? I do have two question though hows my girl Dina and Beth did you see my little boy in the mountains? I guess I have one more Hows Elzianna? Wish I could answer these myself and the barrier is killing me to use an expression only people of luxary would use. Get home safe and huge boo boo for me. love and prayer for you all, Neil

Deloris said...

Hi gang! I hope you had a good nights sleep and are ready for a good morning in church. It's such an amazing thing to be there amongst those Haitians who believe so deeply and do not hold back in their praise. Doyle I am praying that your message touches their hearts. Please give my love to the team, the family, the orphans and all the children that I love so much. I have been thinking of them a lot this week and can almost feel their little hands holding mine. Tell Ray I love him and the girls miss him a lot. See you soon.

Jake T. said...

I have been thinking about the evil That has been written about and the misuse of allocated relief funds for Haiti. I think fixing Haiti is an inside job, it seems you all are looking to change these people down there from the inside out. Bringing them to Jesus is the relief, it is the solution. I admire your efforts and encourage you all to remain steadfast and strong.
Matt 23:25 (AS)“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For (AT)you clean the outside of (AU)the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of (AV)greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of (AW)the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

27 (AX)“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like (AY)whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and (AZ)all uncleanness. 28 So you also (BA)outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of (BB)hypocrisy and lawlessness.
I am proud of the ground level efforts and sacrafice you are all making. Keep washing the "inside of these cups" down in Haiti. As time goes by and God begins and completes a work in them the outside will begin to match what has happened on the inside. Love and prayers
P.S. G-man, we got your Momma to church and she gave us some good tid bits on you at brunch lol.

Sally B said...

I love how Germaine and Krystle taught them how to play the bells :) What a beautiful gift! Thanks for sharing your experiences. Love you guys!

Sally and Bryan

Brandon Cary said...

My man "g" ,
I'm so proud of you . Everyone who encounters you is blessed by you Jesus and holy spirt filled heart and life . Can't wait to see you and talk to you . I'm on my way to the airport to go back to traverse from Naples . I love you team Haiti . Thanks for your work and fortitude . Love you Doyle and Beth ;)