Day three opened with a heavenly breeze streaming through most of the morning! It was amazing. If you could deprive yourself of other sensory perceptions, and only feel the breeze, it would have bordered on the magical, but sight, smell, and sound crash through with strong objection, and you realize the breeze is a relief for only one of your senses! Oh well, in Haiti you take any break you can catch, because the truth is there aren't very many of them. We had a great sharing time to start our day, and the comments have been so encouraging. You learn to relish anything from home, you are stripped of so much so quickly you enter a place almost like shock, your system collapses on itself, and you question your own sanity for a moment! Literally! But you sweep your eyes and scan the faces, as I have said before, the eyes will tell, and you are reminded of the needs, of the delinquent hearts, of the terrible void this land has brought. When you calculate how destiny was decided, and you measure the goodness of your life, in a moment you are filled with such a profound sense of grace, how the great Creator decides, if the tables were turned, and in a few days hence it was someone else going home and I was left to stay behind...for this lifetime...I believe the less fortunate deserve a turn of our hand, and we owe it to ourselves to keep it real. The more happiness and love I have given away, exponentially more cascades and flows into my heart. I am beginning to realize this. You cannot outspend certain dividends in your life, you can't give away too much happiness, you cannot give away too much love! They are oceans, massive tidal waves that seek to be spent, because so much more of them flows to fill your life even more! Such a profound mystery! Such incredible wealth we possess, spend liberally, don't be misers on this one, it's like the manna of old, fresh every morning, meant to be all used up in that day, for a fresh supply arrives like the morning dew tomorrow. If your life should last the nighttime, you can count on that manna for tomorrow!
The day has been profound, and it is not yet over! The team is like a well oiled machine. It is a wonder to behold. The fabric of this trip has been tightly woven, and the fabric is so durable, and colorful, and resilient! Our doctor has been amazing. Hero's I believe are not born but made, he was a hero before I met him, but this trip is setting him in a frame all his own. He won't take credit, Hero's never do. But among these people he shines like a noonday sun. His way with humankind is stunning to behold, every patient of his, every friend, every family member, can be grateful for this incredible gift of creation, this life so rich, so kind, so full of grace. Imperfections perhaps lie in all of us, I'm a pastor and know this full well, but Ethan has a gift, and is a gift, and I am so grateful he conceded to join me on this journey, even if just for this once. My life, my families lives, that of the team, and so many Haitians are now so much more the richer for this sojourn together! May God continue to use him in mighty ways this week!
Beth and Niche are off teaching the women, this is going to be a very rewarding night for them, at the close of the service they are giving out 50 creole Bible's to the women.The rest of the team is hitting a YWAM service in a few, so off with the team I go for now! Will try to post up some pictures later this evening. Thanks again for all the warm comments!
12 comments:
Thank you for painting such a visual representation of the experiences you and your team are encountering. I have been humbled by the previous posts ive read and am reminded how much we have and take for granted. You mention a very special person to me in your email. I am both blessed and fortunate to have Ethan as a friend and brother in my life. The pastor at our church has given sermons on how we as individuals need to be a true reflection of Christ to other people. Not by words alone but more importantly through our actions. Ethan has been that individual to me regardless of the challenges I have faced in my life. Reading about his dedication, preparation, passion, and love are all things I have come to know as Ethan. Writing these things about him probably make him uncomfortable. I am confident he does not desire the acknowledgement. However, it is important that he knows there are people back home that love and are praying for him. We are also praying for the good works that the whole team is doing. Pastor Doyle, your family is an inspiration and I am enjoying the blog. God Bless you and your team and were sending our love and prayers to your newest member.
So glad things are going well! Have thought of you all today, praying the projects are going well! What a blessing to have the Dr. To give the people even a small amount of medical attention! Can't wait to see George's room done! Things are looking so well at the church property. Hope dads shelves are going to work! A far cry from our first time changing in there before the bathroom was formed! Funny memories that's for sure! I love ya all :) take care and be careful! Alisa
Praying for you all. May you all be truly blessed each day as you serve Him.
Mom said: All you wrote -SO TRUE.
be glad to hear about the meetings
tonight,& about clinic time. -thankful our Doc is doing well with the culture shock.
Gas-$4.11 today; $4.68 in Chicago. 44 degrees & windy. Was trusting Him for wisdom for today for you &BJO & Dr. especially -HE will be made wisdom to us. Deloris & I talked. Pops helped Dad B. & Jared. Hugs for BJO, K & Niche, & Ray, G, K, D & Dr. Ethan,& you-Love, Us.
g
God see's our need and the need of the church and He never seems short on delivery for His purpose. What an answer to prayer having a doctor on the team is for all those struggling Haitians. I have been thinking about you all today often.
Bible study was lightly attended but good tonight. I sent scripture to you all earlier today as to encourage you. God is so amazing, I used that same scripture today to ready me for the teaching tonight and the teaching hit directly on at least one of those same scriptures. The depth of the God we serve is limitless. It never seizes to amaze me how He goes before us is ways we may never even see, or at least do not see until in retrospect.
1Peter:Born Again to a Living Hope
3 (G)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! (H)According to his great mercy, (I)he has caused us to be born again to a living hope (J)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to (K)an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and (L)unfading, (M)kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded (N)through faith for a salvation (O)ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by (P)various trials, 7 so that (Q)the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes (R)though it is tested by (S)fire—may be found to result in (T)praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 (U)Though you have not seen him, you love him. (V)Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining (W)the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Love you all thanks so much for your commitment and service to the Kingdom.
Warm greetings and love, dear Haiti team! I'm so thankful to hear updates on the amazing work y'all are doing! It sounds like the Lord has knit your hearts together, giving you unity as you serve and making you so very effective for Him. Keep pouring out love into the lives of those you touch! He will always, always replenish it because it comes from Him. Know that those of us back home love YOU so much and are thrilled you are there. Beth and Niche, when I think of you teaching the women tonight my heart just soars! And each one will have her very own Bible...the treasures of God's eternal truth...what a priceless gift! Doyle, thank you for your beautiful words describing my husband; they may make him squirm, as he so doesn't seek accolades. But I completely agree, after ten years together I see more than ever he is a man after God's own heart. He's a hero in my eyes, too! Thank you for inviting him to go to Haiti. May our compassionate, loving Lord, the Great Physician, use his hands to bring healing. I hope the YWAM service and the ladies' service tonight were encouraging as you worshiped together with believers from other places! What a diverse, beautiful body of Christ we are part of! Rest well tonight and have a wonderful day tomorrow!!
I couldn't help but think of the hymn, "O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus!" It references John 13:1, "Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love." The first line of the hymn is: "O the deep, deep love of Jesus! Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free; rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me. Underneath me, all around me, is the current of thy love; leading onward, leading homeward, to thy glorious rest above." That hymn moves me every time! Your post moved me. From drawing me into Haiti with your beautifully descriptive words (I couldn't help but see that breeze as a precious smile from God), to your developing passion to love, love, love! And to hear how God is working through Ethan. Prayers are being answered!! It spurs me on to continue praying . . . without ceasing! . . . not only in request, but profound thankfulness. To God alone be the glory! We'll be praying that you continue to do all that you are doing as unto the LORD, and that His face would continue to shine on you and through you and your efforts.
Katina (on behalf of all the Gibson's)
Thanks for the photo! The children looked at it with such big smiles. It spurred on many questions & they are in even more awe of what you all are doing than before they saw this photo. I think it helps them see the reality of what you are doing & who you are helping. We prayed for you all this morning & are eager to hear how God continues to work in Haiti!
Doyle please get in touch with Alan or I, this GFS thing is happening fast and right now. I know when you gone to Haiti.... We need photos,photos and more photos, the promotion department is making poster and other promotional materials for Haiti and they new photos of the orphanage, and other children. If you are unable to send them to us can you have some one else send them to us. We need them ASAP. I think this is going to be a great thing....Take care, hug everyone for us. Bethany
Thank you for the wonderful post it really makes you count your blessings when things aren't going well. God always provides and things could always be worse, we are very blessed compared to many others. We love you all
Sup team Haiti ,
The way god works through Doyle and the pen is amazing ;) I am praying for you everyday . I am leaving for Florida in the morning . Which is bitter sweet , but god must have a plan for me there . Love you all !
Peace "G" :)
Hello everyone! So amazing the experience that you're all having and the love of God you are sharing wih so many! I'm proud to call you my friends :) love and hugs!
Sally and Bryan
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