Those who come and go…

There have been many people in my life that have come for a while and then moved on. Many that have impacted me as a Christian, many that became very good friends and many that I give credit to for being where I am today.
To name only a few:

• Kristie Marckel who invited me to my first Bible Study where I would get my first grasp on who Jesus was and how He desired me to live.
• Dave Rawls who became my preacher and really showed me that you can give stuff away without reward or repayment.
• Frank Weller who encouraged me to attend Great Lakes Christian College even helping me with the application.
• John and Sybil Love for giving me a place like Lake James to grow, make mistakes and create many lifelong friendships.
• Mike and Bonnie for always checking up on me making sure I was okay.
• Kristen Van Dyk for inviting me to your crazy family functions and becoming a great friend in my life.
• Megan Washburn for putting up with the pranks and creating so many memories that still make me laugh.
• BJ and Beth. For being so much in my life I could write a novel…
• Kendi Howells Douglas for giving me such a great passion for missions that I could not sit back and let the opportunities pass me by
• And the list goes on…… 

I say this all first to reflect on the many who have influenced me but to also share a story of someone who is not only family but has become a great friend. Her name is Sciane or Madaam Amboise (Mrs. Amboise-which is her husband's first name). She is Wilby's cousin and went to our church. She has two adorable little girls Juna and Rut who Ruben adored and would follow doing everything they would do. While most in our church still stare at me with eyes wondering why I am there she befriended me the moment she started attending. She came to the D.R. after the earthquake hit in 2010 and like most in Haiti life for here was not easy. Knowing money for her family here was tight I asked if she would like to teach me creole. She smiled and said yes so twice a week I would find myself cherishing time with her and learning not only more about her but about one more language I had to learn. I was learning it from Spanish to Creole as well. It is to her credit that I am at a beginner's level and can understand much more. She and I had a lot of fun together.
Well at the beginning of this post I mentioned how people would come and then go. Well about a month ago now she decided to return to Haiti. Life was hard here and they were not making it financially. She decided it would be better with more family around to help with the girl's and right before she left found out she was pregnant. I have not been so sad to say goodbye to someone. I miss her smile and her sweet words of encouragement to continue learning the language. It saddens me every time Ruben thinks he hears them and goes running to the front door yelling their names. But the thing that saddens me the most is we recently received news that she has come down with Cholera. She is in the hospital and as much as she has been an encouragement to me I am not able to be that for her right now. I have not seen in the news anything of Haiti and the problems that still exist there like tent cities or the fact that Cholera is still snatching many lives in the country. I ask for your prayers, I ask that God places his hands upon her and removes this poison; I pray that she has many by her side whispering words of love so she does not give up and I ask that you pray for me as I am here and she is there.
"Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful" ~Colossians 4:2

Grasping on to Growth!

When you grow there are pains that you go through, new things you need to learn, people directing you in ways they think you should go…and then everything comes together and you most of the time have something beautiful especially when Christ is a part of it all. Our church started 3 years ago and we started with 5 people me being the only female. Today we have a youth group, women's group, singing group and a bible study group that meet weekly. We have in attendance about 60-70 on a given Sunday morning as well as Sunday night. This has been such an encouragement to both Wilby and I reassuring us that we are following our Lord in the calling of our lives. Lately we have had to find new ways to stay connected with the veterans as we find time to introduce ourselves and get to know those who are new. We thank all that pray for us as we are walking in the steps God desires of us. You are walking right there with us and it is such an amazing feeling and very encouraging. Please know it would be so difficult for us to live and do ministry if it were not for you. Many blessing to you for all you do!

Our Church Then

Our Church Now!

It is a Friday night about 8:30pm, rainy and both kids are in bed. We are putting on a movie to have a date in tonight. It has turned really cool here and it has been a long day. With one teething kid and another who just couldn't seem to listen today. Though these days don't happen all the time it has just been one of those days...But then as I sit here I think of the women in Haiti right now...especially those in Port-au-Prince and those who are amongst the Cholera. How are they managing. Having a one year old in a tent, I can't imagine, or finding out my child is so sick and spending hours waiting for help hoping they are strong enough to live until the help is available, wondering where or how the next meal will come and I am sure some ask "where are you Lord?" Why all this turmoil? Why all this sadness? Why all this despair? Why all this sickness and destruction?

Or then there is the other side being a doctor or missionary in Haiti trying to help and bring hope to so many. Seeing those who didn't have the strength to hold out until help was available, seeing many lose their lives, babies, children, teenagers, adults and the elderly. Many of all ages are dying everyday.

I recently had a conversation with a great friend about how to have Joy always. I have been pondering this question a lot lately. She spoke great truth to me and it has changed my outlook on it all. Satan comes to steal Joy...and for me Joy and happiness were one. Not any longer. Many people are happy, even those who do not know Jesus. They are happy with stuff or their job or their home and family. Jesus is the only one that can give Joy. It is from Him and Him alone. I see all that is happening in Haiti and I think two things:

One, Satan is there amongst many trying to steal and for some has succeeded in stealing their Joy. Two, Jesus is there for those searching or whose faith is strong and Joy is seen in their smiles when they are with their child though stuck in a tent, or it is in those who might not have much but still seem to share a meal. It has not been taken from all and many are there fighting for Joy to remain in their lives and for them I pray and continue to seek Joy myself.

With this, I find Joy in giving myself, by service, a smile, a conversation to those who might need just to talk and by financially sacrificing those things that we have. As this Christmas time approaches and as you pray for the way Jesus desires you to give or be stretched please know these people living in Haiti are not just people that we serve in our ministry but they are now apart of my family line...


It was great seeing everyone and while my stay was super short the love we have for you is huge and irreplaceable.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This last year has been a joy, a challenge, a fight, great growth, an encouragement and many blessing from our Lord. On August 10th we celebrated 2 years of our church plant. A Haitian service meeting in a Dominican church. Many have attempted but the difference and the pressure the culture throws they have yet to succeed. Many belong to the same church organization but have their own buildings. Having separate services and in part a sort of segregation. If we are to be one body in Christ then we will be one church in Him as well. I have seen in this last year a humongous change in relationships between the Christians in our church and the Christians in the Dominican church. It brings me to tears when I see the two cultures putting "culture" aside to live for Christ. 4 days before the Sunday of our Celebration we had services at night. All the nightly activities that the Dominicans use the church for found other places to meet. We had the Dominican youth lead the Thursday night service, another Haitian church come and lead the Friday night service and then our church led the Saturday night service. On Sunday we had a dear friend and teacher Brian Johnson come and speak on John 10:9. The Bible study Wilby leads on Wednesday night is working through the book of John. So it was perfect and it was an amazing week of Worship and Praise for everything God has blessed us with and in the lives of our congregation, families, friends. Please pray that the world's view on how Dominicans and Haitians are suppose to react to one another does not cloud the vision of those in both churches and they are able to respond with God's love only. Thank you for the hard work you put in to help in this ministry.

Saying Goodbye!

Time has come where we had to say goodbye to a very close friend. His name is Edouard Philipe and  his wife felt called back to Haiti. He has attended the University here in Santiago and graduated in December with a psychology degree. He helped in many ways start the church here with Wilby in our community. He has served faithfully as an elder of the congregation and has been Wilby's second hand man. This past weekend we celebrated our 2nd Anniversary of the church plant. It has been 2 unbelievable years with many ups and downs but much fruit has come from our church. It is hard to say goodbye to such a dedicated worker and loving friend but this is our vision for the church and God is accomplishing it through us. Raising up leaders to send out. Philip has been called back into the thick of Port-au-Prince to help counsel those who have been effected by the recent earthquake. He is leaving a comfortable home and church family to go amongst those who desperately need encouragement and direction. We presented Philip with a plaque to remember our church by and all our prayer are with him as he continues down the road God is leading him on. We are excited about his journey but at the same time he will truely be missed!

Living and working with Haitians in our community there are many God stories told. Many different ways Wilby and I are being used to impact the community for Christ and in many ways your prayers, financial help and encouragement motivates us to continue when the times get tough, we are also able to rejoice when God moves. It is only because of you we are able to be here living and serving the people here and fulfilling God's calling for our lives.

The first story…

Guereda has been attending our church a little less than one year. I connected with her almost immediately because of her having a little boy only a few months older then Ruben. She comes to church consistently with her little boy. One day Wilby and I were taking a walk when we came upon her and some friends. She was anxious to share a story with us. She said that the little one started crawling and the uncle went to leave and forgot to shut the door behind him. The little guy crawled out of the house and found a pop bottle cap. (Pop is in glass bottles down here) Doing what all little kids do at that age he immediately put it in his mouth and started choking…she swooped him up and tried over and over again to get it out. She tried with her finger which only put it down his throat further, she tried pounding on his back and she even called out to those around her to help…nothing worked. He was still choking as she was crying out for help. She said she came to a place where she just stopped, said to the Lord "you have given him to me and if now is the time you are going to take him…he is yours". She said after those words were said the cap just popped out of his mouth and he started breathing and smiling. She said she lifted her hands to the Lord and thanked and praised him for her son. She was able to encourage others with this story during church the following Sunday. We serve a powerful God and when we place all things in His hands he will amaze us! Below is Guereda and her son.

FEBRUARY...

This last month was full of so many blessings. First we have many new people visiting our church, most coming from Haiti after the quake to live with relatives or friends. Many have come to continue their education. Most everything in Port-au-Prince has been destroyed or is so unstable no one wants to enter the buildings. I believe God has set up our church for this main purpose. Many of our church members have opened up their homes for those flocking this way. It is so good to see the love they have for one another.

This is Wilby's friend Inel who came just this last week seeking to continue his education. He only knows a little Spanish and so he is studying the language everyday so that he can start his schooling in the fall. He lived in Saint Marc, where Wilby's family is and they were both baptized on the same day. He started attending our church and we are excited about the impact he will make in our congregation and community.

Wilby and Inel

 

Our Story

Here is all that has been going on in our lives to God we give Glory! The day of the quake we were living and doing things that is in our everyday schedule not knowing that life for us would never be the same. We felt the quake here in Santiago, DR and it was pretty strong but no damage done. We then turned on the T.V. (love having it for this purpose) and saw that Port au Prince was hit hard and a Tsunami was being anticipated. The sickness we felt in our stomachs thinking if a Tsunami hit, the city would be no longer and the people would all be gone as well. We started praying hard “God have mercy on them all” we then heard that the Tsunami was not coming. We lifted up our hands and praised our Father for one of many answered prayers. That was Tuesday and as the days went on and we became more aware of the deaths and people trapped, Wilby became more concerned about his son Carvens. We talked more and more about him making a trip there. The danger was high and with no communication it would take a lot of sitting and waiting on my part. He had said it be safer to take an elder from the church with him so he was not traveling alone and he would come back to the border within 5 days and update us on his whereabouts. We both decided that he would go to Saint Marc first which is 2 hours north of Port Au Prince because that is where Carvens moms family lives and if they made it they would go there. He left Friday morning at 5am, kissed both me and Ruben not knowing if we would see each other on this earth again.

Wilby’s Journey
After traveling all day he got into Saint Marc and was greeted my his cousin who was crying…Wilby said I have been traveling all day and haven’t eaten anything let me eat something before you give me any news. After he was done eating he said ok so where is Carvens she said she didn’t know. He then made his way to Carvens Moms family and when he got there he heard the kids saying Carvens Carvens your dad is here. At that moment Wilby raised his hands up and gave praise to our Lord. He was making plans to go to Port au Prince but found out that it was very dangerous and those coming in from the outside with stuff were being mugged so they didn’t go. Sunday Wilby had a conversation with the mom of Carvens to see if she was ok with Carvens coming and living in the Dominican. She was not okay at first but after her sister and brother talked with her about it she decided it would be okay. There is no school or much food for Carvens there so by bringing him to the D.R . he can continue his education and be taken care of while his family in Haiti rebuild their lives. On Monday Wilby packed Carvens up and headed to the border. Now Carvens is illegal and doesn’t have papers so to get him across the border Wilby had to pay a guy who crosses all the time and sent Carvens with him. Wilby, having papers then crossed and met up with Carvens at the bus station, only to find out that the bus had already left. Wanting to get back to Santiago that night he talked with people to see if there was anyone around who could continue to smuggle him to Santiago. Wilby found a guy that had a car and was heading to Santiago with other illegal Haitians. There were two cars traveling together and when they were on the road one of them broke down. After spending many hours trying to fix it they decided to go back to the border and leave early the next morning. Wilby then spent the night in a hotel and got up to leave at 5 the next morning. He waited for the guy to come and when he didn’t show up he made his way to the bus station not wanting to miss another ride. On the bus the driver asked for Carvens papers and when wilby couldn’t produce them the driver told him he could not go. The guy that was suppose to meet wilby from the night before showed up and paid the guy the money wilby had given him and everything was then ok. 3 hours later they arrived safely to the house and we have started the adjustment period. We praise God for all that He has done.
Thank you so much for lifting us up in prayer for God has heard the cries of his people and has blessed them. We still pray for the people of Haiti who are without food, water, medical assistance and homes. We plan on having Carvens until school ends which is in June sometime. We are so happy he is ok and that he has the opportunity to know Jesus and how life with the Savior is different. In fact this morning Wilby was sharing with Carvens the story of how Jesus said Let the little children come to me. How Jesus loves him and wants the best for him. Wilby then asked if he wanted to accept Jesus into his heart and he said Yes!! So wilby prayed for him and talked more about life with Jesus. This is so exciting knowing the lifestyle that he is coming from. We pray that he continues to grow with his faith and Christ continues to direct Wilby and I down this road.
We Thank you all again for your prayers, encouragement and your financial support!

Wilby, Lisa, Carvens and Ruben

Last couple of months have been so fulfilling. I have been able to learn so much of what God expects of a husband and wife. It has not been easy and there has been plenty of disagreements and organization but as i hear this is all very normal. I have found through this all that before marriage I was a very lazy and selfish person. I cleaned the house and did the dishes when I wanted, I ate lunch or didn't eat lunch some days but it was my decision what I did. After marriage I found that it was not my way any longer but a balance on what works. I kind of rebelled at first. Not wanting to do any of it and then I read the passage of scripture Titus 2:5 and God spoke to me and convicted me of alot. I find that if I keep up with laundry, dishes, meals and keeping the house organized then Wilby is very much encouraged and relaxed at night. He in returns gives me the encouragement I need which is gratitude. I feel good serving him in this way. On the days that I am busy I have come home to him doing the laundry or dishes for me. God is given us so much guidance through His word and all the people that have surrounded us, it is incredible! I thank you for your prayers and encouragement while I am away from you all. May God continue blessing you and your families.

State-Side...

Here are somethings I was able to be involved with while visiting many friends.To begin I was thrilled that I was able to attend my best friends baby shower. There are many things sacrificed when being a missionary and being away from my friends is one of the most difficult for me. There are about 10 of us that are tight from college and my best friend is due on June 13th. She and I have been together through some pretty major stuff and I was so happy to be able to be apart of her shower. She will be having the baby while I am in the DR but I was able to share with her a little before this big event happens. This is beth and me after the party.
The next day I was able to go to Hazel Findley which is a nursing home in Michigan. I was able to tell my story and ministry in the DR. I challenged them that even though they seem old they can still be impacting people for Christ. By smiling and being friendly to those who care for them or talking with visitors whom they might not know. God really spoke through me to these folks. There was one lady who spoke up and asked if i knew the song Jesus loves me. I said of course and she asked if i would sing it for her. Well I am not very comfortable speaking in front of people so you can imagine me singing...but I went for it and the spirit of the Lord was felt. I went up to her afterwards and she said that when I was singing that song I looked like an angel. I have no idea what God was doing that morning but it will be a day I won't forget. This is the lady and me. Another cool thing I was able to be apart of was a Jr. High retreat at Michiana Camp. There were about 5 churches that came. It was a great time to share with young ones about where God has brought my life too. How he can use anyone if they are willing and seeking Him. I never knew how fun Jr. High kids could be. Here is a picture of me with some of the kids from Community Christian Church.
I was also able to visit my older sister and her two little girls. Jenna and Jamie are a huge part of my life. When I finished my internship in 2005 I stayed with her and her husband for a couple of months. This gave me a chance to bond tightly with the girls at the time were 2 1/2 and 1 years old. Now 5 and 4 they are growing into funny little kids with many questions always needing an answer. Jamie the younger one is always the one wanting to go with me when it is my time to go but this time it was Jenna. She was very sad to see me leave and asked if she could come with me. I said that her mom would really miss her and it would be better for her to stay. After reasoning with her a little more. I turned to her and said, " I tell you what when you are 10 you can come and visit me okay". Without thinking she said, "Aunt lisa that is only 5 years away...I am 5 years now." I said that I knew that and she was content this the answer. Wow... they grow up way to fast. Here is a picture of us.
With these only being a couple of things it was great talking with many about the ministry God has called me too. I have gotten lots of advice from so many and appreciate the love and care that is always given.

Well a New Year has begun and as I get older the years seem to go by faster. This last year has brought me to a new level in my relationship with the Lord. I am excited to share that I am learning to understand what God means by Stop and Be Still... I am nowhere close to the point of totally understanding this phrase but as I reflect on this last year, I can see clearly the points in which God was saying to me Stop and Be Still.

I am at the point now where my heart has been opened worked on but is closing back up. I need to break the scabs back open so that the Lord can work on it some more. I don't like being stagnent and as you look at my life you can see that I am never in one place all to long. From Toledo(where i grew up) to Lansing(where I went to school) to Angola(where I worked every summer) to Santiago(where my heart and passion is) I never new I traveled so much. The thing that I find so amazing is that God has taken me to each and every place exactly when I needed to be there. I have always been taken care of and I believe it is because I am so open to where He wants me to be. I am not saying that I enjoy the change, it is scary sometimes and sometimes I am very uncertain of where I am headed but because I have been so well taken care of all the other times. It is getting a little easier to trust and know that things will be okay.