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!