It was a rough afternoon for the missionaries. We spent it on a pristine beach about an hour from Port-au-Prince—snorkeling, swimming, and jumping off the pier. We left much rested after such an intense, life-changing week.

Church started at six today—6 a.m. And it went for more than four hours. We had the unique privilege of going to church Haitian style. We thought Pastor Alex was going to speak, but they ran out of time for his message. Pastor Diane Carol Comer, however, brought a short (and unexpected) message from Solid Rock. She left the Haitians with Joshua 1:9 - “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.“

(Bishop Jeune)

(Diane with Madam Jeune interpreting)

(Amanda Jones)

Kathleen Joffer has blessed our team this week by leading morning devotions. The Haitians told us story after story of God speaking to them through visions and dreams.  Kathleen challenged us to not put God in an American box and be open to all the ways He speaks – even in the silence of our dreams.  Zebby Wheelock has blessed us with her fervent prayers, both for us and the women at the Widow’s Home.

We’ve spent days enjoying the beauty of the Haitian people, and today we enjoyed the beauty of the Haitian countryside as well. Ocean Breeze Beach was beautiful as was our trip through the mountain countryside.  Wild goats, donkeys, and cows roamed the rugged farmland dotted with plantain trees.  We drove through small ocean towns and got stuck in downtown Port-au-Prince’s heavy evening traffic.

It was truly an adventure!

There’s no water tonight for showers. We are hot, sweaty, and will probably stink tomorrow when some of you pick us up from the airport, but we’ve had the time of our life.

A huge thank you to Elizabeth Mosser for posting the blog so late for us every night. Thank you to the many of you who have prayed fervently for us at home and for all your notes that spurred us on. We can’t wait to see many of you tomorrow night.

Many of you have already been to Haiti, but if you haven’t, we hope you have the opportunity to come soon.

Thank you for helping us bring His Name to Haiti.

Ore voi’ –

Madam Curt and Madam Jon  (Jodi and Melanie)

*The Love Stories series will resume tomorrow morning so check back then!

I’m writing tonight under the stars. The ocean breeze is sweeping over the rooftop of the hospital as our team reflects on our amazing week. Most of us have been sleeping on cots up here because it’s much cooler than inside.  Falling asleep as we search for constellations in the stars and waking to a brilliant sunrise are not bad benefits though.

This morning’s sunrise did not disappoint.  Rays of light filtered through the clouds illuminating the sky in oranges, reds, pinks, and finally blue.  We watched this brilliant display as we read our Bibles and prepared for our epic day.

(the “mom’s” on the team enjoying the sunrise)

From sunrise to long after sunset, we bounced from one place to another.  Each outing we took could be its own blog post.  At 6 a.m., Scott Campbell, a former personal trainer, took some of our teammates and five security guards on an exercise excursion.  We ran down the streets of Haiti to the Caribbean Sea, less than a half mile from Grace Village, and into a gated community park.  We ran the stairs of a partially finished pavilion that faced the sea and around the sidewalk that circled the park.  Four handsome teenage boys battle rapped – a combination of rap and acting – on the edge of the sidewalk.  Fishermen worked the sea from their boats and pulled their nets in from the shore.  We ran past wild chickens, goats, and a big bull cow grazing in what would have been a grassy area in an American park. Who gets to do stuff like this?

(the workout crew)

After breakfast we toured the tent village beside the hospital.  At its maximum capacity, 25,000 people lived in tents on twelve acres of land. Residents have slowly been finding permanent shelter and Grace Village has begun to reclaim their land.  A garden grows where tents once were.  The walkways, once so narrow you could barely pass through, are now wide and easy to traverse. Noticeable change is happening and the people have hope for their future.

(Ann and Melanie in the tent village)

Next we drove to the Lambi site to see the homes that past Solid Rock teams have built, and we have great admiration for the “Road Warriors” who cleaned the knee-deep refuge from their canal. The Lambi women there take such pride in their new homes, hanging delicate lace curtains over windows and around beds. We had the opportunity to enter several of the homes and pray over the families, praising God for being El Roi, the God who sees, and praying for provision for their needs.  Diane was blessed to see the house her Dad built, pray for that family, and give her scarf to the vibrant little girl who so proudly showed Diane around.

(Diane with the family that lives in the house her dad helped build)

When we asked the ladies at the widows’ home to tell us their story, they each told us about their bodies and the healing that they need. So we prayed for just that: healing for a limb paralyzed by a stroke, healing for legs injured during a fall. Whitney also led us in song, and they sang right along with us.

Today was Liz Eischen and Amanda Jones’ turn to shine with the kids.  At the boys’ home, we used the supplies and toys they compiled to blow bubbles, color pictures, jump rope and sing songs. Our visit ended in a rowdy game with rubber balls being kicked and thrown in every direction. These kind, joy-filled boys are a true testament to the work the Juenes are doing to care for the orphan and the widow.

(Amanda and Liz at Lambi)

We also went to the Girls Home to meet some of Madam and Bishop’s fifty-five girls.  We played the same games that we did with the boys and also made jewelry.  While we played, these children stole our hearts.

(Jodi at the girls home)

Madam Jeune gave us the honor of sharing her story and asked us to photograph the older girls.  She wants to use these photos to help share these graceful girls’ stories.   Stay tuned for more information on how you can sponsor the boys and girls Bishop and Madam have welcomed into their home.  These precious children need sponsors. When you see their faces and hear their stories, you’ll want to help.

Orlena Ballard led a hard-working crew from our team help the Haitians in the Lord’s Kitchen.  They sorted beans and cooked huge bowls of rice and beans to serve the children in the tent village.  While they cooked, they used an interpreter to hear the women’s stories.

(Ann, Kathleen, Whitney and Zebby posing as chickens by the chicken coops)

These women are just like us. They are eager to share their story with anyone who will genuinely listen.  They love beautiful things and light up when you pay them a compliment.  They like to see their photo after it’s been taken and are quick to give and receive love.  They are truly lovely.

We closed our day with a Dude Devotional.  Alex gave us a preview of his sermon for tomorrow.  Jeff Hartley, our incredible Forward Edge Haiti Field Coordinator who has fearlessly led and served our team all week, shared his story of how he came to faith in Christ.   It’s an incredible story – ask him sometime.  He also revealed he has three sisters which explains why he’s been comfortable around so many women all week!

(the “Dudes”)

The week would not have been the same without all the moms on the team.  Beth Viducich, Ann Menke, Julie Kohl and Mary Kay Taylor have mothered and loved on our team. Penny Stady, Kay Moore and Jodi Hughes have kept us on track and made sure we knew what to expect and that we were properly equipped.  It has truly been a team effort and one that God perfectly orchestrated.

Thank you for your prayers and all your comments on the blogs. We have been invigorated by the love you’re sending across the miles.

With a grateful heart,

Madam Curt, Madam Jon, and Madam Josh

P.S. Jon and Curt—have fun at the Lord of the Rings marathon/sleepover. Remember, you have SIX children upstairs. (hugs to Grant, Katie, Karly, Alli, Kiki, and Paigey)

P.P.S. – To Scott, Beth, Josh, Jake, Savannah, and Zoey – love you guys.  God has been so good and this trip has been amazing.  Spent the day with my kitchen ladies – what a blessing!  I also got to see Wetzel and took a picture with him.  I know you guys are missing me as much as I’m missing you.  Promise to bake cookies when I get home.  Love- Orlena

P.P.P.S. – Husband! (John Joffer) – The things I’ve seen and the stories I’ve heard “are not even normal in my consciousness” and I can’t wait to share them with you.  I miss and love you. See you soon!

We can hardly believe it! Today was the last day of the conference.  Like the previous two days, God showed up in a powerful way.  The pastor’s wives, who seemed almost indifferent to us and to each other in the first hours of the conference, were changed women when they left today.

I (Jodi Stilp) got to share my personal testimony of how Jesus has been the Light of the World in my life.  I reminded the women that He is holding out His hand –offering to be the Light of the World to them as well as they serve Him in a very dark place.  When I finished speaking, Whitney Baucom led the women in song. Haitian voices joined ours, and we worshipped together as sisters in English and Creole.

Light of the World you stepped down into darkness.

Opened my eyes, let me see.

Beauty that makes this heart adore you.

Hope of a life spent with you.

Whitney then shared her story of a life transformed. El Roi – the God Who Sees – sought her in her darkest moment and instead of seeing a sinner, He saw a godly woman.  A Worshipper.  A Leader.  He redeemed her life from the pit and set her feet on the Solid Rock.  She reminded the women that God sees them too and to pray for their rebellious loved ones. No one is too far away that God doesn’t see them. There is always hope.

And so Diane and Vicki Marshman spent the next portion teaching the women how to raise godly children who would passionately follow Jesus. When Vicki finished giving them practical tips, the women peppered Diane, Vicki, Jenna Silva, and Kay Moore with questions. The pastor’s wives promised to take everything they learned home to share with the women they serve every day.

Before we closed our time together, Madam Juene called our team to the front.  The women thanked us for coming and then gave us gifts.  These women who have so little gave us Haitian flags and bracelets so we would “never forget them and remember to pray.” They gave Diane a painting and a beautiful vase.  Then they prayed for us.  And I don’t mean a proper America-style prayer.  These women stormed the front of the room, enveloping us with their hands and their hearts, and raised their voices to God in a beautiful symphony of praise.

The Haitians love titles.  Every nametag was at least four names long and each name was important to them.  They labeled our conference as seminary, called us missionaries, and received an official signed certificate from Pastor Diane Carol Comer.  Are you giggling like we are?

When all the ladies received their certificates, we celebrated with a Haitian feast complete with six five-gallon buckets of ice cream – a luxury in Haiti.  The ladies kept coming through the line, again and again, some of them eight times!  What a joy to give them an opportunity to indulge in such a fun treat.

These Haitian ladies arrived at the conference empty and feeling alone.  They left filled with the power of God and an army of new friends who can relate to a life of ministry.  The pastor’s wives from small villages and big towns, from Pentecostal, Methodist, and Baptist denominations, exchanged phone numbers and addresses and embraced each other in long hugs as they said their goodbyes. They asked to get together again next year.

The four men who served the ice cream, the men who’ve been traveling with us all week to provide protection and support, have blessed us and these Haitian women in mighty ways. We’ve kept Mike Varadi, Alex Salzwedel, Scott Campell, and Tim Durkee busy with some really important jobs.  When they’re not beating up bad guys (their latest claim is 90 with one hand tied behind their backs), they’ve served our team by filling water bottles, restocking snacks, schlepping those big red duffle bags, and unclogging the one toilet our entire team shared.  More importantly, they’ve prayed fervently for us while we served the women here.

Tonight they set up Flicks on the Bricks (a rooftop movie) and are sacrificing Captain America to watch Letters From Juliet.  We’re currently having volume issues so they’re taking turns narrating the subtitles in girly voices. A huge shout out to Abby, Cynthia, Janet, Tracy, and Kate for loaning your men to us for the week.  We think they’re pretty great.  By the way, Pastor Alex (gotta love the title) is preaching in church on Sunday.

We’re heading to bed tonight with full hearts and a huge sense of relief.  God planted the seed for this conference in Madam Jeune’s heart.  He grew it by giving Diane and Jodi Hughes the vision, and He birthed it this week. I’m so glad I got to be a part of it.

With a grateful heart,

Jodi

P.S.  To my awesome husband Curt and my five beautiful children – Sarah, Grant, Katie, Alli and Paige – I love you!  I’ll be home soon and can’t wait to squeeze you. Grant – we sang Light of the World, just not in opera.

P.P. S. Jenna says, “Congratulations Grace and Andrew.  Hearing I’m getting a niece in a few months was the best news of the trip!”

As we end our third day in Haiti — and our second day of the women’s conference — it’s hard to know where to begin. The work of the Spirit is the direct result of your prayers. In spite of our inadequacies, God worked in a mighty way. We are women truly blessed.

The only request we received yesterday from the pastor’s wives was for more—more teaching, more stories, and more of us pouring into her dear sisters. When we woke up this morning — many of us on the roof to relish the nighttime breeze—we prepared ourselves to speak even more.

So we told stories. We prayed with the ladies and worshipped with them. A woman sitting next to Mary Kay Taylor refused to smile until we began praising the Lord. Then her joy poured out. With her arms waving in praise and her voice loud with song, she turned to Mary Kay and taught her how to worship in Creole. Mary Kay waved her arms with this woman and she sang with joy. Together they rejoiced in a language that Mary Kay didn’t understand.

Madam Jeune asked that we give one dress to each of the pastor’s wives today so we began laying out all the beautiful dresses that you so lovingly picked for them, dresses of all shapes and sizes, in every color.

Ashley Krause, we missed you today! Thank you for all your hard work and love for these ladies. They rejoiced when they received these beautiful gifts. Some put them on right away to wear for the afternoon. Others made sure their dresses matched the handmade bags that Chris Akenson and so many of you sewed for them.

The remaining dresses will go to other ladies who lost their church attire in the earthquake. It will be a blessing to each of them.

Jenna Silva shared her heart this morning for people who don’t know God and told of how God can give them joy amidst oppression. Vicki Marshman spoke about her search for answers to life’s questions. Caryn Ogle began to share her story, and in the midst of it, Madam Juene asked her to sing. The Haitian ladies joined in the song of On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, and God’s power flowed through the room. Melanie Dobson told the story of the friend she lost in the Haiti earthquake. And then Diane told of how God used suffering to transform her into a passionate follower, completely in love with Jesus.

As we went into our small groups, we could all feel the Spirit moving. On the first day, we had to draw women out, but today they were coming to us, eager to share their testimonies. “To tell you all the things God has done in my life,” many of them said. The women in each group — American and Haitian women alike — gathered around each woman and prayed a choir of Haitian and English words over her.

All of a sudden, the women in Ann Menke’s group were on their feet, singing and dancing, and in minutes all the groups across the sanctuary joined in the song. The women wrapped their arms around us as we danced together.

Diane told the women that they needed to come to the United States to teach us how to dance. And so they taught us how to dance for the Lord. One woman—Yanick Toussaint—even wrote a song and choreographed a dance. Just for Diane.

And the beautiful thing was….

Diane danced along.

What a wonderful life.

Who made it?

Jesus did it.

With what sewing machine?

His blood.

What thread?

The Holy Spirit.

Then turn around that I can see.

Here I am.

Turn around one more time

Let’s strike applause.

If I did not have Jesus,

I would not be alive.

Jesus has given all of us life. We are rejoicing with Yanick and all the other ladies.

Please join us in the dance.

With joy,

Allie and Melanie

Thank each of you for your notes! It was such a joy to return from day one of the conference this afternoon and read those. We told the Haitian ladies that you were praying for them this week, and your prayers have deeply blessed us and the women we met today.

The beginning of the conference was both overwhelming and amazing. To compress the past ten hours is almost impossible, because we are still processing all that has happened. The Spirit moved today in a powerful way, and we are humbled and incredibly grateful for it.

As we walked into the open air sanctuary this morning, it was our privilege to hug the beautiful women dressed in their Sunday best. Outside the sanctuary were palm trees and mountains and people singing below. Inside were pink and white balloons and two giant fans working hard to cool almost two hundred ladies and a host of translators.

When Diane began speaking, the connection between her and these ladies was immediate and clearly inspired by God. Through the translation of Madam Jeune, Diane thanked the ladies for pouring their lives out for so many. And she explained that it was our turn to pour into them.

(Ann and the women)

“You and I are an essential part of God’s kingdom,” Diane told them. “God calls each of us by name.”

(Jodi and the women)

Amens resounded around the room as she began to encourage them through the story of God meeting Moses at the burning bush.  Each lady received a packet of the names of God as Diane spoke, each Bible verse written in both French and Creole. Then they all received one name—a name that has been prayed over for months. A name we hoped would speak specifically to them.

The ladies began to share the names of God they received along with their stories.

A lady with diabetes received the name Physician.

The lady who received Child lost her children during the earthquake.

Almighty was given to the woman whose son had been kidnapped, held for ransom, and then returned six days later to the glory of God.

A lady who had a dream about the Prince of Peace before the conference received a card with that name.

God With Us was given to a woman whose twelve children had been rescued from the earthquake.

A young woman, heartbroken that her three-year-old daughter is not yet talking, received The God Who Sees Me.

And the stories about the Lord’s names continued as we broke into small groups and shared together.

Jenna Silva spoke to the ladies next about El Roi—The God Who Sees Me. She shared her story of growing up as the daughter of a pastor, of her rebellion and then of her reconciliation with God and her family. The ladies were overwhelmed with emotion. Perhaps some of them have children who have walked away from God. Others may even be drifting away from God themselves. We may never know all of these ladies’ stories, but Jenna’s words met them in a deep place that crossed cultural boundaries and spoke to the heart of their struggles and joys and the desire for their families to know God.

(Diane and Jenna)

We have many more stories to share in the days and even weeks to come.  Please don’t stop praying for us and our new Haitian friends. We desperately need the Spirit to carry us through this week.

(Beth holding a baby at the conference)

Diane’s father inspired her to go on this incredible journey to Haiti. We miss having you with us, Jack, but you are part of the team in our hearts. Blessings to you.

With Joy,

Melanie

P.S. Kelle Belle—Your sweet mama gives a shout out back to you. She loves you and misses you.

P.P.S. So far there have been no spider sightings in Carrefour. Don’t tell Diane, but Ann M. has a little surprise, just for her.

We’re here!

After eight months of praying and preparing, twenty-three of us and our giant red duffle bags filled with dresses and supplies arrived in Port-au-Prince early this morning. And we’re all positively giddy to be here.

A big blue bus met us at the airport along with the warm sunshine. Our luggage and two of the men rode on top, and as we bumped along the massive potholes on the city roads, we saw things we’ve never seen before. Rubble still piled along the streets, almost two years after the earthquake. Goats climbed on mounds of trash. Tent cities lined up with magnificent coastline on one side and lush mountain views on the other. Horns honked and we could reach out the windows and touch the passing trucks.

And yet, in the middle of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, right in the midst of the devastation, there was in incredible resilience in the faces of the people.

I expected to see sadness in the eyes of the Haitian people, but instead I found joy in many of their eyes.  We waved to the children, and they waved back, smiles wide across their face. Most of the women were busy transporting baskets filled with bananas or barrels of water on their heads, but some smiled at us as well.

An earthquake devastated Haiti, and yet her people continue to live their lives. They are shining their shoes, shaving sugar cane to sell on the streets, and carrying clean water to their tent houses. Women are washing dishes and cooking food on the cracked sidewalks. Men are selling tires and furniture.

An hour or so later (we lost track of time), gates opened in front of us and we drove onto the property of Grace Village. Madam Jeune greeted us with hugs, praising Jesus for all He has done and will do this week.

Most of the Haitian women coming to the conference tomorrow have begun their journeys. They’ve been personally invited by Madam, and some will travel twelve hours by all sorts of modes of transportation. More than two hundred women from across denominations in Haiti will gather together to worship God and encourage each other.  This is the first time Haitian women from different denominations have gathered together to fellowship.

Thank you for praying for our trip. God was clearly with us in every leg of the journey.

Thank you for sending dresses (hundreds of them!). As I write, ladies are sorting the clothing and putting together gift bags for the women. The Haitian pastor’s wives will distribute the dresses long after we’re gone.

And thank you, most of all, for praying for the women who are coming to the conference tomorrow, that they will be revived, renewed and encouraged by His many names before they return to love and care for the people in their communities.

This blog will be our only communication with friends and family at home during this week so please send as many messages and notes as you want as comments. Jodi Stilp, Allie Rice, and I will pass the notes on to the ladies (and four men) on our team.

Diane sends her love!

With Joy,

Melanie Dobson

P.S. Note from Vicki to Steve—Remember that Coco gets two cans of dog food (and she loves you too!).

“Is – is he a man?” asked Lucy.

“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion – the Lion, the great Lion.”

“Ooh!” said Susan,
“I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe?  I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

“That you will dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver, “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

I was in high school when I first read this disconcerting description of the God I had recently committed my life to.  Rich in vivid imagery and richer still with sound theology, the stories in the Chronicles of Narnia captured my whole heart.

But an unsafe God?

I wanted a god who would offer guarantees of a good life, a protected future. And so for the next many years I set about constructing a personal theology that safed God up a bit.

I memorized all the “promises” for protection, camping out on what sounded to me like iron clad can’t-get-out-of-it contractual agreements.

I collected quotes like this one: “There’s no place safer than right in the center of God’s will.” Ooh yeah, that sounds right to me.

But is God safe? Are we, as His followers, promised a safe life?

Ask Peter, or James, or John. Hounded by religious lawmen, they lost everything. Peter and James died violent, decidedly unsafe deaths. John was dipped into a cauldron of hot oil, then banished to an island all-alone.

No, God is not safe.

But He is good.

And so 20 women embark today on a journey into a world that is not safe.

Following in the footsteps of hundreds of others from our church, and tens of thousands of Jesus followers around the world, we chose to leave our safe, insurance protected homes to travel half a world away to bring the love of Christ to a people who need Him desperately.

A people whose world is anything but safe.

Why do we go? Because God is good.

And though every woman amongst this team living in safe suburbia is sure to lock their doors at night… and we wouldn’t think of not wearing seatbelts… and we disinfect our hands and cutting boards and doorknobs… and warn our kids against all sorts of random accidental possibilities…

We all know that it is this decidedly unsafe God who is leading us to Haiti.

The sense of His presence is palatable. Not in a packaged, marketable sense of nothing-bad-can-possibly-come-to-you kind of way. We just know that He’s leading and we’re following and He’s going to do something amazing in us and through us and with us in unsafe Haiti.

And we’re almost giddy with anticipation.

I wonder if the real danger for most of us Jesus followers has nothing to do with disease and disaster.

Maybe the real danger has more to do with our refusal to risk. To do what isn’t safe. To dare.

And I’m not just wondering about malaria carrying mosquitoes and crazed kidnappers…

Dare we risk relationships by telling the truth?

Dare we risk our financial security by giving scandalously?

Dare I risk my reputation by listening to that Voice which promises to whisper directions in my ear?

Dare I risk my comfortable Sunday routine by signing up to take care of kids? Is a harried mother who needs to hear the Gospel again, and again, and again worth it?

I don’t know what kind of daring adventure you’re contemplating right now. But I’ll bet there is some challenge lurking somewhere deep down where nobody knows.

Let me pass on the words our unsafe-but-relentlessly-good God has spoken to my scaredy-cat heart:

“I command you— be strong and courageous!

Do not be afraid

or

discouraged.

For the LORD your God is with you

wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

In other words…

Just do it!

From all our hearts,

Diane and…

Jodi Hughes, Kathleen Joffer, Zebby Wheelock, Caryn Ogle, Jenna Silva, Allison Rice, Ann Menke, Melanie Dobson, Liz Eischen, Julie Kohl, Jodi Stilp, Orlena Ballard, Whitney Baucom, Beth Viducich, Amanda Jones, Vickie Marshman, Mary Kay Taylor, Penny Stady, and Kay Moore

And…

Scott Campbell, Alex Salzwedel, Tim Durkee, and Mike Varadi

(our big, brave, we’ll-do-everything-to-keep-you-safe guards!)

Watch and wait and pray for us!  We’ll be posting every day this week from Haiti if the electricity and Internet hold up…