The Saga Continues...

We give thanks to God for three days of relative calm in Port-au-Prince as the latest political crisis continues to unfold. The crisis began on the evening of Dec. 7 when the electoral board of the Haitian government (CEP) published results of the Nov. 28 election believed by many, including the international community, to be fraudulent. Bowing to the pressure of massive violent demonstrations, the CEP offered to recount the votes based the reports submitted by the polling stations with international monitors present for the recount. Every presidential candidate besides Jude Celestin (the candidate supported by the ruling coalition) rejected this idea, claiming the fraud was done at the polling stations before they submitted their reports. The top place candidates are all launching legal challenges of the Dec. 7 results. This leaves the entire electoral process in limbo. No one is certain which presidential candidates will participate in the final run-off vote. There is no way of knowing what the coming week or month holds for Haiti. Please pray for the following: 1. Peace and resolution of this election crisis. 2. Pray for Zach as he has been diagnosed with a hernia and possible giardia (an amoebic infection of the gut) which is very painful. 3. Pray for wisdom to know what to do with our planned vacation. We were hoping to receive Sharon's parents in Haiti on Dec. 15 and go together to the Dominican Republic on the 17th.

Haiti Election Crisis Update #1

Dear Friends and Family:

We are providing the following update about the unfolding election crisis here in Haiti:

"As has been reported by the media, all the major cities of Haiti have experienced violent demonstrations since the publication of the results of the 28 November presidential and legislative election on the evening of 7 December. Specifically, the electoral board of the Haitian government (CEP) has announced that a popular presidential candidate, Mickey Martelly, did not receive enough votes to participate in the run-off election tentatively scheduled for 16 January, 2011. Martelly’s supporters have taken to the streets accusing the CEP of fraud and shutting down Port-au-Prince and all other major cities in Haiti. All mission staff are safe and keeping a low profile. At this time we do not know how these events will affect scheduled visits from volunteers in January, 2011. While we don’t want to cancel activities without warrant, we are also committed to the safety of all mission staff and volunteers. Please pray that God will grant Haiti peace this Advent season. Pray also that God will grant wisdom to the leaders of Haiti."

Please pray for our health as well as Zach has been sick for some time and is unable to get out and see a doctor because of the unrest.

Haitians Take to the Streets

Last night at 8:30 p.m. the Provisional Electoral Committee (CEP) of the Haitian government published the results of the 28 November election (senators, deputies, and presidential). According to the CEP, Mirlande Manigat (an ex first-lady) got 31% of the popular vote. The runners-up were Jude Celestin (handpicked successor to current president Preval) at 22% and Sweet Mickey Martelly (a popular Haitian singer) at 21%. Only 0.64% separated Celestin and Martelly. Since only the top two candidates go to the run-off election on 16 Jan. 2011, supporters of Martelly have cried foul. The moment after the announcement, Martelly supporters ransacked stores, burned tires, and ran amuck in nearly every Haitian city. Since first light this morning, thousands of Martelly supporters have completely shut down Port-au-Prince and all other major cities with protests and barricades. Both Haitian and international election observers have cited many irregularities with the 28 November election. Adding more fuel to the fire is that a French epidemiologist has acknowledged that the Nepalese contingent of MINUSTAH (the UN peace-keeping force) is the likely source of the cholera epidemic which has now killed over 1,000 Haitians. This is a very serious situation, but it is not beyond the possibility of God to bring peace. Please pray for calm to return to the streets of Haiti. As of now, we see no reason to cancel planned visits in January, but we will monitor the situation.

Christ and Presidential Politics

In Haiti, politics and evangelical Christianity are at odds. Churches distrust the government because of its historic corruption and disinterest in the plight of its people. But the government has tremendous power to affect a society and is ordained by God according to Scripture (Rom. 13:1-7). While it is clear in Haiti that the church can’t endorse any one candidate or platform, it is not often clear what it should do. This question has gained significance around Haiti’s November 28 presidential elections. Faith in Christ must not be compartmentalized to our private lives. Christ is the Lord of all things—even those that don’t acknowledge his rule. That is why we teach that Christ not only saves individuals, he also works through his Holy Spirit and church to change entire communities (a job that will not be complete until his Second Coming). The church must hold government accountable to seek peace and justice for the people of Haiti. Please pray that despite their disappointment, Haitian Christians would be prophets and witnesses to their government. Pray also that Haitian Christians will set aside their cynicism and vote in the Nov. 28 election and potential repeat elections. Finally, pray that the elections will be transparent and fair.

UPDATE: Elections on 28 November were more or less peaceful. However, there are many accusations of fraud, so much so that thirteen candidates called for the results to be annulled. Later, some of the candidates backed away from this statement, but are still expressing concerns about the behavior of the party backed by Haitian President Rene Preval. There have been and continue to be many demonstrations on the streets of Haiti's cities against the elections. Results will be published 7 December.

What Does It Take to Heal a Country?

Haiti has been in the news often lately. In mid-October a surprise outbreak of cholera (an illness that can cause severe diarrhea) hit the Artibonite Valley area of Haiti, sickening thousands and killing hundreds. Now cholera has spread throughout the entire country with over 30,000 hospitalized cases and 1,700 deaths. Hurricane Tomas struck Haiti at the end of October, augmenting the flood-waters that spread the water-borne cholera bacteria throughout the countryside. The political situation remains tense after the 28 November presidential elections as well (results to be published 7 December). So what does it take to heal this country? Food, sanitation, jobs, and infrastructure all provided by international organizations? Of course these are necessary. But what is most necessary is that Haitians themselves develop the strength and the will to heal their own country. The goal of our training programs is to develop a new generation of church and community leaders that will “fill the gap” in Haitian society. For example, cholera can easily be controlled by use of simple hygienic methods like clean latrines and treated water. Victims of cholera can be treated effectively with simple oral rehydration regimens and antibiotics. For this reason, we will train our Haitian ministry partners in simple hygienic methods that can stop the spread of cholera. Timothy Training (above left), trains church leaders to take responsibility for the well-being of their communities. STAR training (above right) teaches Haitians to heal one another’s traumatic experiences so that psychologically healthy people can serve God in their communities. Pray for these efforts. Through them (and others like them) Haiti can be healed.

Coming to Haiti? Worried About Cholera?

As you may have read in the news Haiti is dealing now with a cholera epidemic. At this point people are getting sick from this disease in all parts of the country. Some churches from North America have asked us if it is safe to come to Haiti. Although no cases of cholera have been diagnosed in Haiti for the last fifty years, in October the central area of Haiti was struck by a severe outbreak which continues to spread through the country. Cholera is caused by a naturally-occurring bacteria (Vibrio Cholerea) which is transmitted through untreated drinking water and can be neutralized by simple hygienic steps (such as treating water, avoiding raw food, and hand-washing). Safe and effective vaccinations against cholera exist, but are not widely available in the US and Canada. The vast majority of those exposed to cholera will never develop symptoms as the bacteria are easily destroyed by stomach acid. However, a small percentage of people will develop extremely severe diarrhea that can be life-threatening if untreated with a simple re-hydration protocol. Since many rural Haitians often bathe in and drink water from open rivers and irrigation canals, cholera has become an epidemic. Although treated water is widely available in Port-au-Prince, there is concern for the hundreds of thousands of people living in unhygienic conditions in camps since the earthquake. At this point it is recorded that there are more than 14,000 confirmed cases, and it is expected that the number will continue to rise before the situation stabilizes.

Groups that come to Haiti with Sous Espwa normally stay in the guesthouse of the Christian Reformed Church of Haiti (ECRH) were hygienic conditions are much better. Bathing and washing water comes from a safe well and treated drinking water is purchased. If visitors are careful to only drink only treated water and eat only cooked food, there is little chance of exposure to cholera. However, as with all diseases (and other risks), Sous Espwa can't guarantee your health. Visitors must take responsibility for their own hygiene and follow instructions provided to them.

Sous Espwa has established a contingency plan in the unlikely case that a visitor contracts symptomatic cholera. The Ministry Center will be equipped with oral hydration fluids and antibiotics. Competent medical professionals will be on call as well. Teams and visitors will also be equipped with a cell phone in order to contact a Sous Espwa staff member immediately.

In the end, our life is in God's hands. Each person interested in coming to Haiti must prayerfully weigh the risks and benefits in order to make their own decision whether to come or not. As always, Sous Espwa reserves the right to cancel any visit in light of the situation on the ground.

Hurricane Tomas Passes Haiti

Greetings from Haiti. Many have been tracking Hurricane Tomas on the news and have e-mailed us wondering how we are doing. Here's an update: Hurricane Tomas has just passed near/over the western extremity of Haiti ’s southern peninsula as a Category 1 hurricane according to the NOAA Hurricane Center . The track of Tomas, which is farther west than anticipated a few days ago, is a blessing for the two million inhabitants of Port-au-Prince (many of whom are living under tents and tarps since the earthquake) . In Port-au-Prince , the winds have not exceeded gusts of 25-30 mph and at times are even calm. We have had moderate to light rain since last night (so far 2-3 inches of accumulation—about as much as we get from a single strong thunderstorm this time of year). The airlines have canceled flights into Port-au-Prince today (Friday) and all businesses and schools are closed. The word is that banks and other businesses in Port-au-Prince will be open tomorrow (Saturday). It is impossible for us to know how Tomas is affecting areas west of Port-au-Prince. It is safe to say, however, that there will be significant wind damage and flooding.

Haiti in the News Again...Part II

After undergoing a outbreak of cholera that killed over 300 and sickened over 4000, Haiti has another menace: Tomas. Tomas struck the Lesser Antilles as a hurricane, causing considerable damage and some loss of life. Now Tomas is a disorganized, slow-moving tropical depression on a collision course with Haiti. Tomas is expected to reform and strengthen, striking Haiti as a category I hurricane sometime early Saturday. With hundreds of thousands living in tents and under tarps, even sustained winds of 40 knots would be destructive enough (category I hurricanes have sustained winds greater than 70 knots). The greatest danger is heavy rain as Haiti is particularly susceptible to flooding and landslides. Further, many Haitians living in open-air camps could be swept away by quick-moving waters in flooded causeways and ditches. Personally, we live in a reinforced concrete house that is safe in hurricanes (but not earthquakes!!) and which is situated on high ground. Pray that Tomas will be a weak and quick moving storm that will not add to the suffering of the Haitian people. Pray that we also would be able to pull off our activities next week (we have a once-every-five-years strategy planning session for our mission with seven international participants flying in on Sunday).

"And Everything in It...!?!"

Psalm 24, attributed to King David, states, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This is a pretty serious claim. Every inch of this world belongs to its Creator. During the last few days, a group of ten Haitian church leaders (part of a larger group of forty-five), have been studying the Timothy Leadership Training material, “Bon Jesyon Byen Bondye” (trans: “Managing God’s Stuff Well”). If everything is God’s, then we are only caretakers. And if we are only caretakers, then we are responsible to the Owner. Our bodies are not our own. Our houses, cars, and i-phones are not our own. And our money is not our own. It all was given to us and it all will return to our Lord. What matters is how we use what we are given. So we must ask the question, “Are we using ‘God’s stuff’ to advance God’s kingdom?” Or, are we using “God’s stuff” to live a self-gratifying lifestyle. The Haitians that Zach taught definitely got the message. Because they have so little, it seems to be easier for Haitians to put their worldly possessions into the service of their Creator. But what of we North Americans who have so much? Can we put it all into the service of the Creator? Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded...” (Luke 12:48). The picture on the left is of a participant sharing her plan to use Timothy Training materials in her Sunday School class. The picture on the left is the food prepared for the seminar participants.

Haiti in the Headlines Again

A few days ago we had a first: An e-mail from the US consulate in Port-au-Prince warning of a cholera epidemic in the Artibonite River valley of Haiti. We have gotten e-mail warnings about demonstrations, earthquakes, hurricanes, kidnapping, even heavy rains--but never for a bona-fide epidemic. The next day the story hit the international news websites. So what are we to make of this new headline? Bouts of diarrhea and vomiting are very common in Haiti (although admittedly, cholera is not--it has been over 50 years since the last reported case). It seems that most often diarrhea and vomiting result from a gastro-intestinal virus and can be very severe. Our children have often had this GI virus so bad that we were forced to give them 5ml of Gatorade every 15 minutes for twelve hours to rehydrate. In our experience, it has been very rare that we have contracted a bacterial GI infection (like salmonella) or a parasitical infection (like giardia or dysentery). For the most part, Haitians practice good hygene in food preparation. Without access to running water, however, handwashing is not always done well. Also, as is the case this time, the pit latrines that most Haitians use can create problems. The epicenter of this latest infection, the Artibonite river valley, has been flooding lately because of heavy rains. Flooded pit latrines contaminate water. Also, Haitians live in close proximity to many domestic animals (cattle, goats, dogs, cats, chickens, etc.) which often causes many sanitation problems. The greatest fear right now is the hundreds of thousands of Haitians living in Port-au-Prince's crowded and unsanitary refugee camps. Most camps have pit latrines and safe drinking water due to NGO refief activity. But, the tents don't have running water for handwashing and getting to the latrine is sometimes impossible for many. Please join us in praying that this cholera epidemic will not spread to the refugee camps in Haiti. Also, this coming week, 24-31 October, Zach will be on his own with the three oldest kids while Sharon and Esther travel to Virginia for a training session. Thanks for your prayers!

Elections, Creole-Style

With the first Tuesday in November approaching in the United States, our thoughts turn to elections and the constant drone of candidates vying for the opportunity to make the world a little better. The election cycle is in full swing in Haiti as well. Presidential and legislative elections are scheduled on Sunday, November 28. President Rene Preval has served two five-year terms and is constitutionally barred from re-election. There is a menagerie of others seeking his job: One candidate, Mirlande Manigat, is the wife of a former Haitian president (á la Hillary Clinton). Another candidate, Jacque Edouarde Alexis, Preval’s former prime minister (á la Al Gore, George Bush Sr., etc.) who was sacked in the food riots of 2008. The most interesting candidate is “Sweet Mickey Martelly,” a Haitian singer known for cross-dressing and cigarette advertising (he doesn’t stand a chance in a socially-conservative country like Haiti). Another entertainer, Wyclef Jean, the popular Haitian-American hip-hop artist, was barred from running as president by the Haitian government for reasons not yet completely known. Beginning in August, gangs of roving graffiti-artists/vandals have roamed the streets at night spray-painting their favorite politicians’ names on everything (including walls, doors, signs and parked cars) and plastering every available surface with campaign posters (see photo above). But campaigning in Haiti has a dark side. Often less scrupulous political parties will resort to drug-trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion to fund their campaigns. Election Day and the result-publication of day (usually 5-7 days after) are especially anxiety-provoking, as incredulous political operatives burn tires, throw rocks, and generally misbehave in protest of the publicized result. What is most important is that the man or woman God has chosen to lead Haiti is elected. Paul says that there “is no authority except that which God has established” (Rom. 13:1). Pray that God’s will will be done in the Haitian elections Nov. 28

Church as a Contact Sport

People sometimes ask us what is the most difficult part of the work of church development. That is not a hard question to answer. The most difficult task is what Paul writes about in Colossians 1:19-20: "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Jesus Christ], and through him to reconcile all things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." Bringing peace to those in conflict is truly the most difficult of all vocations. In fact, it can lead to bloodshed. Just ask Jesus. Recently there was a regional meeting of CRC of Haiti churches. During the meeting a conflict erupted between two pastors who have worked together for eleven years. Unbelievably, the conflict actually came to blows, with three participants physically restrained. Of course, the brouhaha exploded into public scandal, ending up before the local magistrate who actually demanded the parties to repent and pray together for forgiveness (imagine that happening at your local courthouse!). Last week, Zach attended a service of discipline and reconciliation for these regional leaders. The three pastors who exchanged blows repented and embraced each other publicly. Each pastor was put under discipline (they cannot function as pastors for three months). It is truly a miracle that three men who physically attacked each other are willing to be reconciled at all. Truly, Jesus Christ through his Holy Spirit is reconciling creation and human beings to himself (and to each other). Please pray that these three pastors will not have "second thoughts" about their admissions. Pray also that the churches will not suffer from the discipline of their shepherds. As long as Christian brothers and sisters are praising God, doing potlucks and summer picnics, church development isn't all that bad. But reconciliation--now that's a contact sport!

Air Conditioning or Reuphostler the Pews?

One of the biggest criticisms of the evangelical church today is that it is too self-interested. Didn't Jesus teach "whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matt. 25:40)? Non-believers, of course, are quick to point out the hypocrisy of Christians--we bear the name of Christ but do not follow his teachings about love for our fellow human beings. In fact, sometimes the biggest and most important decisions are whether to air-condition our church sanctuaries or replace the upholstery on our church pews/chairs. While the condition of church buildings is not unimportant, it is exactly at this point that our fellow Haitian brothers and sisters can instruct us. Church is not about making us comfortable, it is about equipping us to serve our God and his world. So many Haitian churches, like the one pictured above (Villadewoz Christian Reformed Church), have so little. In fact, Villadewoz church doesn't even have a roof. It meets under a blue tarp! And yet Haitian churches like Villadewoz are so interested in worship of God and the proclamation of his Word, that they are willing to forego many material needs to see that goal achieved. If the church of North America wants to grow in numbers and influence, it must set aside self-interest and seek the welfare of God's people. Perhaps some of the money for air-conditioning and new upholstery could be used for poverty relief and gospel proclamation. Then our witness will be clear and the skeptics will be obligated to see our love for Christ in word and in deed.

Rebuilding God's House

In the Old Testament much is written about the importance of "God's House" for Israel, the people of God. In fact, the part of the Jewish temple called the "Holy of Holies" was believed to house the very presence of Yahweh, the proper name of God in the OT. For this reason, only the Jewish High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and then only once per year after strict cleansing rituals. For the Jewish people, God's House in Jerusalem was the center of their existence. Much of this focus on the temple is not present in the New Testament, partially because the Jewish temple was destroyed in the NT period (70 A.D.) and partly because Jesus introduced a new theology in which the dwelling of God (i.e., the Holy Spirit) became the heart of the regenerated believer. For Christians, the "House of God" is no longer blocks and mortar, but it is the church of Christ, made up of men, women and children from all nations and cultures. Nevertheless, church buildings are still important, especially as a place where the church can gather to worship. That is why we, with the financial assistance of SON-BEAM International, are rebuilding the Siloye Christian Reformed Church (pictured above) in Jacmel, Haiti. Though not entirely destroyed by the earthquake, the church structure (left) became unstable and had to be completely demolished (right). In its place, Lord willing, will stand a 55'x30' heavily reinforced concrete church structure. Please pray for the execution of this project. Pray especially that the members of Siloye church will be able to find all the necessary volunteers to construct the church as we are providing grants solely for construction materials.

Six months after being evacuated following the January 12 earthquake, our entire family is once again living in Haiti. We give thanks to God for allowing our family to have a home to return to! Our return trip went relatively well despite the intimidating task of surviving the sublimely chaotic temporary arrival terminal in the Port-au-Prince International Airport (the main terminal was heavily damaged by the quake). On August 17, our three oldest children began the school year at Quisqueya Christian School (QCS). Hannah is in second grade and our twins, Vivian and Isaiah, are in kindergarten. Since the earthquake, QCS has undergone a lot of transition in teachers and students. Over half of the students in the school are new this year. Please pray for the transition to the school year for our twins and all the students at QCS. We give thanks for Esther’s first birthday (July 5) which we celebrated in Grand Rapids with our family before leaving for Haiti (see picture above). Please join us in giving thanks to God for allowing us to continue life and ministry in Haiti. By God’s grace and strength, so many things are possible. Thanks for your prayers!

God is Able to Make All Grace Abound

Since arriving in Haiti to work as church and leadership developers, we have observed the General Assembly (i.e, an annual synod or national assembly of all churches) of the Christian Reformed Church of Haiti (CRCH). During the last four Assemblies, the vote for president of the CRCH has been tabled or delayed because of conflict about status of the former president of the CRCH who immigrated to Florida in 2006. During the Assembly in 2008, the conflict was so severe that all three candidates for president withdrew their candidacy before the vote was taken! That is why many churches in the CRCH had been praying for the month preceding August’s General Assembly where a vote for president was to be taken. This year the delegates of the CRCH’s General Assembly experienced the abundance of God’s grace. Although all the delegates were “expecting fireworks,” the vote for the president of the CRCH was relatively peaceful. Pastor Elihu Metallus (above right) was elected by a healthy majority. Pastor Bellazaire (above left) was elected vice president. This new attitude of cooperation was evident also in the CRCH’s national women’s spiritual conference in June, held in the Ministry Center. At first the participants insisted on sleeping outside in tents because of fear of another earthquake. After the conference began, the participants felt encouraged enough to sleep under the cement roof of the conference building. We give thanks that the participants were able to share food, fellowship, and biblical teaching about the role of women in their families. We also give thanks that our colleague Lesley Toussaint and Katrina were able to assist the CRCH in the organization of the conference in Sharon’s absence.

The Eight-Hundred-Pound Gorilla in the Room

People frequently ask us what is the biggest post-earthquake challenge that Haiti faces. Is it adequate housing after the destruction of so many buildings? Is in income after the loss of so much economic activity? Is it food to eat or water to drink? In our opinion it is none of the above. The "eight-hundred-pound gorilla in the room" is that many Haitians have been unable to heal emotionally after the earthquake. We North Americans are so quick to suppose that we can solve all the world's problems by application of logic, good planning and adequate resources. But the reality is that those who experience loss are the ones best able to help themselves. But they cannot help themselves if they cannot heal emotionally and spiritually. This week we are helping to plan and host an assessment of the Strategies for Trauma Resilience and Awareness (STAR) program from Eastern Mennonite University. This is a program used to provide emotional and spiritual healing for survivors of civil wars, violence and natural disasters. After the assessment, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee will decide whether or not to fund the use of this program in Haiti. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit would work through programs like Timothy Leadership Training (TLT), STAR and others to help heal the Haitian people so they can work together to rebuild their country.

Putting the Heads Together

The Apostle Paul calls the church, "The Body of Christ," and compares it to the human body which is made up of many members (arms, legs, head, feet, etc.). In many Protestant churches, the leaders of individual congregations or collections of congregations meet together annually to do the administrative business of church. Some denominations call these meetings synods, assemblies, councils, etc. This week, August 3-5, the Christian Reformed Church of Haiti (CRCH) is holding its General Assembly (a meeting of delegates from all thirty churches and eleven church plans). But what happens when you put so many church leaders together, or, in Paul's language, so many "heads?" Well, the result is often . . . interesting. Delegates air strong feelings and convictions while others respond equally strongly. This week the CRCH will be choosing a new president for a four year term. Please pray that the heavenly Head of Church (Jesus Christ) will guide the leaders of the CRC of Haiti to choose the right earthly "head" to give leadership to the church.

Six Months and Counting

Yesterday, July 12, 2010, was the sixth-month anniversary of the January 12 earthquake centered near Leogane, Haiti. According to conservative estimates, some 225,000 human lives were extinguished and over 1.5 million people are living in temporary refugee camps. It is impossible to underestimate the effect that this event has had on the Haitian people as nearly everyone has lost a family member. The view of Port-au-Prince from the mountain-top overlook belies the gravity of the situation (see above). Some twenty million cubic yards of rubble (enough to completely fill the New Orleans Super-Dome five times) still must be removed. Eighty-percent of school buildings were destroyed or rendered unusable along with nearly every governmental building of any size (see if you can locate Haiti's destroyed Presidential Palace in the middle of the picture above). Ironically, many people living in the squalor of Port-au-Prince's overflowing refugee camps have better access to clean water and food than before the earthquake because of efforts of international relief organizations. Perhaps this fact alone explains why so many Haitians are willing to live in fear and insecurity under the unprotected tents and tarps of the camps. Despite the appalling conditions six months afterwards, our Lord is a God of hope. Zach spent all of yesterday in Leogane (only a few miles from the epicenter) teaching a small group of Haitian pastors methods to counsel the grieving. More and more Haitians than ever before are seeing comfort in Jesus Christ. The Haitain churches and Christian organizations that we support have a once in a lifetime opportunity to display God's love through words and acts of mercy. We confess God is in control of this situation, but it has been a pretty terrible six months.

Living in a Crack(ed) House

In the days after the January 12 earthquake, a staff member from CRWRC Disaster Relief who happened to be staying with one of colleagues, coined the phrase "Crack House" to describe the post-earthquake state of our mission housing. The home of our colleague, Howard and Ruth Van Dam, was actually so cracked that they decided to move out an into another nearby residence. Our home was definitely cracked--a spider web of some small and other not so small cracks eminated from windows and corners on the first story. Thats why we were relieved when two visiting engineers from Grand Rapids-based Partners Worldwide declared that our cracks were only superficial and did not affect weight-bearing structures (like reinforced cement columns and beams). However, cracks are cracks and they certainly don't add to one's peace of mind. After six months of on and off work, today Zach finally finished the repair and repainting of the larger cracks. We got a lot of help from three gentlemen from Jamestown CRC (Hudsonville, MI) who helped Zach repaint most of the house last April (see above). The repairs have been completed just in time for our family to return to Haiti on the 30th of July. Please pray that our children will be able to make the transition to life again in Haiti. They will no doubt have a lot of questions about earthquakes and the few small cracks that remain in the house. It will be nice not living in "Crack House" again.

Say, What's That Crawling on Your Shirt.......?

It seems that some people naturally are repulsed by certain parts of God's good world, while others seem attracted like a moth to the flame. Today, Zach had the good fortune to stumble upon two large tarantulas while carrying blocks during a Ministry Center work project. The first time, the tarantula actually jumped on Zach's shirt before he managed to brush it off. That definitely got his attention. After an impassioned appeal for its life, Zach's Haitian colleagues agreed to let the spider escape unharmed. The second tarantula, also discovered in a concrete block, succumbed to Zach's clumsily aimed foot-wedge shot trying to position it for a photo. Both tarantulas measured more than than six inches across. Now, Zach can brag (?) that he has nearly been bitten by rats, bats, scorpions, a green mamba (one of the world's most poisonous snakes), and finally, two tarantulas, all in the hope of that perfect picture. Thank God Haiti only has a handful of poisonous animals!

Learning and Serving

Like many other mission organizations, Sous Espwa receives visiting teams from our network of supporting churches. In the last month, we have received a team from Calvary and Calvin CRC (Holland, MI), Peace Community Church (Frankfort, IL), and Calvary CRC (Holland, MI). We believe that the experience of a visiting team should include both serving and learning. Often, the service part of a visit is working on a building project side by side with Haitians who are themselves invested in the success of the project. Haitians and North Americans enjoy getting to know each other and sharing their love of Christ with one another. But visiting teams to Haiti also spend roughly half of their time learning about Haitian culture and the Haitian church. We visit Sous Espwa ministries, Haitian churches, and sites of cultural interest. Without a doubt, the most rewarding experience for visiting teams is making friends among their Haitian counterparts. If you and/or your church are interested in organizing a visiting team, please contact us at segaarking@yahoo.com.

Is It Really More Blessed to Give than Receive?

We've all heard that well-worn phrase, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." During the last month we have put the cliche to the test. We received Katrina Schaafsma, a Calvin Theological Seminary intern from Ridgetown, ON, to our team from May 31 to June 30. For a month, we exposed (or subjected) Katrina to all different aspects of Sous Espwa's work from long-term CRWM/CRWRC ministries to CRWRC earthquake relief projects. We drug Katrina from Thomassique (the Central Plateau) to Jacmel (Southern Coast) to participate in training, videographing, and meetings with local church leaders (see left). She cheerfully put up with a bout of the famous Haitian stomach flue, some pretty infamous Haitian latrines, and even a two visits to the beautiful Haitian beaches with her new friends and colleagues. We give thanks to God for her profitable visit and we pray that God will guide her in present and future ministry. It was truly a blessing for our team to receive Katrina this summer!

Post-Earthquake Family Life

The earthquake on January 12, 2010, has brought about new realities for our family. After the quake, it became clear that our family would not be able to remain in Haiti. Our house was damaged, our childrens' school was closed for the rest of the year, and banks and businesses were closed for four weeks. The decision to send Sharon and our children to Grand Rapids, MI, was made. Since then, our family has been together only seven weeks in the last six months. This situation has been very difficult. We give thanks for friends and supporters who have mobilized to support Sharon and kids in Zach's absence. Volunteers have made meals, washed clothes, and helped with house cleaning. On May 20, Zach and Sharon celebrated their tenth anniversary with a trip to Holland State Park with Esther (right). A few days later, Zach boarded a plane and headed back to Haiti where he continued to support our Haitian colleagues in their ministries. On July 14, our family will be reunited again (hopefully permanently!), and, Lord willing, we will return to Haiti as a family on July 30. Please pray for Sharon as she manages the needs of our four children. Please pray also for our family's transition back to life in Haiti. School will be starting in mid-August and Sharon will be returning to her role in our ministry.

One of the best things about life in Haiti is the constant barrage of the unexpected and inexplicable. If nothing else, it keeps life from being boring. This morning on the way to do a Timothy Training event in Leogane at CRWRC's project headquarters, the front end of the car fell into a hole in the middle of the road. A burly gang of young men just happened to loitering nearby and available to lift out the front-end of our full-size SUV out of the hole for (of course) a small fee. I wonder how the steel grating covering the sewer drain disappeared? A few months ago, a CRWRC photographer, John Deckinga (who was staying at our house in Port-au-Prince), captured a shot of a new advertisement in Leogane (the epi-center of the January 12 quake). It reads in French: "Grand Opening: Paradise Morgue Enterprise. Sincerest Regrets for Victims of January 12." Whoever it was that came up with the proverb, "One man's feast is another man's famine," must have consulted with the proprietor of this upstanding mortuary enterprise. Finally, it is very common among Haitians to find a distrust and dislike of the military arm of the United Nations here in Haiti called by its French acronynm, MUNISTAH. Two of the largest military contingents in MUNISTAH come from Brazil and Argentina. Zach got a picture of the festive World Cup display hung across Autoroute de Delmas, one of the busiest roads in all of Port-au-Prince. Guess what World Cup teams the display celebrated? Brazil and Argentina. Go figure.

April 11: A Day of Celebration

The earthquake struck just as the last bucket of wet cement was poured on the roof of Bwa Kayiman CRC. Bwa Kayiman is the fourth church construction project undertaken in Haiti in partnership with SON-BEAM International. Despite all odds, the steel jacks and fragile two by fours held the wet cement roof in place and the building was successfully finished a few weeks later. For many years the Bwa Kayiman church has been a hub of ministry in its community. The church offers the only theological and biblical training in its region in addtion to to a literacy and environmental awareness program. On April 11, Zach, Chris Meehan (a journalist from the CRCNA denominational headquarters) and a deligation of pastors from the CRC of Haiti participated in the Bwa Kayiman buiding dedication and the graduation of thirty-four participants from the literacy and environmental awareness program. During the service the literacy and environmental education graduateds read Scripture publically for the first time and were presented with sapling trees to plant. It was amazing to hear God's Word proclaimed by persons who had lived over fifty years unable to read a single word. After graduation, the pastors on hand participated in the dedication of the building, which is a very important event in the life of the church. Because of the presence of Haitian Voodooism (a religion based on the invocation of spirits and the possession of human hosts and other objects), the pastors prayed that the Holy Spirit would claim the building exclusively for the worship of God and the teaching of the Gospel. Zach preached a sermon on Ezra 3:1-13 in which he encouraged the congregation to "found their lives on obedience to God." Please see Chris Meehan's article on the CRCNA web-site for more information.

Starting a Blog in Haiti

It would seem that people like us would be the first to establish web-logs. After all, we are the first "computer generation," growing up with Vic-20, Atari, Macintosh, etc. But, alas, we live and work in a country where the Internet is not exactly easy to come by (neither is electricity for that matter). It is very hot here too (over 100 degrees F. as I write this), which makes sitting with a hot lap-top a little clammy. Finally, we have four young children, which means that, after changing diapers, cleaning up pudding on the wall, and doing dishes, there probably will not be much time for blogging. But we live in a country that has been ravaged by hurricanes and earthquakes, and which has the lowest caloric intake of any other country besides Somalia and Afganistan. So that means that we, and the people we serve, certainly could use your prayers and support. We hope that this blog will allow you to gain some insight into how you can pray for us and the Haitian people. We hope also that it will be a blessing to your faith to see how God works in a place and with a people so different from your own. Bondye Beni Nou! (God bless you!)