Thoughts on Haiti

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. It has the most NGO's (non-governmental organizations) in the world. The slum of Citi Soleil (where I served) has the highest crime rate in the Western hemisphere. The average lifespan here is 48 years old. The infant death rate is 50%. All of these seems so sad and depressing and yet God is doing a mighty work here. Everyday at the clinic in Citi Soleil at least a dozen people accepted Christ. Every church you visit is bursting at the seams and people sing and clap so loud you can hear it miles away. In a county with such physical poverty, there is great spiritual wealth. Even though we were serving in the place where there is the highest crime rate I never once felt unsafe. God has protected the workers of Samaritan's Purse and other NGO's that serve here in the name of Christ. Other than two minor robberies on the road to the clinic this spring, no one has ever been hurt or kidnapped, or killed. God seems to have a protective cocoon around those who serve Him in the desperate place.
Our last day at the clinic was today. We saw 150 very sick people. I personally prayed with 5 of them to accept Christ. I heard others around me praying with other patients. I heard our chaplain praying with many. The spiritual fruit is Haiti is definitely falling off the trees. It's ripe for the picking! At the same time, you hear such desperate stories. I cried and prayed with a young woman today who is a christian. She had decided to stay pure until she was married. On a date with a supposed christian man, he raped her and she later found out she was pregnant. When she contacted him, he told her he didn't know who she was and to leave him alone. She felt so desperate that she took  an "Abortion cocktail" that the women of her village take when they don't want a pregnancy. She came into the clinic hemorrhaging, infected and broken spiritually. She thinks that God will never forgive her. We cried together as I shared that God can forgive anything and can also use it for good. I shared about women I know who have had abortions and now counsel young women who are considering doing this. God can use any of our mistakes and turn them to His glory if we let Him. As we talked together, cried and prayed, I saw God restore this young woman's broken spirit to Him. It was an amazing experience I will never forget. The faces of Haitian children will be in my mind for a long time. They are so joyful in spite of all their adversity! Yesterday we took a group of orphans to the Beach. Many of them have never been before (remember that they live on an island!). Some of them were fearful of the water at first, but as we got in ourselves and held their hands, they lost their fear. Soon, they were jumping and swimming and splashing. Such exuberance and utter joy on their faces! It makes me realize how spoiled our children are in America. I wish my grandchildren could have been with me on this trip. Perhaps they would view their life differently! And then there are the wonderful volunteers I have met on this trip: The two chaplains from the Billy Graham organization (Mike and Joseph). What a heart for people and God they have. The other nurses (Karen from Texas who is 18 weeks pregnant, Belinda from northern CA, Anne Marie from Alberta Canada, Lauren from North Carolina and Valerie from Georgia). The doctors, the support system at SP compound, even the helicopter pilot; they all have such a heart for God and for the spread of the gospel. Even though the work has been exhausting (I'm not exactly a spring chicken anymore) and the heat is oppressive, this is an amazing place that has impacted my heart (twice) in a way I won't ever forget. Lord, help me to take these lessons back to the U.S. and be able to apply the lessons you've taught me here to my everyday life at home. Signing off from Haiti! Sandie

Counting the cost of discipleship

The cost is high. To follow Jesus and partake in the gifts of the Holy Spirit is to separate yourself from anything that might hinder that journey. The cost is high. To throw open the gates of your heart and offer a place for Christ to lay his head and rest. The cost is high. To understand that a commitment to Jesus is a life long commitment that requires active participation, trial by fire and growth. The cost is high. To lay aside the daily obligations of the world and to answer His call. The cost is high but so are the stakes. Your immortal soul lay in the balance. The cost is high but so is the reward, to dwell daily with the Holy Spirit for a companion in this world. We live in a troubled world but we have been given a great gift to help us walk through it. Are you ready to count the cost of a life lived for God and to reap the rewards of that life both in this world and beyond?

Grandchildren

Today my oldest grandson, Jake Matthew Freeman, was baptized. It was a very emotional experience for me. First of all, My thoughts took me back to his birth. I had the privelege of being in the delivery room when he was born. It was a moment I won't ever forget. Seeing my oldest son, Nate, cry when his son was born and hearing Jake cry with a healthy voice was a moment of great joy. The sad part of today day was that Bob wasn't there to witness it. I hope he was able to see from his vantage point in heaven. If not, I asked God to let him know that Jake had decided to follow Jesus, and had made a public profession of that. I can think of no greater joy than to see my grandchildren being taught about Jesus, and then seeing them respond in faith. I will continue to lift all my grandchildren up in prayer every day. It will be amazing to watch and see God's plan for their life come about.

It is well with my soul!

Last night I went to a Christmas "Bereavement" group dinner at Harvest Christian fellowship with a friend. They had a lovely dinner and the pastor that spoke was really good. The best part was a singing group (lead singer was Hilary Watson). They were awesome! They ended the night with a story of Horatio Spafford, who after losing everything he owned in Chicago during the big Chicago fire decided to move to England. He sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him. He soon got news that there had been an accident at sea and his 4 daughtes had all drowned. He caught a boat to go to London to be with his grieving wife. When he came to the approximate place in the ocean where his daughters had drowned, he penned this song, which over 100 years later is still a favorite hymn. What awesome faith he had to say "It is well with my soul", amidst such heartbreak. Lord, give me this faith also!

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Amen!

Fighting Depression

I was reading a mailer from Kaiser's Grief Support that talked about common problems at certain times in the grief process. It seems I am right on schedule. About 2 days before the 6 month mark of Bob's death I started feeling very depressed. At first I thought I was getting sick because I felt so exhausted. But the lethargy continued and for weeks I could hardly get out of bed. It was all I could do to go to work each day. My thoughts were foggy, and I had a hard time concentrating. I cried at the drop of a hat. I didn't feel like eating (very strange for me). Then I read the newsletter that said depression seems to hit around the 6 month mark and can last up to 6 months. At least I know I'm "normal", which is comforting in a weird way! My middle son also complained to me that he was feeling the say way. I shared that this was normal. While it is "normal", it is still very distressing. I am not prone to depression. I generally am very energetic and motivated to get things done. So as the dishes, laundry and duties piled up, I became distressed. I cried out to God in prayer... "Please lift these feelings"! I read my bible every day. I forced myself to do things around the house. That was 6 weeks ago, and I am feeling slow bits of recovery. I have started cleaning again and unfortunately, my appetite is coming back. I'm not crying as often! On Bob's birthday (last sunday) I actually felt periods of joy remembering some wonderful birthdays we had shared together. I think God allowed me to go through this so that I can relate to others when they express depressed feelings. It's all part of the process. I, for one, am ready to get on with this process of grief and have a normal life again. The problem is that it will never be "normal" again, and part of grief is adjusting to that idea. Oh well, I'm rambling. Just needed to do a little venting. I pray for others who are going through this difficult and taxing process. God is there for us, cry out to Him!

Pursuing God's leading in my life.

God has been impressing on my mind for several months that our church needs a support system for hurting and grieving people. I am currently taking a course to become a certified grief counselor and am looking into other training/programs that are already established. God has lead me to "New Hope" in Long Beach. Our pastor grew up in Long Beach and knows the woman who started this ministry, which has now become nationwide. I have also been investigating "Stephens Ministry", which is a broader program, which trains church members how to come along side anothr person for one-on-one ministry. I am praying for the right direction from God, and would appreciate any prayers for this potential ministry.

Being single

Last night was the first meeting of my new Barnabas group. These are fellowship groups from my church that meet once a month. I am in a large group this time, 18 people. Most are couples, with the exception of 3 of us single women. One of the wives that doesn't know me asked which of the guys I belonged to. I replied, "Oh, none of them. I'm here by myself". It was hard to say. I thought most of the people in the church new about Bob, but I guess not. I know she didn't mean anything by it. If she had known my husband just died 4 1/2 months ago, she would have been mortified, but she didn't. It was surreal being their without a partner. I have spent my whole adult life being someone's wife, and now I am single. I sat next to a good friend of mine who is single because of a divorce. We were each other's support. I now understand why every time one of our groups has single women, they don't come very often. It's hard to live in a married world, when you're not. Even though I had a good time I came home and cried for an hour. I guess this adjustment is going to take a long time. I wish it would get better!