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.