Satan is a dumb idiot

Yesterday has by far been the most interesting day in Haiti. The day started off with a last minute trip up into the mountains to visit a hotel that YWAM is looking into buying. As we climbed up the mountain by a tap-tap (sort of like a covered wagon but with a truck-public transportation, Haiti style)the air got cooler, the smell cleaner, the scenery greener, the atmosphere more peaceful. When we reached the hotel, which is still running, it felt like we stepped out of Haiti and into a resort in the mountains of Europe. As we overlooked the misty mountain side, the staff served us coffee and then something amazing happened. Christmas music started playing. Real food was served. We had tears in our eyes, literally. We did not realize until we left Port-Au-Prince how much stress we were under. God was so nice to us- I literally felt like God had something special for each of us there. "Kristi likes Christmas music, so I'm going to have them play it. Kayla like coffee, so I'm going to have them serve it. The boys like meat, so I am going to have them make beef for lunch." It truly was an afternoon from the Lord.

Unfortunately, that relaxfullness (I realize that is not a true word but I can't think of another one) didn't last long. At about 3 AM, we were all woken up to a brilliant light, fire crackling, and loud humming noises. Right outside our gate, a power line snapped and landed on our bus and was electrocuting it. The tires caught fire and smoke was pouring out from every open area. The girls run down the stairs where the boys were already pulling up water from the well (no running water). Each time the electricity flared, the light burned brighter and the humming got louder. The electricity randomly turns on and off here, so we were praying for the power to be turned off so the fire could be put out. We have authority over the spiritual realm and we used it. Lisa, a woman who who came down for the burn, said "In the name of Jesus, SHUT OFF." And it did.

This was straight up an attack form the enemy. Too many things lined up for it to be just a "freak accident." Since we have been in Haiti, chaos has happened all around, but never to us directly. Cholera, riots, hurricane Tomas, all have been attacks but have not harmed. Because they can't. We are soooo protected by the God of this universe. That power line could have snapped during the day while we were loading onto the bus, but it didn't. It could have snapped the other direction and landed on our metal gate and electrocuted the whole house, but it didn't. The sparks should have caught the trees on fire, but it didn't. When attacks from the enemy manifest into the natural realm so we can see it, that could only mean one thing. That Satan is getting pissed off. He sees that we are reclaiming this land, that he lost the battle, that he is no longer in charge here. This is his last stand. Fear is all he has to use against us, and it isn't working. Instead of running around, we gathered around and prayed. What was meant to kill us and induce fear into our souls turned us to the Lord and made us stronger. We are convinced that there were angels guiding that cord down so it did not hit us as it was meant to. Satan must be a dumb idiot to think that he could actually try and catch us on fire. So stupid.

Last night made me realize how REAL the spiritual realm is. We typically don't see it, but when Satan gets that mad at us, it flows into our world, the world we can see. But as usual, God makes it work for our good. It woke me up. It opened my eyes to what we are dealing with. We are breaking off voodoo and Satan hates it. We are taking back what is rightfully God's. Haiti is no longer Satan's and he ain't too happy about it.

I am convinced with out a doubt that your prayers kept us from. We will never know how many other attacks have been sent to us but because of your prayers,l they have been broken off. Thank you for contending for me, for my team, for Haiti. It is making a difference. Keep it up, prayer warriors.

Subtle Miracles

Monday was our last day at the orphanage. We fixed the building up and it looks so much better now, with paint on the walls and debris moved out. I have fallen in love with 2 of the kids there, and although it was hard to say goodbye to them, I have seen a change in them from when I first met them.

Franze, the 3 year old boy orphaned by the earthquake, was silent and reserved the first day I met him. I held him everyday until he fell asleep in my arms. He never uttered a word those first 5 days. He did not play with the other kids and I never saw him eat. But yesterday, he was chasing the other kids, coloring, and running around, butt naked. And he was happy. I saw him eat. I saw him talk with the other kids. He asked me for a crayon so he could color. My friend reminded me that this change in him was a miracle. A miracle does not have to be a big fancy show, but it could be the subtle change in a child's life. I was able to show him love because I was first showed the love of the Father.It was not by my own works that this child has changed, but because of the everlasting love he receives. And for him to receive the love of his Heavenly Father is a miracle. For him to be happy in such poor circumstances is a miracle.

Our team is now fixing up a school so the kids have a place to learn. We have also been going to the local tent city, keeping up with friends that we have made there. The 200 hour burn starts on Friday, so we have been getting ready for that as well. For more information on the burn, or to sign up for an hour to pray, please visit ipray4haiti.com :)

"This is love: not the we loved him, but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" 1st John 4:10

Well, Tomas came and went last week without leaving us with too much damage. The tents all survived with minimal flooding, praise the Lord! We were all stuck in the house, however, due to the rain and wind. What do you get when you add bored 20 year olds, soap, rain, tile floor, and ponchos? Thats right, a slip'n'slide on a balcony.

This week, we have been going to an orphanage about an hour away. There are about 30 kids who live there, most of them orphaned from the earth quake. Today, I held a little boy who was three years old for 3 hours straight. His name is Franze. He had a bloated belly because he was malnourished. Both his parents died in the earth quake. He is confused as to why he is there, so he doesn't talk very much. As I held him, he slowly rested his precious little head on my shoulder, and fell asleep. I was glad that he had some comfort, even for just a few minutes. I want to take him home. It won't be easy to say goodbye to him on friday. Their living conditions are minimal. There aren't enough beds for them, and the few beds that are there are not in good condition and don't have sheets. Most of them have been wearing the same clothes all week. They have simple meals of rice and water. I know God loves them, but it is hard to see His children suffer in this way. They all deserve better.

Yesterday, I was waiting in the truck with another team member while the rest of the team went into the back. The windows were rolled down and people were walking past on the sidewalk. I noticed a teenage girl as she walked past but didn't think much of it. A minute later, she doubled back and started talking to me through the window. She didn't ask for anything, instead she told me her story. She was 16 and her name was Esther. Her parents are both dead and she is now taking care of her two younger sisters. She lives with her aunt but had to quite school so she could work to provide for her younger siblings. I had nothing to give her besides prayer. When I asked her if I could, she said yes with tears in her eyes. I have never in my life felt my heart shatter like it did in that moment. What was I doing when I was 16? Definitely not struggling to survive, let alone take care of 2 other people. Esther has permanently changed my life. I am positive a day will not go by that I will not think about her, the sense of panic and desperation in her voice, and the hope she had when I prayed for her.

We now only have 29 days left. Some days are slow, some days are fast. Next week we are fixing up a school, then the following week is the 200 hour burn. After that, we only have 10 days before we say goodbye to Haiti. Its going to go so fast, but I know that God is going to do amazing work in this last month.

Yesterday was the Day of the Dead here in Haiti. It is considered a holiday so no one was working and kids were out of school. We went to a graveyard to see a voodoo ceremony. Witch doctors and voodoo followers gathered in the middle around a black alter, making sacrifices to a demonic spirit and praying to their dead ancestors. We didn't stay long, but it was long enough to see what goes on physically and spiritually at a voodoo ceremony. It GRIEVES the Father's heart that His children choose Satan and demons over Him. He LOVES them. Satan is out to steal, kill and destroy. HE does not want that for any of His children, and it breaks His heart to watch them do this to themselves, when He just wants to love on them.

On a happier note, the YWAM base we are staying at is a 5 minute walk from a tent city that has about 3,000 people living in it. Every morning, we walk there and just hang out with them, building friendships and understanding the culture more. I love walking in and seeing the children run up to us, with big smiles on their faces. They don't want anything but love and attention, and we are happy to give it to them. Today, Lola ( a team member) and I led a woman to the Lord with the help of a translator. I don't think I have ever done that before and it was amazing to see, knowing that I will someday see her again in Heaven.

A hurricane is on its way, and it is supposed to hit Haiti hard, starting late Friday night. This country has had more death and destruction in the last year than anyone should ever have to deal with. I wish I had the strength that these people have. The strength to carry on, to praise the Lord, to be kind and helpful to others after everything they have has been ripped away, and what little they have now has the possibility to be destroyed in just a few days. Today, I prayed for a woman in the tent city who has 6 kids. Since there is only 1 bed, they all sleep on the gravel ground. She has major health problems and sells bagged water to make a living. As a thank you for praying, she gave me bagged water, and would not accept money for it. It broke my heart to see her smile and thank me, when all I did was pray for her. She has more faith that my prayers work than I did. I pray that I have that kind of faith.

Please be praying for protection for the people in Haiti! Thank you and love you all!