Where He leads...: December 2014

(This is a post I wrote for FHM's blog.) Cooking up meat in Haiti is not as simple as removing it from its package and throwing it on the grill or in the oven. Because much of the meat is purchased in the outdoor market, there are some extra steps for "cleaning" it.

Haitian cooks take a lot of time when preparing chicken to remove all the skin and any extra fat. They will then scrub each piece with limes and set them aside. After the thorough rub down, they will pour boiling water over the chicken and let it sit for about a minute. After they drain and rinse the chicken, they'll add more lime juice and seasoning and then begin the cooking process.

In countries like Haiti where most families don't have refrigerators and the meat is not always kept cold between the farmer and the market, these are important extra steps to protect against bacteria. According to many Haitian cooks, meat isn't properly cooked without these steps. When I managed a guesthouse in Croix des Bouquets, our cook looked on with horror as I cooked up some chicken for a casserole. I had purchased imported chicken at a grocery store, took it out of the package, cut it up, and tossed it directly in the skillet. It took a while (especially in my broken Creole back then) to explain to her that this was ok and the chicken would be edible and wouldn't make us sick. I can't remember if she ate any of the casserole...

I'm so thankful not only for the delicious meals that Yvette cooks, but the care that she takes to prepare each one. Whether she is serving up a salad, meat, or anything in between, we can all enjoy her meals in peace knowing that they are safe to eat. And did I mention delicious?!

Haiti has many needs.

Better infrastructure. A unified government. Education for all. Food security for impoverished families. More and better jobs. The list goes on...

These needs are evident in the statistics we read about Haiti:

78% of Haitians are poor and live on less than $2 a day.
54% of Haitians live in extreme poverty (less than $1 a day)
Half of children under the age of 5 are malnourished.
Over 7% of children die at birth.
Over two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs.
Half of children under 5 are malnourished.
Over 7% of children die at birth.
50% of primary school age children are not enrolled in school.
One-third of girls over six never go to school.
37.9% of the population is unable to read or write

I'm grateful to serve with an organization like Family Health Ministries who is helping to change these statistics. The medical services and educational opportunities we provide certainly are making a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. 2015 will be another exciting year for us as we break ground on the Family Health Center in Leogane and finish construction on the birthing center in the mountains of Fondwa. Even more Haitians will have access to life-saving surgeries and have a safe place to deliver their babies.

Even with all of these great projects, I'm convinced that one of Haiti's biggest needs is for prayer. Prayer that our big and sovereign God will protect this fragile nation and appoint leaders who will have the wisdom and vision to make positive and sustainable changes to improve Haiti now and for years to come. Prayer for Haiti's vulnerable children and families who are struggling to hold onto hope that things will get better. Prayers that Haiti can finally begin to break free from the shackles of her past and into a future that is bright with opportunity and progress and peace.

Here's a video and prayer that I love from Operation World. Will you join me in praying this for Haiti??

Winding down

As we approach the end of the year, things are slowing down here at the guesthouse. I'll only have a handful of guests between now and December 17th when I fly home for a two week break. This year has flown by but I have really enjoyed my time with Family Health Ministries. We've hosted around 300 guests this year. No wonder I'm feeling tired! :) Even with all the guests I've been able to find time to visit with the kids at Hope For Life Children's Home, spend time with other missionaries here, and travel around Haiti a bit. It's been a unique year of reflecting on what I've been involved with in Haiti up to now and how God is shaping me for the future.

Plans for 2015

While most of next year is still up in the air, I do know one piece of the puzzle. I will finish up my position as In-Country Coordinator for FHM by the end of February. This was a decision I made after much prayer and consideration. My contract with FHM ends at the end of 2014 but I have offered to come back after Christmas and help them interview, hire, and train a new person for this position. We hope to hire someone by February 1st and I will overlap with him or her for the month of February. After that handover my plan is to head back to Tennessee for a few months. My time home for Christmas will be sweet but very short. I'm looking forward to a longer time at home next Spring to reconnect with family and friends and enjoy a time of refreshment. So if I don't see you in December, I hope we can get together then!

Some specific plans while home next Spring:

A one week sabbatical in a quiet cabin in the woods. During this time I will unplug from the world and draw near to the Lord in prayer and study of His Word. I'll also use the week to work through some re-entry material I have for missionaries coming back from the field.
I plan to attend the Christian Alliance for Orphans' Summit in Nashville April 30 - May 1. I'm looking forward to learning from organizations and individuals who are helping orphans and vulnerable children around the world with wise and gospel-centered approaches.
I will be praying through ministry opportunities that I already know about and any new ones that I may find and trust that in God's timing, He will lead me to whatever is next.

It's been the best year hanging out with all the kiddos at Hope For Life! I'm so thankful for the progress we've been able to see there this year... new mattresses, more food, a new well, a finished church floor, painted classrooms, new textbooks, a mama cow, and more! One of their biggest needs right now is for more monthly sponsors. For more information on how you can help click here.

Click here to read the rest of my update...

About Me

Blog Archive

Popular Posts

Hope For Life Children's Home

Some Great Links