This morning after feeding the children breakfast we were able to hand out the back packs that were made during VBS earlier this summer.  What a scene it was!  Our team of translators did an amazing job of getting the children to sit down and wait to be handed their bag.  We have seen a  couple of mob scenes during candy hand out so we were very cautious.  The process was smooth and the kids were HILARIOUS!  After all the bags were distributed, it looked like a market place!  Those kids were making deals…it was awesome.  After all the trading was done, we had a good hour of play time with all the new toys.  It was a great time…

This afternoon we split for the first time.  The Lavaca team returned to the orphanage and continued loving on the kids.  One thing we have witnessed on this trip is the authentic love Lavaca has for that orphanage.  The love they show those children is beyond description.  I cannot stress enough how important it is that you join them in prayer as they take on this huge mission.  Their hearts are so pure…praise God for the call on that church!

The North Park group went back to a few tent cities we had evangelized in June.  Our mission was to find Jean Ramone, the man we truly think is going to pastor a HUGE church here someday.  His heart for Jesus is amazing.  God has gifted him to share the Gospel in huge ways.  As a matter of fact, when we went looking for him, it turns out he is gone…ON A MISSION TRIP to north Haiti!  A true man of God, loving his Haitian people.

We proceeded through some other areas and prayed with several folks who we had shared the Gospel with in June.  It was a true joy to be able to see them again.

We were also given permission to see the inside of a local voodoo temple.  There is so much spiritual confusion there.  Please pray for the people of Haiti who are in bondage of the voodoo “church.”  They use just enough “Jesus” to rope people in and then they begin the damage.  We know that God wins this battle…let’s pray for the protection of the people until that victory is complete.

Tomorrow is our final day…keep up the prayer support.  To know that God is using First Lavaca and North Park together in such a huge way is so encouraging…glory to God!

• Our travel was good overall.  We had a one and a half hour delay at Miami due to lightning but had no other issues.  The trip through customs and the Port-Au-Prince Airport was much easier than last time with no lost luggage.  Our trip from the airport to Leogane was much quicker and easier than in June.
• Saturday we made our first visit to the orphanage.  There were many familiarities and a few differences.  The distinct smell was the same.  The pure joy of the children in the orphanage to see “the machine” was the same (that’s what they call the rental vehicles we are driving).  The conditions are roughly the same.  The food situation seems to be getting better. The kids are eating two large meals per day, sometimes three.  The first visit there brought back many of the same emotions as the first trip ranging from complete sadness to anger to joy that God counted us worthy to visit these kids…see James 1:27.  Our interaction was completely informal…we just visited with the kids and played with them.  The highlight for the kids was getting to take rides in “the machine” and get a view outside of their four walls.  They were in silent awe as they rode in an air-conditioned SUV.  It was quite touching to see their faces.
• Today we took breakfast to them prior to their two and a half hour worship service…yes, you read that right (no more complaining…lol).  They got strawberry pop-tarts, a boiled egg, and a mandarine orange fruit cup.  They hit the jackpot with the pop tarts!  The ladies from First Lavaca spent a good portion of the morning cleaning the nasty sheets these children are sleeping on.  We also purchased insecticide to kill the fleas, roaches, bed bugs, and other bugs that were rampant in the dorm areas.  That was quite an experience.  I only thought I had seen large cockroaches…sheesh.  This afternoon consisted of day two of medicating the kids (props to Angela and Lynne for handling this so well) and play time.  We had a group try to go buy groceries but to no avail as the stores were closed.
• Tomorrow we buy groceries, hand out the sack packs that North Park kids made during VBS, and prepare for a very busy Tuesday that MAY include a trip to the beach with all 100+ kids and a movie/birthday party night with all of them under their large tent. Please be in prayer about Tuesday…that could be a day these kids will never forget.

I must say what a pleasure it has been to serve with the folks from First Lavaca.  We have three sisters and a mother here who have kept us all light-hearted with their constant laughter.   That church has a huge responsibility from God to open an orphanage down here.  But, if it’s God’s will, then He will see it through…pray for them.

Thank you North Park for making these trips happen.  I will post more details as the week progresses…God bless!

Our group is completed poured out.  We had a celebration service tonight that was marvelous.  I do not have the official count, but we estimate that there were around 10 professions of faith this week based on the street evangelism of these students.  For most, this was the first time they boldly proclaimed their faith to someone.

All the projects were completed this week.  19 homes were improved.  It is such an incredible opportunity to be a part of this.  I am so excited to see where God takes us next year.  Begin praying now how you fit in to that trip!

I have to congratulate this crew for honoring the Father this week.  The students were absolutely amazing.  The adult leaders were a shining example of boldness and humility.  I hope North Park is able to appreciate the hearts of these young people and their leadership team.  We have TRULY made an eternal impact in Tupelo.

Thank the Lord for counting us worthy to sweat for Him; to hammer for Him; to roof for Him; to be His mouthpiece; to partner with Him; to lead students for Him; to represent Him to the lost and hurting.  Thank you, Lord!

North Park students…your pastor could NOT be more proud.  You truly were the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus this week.  We have set lofty goals as a group.  I am confident that the combination of your servant attitude, abilities, obedience, and God’s grace in your life will be a dreadful combination for our enemy.  Glory to God!

Mariah Brown was poured out today.  She was burdened by a lady she met Tuesday.  She returned today to visit.  After a 10 or 15 minute visit the lady asked Mariah what she meant when she said there is a difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus.  By the power of the Holy Spirit she poured out the heart of the Gospel to this lady.  The lady couldn’t do anything but accept Jesus and begin a relationship with him.  This is why we came!

Casey Guess was with a group that was able to lead a couple of men at a trailer park to Christ.  Our team was able to lead a 14 year-old foster child to Jesus.  This is why we came!

Tonight was the “concert of prayer” service.  In short, we stop everything and pray as teams and then as youth groups.  The mood is very somber and the prayer becomes very genuine.  Katie Chenowith re-committed her life to Christ tonight.  A couple other students mended a hurting relationship.  Another student is on the brink of salvation.  When we stop and just pray, God works.

Tomorrow is our last opportunity.  Please pray again for the people we will encounter.  Also pray for the student here who is close.  Her heart is as good as gold…she just needs God to draw her (Again, John 6:44).

Thank you for all the prayer support.  Thank you for all the financial support to send so many kids here.  Thank you for allowing God to shape us into a church to GOES, not sits.

Upon completion  of our home today we took to the streets to evangelize an apartment community.  There we met Vanessa.  Vanessa is a sweet foster-mother who is also helping care for her two-year old grandson (who, by the way, was precious!).

As we unfolded things to her it became evident that she was a Jesus follower.  She needed help, though.  Her most recent foster child was very troubled…a broken home, some criminal background, and generally unhappy.  She (the foster child, age 12) was also white in this predominantly black area.  The foster mom’s concern was finding a church where Bentley, the foster child, would be comfortable.

As as a group of students and myself began to mingle, pray with, and play with Vanessa and her other foster children our crew chief Billy and a female student from our team Taylor took Bentley aside.  After many minutes and many tears they emerged from a corner seeking a hammer and nail.  They proceeded to the nearest tree where Bentley hammered the nail into the tree.

This young lady was in desperate need of love.  She was angry, felt betrayed by her family, and was lonely.  Billy and Taylor allowed the Holy Spirit to use them and God did the drawing…Bentley marked the spot where she asked the Lord to rescue and redeem her with that nail.

Bentley had one of the most genuine professions of faith I’ve ever been able to see…Praise the Lord that this sweet girl now knows the love of Jesus.  Praise God that He planned long ago that our group would finish our project early, have extra Gatorade and waters, and be on the right street at the right time.

Her road will be hard, so please pray for her.  Her eternity, however, is secure and she will forever know that she is loved by our Father.  If World Changers 2011 Tupelo project was put together just for Bentley it was a success.

Thank you, Lord, for divine appointments…we seem to be having a lot of them lately.

Our evangelistic job today had a very specific goal.  Each night we have a worship service and a message from the project coordinator, Ricky Young.  The worship is simple and intimate…one guy with his acoustic guitar.  It’s a dramatic change for our students but a very important one.  It serves as a reminder that worship is not about style, but about heart.

Back to our goal for the day…tonight’s worship service was open to the public.  Our job was to beat the streets of Tupelo inviting residents.  Specifically, we were to reach the neighborhoods where we worked.  Our teams worked hard and had some in attendance.  It was wonderful to worship alongside the people we get to serve this week.

It was hot and humid today.  Fortunately, everyone stayed hydrated.  The teams that had roofing jobs were definitely the biggest concern but they did very well.  The team I am on drove by a team at 3:00 as they were on the roof.  I was grateful for their hearts and God’s mercy that he kept me off those teams…

Tomorrow most teams will finish their labor work.  We then begin to bless the school that allows 260 teenagers to sleep on its floors for a week by painting around here.

Tomorrow night should be very special…please pray.  We will have what World Changers call a “concert of prayer.”  During our trip to Dallas last Summer, this night changed the lives of several of our students.  If what happens here has just a fraction of the heart that one had, lives will again be changed.

Students have the opportunity to give financially tomorrow, too.  The offering taken will go to 10 church plants across North America.  Specifically, it will go to help them begin a student ministry.  Students here pouring into students in a future youth group…I love World Changers!

These next two days are vital for the accomplishment of our greater purpose…glorifying Jesus and helping bring people to Him.  Please plead with God to draw people.  Please pray for God to use these students.  Please pray in faith.  Our mission depends on it…

Anytime you put together a project of this magnitude, supply issues arise.  This year is no different.  Some crews, including Mark Ardemagni’s, did not receive their supplies until mid-afternoon.  North Park should be VERY proud of her youth leaders.  These adults improvised, adapted, and overcame to make this a fruitful day in spite of supply issues.

One area where we experienced NO issues was the lunch plan.  Each site has a church adopt it and provide lunch for them that week.  I spoke with every team and, across the board, the lunches were great.  North Park, we are doing this in Fort Smith in August…please join in!  You have no idea how wonderful it is to see the lunch van pull up…we get to do this for World Changers Fort Smith project!

The single biggest issue today was well beyond anyone’s control…the weather.  For a little over three hours we have heavy rain today.  Most of our projects are paint jobs and were basically shut down.  It seemed like a lost day.

But then again…not really.  Maybe that was God’s plan for day one of the field work.

The rain forced us to focus our efforts NOT on the home but on the neighborhood and its people.  Every group (22) sent at least one group of people to walk the streets and talk to its people.  While there were no new professions of faith, we made it clear why we are here…to honor and serve our Lord Jesus and to make disciples.  Seeds were planted.  Please continue to pray John 6:44 over the people we contacted today.

The students of North Park Youth are TRULY exceptional.  On almost every work site, they are the hardest workers with the best attitudes.  This group of young people has given their lives to Jesus and are honoring Him with their effort.  You can take much pride in the work the Lord has done in these students.  They are allowing Him to use them in very uncomfortable ways.

One student knocked on doors just to pray with people for the first time today.  Another student (who just entered “youth”) took one of the hardest jobs at his site.  One college student stepped into a roofing job as if she had been roofing her whole life.  Some took natural leadership roles on their crews, pouring into the other students on their team.  I am so proud to be associated with this group of young people…you should be, too.

Continue to pray for boldness.  The crew chiefs all seem confident they will complete the work on their respective houses.   We want to see new followers who will create new followers who will create new followers and so on…Please pray!

Last year was a great success.  Attendance was almost identical as we took to the streets of Dallas, Texas to rehab homes, heal hearts, and tell people the Good News.

This year God has placed us in what seems the be the humidity capital of the mid-south…Tupelo, Mississippi.  The task will be very similar to last year.  North Park Youth and 230 other students will scrape, paint, roof, apply siding, and do other home repairs in the most impoverished portions of Tupelo.  It was very hot in Dallas last year.  It will be very hot here.  There were long lines for the shower trailer last year.  There will be long lines again this year.  The only rule in the cafeteria last year was hurry up and wait.  The same can be said this year.  We are sleeping on air mattresses on the floor of a school again.

Let me be clear, though.  We are so very grateful for the opportunity to serve here.  We are so grateful for air conditioning and shower trailers.  We are so grateful for the people working their tails off in the cafeteria.  We are so grateful for those who have spent months organizing this.  We are so grateful God counted us worthy to serve Him here and now.

One thing is markedly different this year.  This year we have a very clear understanding of the mission.  Last year we came to rehab homes and bless home owners.  There is certainly nothing wrong with that…

However, this year is different.  God now seems to have spent the past six months preparing us for our one mission:  Evangelize Tupelo, Mississippi.  We will use the platform of home repair to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with Tupelo.  The adult team God set for this trip is laser focused.  The students have seen the redeeming power of Jesus over the past six months and are so hungry to pour themselves out.  We are ready to serve him with our hands, feet, AND our MOUTHS!

Please pray tomorrow not for safety and not that we would be effective carpenters and painters.  Please pray that we would be BOLD like Peter (Acts 4).  Please pray that we would use EVERY opportunity to share the Gospel.  Please pray that God would draw people to His Son (John 6:44).

I can’t wait to share the victories God accomplishes through the students of North Park Youth.

“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone, a new life has begun!” 2 Cor. 5: 17 (NLT)

Doesn’t that sound glorious?!  You become a follower of Christ and your life is about to change!  For those like myself, who came with some nice-sized baggage, that change can be pretty dramatic.

But a month or two into your new life, you notice something.  The people around you are a different.  Or, are you different?  The people you used to spend your time with don’t seem interested in being in your presence much anymore.  I like the way Peter says it…

“Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do.  So they slander you.” 1 Peter 4: 4 (NLT)

Doesn’t that sound fun?!

I imagined this to be a problem primarily among american young people.  Someone who gives their life to Jesus changes dramatically, quickly, and radically.  They are then ostracized by their former closest friends.

But then we went to Haiti.  The same issue is in place their.  Clearly Peter knew this would NOT be simply a cultural problem.

So what do we do?  We start by finishing 1 Peter 4.  He goes on in verse 14 to tell us to be happy when we are insulted for being a Christian.  Be happy.  How?  1 Peter 4: 14 says “For then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.”(NLT)  That sounds pretty “happy” and for those who have experienced it you know it to be true.

Students and adults alike…let us be willing to be different.  NOT so that we may pat ourselves on the back and say “good job.”  Rather, so our friends, maybe even just one of them, will see the light and love of Jesus Christ.  So maybe just one of our friends can come to experience the glorious Spirit of God resting on THEM because you were bold and brave enough to be different, to be slandered.

A genuine, kind, seemingly simple question many ask following our return from Haiti last Friday.

Having been to World Changers (U.S. missions), Mexico squatter camps, and impoverished areas of Crawford County I expected to be able to answer that question.

It’s not that simple this time, though.  I literally don’t know how to answer that question.  The trip was “good.”  We accomplished much through God’s power!  But to call the trip “good” just doesn’t feel right.

The trip was productive.  35 souls are now forever rescued by Jesus.  But the volume of work still to be done makes it hard to answer “productive.”

The trip was awe-inspiring.  Between the faith of the Haitian Christian community and the faithfulness of our Lord in prayer, I am in awe. I find myself struggling to focus on that aspect, though.

“Are you glad to be home” is another good, honest question we hear a lot.  I am glad to be with my children again.  But I find it hard to say “I’m glad to be home.”  Our trip to Mexico a few years ago kept a part of my heart.  Haiti seems to have taken the rest.  The people, the great need, the passion of a few Christ followers…all consume my thoughts right now.  Not to mention the particular young child from the orphanage Kim and I bonded with.

I humbly seek your prayers.  First for Haiti…they need God-fearing men and women in positions of influence to reverse nearly a century of demonic control.  They need work.  They need shelter.  Many need Jesus.

Secondly for us.  I’ve never been anywhere or done anything that has created such a burden and feeling of heaviness upon its completion.  I don’t even know how to describe what the prayer need is.  Something along the lines of restoration, but I don’t want to lose the helpless feeling for Haiti’s people.  It’s confusing honestly.

Thirdly for adoptive guidance, blessing, and favor.  Three of the couples who were on the Haiti team have children from the orphanage they want to bring here.  God will truly have to do many miracles to see that happen…but He is a big God capable of all things.

Please keep asking questions…I hope to have the capacity to answer them soon.  Until then we praise God for opening our eyes to the suffering that is very real in this world and to the ONLY hope we have in Jesus Christ.  Philippians 4: 4.