Sunday, June 27, 2010

Just Another Day in Paradise

To quote our dear friend Glenda: "Just another day in Paradise" is a mantra that we have been using when we think about our time here. From ants in the tent to the smallest sicknesses causing us to fear the worst, our time here has been trying, but so rewarding. We have to keep reminding ourselves that, no matter what happens, God is in control and this is truly, just another day in paradise.
And yesterday truly was paradise. For a small sum, Kirsten and myself were able to visit a beach resort for the day with some of the teachers and other staff. It was a perfect, refreshing day and it came at the right time, it really rejuvinated us as we were starting to feel a little bit burnt out and anxious to leave. At this point we are both ready (with God's strength) for whatever these next two weeks are going to hold.
As Kirsten has alluded to in the last blog post, we have the opportunity to teach an English class.. This is quite frightening for me as this is the last thing that I imagined we'd be doing but as we prepare and as we pray about how God wants to use this, I get more and more excited!
One of the YWAM initiatives as they respond to the Earthquake is that of 'tent cities.' Tent cities are exactly what they sound like, communites of families that live together in tents placed in random places throughout Haiti. Remember from my blog post about Haiti that 30,000 refugees moved to St. Marc after the earthquake (St. Marc only has a population of 200,000 so that is quite a monumental jump). These families are refugees from the earthquake and many of them own a couple pairs of clothes and maybe a few items to share with one another. YWAM is in charge of maintaining these tent cities (providing water and work) for the people living there. Two of the tent cities are just outside St. Marc and one is right in the heart of the city.
The tent communmity that we are working with is located across the street from the ocean and about 10 minutes from the YWAM base. This community is blessed because, when the city (St. Marc) gave the land to YWAM to set up a tent city, this land came with a health clinic (which used to be used for abortions), but with much prayer and work, YWAM has taken back this land for God. Along with having a functioning clinic directly at their tent community, one of the local pastors has chosen to invest his time into these families, doing BIble Studies with them and teaching them about Jesus. This community is in the process of being transformed by the power of the gospel, and everyone there is open to talking about God.
The English class that we are teaching is with about 16 people (from age 6-40) from this tent city. Mostly youth, this class is extremely excited to learn English and to learn about God. Kirsten and I look forward to not only teaching them English, but teaching them how Jesus can provide them hope in the midst of their very difficult circumstances. Much of these people would say that they are Christians now, but their understanding of God is very limited, so please pray for us and for their community pastor (Pastor Eaves) that God would be continuing to transform this community.
So for the next two weeks, we will be teaching English. Please pray for us as this is scary but we see it as such an awesome opportunity to share the gospel (they are all aware that this is a part of English class also, so it's not like we are shoving it down their throats becasue we can). Also pray that God would be preparing someone to take over for us when we leave, as this is something that YWAM wants to maintain.
Along with English class, our next two weeks will probably be quite random. YWAM St. Marc is involved with so much amazing initiatives here in Haiti including Tent cities (the city just gave YWAM land to build 3 more tent cities for MORE refugees), prison ministry, Homes for Hope (an initiative YWAM started to get people out of the tent cities and into permanent homes), relief work (thousands of articles of clothing, shoes, and food need to be distributed to these people and people in areas surrounding St. Marc), DTS (Haitian youth are being trained as leaders and we have the opportunity to serve them), medical initiatives (clinics, distribution, etc.), and prayer initiatives (regular intercession, prayer walks, visits to places like brothels and Churches to pray) are all different things that Kirsten and I may have the opportunity to be a part of... we also may be in the kitchen, sweeping the dorms, cleaning toilets, mowing lawns, etc. So be praying for us...
And one thing that God's really been teaching me while I'm here (this one's been hard) is that there is really no such thing as an insignificant task. At first I was extremely frustrated when we were in the kitchen because I felt that we came all this way to do something and the kitchen was 'NOT what God wanted us to be doing!' WOW, I Never realized how selfish i was being in thinking that. I've been learning very clearly that everything, little or small, is important in God's eyes, and that a servant's heart means that, whatever is required out of me for that particular day, is doing God's work. This means that washing dishes for a team that's building houses is as important as swinging a hammer and being a part of building those houses. It also means that mowing a lawn is as important as holding a sick baby, as my mowing the lawn enables someone else to do that task as well. I could not tell you what God's purpose was in Kirsten and I being here, but I can tell you that, in being obedient, we have seen that it may need to be something specific. God has been moulding both of our hearts and uniting us as a couple, teaching me how to be a servant and teaching Kirsten to find joy and gratitude in what our lives hold. God has also been using us to be a part of His incredible work in Haiti, to be a blessing to people who's lives were devestated (most of the people in the tent city lost a family member or close friend in the earthquake (as well as everything they own)). I want to encourage you that what God is calling you to do today is as important as that big 'dream' in your heart or that big 'purpose' to which you may believe that you are called. God is just as present in the washing of dishes as He is in the revival services. A servant's heart is one that is faithful in all things... I've known this in my head for a long time, but God had to take me to Haiti to really show me that this is true... I hope that you are encouraged by this!
So be extremely grateful for everything that you have today! Thank God for your incredible circumstances and how incredibly blessed you are. Remember to be praying for us and praying for YWAM! Thanks for taking the time to read this and please know that, if nothing else, this trip has really made Kirsten and I realize how much we love all of our friends and really value the people that we see on a regular basis. Please know that you are loved and missed. WE LOVE hearing from you, so if you have time write us an email or a facebook message. It means a lot to hear from people specifically!
Hope this finds you well, Love you lots!
KD Buyer

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Two weeks... we're half way there and living on heaps of prayers, literally.

Daunavan and I were talking last night about how much spiritual warfare goes on here. I was saying how I feel like I can only give 50%, because the other 50% of the time we have to refocus, reenergize, refresh ourselves spiritually, physically & emotionally. Therefore we feel like we aren't making much of an impact, although we know that this isn't true. It just seems to take so much more effort to actually get things done here. Interesting...

Other than that, we are officially taking over English class for our last 2 weeks. The St. Marc base currently works with 3 tent cities (housing refugees from the earthquake), and as of yesterday have taken from the UN the project of building and long-term care for 2 more tent cities. So the tent city closest to the base (10 minute walk) is the one that we've been investing and building into. Cathy, our neighbor in the tent next to us, started up a program for 5 weeks and we are taking it over for 2 weeks and are all praying for someone to continue after we leave. It should be really fun - growing and stretching for sure! But the students there are so wonderful, all eager to learn and have beautiful spirits. It will be really fun pouring into them and then learning from them as well!

In other news, we woke up today to weather feeling like we were in Canada... I almost put on a pair of jeans. Glorious feeling! But now I think the sun has broken out so it's no more. Oh well, we were grateful for it while it was here.

Love you all lots and miss you too. Praying lots for you all back at home!
- DK

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

If you're Going to read any post, Read this one!

Hello Everyone!
First of all I wanted to just thank all of you for your prayers. They are so necessary here (as I will explain a lot later). I have a favor to ask of you all and it's pretty simple: as well as praying for us, please pray for Haiti.
So, last night Kirsten and I had the opportunity to hear the base director speak about the vision behind the base and about Haiti as a whole. This will be our attempt to regurgitate what he said last night so that we can get a large group of people praying for a nation desperately in need of prayer!! So, even if you forget to pray for us, please pray for Haiti.
A bit of history about Haiti: Haiti was actually discovered by Christopher Columbus, it was the first nation to be discovered in the 'new world' and, as Terry (base director) told us, in Columbus' journal he wrote about how important it was to reach the natives on this Island with the gospel. After this, Haiti became the gateway for the gospel to the entire 'second world.' This didn't last for too long as it quickly became corrupt and slavery began (the slaves were bought in Africa). In the early 1800's, the slaves rebelled against the French and Haiti became the first black independent country. It was at this time that Voodoo became the predominant religion (as it was practiced in Africa) in Haiti as the country was 'dedicated to Satan' because they believed that voodoo 'gods' were the reason that the slaves were able to successfully rebel. (They made a 200 year pact in 1804 to Satan which they were unable to renew in 2004 because of the prayer covering).
Before we continue, this 'pact' is the reason that prayer is so important here as spiritual warfare manifests itself physically here every day. Terry told us stories of how his vehicles would always break down in a certain spot in one of the towns they minister in (like trailer hitches snapping off and axles breaking in half (weird things)). After much of the same, Terry sent a team to that spot to do spiritual warfare for an entire day, and to this day they have had no problems in this spot. Terry said that the spiritual literally impacts the physical here so much... there are days that he does not leave the base because of how negative the 'spirits' are just leaving off the base property. This spiritual warfare has been affecting us also as we notice unexplainable changes in our attitudes towards what we are doing here. Please pray for protection for us continually as we know that we are constantly under attack.
To continue with the history of Haiti, over the past 200 years, Haiti has had corruption at every level of government. This corruption has caused extreme poverty, fear, and (most tragically) a lack of identity among the Haitian people. Haitian people do not know who they are and they do not believe they can be more than they are. Because of this, people simply are choosing to live uneducated, apathetic, and, sadly, hopeless. Haiti is one of (if not the only) countries in the Western Hemisphere that has never had a Spiritual awakening or revival. But rather than a country that is cursed, Haiti is a country that is set apart and called to be a blessing.
“As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.” (Zechariah 8:13)
(from the YWAM website)
It’s ironic that Haiti, being the point of entry for the Gospel into the western hemisphere through Christopher Colombus in 1492, is known today for voodoo, poverty and government turmoil. Yet we believe that God has a plan for Haiti. From this nation blessing will go forth! How? By Haitians proclaiming the Gospel throughout the nations. This nation, known for poverty, will be known for giving. As it was known for unrest, it will be known for peace, and the nations will be blessed because of her.
(this is D&K again)
Now, great things are happening in Haiti. As sad as the earthquake was, it was a Spiritual awakening for the Haitian people. The three days of 'prayer and mourning' as reported by CNN and other news companies, were actually three days of 'prayer and fasting' as Haitians were calling out to God. When the earthquake happened, the government fell (it took 60 seconds for the entire Haitian government to be rendered powerless) and since then, Haiti has not been able to stop the surge of missionaries that are coming from all over the world to share the gospel with the Haitian people. Other aid organizations are pulling out of Haiti, but missions work here is stronger than ever (a staff member here told me that 90% of 'white' people in Haiti are missionaries). Right now the world is looking at Haiti, and Terry believes that this is a strategic time for God to be revitalizing and reviving the Haitian nation, so that they in turn can be a blessing to the entire world.
Terry told us a story of how the American military was in Haiti in the early 2000's trying to make peace because a north-south civil war had broken out. When meeting with the American consulate in Haiti, another man challenged him as to why America was even involved in that war. Terry told us that the American said: "our research and intelligence tells us that if we do not stop this uprising in Haiti, these types of rebellions will spread over the entire western hemisphere."
In other words: Haiti, as 'insignificant' and 'small' as it is (according to our standards) has enormous potential to be a blessing or a curse. With prayer and intercession, we believe that now is the strategic time that Haiti can be a blessing. With the eyes of the entire world turned onto this small country to see how it's going to react to one of the most catastrophic events in history, PRAY!
Pray that Haitians would find hope in Jesus Christ.
Pray Zecheriah 8:13 over this nation.
Pray for the orphans, that they would find loving families.
Pray for the broken families, that they would find hope.
Pray for the widows, that they would find support.
Pray for the missionaries, that they would have strength to bring the gospel.
Pray for the Haitian pastors, that they would be bold with the gospel (and willing to learn).
Pray for education here in Haiti.
Pray for a government that is not corrupt.
Pray for hope.
Pray that this nation would have an identity again.

Thanks for reading this! We hope that it impacts your heart as well. Thanks even more for your prayers, we appreciate when you pray for our protection against any plans Satan may have against us and the Haitian people (there is so much progress here, he's not happy)

Love you all and miss you, we will update you about how we are doing in a couple of days!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

One Week!

so we have been here in saint marc for officially over one week... praise God that we are still here! it has been quite a difficult week with quite a bit of homesickness, culture shock, and just overall feeling of attack at a lot of points. which would of couse = growth! too bad intense growth doesn't happen during easy times...

we have made a few friends here, though, from the good old state of virginia... pensylvania, some other friends who are on outreach from switzerland & chile, and some from other places. it's been nice to have some people to hang out with and spend time with.

our daily activities for the week have been: lots of kitchen/dishes clean up, meal prep, maitenance, cleaning, moving boxes, sorting & organizing, and praying. our days start with waking up at 6am (i know, we are surprised too that we get up so early!), breaky, worship & intercession for an hour, the the work day starts at 8am-12am... then an hour break, then 1pm-5pm.

we've been able to make it down to the tent city twice now and are anticipating spending our last 2 weeks here teaching 2 english classes every afternoon at the one tent city. also this upcoming week we have been asked to manage the kitchen (awesome...) and oversee volunteers in this area, and some other things. so that should be interesting! not really sure what we are getting ourselves into but it will all work out, i'm sure.

other than that, daunavan is currently reading soul revolution, while i have picked up a good old copy of little men from the base's school library which has been nice reading! we've finished all 5 episodes on our ipod of the office (dang!), and are winding down at night playing a few games of bejewelled. i'm addicted now!

anyways, that's all for now. your prayers are coveted soooo much! we miss all of you so much and think/pray for you often when we think to. lots of love from haiti!

- d and k

Saturday, June 12, 2010

First Impressions...

Driving to the airport in order to catch a 12:15am flight to Toronto came with a mix of different emotions. Sadness in that we are going to be away from Edmonton for a month, excitement in that we are about to embark on an adventure that would probably change both of lives, and peace in that we both knew that, no matter what, God is in control and everything is going to be alright, no matter how crazy Haiti is.

From D: My first real experience of heat happened when we stepped out of the airport in Fort Lauterdale, Florida. It was about 97farenheit there and humid on top of that. I knew that this was/is going to be a hot trip, but I never could have mentally prepared myself for this. Other than a nice band, the heat was really my 'welcome to Haiti' as well... (that and some army trucks and a very chaotic baggage claim area.)
The YWAM base that we are at is not located in Port Au Prince, it is about a 2 hour drive North. This drive really opened my eyes... we passed through many cities as well as villages... some of these cities (now called 'tent-cities') are just that: tents housing refugees. Many of those people lost loved ones in the earthquake and now live with their families in tents. Along with this, these tent-cities are quite dangerous (especially in PAP), as there is not much avaliable and everyone has to share what little they have.
We did not arrive in St Marc until it was dark, which was difficult because we were not really able to adjust to being in this new place and had to kind of 'guess' where everything is. The base is beautiful, across the street from the ocean with a large grass field, a swimming pool, an arena and lots of room for tents... we were put up in a concrete room with a large open door and large open windows, this made our first night quite difficult... I will let Kirsten tell the rest of the story:

Kirsten: I thought that my worst sleeping memory of my life was going to be in Kyle's single bed with Daunavan on our 2nd last night of our honeymoon, but last night trumps, hands down. Kyle, I will voluntarily sleep in your bed with D, anytime! Haitians are quite loud at night, and we heard that for every 4 or 5 church services at night, there is 1 voodoo service. So, needless to say, we were the ones at fault when we thought that on the packing list when they said earplugs, we said nah... so the sun sets here at 7pm and by then it's completely dark, which is nice because our mornings start at 6:30am. Thank you for your prayers as last night I was ready to wake up and book a flight out of here as soon as possible!
Anyways, today was a way better day as we enjoyed each other and got used to the heat and the people. Prayers for safety in the heat and with the bugs would be appreciated, as well as spiritually as well. The days will get better, it just took some time getting used to everything!
Love you all lots!
- D and K