READ WHAT SPURGEON HAD TO SAY ABOUT GIVING

"Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house."

- Hag_1:9

Churlish (rude or miser) souls stint their contributions to the ministry and missionary operations, and call such saving good economy; little do they dream that they are thus impoverishing themselves. Their excuse is that they must care for their own families, and they forget that to neglect the house of God is the sure way to bring ruin upon their own houses. Our God has a method in providence by which he can succeed our endeavours beyond our expectation, or can defeat our plans to our confusion and dismay; by a turn of his hand he can steer our vessel in a profitable channel, or run it aground in poverty and bankruptcy. It is the teaching of Scripture that the Lord enriches the liberal and leaves the miserly to find out that withholding tendeth to poverty. In a very wide sphere of observation, I have noticed that the most generous Christians of my acquaintance have been always the most happy, and almost invariably the most prosperous. I have seen the liberal giver rise to wealth of which he never dreamed; and I have as often seen the mean, ungenerous churl descend to poverty by the very parsimony by which he thought to rise. Men trust good stewards with larger and larger sums, and so it frequently is with the Lord; he gives by cartloads to those who give by bushels. Where wealth is not bestowed the Lord makes the little much by the contentment which the sanctified heart feels in a portion of which the tithe has been dedicated to the Lord. Selfishness looks first at home, but godliness seeks first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, yet in the long run selfishness is loss, and godliness is great gain. It needs faith to act towards our God with an open hand, but surely he deserves it of us; and all that we can do is a very poor acknowledgment of our amazing indebtedness to his goodness.

I have seen the liberal giver rise to wealth of which he never dreamed; and I have as often seen the mean, ungenerous churl descend to poverty by the very parsimony by which he thought to rise. Men trust good stewards with larger and larger sums, and so it frequently is with the Lord; he gives by cartloads to those who give by bushels. Where wealth is not bestowed the Lord makes the little much by the contentment which the sanctified heart feels in a portion of which the tithe has been dedicated to the Lord. Selfishness looks first at home, but godliness seeks first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, yet in the long run selfishness is loss, and godliness is great gain. It needs faith to act towards our God with an open hand, but surely he deserves it of us; and all that we can do is a very poor acknowledgment of our amazing indebtedness to his goodness.

In uncertain economic days we must trust in the Lord and realize that we live by what we give. Jas 1:27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. NLT ……..Carolyn

 

 

 

 

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON HAITI’S HIGHWAY

We had an adventure yesterday. We had to work Agape mail, as did a friend of ours from a mission north of us. Karen got to our place, we started out nice and early, arrived in Port in good fashion. Karen had some business to do, we had some business as well, got that all done and on to Agape. We worked our hour and a half, no problem, in fact boring as there were not many customers to wait on. When we finished there at 1:30PM, we went to eat lunch (across the street). Lunch, in case you are wondering, consisted of a cheese sandwich for me (Gary has meat on his) a small cup of Haitian coffee, and a coke. (Plenty of caffeine). Back in the truck to the Caribbean Super Market. We took our time shopping because this was our first trip there since we arrived in Haiti on the 5^th of September. (It's the only place we can purchase meat and a few American items not found anyplace else).

When we left the Caribbean, Gary decided to go out of Port the back way because the traffic would be horrific on Delmas. Well, the traffic was more than horrific on this back way. It's a long way out of town and we crept along, sitting for long periods and for what reason we still don't know. By now it was after four, and it gets dark at 5:30 and we aren't close to getting out of the city. (NO one ever wants to be in Port on the roads after dark). When we got to the main road, Gary decided not to go through Bon Repot because of traffic so he went left to the shorter way out of town, which was a longer way because we were far away from the shorter way, but that's what we did. Finally, after 5 PM we were headed to the highway.

Darkness dropped on us quickly as it always does but there were lots of dark clouds in the sky so it wasn't long until it was raining. Not a good thing either in the dark on the highway. Since construction has begun on our new highway there are piles of rocks that cut the road in half (because they are working on drainage systems, very important but can be quite hazardous when the road is cut down to a one way.

When we got about an hour from St Marc, traffic came to a dead stop. People were milling around and it was evident there was an accident ahead. Two trucks tried to pass one another in an area where there was a rock pile. Impossible! They collided. No one was hurt, we understand, but here we sat, in the rain, in the dark, and could go nowhere. Gary finally got out, walked to the accident site, came back with this report. If they would move the rock pile all traffic could get through. But no one would touch the rocks, they weren't their rocks to touch.

We waited until a policeman came. He moved all traffic to one side saying there was a truck coming to move the trucks. Now we were pinned in. Karen, in the meantime, called her Haitian assistant to come with his truck to get her. He was coming from De Shappelles which is about an hour or more from St Marc. We knew that if we could get turned around, we could go back to Montrouis, to Mike and Marions' house and spend the night. But, we had to wait with Karen and we were pinned in.

The rain fell harder. A guy came by selling Conche(snails with hot sauce) and of course, we weren't interested. It would have been nice had someone come by with water, but no one thought of it, I suppose. We did get a laugh out of the fact that this little business man was seizing an opportunity.

Finally, Karen's guy called to say he was on the other side of the blockage, Gary went to meet him to bring him to Karen. Karen and I discussed the fact that we didn't think things through clearly, as she should have gone with Gary but there are always those "duh" moments in what we considered a crisis.

Karen gone, we sat with the rain pouring and thoughts of "we could sleep here, couldn't we?" When thirst was about to overtake me, I remembered buying two bottles of grape juice. Gary got out in the dark, rummaged through the groceries and found them. Ah, relief from thirst!!! Now what? He decided that if the guy in front of us would pull up he could swing between two big trucks that were beside us. The guy wasn't around.

Several young men approached us to say they would show us the route to St Marc. They were pesty and this was becoming a tense situation. Just about the time Gary emphatically said, "NO" (because there was no other route to St Marc, we knew that). The truck in front of us not only moved up but moved out completely. It didn't take a rocket scientist to tell us to get out of there quickly now that there was room for us to swing between the big trucks. The thugs were still trying to stop us and get us to listen to them. We were out of there and on our way to Mike and Marion's house.

Gary was wet, we were both tired, the truck had to be unloaded of groceries (ours and Karen's). Mike and Marion asked if we'd like to sleep on air mattresses, yes that would be fine. They blew them up, we plopped down with our clothes on, and had a night's rest. This morning, we made our way back to St Marc. Had the moved the trucks?? No, they moved the rocks!!!!

IT RAINED LAST NIGHT!

We were getting desperate. The heat and humidity was doing us in and all of a sudden thunder in the distance. Then lightening and more thunder, closer this time. Before we realized it a rain!! Beautiful, wonderful, cooling rain. Our night was easier for sleeping, and no sweating. We are blessed to always have a fan compared to the hundreds of Haitians who have no means of relief. Kevin said he sleeps on the bed a while, then the floor, then back on the bed. It is certain that whenever you complain there is someone who has it worse than you do. No wonder God got so angry with the Israelites and their complaining against Him!

Gary is on his way to Port today. It's mail day and he also will purchase paint for the school. It's time to put a new face on the walls. Not a cheap venture. Thanks to Nancy Hibbard who raised the money for this project.

Yesterday, Gary and I decided to go to the store about 4:30 PM and pick up peanut butter and a couple other things. I've said before, going to the store takes about an hour and most of that time is driving. Anyway, we went, were almost back home when the phone rang. The bunk beds for the orphanage were finished and needed to be picked up. So, we were on to the welding shop to get them. When I say it, what comes to your mind is not what it is. This shop is totally outside, welders wear sun glasses, each have their own particular job to do, all sit waiting for their special job. Located on a street near the electric company is "welding row", as I call it, because there is electricity there most of the time. ( I wonder if they pay a bill? Or tap into others' power? I'll vote on the second thought because it is the right answer).

As we rocked and bumped our way to the welding shop, we didn't consider the situation we'd have. Three sets of bunk beds, only one would fit in the truck. A tap tap driver spoke up, "I'll take the other two beds for you , for 100 Haitian." Gary said no, he'd give him 50. The guy said no, he wanted a hundred, so Gary said, too much, that he'd do it himself. As we fought traffic, the pot holes, people and dust all the way to MacDonald, I questioned why he didn't just give the guy the 100 dollars because this was going to take us hours, going back and forth. NO WAY! Said Gary. Too much! (One of the many differences between he and I is that the price of 100 H in my opinion is not too much to pay for convenience in a very inconvenient city----it would have been about 12.50 USD and the distance between the welding shop and orphanage is about five miles of long difficult driving………not too much, I say).

I was "COMPLAINING" about this taking us all night (exaggeration) Gary had a brilliant idea (maybe to shut me up?) and made a phone call to Yvesner, asking him if he'd mind using his truck to get one of the beds and that Gary would meet him at the welding ship and get the third one. Ahh, good idea Gary. It was still going to be at least two more hours before we would see home. (I decided rather than have my brains shaken from rocking back and forth in the truck on the second trip, to visit Bev and Barb while Gary made his second trip). When he got to the welding shop, the tap tap driver had both beds on his pick up truck. He said, "I'll deliver for 50." NOPE, I got my guy here who wil take one and I'll take the other. You lost the job by not accepting 50 on the first trip! So, the tap tap driver went away sad, Gary was glad and put one bed in his truck and one bed in Yvesner truck, and both lumbered to MacDonald. It was 8:30PM when we got home from out "trip to the store."

But! the orphan boys were thrilled with their bunk beds and Gary was able to go to Port this morning without having to think about beds on top of everything else he has to think about, I had a visit with Bev and Barb and it even rained last night!

Bible School

Wonderful Sunday

Sunday morning, quiet and alone in the room, although everyone else is in the kitchen, fellowshipping around breakfast and some good smelling bisquits that Carol made. It's causing my stomach to growl but sometimes, you just have to tell your stomach to be quiet. I remember the first time I heard that statement. When I asked Petty Tom what they did when they were hungry (during the years without a job), he said "I tell my stomach to be quiet." Could that be a long lost secret to weight loss?

Yesterday we opened our first teaching session of Bible school with worshipping the Lord, spending more time at it than an opening song and prayer. Oh my! His presence descended and we had a hard time stopping. I placed it on Youtube: walkersable is the name of our site. It's also on Facebook, just a brief glimpse into our time of singing which remains with me today.

On Saturday we all meet here for a Haitian meal and fellowship, about the only time all of us get together and now there are nine at the table. (Nancy Hibbard, Carol and Spencer Horrigan, Dan Joshu, Al and Bev Carpenter, Barb Macleod, Gary and I) Bev brought Pablo because his coughing is quite intense and the nanny isn't real good with sick children. He is so tiny we forget he's two years old. The other reason for Bev's precaution was the death of a little girl Barb had in her house for two days. The child was nine months old and weighed nine pounds. Barb wanted to get her to the Cuban doctors but death intervened. It happened about three in the morning. Barb got up to her crying, gave her a drink of water and a few minutes later she was gone. This is the second child Barb has had die while in her care. That's a pretty big load to carry. Haiti and death go hand in hand and it can be very hard to live here. The little girl had never been fed breast milk or any milk for that matter. The poor Haitians give a newborn a porridge made of flour, that's all. How can that sustain life? Your question may be, why didn't they nurse her. Most often the malnourished mother has not milk and peasants do what they've seen their family members do. Barb didn't know anything about this child early enough to really rescue her. Of course, our conversation centered around what we could do and how it all boils down to money. Solomon said: Ecc 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything.

And the Word tells us that God supplies all our need. We have a place for boys, we need a place for girls. There is nothing like planting in famine and reaping a harvest. This House of Hope was birthed right at the time of the economic crisis and it will go on and prosper in the name of Jesus. We will see another house for girls.

 

Aside from that, Bible school was glorious yesterday. We were thrilled at the attention of the students, the presence of the Lord and the joy of sharing the Word of God. You know how it is when things you do "feel good". In spite of the heat we were intense as we taught. Even Kevin, who is recovering from Bells Palsy was very intense as he translated for me.

 

Yesterday reminded me there is no place else I'd rather be than here, laboring in this vineyard. May you all have a wonderful day, worshiping the Lord!

We had the most fun yesterday in my classroom. I brought a floor puzzle back with me of the world. It's foam, each piece about a half inch thick. When worked it's quite large. We all got on the floor and we all worked together getting it done. When it was done, they laid down on it as though it were a mat for sleeping (two boys could fit at one time).

In a classroom of five boys and one girl, you all can pray for me. I'm working without an interpreter so they are learning English and they are learning to respond to my limited Creole. (I know I should know the language by now, but it is very difficult due to hearing problems and a multitude of other things that I need to remember all the time-----that's my excuse, anyway).

I don't have pictures of the puzzle working effort but I do have a request. We need floor puzzles. As I watched them working together and cooperating with one another, I realized there were many positive things going on in their minds and hearts. If any of you can acquire them, whether new or used, make sure all pieces are there. We have one they worked on the other day and when they finished about four pieces were missing which is very disappointing.

On another note; we had to take our newest boy at the orphanage, Pablo, to the Dr. He has pneumonia. With the medication and prayer, we are sure he will recover quickly.

Have a blessed day!

TWO NEW BOYS AT ORPHANAGE

We were given a nice donation which opened the door to bringing in two new children. These boys have been on a medical mamba (peanut butter loaded with vitamins and minerals for severely malnourished babies) but Bev Carpenter noticed that once off the program they were dealing with hunger again. The day we decided to take them, the mother gave them to the orphanage. They didn't cry for her at all which is not uncommon when "home" (no food, furniture, or attention) has nothing to offer. Now, Peter, our little guy who was dying in May, has playmates. These two boys are three and two and you can see from the pictures, they are way undersized for their ages. Thanks to the donor for the gift of love which is giving life to two very special boys!

Friday Chapel

We had a wonderful time worshiping the Lord today at El Shaddai. Everyone (almost everyone) was singing with their whole hearts to the Lord. We were about ready to close when I felt the Holy Spirit wanted me ask Farona and Kevin come up for prayer. They did. Daniel prayed for their healing. Farona has a rapid heart beat and it hurts but of course, Dr's here can find nothing wrong and Kevin has been stricken with Bells Palsy. We declare both are healed. But greater than that, one of the teenage boys said he wanted to get saved!!!! He came up even at the laughter of a couple of his friends. Pastor Samuel (who came today just to worship with us) prayed over him. GLORY HALLELUIA! Today will long be remembered by me. God is so good!! Good news is to be shared. Tomorrow Bible school begins!!!! Dan I know you are reading this, and I know you are rejoicing!

We went from being crowded in the other building to our new building just for the little ones.

Hello Mommy, I'm not crying anymore.

Newsletter

Hi Everyone,

We got back to Haiti and was hit, not with a hurricane, but with the most intense heat we've ever had.  Day after day, temperatures are in the 90's with humidity high in the 80's.  The heat index is reaching as  high or higher than 133 degrees.  I made the statement the other evening that I was glistening, not with the presence of God but with sweat!  So, now the standard joke is, "I'm beginning to glisten."  It does cool off about 4 AM and for that we praise the Lord. 

El Shaddai is now in full swing with 73 students!  We don't know where they came from but they've come.  We grew by 20 children this year.  You may or may not know that we acquired another house and decided to put the pre-school, kindergarten and first grade in it.  With 29 kids and five teachers, the three room block house is filled, most of the children are pre-school.  Cute as they can be!

  It's an  honor to be able to sow love into their little lives.  Love being; instruction, correction and order.  Few have that at home.  Last year, there was a break down in nap time.  This year, I insisted and after the first week the little ones go willingly to their nap after lunch.  One little girl had orange hair from malnutrition and her skin color didn't look right. In one week, vitamins and daily food, has changed her hair and skin color.  I'm always amazed at how quickly children change when they have nutrition.  We could use chewable children's vitamins.  If you can acquire them, it would be great.  Our supply will only last another month.

With Carol Horrigan (from Iowa) and Nancy Hibbard from Wisconsin, we are meeting the needs of children who struggle in school.  Carol has six children that either struggle with reading or math.  One is ADD, the others just need one on one attention.  Nancy, being bi-lingual, has the non-English speaking older boys who really weren't doing well last year. She has six students as well.  With them carrying that load, the other classes are flowing nicely.  Dan Joshu is coming back in a week or so for the high school kids.

The Carpenters are working hard at keeping the orphanage flowing smoothly.  We are getting ready to take in two more boys, one four and one two years of age. Both are in diapers, so they are very needy.  (They don't wear diapers now, they have no guidance or training but run naked all day and barely have enough to eat at anytime. The four year old looks two.  Please pray with us as we begin preparing for them to come into the home.  Three of the boys we started with are now in Haitian school.  Peter is doing well, no pictures because we've not had the time to visit the home.  The beauty of having a couple like Al and Bev is knowing they are doing a work for the Lord with excellence. 

I just had a chat with a former student, who is now in New Jersey.  As I read his comments, I had to thank God and I hope  you see the importance of what we do.  This young man came to us in early 2008.  His mother sent him to an uncle in Haiti, because he wasn't doing his school work, was staying out late, no drugs but had been caught stealing.  When we enrolled at ESLC,  we thought he was a nice boy but he kept trying to beat our system of teaching and failed everything.  Then he received Christ.  A total change in attitude and work ethic. The second year he worked during school and after school and got to grade level.  His mother agreed to take him back.  We chatted via Facebook all summer and last night this is what he said:  Thanks to El Shaddai, I am finding everything but chemistry easy. I'm beginning to feel like a "geek" because I answer so many questions in school.  Sometimes, I decide to sit there and be quiet.  He's active in church, even speaking to his peers on occasion! 

You've heard us speak of Kesmy, the boy with no arms.  He came from an extremely poor, voudou village, in the Artibonite Valley.  He is now in college in Michigan.  He loves the Lord and desires to be in ministry. His goal is to go to Moody Bible Institute.  


These successes are what makes our mission worth while.  So, as I struggle with four ornery boys in first grade (and one sweet girl), I keep my mind on the fact that one day, they too, will be iout of high school, serving the Lord with gladness and will be leaders in their generation for Christ.    

 
Bible school starts on Saturday.  We are very excited to welcome new and continuing students.  We should have at least 100 this year.  Carol Horrigan will teach Old Testament Survey to the whole school, Barbara Macleod will teach incoming students. I'll have second year students and Gary will teach third year students. 

We also have an opportunity to open an International College of Excellence course and are in the  process of planning just how to schedule it before we begin enrollment.

Please continue to pray for us.  Our biggest need right now is another vehicle!  Please look at the attached pictures.  If we had $6000 dollars we could purchase a bus that would help us tremendously (but purchasing used vehicles is so tricky here because they are usually worn out, have hidden problems and cause a lot of headaches later). If we had 26K we could buy a sixteen passenger van.  Right now, all our American staff and any teams coming in have to ride in the back our our truck, it's hot, dirty, and makes traveling very difficult. 

Thank you all for reading this email.  I'm beginning to glisten so I'll sign off and head to a cold shower.

In Him,
Pastor Gary and Carolyn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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