Time flies... stuff happens....update finally written.... hiphiphooray!

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind.  Our DTS group split into mini teams to set up medical clinics and build water tanks around the nation.  God continuously blew our minds.  Dozens of people were healed, a witch doctor and his ‘sidekick’ came to Jesus and renounced their voodoo ways, and one girl, after learning about the importance of forgiveness, decided not to kill the man who had raped her.  The stories go on and on. 

Then just about a week ago I found out my Great Aunt Mildred was soon on her way to see Jesus.  By God’s grace, and against all odds, I got home just in time to see her before she left for the greatest and most glorious place.  Hurricane Emily that was projected to tear a path through Haiti ended up only blessing us with a few days of incredibly cool weather, so all of the airline problems that were expected never occurred.  It’s only God’s timing that allowed me to be there 24 hours before she passed to pray with her and just tell her I love her.  With 93 years of bringing joy into the lives of everyone she knew, Millie lived a good long life that I’m sure prepared her an immaculate castle in heaven. 

SO… I arrived in Dallas Saturday night, and returned to Haiti Tuesday afternoon.  It was a crazy quick trip.  I only had time tore realize that having ample fresh fruit to eat was what I miss about the luxuries of America.  Sure, there was running water… but it’s weird to bathe in your drinking water!  Ha!  Oh how living in a third world country can change your mind set.  I couldn’t even shower without turning off the water between lather and rinse.  It was difficult remembering to put the toilet paper in the toilet instead of in the trash can.  The refrigerator actually made the food/drinks cold.  I really know this to be true – my season of life right now is Haiti.  It is God ordained without a shadow of a doubt.  I know that I know I belong here for this time and so by God’s grace, all of those little luxuries from the US don’t really matter.  God provides us with what we need when we need it.

Before I start talking about our students, I just want to remind you what Youth With a Mission is all about and what the outline of the school looks like.  The goal of YWAM is to know God and make God known, all across the nations.  There is major emphasis on getting young people all over the globe.  Loren Cunningham, the founder of the organization so desired to see young people in different nations, being able to expand their knowledge of the world as they spread the love of Jesus.  I am involved in the most basic YWAM school called a DTS, or discipleship training school.  There is a 3 month training phase and then a 2 month outreach phase.  It’s hard to believe that in about 3 weeks our DTS family will split up into 6 different teams that will travel all around the world doing deeds for Jesus; medical clinics, water tanks, evangelism, kids ministries, and whatever else the Lord leads us to do. 

But seriously, I live in a house with nation changers.  The spirit of God is moving in big ways through our speakers, through worship, and through ministry times, and lives are being transformed.   It wasn’t until I was in Dallas… sitting at Starbucks with my mom, did I realize just how much I believe it all of the Haitian students here.   I couldn’t even talk to her about them without crying.  It is practically impossible to put it into words.  Many of the Haitian students have been pulled from ridiculously difficult circumstances, and their testimonies alone will impact countless lives.  One girl in our school, from the largest and most dangerous slum in the Americas, Cite Soleil, pierces darkness with her voice as she sings incredibly beautiful songs that she has written.  One man, a former witch doctor, is now out preaching on taptaps and sharing the testimony of God’s grace in his life.  One girl whose father died of cholera in December, is pressing into the hope and destiny that God has for her life.  One guy whose parents abandoned him and family rejected him is now birthing vision for an orphanage.  There are so many incredible, incredible people in this school.  I love each of them more than words do justice.  This outreach is only the beginning of the transformation they will not only bring their own nation, but to nations around the world.  You just wait for it.  Haiti is going to be a blessing to the nations. 

Just two nights ago we went into something we called a night of generosity.  Everyone prayed and asked God what exactly they could lay down at the cross for the good of their brothers and sisters trying to earn money for outreach.  From money to Macbook Pro laptops and iPods, to razors and sandals, people were laying down their rights to stuff to see God provide.  We had a $300 deposit deadline a week or so ago, and those that hadn’t quite met it had their name written on the board with exactly how much money they needed.  The total was a little over $3,000, and by the end of the night, every single person had that deposit amount covered!  It was the best example of the early church… everyone’s needs being met through the generosity from their brothers and sisters.  Miracle after miracle of God’s provision has been blowing us all away.  5 foreigners, including myself, felt God leading us to switch teams – from Africa team to Haiti team, that way the extra money could go towards sending more of the Haitians out!  So my outreach is now covered and I get to focus on trying to bring in more for my bros and sissys.

If any of you have a heart for Haiti or just for seeing young people spread Jesus to the nations, or know anyone that might, and want to support one for their outreach, just shoot me a message.  I can give you stories, backgrounds, amounts needed, or whatever it is you would like to know.  After that night of generosity I just have complete confidence that God will lay it on peoples’ hearts to give if that’s what needs to happen.  

I’m not sure if this really flows… but we have electricity and I need to get it out! WOO!  Praise God!

Blessings everyone!

Nicole