The Shepherds Are Haiti Bound!

Well, this is our first family/ministry blog!  We hope that it will be the first of many, but we are not used to this blogging thing and pray that you stick with us as we learn how to navigate this new tool to keep you all updated on what God is doing through us by your constant prayers, encouragement and support.

There are so many exciting things going on in our lives right now.  It is easy for us to become overwhelmed with all that God is doing, as well as all the things Maria, Caleb and I need to accomplish.  It is hard to believe that our target date to move is only 6 months away.

Hopefully we can master this blogging thing in that time.  Our goal is to send out consistent updates regarding our praises, trials, and prayer requests.  There will be a place for comments at the bottom of each post.  Please feel free to comment as much as you want.  I am sure we will take delight in hearing from you.

This initial blog is sort of a test for me, so I can try and get a handle on what our family needs to do to make these blogs happen.  LOL  Over time you will be getting posts from our entire family on how life is going in Haiti and what God is teaching each of us.

Please fell free to share our posts and requests with anyone you think might be encouraged by what God is doing through this ministry and our family.  There is a box on the right that allows you to sign up to get every new post delivered to you by email.  I will leave this first post with some pictures of the beautiful souls we serve and have been called to disciple.  We love you all so much.

Bondye Beni ou, (God bless you in Creole)

The Shepherds
Greg, Maria and Caleb

         

 
 

Seeking Hope At The Airport

Hello!  I am sitting at the airport waiting for my flight from Miami to Haiti.  It's been a long time since we have posted something.  Things have been so crazy.  Some good...some bad.  I will claim Romans 8:28 on that last statement.  There is no doubt that the blessings in my life, the life of my family and this ministry definitely outweigh anything that I have considered bad.  I am consistently reminded that I am just passing through this world.  I am not here for a very long time...next to eternity.  I am reminded every time I step foot on the ground in Haiti.

You see, one of the most amazing experiences I, and the rest of the teams that go to Haiti with us is the overwhelming sense of Hope that the followers of Jesus in Haiti have.  It is a hope that I desire with every ounce of my soul.  It is a hope that very few people I come in contact with in America has.  Please understand that I am not judging anyone, or condemning those who profess Jesus as Lord as ones who have no hope.  What I am trying to explain is the hope found in those who follow Jesus in Haiti is different and more noticeable.

Let me try and explain why.  We in the United States have to much to put our hope in.  Seriously, try to catch yourself in your conversations to recognize the times you say the word "hope."  We hope to get a new car.  We hope to get a new job.  We hope to get a raise.  We hope to go to the beach.  We hope to go on vacation.  We hope to get a promotion.  We hop to get a new XBOX game.  We hope we don't get called to serve in preschool (how many people did that one just relate to).  We hope are kids get a good education.  We hope our kids are safe.  We hope our kids go to college.  We hope.  We hope.  We hope.

Spending just a couple days in Haiti with those who believe in Jesus Christ, those who believe the Bible to be God's Truth, you will quickly realize that their hope is different than ours.  There hope is more expressive.  Their hope is more genuine.  Their hope is more apparent.  Their Hope is the only Hope found in Jesus Christ.  Their only hope is in the words of the Bible and God's truth and love for us.  Their hope is anchored in the promises of God.

Their hope and our hope (for the most part) is very different.  Their lifestyles, culture, economic climate is very different.  They do not have the things of our world to place their hope in.  Which is not a bad thing.  To be honest, I am almost jealous of their hope.  It is the pure hope that I want for myself and my family.  It is the hope that I desire for my friends.  It is the hope that I desire for all those in Christ no matter what country they live in.  What are you putting your hope in today?

Meet Bénél (Part II)

Upon hearing Bénél's story, the team was deeply moved.  Greg Shepherd (founder of RTS Missions) asked Pastor Eric, very specifically, to watch closely over Bénél.  He made sure that Pastor Eric had money to get a uniform and school supplies for Bénél.  He asked if the team could possibly meet this special young man's family.   A few fifty pound bags of rice were purchased and, on Thursday after VBS, we set out to Bénél's house.

Bénél was able to ride in the van with the mission team, and he seemed to be bursting with pride.   Despite the language barrier at times, he could feel our love for him and he seemed excited to show us where he lived.  The ride was, easily, a couple of miles; he walks it to school every day.  We turned off the paved road and began to drive down a rocky path.  It came to an end and we emerged from the van in one of the most picturesque valleys I've seen.  A small trail led around a little hill and we came upon Bénél's home...

Even by Haiti's norms, this house was quite primitive.  Sticks were woven together to create walls and the roof was made of thatched branches.   It didn't go unnoticed, though, that it was immaculately maintained.  The ground around it was freshly swept and tidy,  clean laundry was hung in a separate cleaning area, and  banana trees seemed to have been strategically planted to help shelter the hut from the elements.  Bénél's family didn't have much, but they clearly took pride in their little home.  His parents stood, smiling, outside the front door, eager to greet us and offer their hospitality.  They didn't seem shocked or offended that 12 Americans showed up that day.  They smiled as Pastor Greg spoke to them through a translator.

"We see how well you have raised your son," he said.  Bénél's mother smiled with tears in her eyes and pointed up to heaven.  She was giving God the glory for her son's exceptional character.  After some time outside, they invited us into their home to pray.   We humbly entered the 150 square foot (max) home (which houses a family of seven).  Our time of prayer was intimate and can't adequately be described in words.  Needless to say, many tears were shed.  As strange as it may seem, the tears didn't seem to fall out of sadness for their poverty... the tears were acknowledging how truly rich this family is in the LORD. 

We left them with the large bags of rice and some treats for Bénél's younger siblings.  They smiled, hugged us and waved as we left.  It was later noted by Pastor Eric that Bénél's family had been without food for quite some time.  It was also conveyed to us that they would not keep this desperately needed sustenance for themselves; they would share with the other needy families who lived in their area.  

On the last day of VBS, parents came to meet us and watch a variety show that the children had prepared.   Bénél's parents attended - dressed in their very best clothes, smiling with (what I believe was) a combination of joy, humility and gratitude.  I think they know what we know: Bénél has the potential to do great and mighty things for the Kingdom.   

Please join us in praying for Bénél and his family.