Hello December, and Hello Advent

What's that? It's already December? That means two things: Ezra's first birthday is right around the corner and Christmas is too. We picked our Christmas tree, wreath, and started putting up decorations (see later in this post). More pictures to come this weekend once we get it all set up.

We're trying to start new family traditions for this time of the year, and to start, Jessica made our first Advent calendar for Ezra in the form of scrapbook paper turned into envelopes (so crafty). Inside each numbered envelope is an activity for our family and an easy memory verse. The "calendar" is hung up underneath our kitchen island counter by ribbon and mini clothes pins--just high enough out of Ezra's grasp but close enough to draw interest. What kind of traditions did you have growing up and what new things do you do now? We hope our example encourages you to start some of your own.

Our Family Advent Calendar

1) Make a paper chain.
       Ephesians 6:1 -- Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2) Popcorn and a Christmas movie.
       John 10:11 -- I am the good shepherd.

3) Have a cookie decorating party with friends.
       Psalm 138:1 -- I will praise thee with my whole heart.

4) Put up Christmas decorations.
       Luke 6:31 -- Do to others as you would have them do to you.

5) Set up the Nativity.
       Psalm 136:1 -- Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

6) Write a letter to Santa.
       Philippians 4:4 -- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

7) Go to the library and pick out new Christmas books.
       Philippians 4:13 -- I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

8) Read a new Christmas book.
       Psalm 119:105 -- Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

9) Pick out our Christmas tree.
       Psalm 118:24 -- This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

10) Ride on the Santa train.
       James 1:17 -- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

11) Attend the Christmas musical at Good Hope Baptist Church.
       Matthew 28:20 -- I am always with you.

12) Decorate the Christmas tree.
       Psalm 56:3 -- What time I am afraid, I will trust in you.

13) Make hand print reindeer.
       I John 3:23 -- Love one another.

14) Dance to Christmas music.
       Ephesians 4:32 -- Be kind to one another.

15) Make hand print tree ornaments.
       Acts 16:31 -- Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.

16) Buy food to donate to the food pantry.
       Matthew 5:14 -- You are the light of the world.

17) Go caroling with Good Hope Baptist Church.
       Romans 3:23 -- All people have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

18) Make a Christmas card for someone you love.
       Colossians 3:20 -- Children, obey your parents in all things.

19) Wrap hand print ornaments to give to your grandparents.
       Psalm 145:9 -- The Lord is good to all.

20) Wrap Christmas presents.
       Romans 10:13 -- Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

21) Open your new Christmas ornament.
       Proverbs 3:5 -- Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

22) Have a picnic dinner in front of the tree.
       I John 5:3 -- This is love for God: to obey His commandments.

23) Drink hot chocolate while driving around looking at Christmas lights.
       Colossians 3:16 -- Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

24) Read The Night Before Christmas.
       Psalm 150:6 -- Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

25) Read the story of the birth of Jesus.
       Hebrews 13:8 -- Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

The Christmas Tree: It Begins

Hope for Haiti (Port-au-Prince)

Neither words nor pictures can accurately or adequately capture my experience in Haiti. Nearly two years ago, a massive earthquake destroyed countless buildings and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Haiti was and is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, and the disaster brought this tiny country in the spotlight for a brief moment--long enough to bring awareness of the great need that existed before the earthquake and the one that still exists today. As one who has a first-hand account of its current state, it is my responsibility to bring awareness today, even though the media spotlight has faded.

Earlier this year, my church missions team (that I am now a part of) announced that a team would be sent to Haiti in the fall. God's calling on my heart was immediate, clear, and I knew that I was supposed to join. Our team joined as Team #95 of the North Carolina Baptist Men who had an existing presence in Haiti shortly after the earthquake in January of 2010. Good Hope sent a team of 16 (a true cross-section of our church in age, gender, ethnicity, trade, and personality) to serve in a construction and medical capacity for the purpose of helping the people of Haiti. Our mission was clear and was two-fold:

1) Help those who had physical needs by way of shelter and medical care
2) Provide for those in spiritual need by sharing the gospel of Christ to anyone who wanted to hear.

Our time in Haiti was an unbelievable experience. Never in our lives have we witnessed anything so moving or worked so hard for such amazing and appreciative people. We arrived in Haiti in shock and left with HOPE. We saw it in the eyes of everyone we encountered. In one short week, we feel like we made an impact:

2 homes constructed. 1,598 patients seen (111,026 to date). 22 souls won for Christ (1,444 to date).

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Port-au-Prince

Upon arrival in Port-au-Prince, the poverty and conditions were indescribable. As we made our way to home base, we drove through streets covered with waste and thousands living in "tent cities."

 

The Compound

Thirty minutes up the coast via Rue 1, our compound was located in the small town of Titanyen. The 60+ acre facility was constructed by Global Outreach and currently utilized by the Samaritan's Purse and NC Baptist Men. Our accommodations far exceeded our expectations; we were hosted by a wonderful couple named, Mr. Bobby and Mrs. Wanda Temple of Creedmoor, NC, who in their retirement, were called to full-time international missions.

 Sunrise

Mama Wanda

Previous Teams (beginning in January 2010)

Men's Bunk Area

 Overlooking Port-au-Prince

Construction Mission

Our teams were split between construction and medical. I was fortunate enough to be able to split my time evenly between the two teams. The construction team spent the week at one location: the Bon Repos neighborhood in Port-au-Prince. This was the chosen site of the permanent structure(s) we built during the week. There were two qualifications for home sites: 1) the recipient had to own the land and 2) the original home was destroyed by the earthquake. Local Haitian masons were hired by the organization, and we as volunteers, we gave our labor by assisting the masons (sifting sand, getting and hauling water from local wells, shoveling brick mortar, transporting cinder blocks, etc).

Medical Mission

Two medical teams, Alpha and Omega, were led by three amazing Haitian physicians: Dr. Vladimyr Roseau and Dr. Merline Milien (engaged couple), and Dr. Francis Milien (Dr. Merline's sister). Each day, the two teams would go separate ways and set up mobile clinics in different locations. The schedule during the week was as follows:

Monday, October 10 -- Alpha: Cite Soleil | Omega: Bon Repos
Tuesday, October 11 -- Alpha: Cabaret | Omega: Titanyen
Wednesday, October 12 -- Alpha & Omega: Mountain clinic
Thursday, October 13 -- Alpha: Casale and Germain | Omega: Tent City Clinics
Friday, October 13 -- Alpha: Arcahaie | Omega: Luly

Orphanage in Lizon

On our last day, we were able to visit a local orphanage. Twenty five children (ages 5-12) lived in the house. We were greeted with smiles and excitement. Hearts were melted and broken.

The children sing for us.

 

Dr. Vlad & Dr. Merline's Land

Sometime after the dynamic duo are married, they plan to build a home on a piece of land they purchased. The views were breathtaking. Nearby children stopped to greet us to take pictures and play. We taught them how to play Duck-Duck-Goose except in Haitian Creole. Dr. Vlad didn't know what a goose was, so instead we played Kana-Kana-Bef (translated Duck-Duck-Cow).

Bare bottom

A fitting end to the week.