Our Cornerstone Clear Blue Team is in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. A military plane flew them there, and they are being housed there overnight. They will either be met there or in Miami by Bishop David Roller.
I praise Jesus for our wonderful team---I know they were a God-send and unspeakable blessing while they were there.
I praise Jesus for the amazing Free Methodist Church who have turned everything up side down, trting to make sure we got information.
I praise Jesus for these United States of America, and the compassion that flows from so many.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haiti Thursday
Just got off the phone with Bishop Roller. The evacuation from Haiti of our Clear Blue team is entirely dependent on the US Embassy based or urgency and need. We have no idea now when they will be home, just that they are on the list. Until then, we know they are providing valuable assistance, and being enabled by our powerful God.
Emails, tweets--any communication from Port au Prince is sketchy and one-sided. An email may a sentence or two, with no opportunity to dialogue or ask questions. No phone calls. So, we rely on sporadic information and are grateful when we get it. That will eventually change. No commercial air flights can go in or out. People ask if we are putting together a team to go down there---certainly not now. No one can. Only specified, qualified relief and military can get in and out.
Andy Yardy, a journalist and FMWM media director (creator of our Clear Blue videos), arrived in Haiti today by way of the Dominican Republic as a journalist. Hopefully he will be able to provide news shortly, and perhaps even a video for Sunday
As I am writing this, an email came in from Bishop Roller. I will conclude with info from him:
We continue to be in prayer for our Haitian brothers and sisters in crisis. Here are some recent developments:
► Jack Munos and Katie Zook were airlifted from Guantanamo Bay last night because their conditions were deemed more serious than originally thought. They arrived in Miami early this morning. Pacific Northwest Superintendent Matt Whitehead is at the hospital and reports both are doing well. They are in ICU but alert. Both have been suffered quite a bit of trauma but "we can be encouraged that God is answering prayer." Katie's family is now at the hospital and has been a great encouragement to her. I was able to speak to Jack for a few moments by phone and encourage him with, "Well done good and faithful servant." Jack asks us to not give up hope on Jeanne even though he recognizes her rescue would require a miracle.
► The Free Methodist World Missions team, together with the Board of Bishops, are working to produce a short video for use in FM churches on Sunday. I (Bishop Roller) will be the face of the video but will be representing the broad spectrum of Free Methodists with ministry in Haiti. Remember that International Child Care Ministries, Clear Blue Global Water Project, FOHO (work teams), Eden Reforestation and other FM-related ministries will be involved in our response. Please alert ministries to connect with us before developing independent plans.
► We are working to put together an exploratory team to travel to Haiti and connect with the Haitian church leaders. We will rely heavily on the wisdom of the Haitian church to create a response strategy and action plan. We also are working to make connections with other denominations and NGOs to participate in a coordinated response. We anticipate this exploratory team will provide a fuller assessment of the needs, as well as the best way for North-American teams to respond over the next months.
The next weeks and months will be filled with uncertainty and grief. At the same time, we know God will redeem and heal. He will make sense out what appears random and cruel. There will be opportunities for Haiti to be rebuilt as a new Haiti. Soon, unprecedented opportunities will open up in Haiti for the church to participate in building safer and better housing, more reliable infrastructure and a more just society. The Haitian FMC, which has always been intrinsically wholistic, will need our partnership. Get ready.
Bishop David Roller
Emails, tweets--any communication from Port au Prince is sketchy and one-sided. An email may a sentence or two, with no opportunity to dialogue or ask questions. No phone calls. So, we rely on sporadic information and are grateful when we get it. That will eventually change. No commercial air flights can go in or out. People ask if we are putting together a team to go down there---certainly not now. No one can. Only specified, qualified relief and military can get in and out.
Andy Yardy, a journalist and FMWM media director (creator of our Clear Blue videos), arrived in Haiti today by way of the Dominican Republic as a journalist. Hopefully he will be able to provide news shortly, and perhaps even a video for Sunday
As I am writing this, an email came in from Bishop Roller. I will conclude with info from him:
We continue to be in prayer for our Haitian brothers and sisters in crisis. Here are some recent developments:
► Jack Munos and Katie Zook were airlifted from Guantanamo Bay last night because their conditions were deemed more serious than originally thought. They arrived in Miami early this morning. Pacific Northwest Superintendent Matt Whitehead is at the hospital and reports both are doing well. They are in ICU but alert. Both have been suffered quite a bit of trauma but "we can be encouraged that God is answering prayer." Katie's family is now at the hospital and has been a great encouragement to her. I was able to speak to Jack for a few moments by phone and encourage him with, "Well done good and faithful servant." Jack asks us to not give up hope on Jeanne even though he recognizes her rescue would require a miracle.
► The Free Methodist World Missions team, together with the Board of Bishops, are working to produce a short video for use in FM churches on Sunday. I (Bishop Roller) will be the face of the video but will be representing the broad spectrum of Free Methodists with ministry in Haiti. Remember that International Child Care Ministries, Clear Blue Global Water Project, FOHO (work teams), Eden Reforestation and other FM-related ministries will be involved in our response. Please alert ministries to connect with us before developing independent plans.
► We are working to put together an exploratory team to travel to Haiti and connect with the Haitian church leaders. We will rely heavily on the wisdom of the Haitian church to create a response strategy and action plan. We also are working to make connections with other denominations and NGOs to participate in a coordinated response. We anticipate this exploratory team will provide a fuller assessment of the needs, as well as the best way for North-American teams to respond over the next months.
The next weeks and months will be filled with uncertainty and grief. At the same time, we know God will redeem and heal. He will make sense out what appears random and cruel. There will be opportunities for Haiti to be rebuilt as a new Haiti. Soon, unprecedented opportunities will open up in Haiti for the church to participate in building safer and better housing, more reliable infrastructure and a more just society. The Haitian FMC, which has always been intrinsically wholistic, will need our partnership. Get ready.
Bishop David Roller
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Haiti tragedy and Clear Blue Team--What We Know For Sure
The news is tragic. That is sure. The newscasters keep reminding us that everything is a guess, we know little for sure. I agree with that.But, we do know a couple of things for sure.
What we know for sure:
Our Clear Blue Team (arrived Monday) is safe. I just got an email from the US EMBASSY in Port au Prince on behalf of Bruce Oberlin, simply stating, "We are ok. Please contact our families." Pastor Arron Swenson just wrote and said to tell the people at Cornerstone that their people are doing fine, and providing tremendous help. They will be flown to Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, and from there to Miami. Bishop David Roller and Dale Woods from our missions department will meet them there for debriefing and crisis care.
* The FM Mission House in Port au Prince was destroyed in the earthquake. Three stories collapsed into one, and it is burning from the basement.
* Jeanne Munos was at the Mission House; she and two other FM mission workers who had just arrive from Lakeland, Florida on Tuesday, Merle West and Gene Dufor are missing and the search continues. Erlin, the young Haitian caretaker , was found and buried this morning. His wife and 3 year old son are physically ok.
* Jack Munos has several broken bones and kidney damage after being trapped under concrete for 6 hours. (He was at a construction site, not on site at the mission house when the earthquake hit.) Katie Zook, Jeanne’s assistant was buried under debris and has lacerations but no broken bones. Medi-Evac is evacuating Katie and Jack to Gitmo for medical attention.
* MANY wonderful Haitian pastors, their families, loved ones and friends need and deserve our united prayers for God’s mercy and help right now! HE knows where they are and can bring them aid! 80% of Haiti’s population live below the poverty level in dire need for the necessities of life on their best days!
* International Child Care Ministries supports more than 4000 children there, and sponsors 53 schools across the country, most near Port au Prince. Information about those children will be released as it becomes available.
Most importantly, God is still God. He still cares and still is working. When we feel like we can't trust the circumstances, we can trust His heart.
What we know for sure:
Our Clear Blue Team (arrived Monday) is safe. I just got an email from the US EMBASSY in Port au Prince on behalf of Bruce Oberlin, simply stating, "We are ok. Please contact our families." Pastor Arron Swenson just wrote and said to tell the people at Cornerstone that their people are doing fine, and providing tremendous help. They will be flown to Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, and from there to Miami. Bishop David Roller and Dale Woods from our missions department will meet them there for debriefing and crisis care.
* The FM Mission House in Port au Prince was destroyed in the earthquake. Three stories collapsed into one, and it is burning from the basement.
* Jeanne Munos was at the Mission House; she and two other FM mission workers who had just arrive from Lakeland, Florida on Tuesday, Merle West and Gene Dufor are missing and the search continues. Erlin, the young Haitian caretaker , was found and buried this morning. His wife and 3 year old son are physically ok.
* Jack Munos has several broken bones and kidney damage after being trapped under concrete for 6 hours. (He was at a construction site, not on site at the mission house when the earthquake hit.) Katie Zook, Jeanne’s assistant was buried under debris and has lacerations but no broken bones. Medi-Evac is evacuating Katie and Jack to Gitmo for medical attention.
* MANY wonderful Haitian pastors, their families, loved ones and friends need and deserve our united prayers for God’s mercy and help right now! HE knows where they are and can bring them aid! 80% of Haiti’s population live below the poverty level in dire need for the necessities of life on their best days!
* International Child Care Ministries supports more than 4000 children there, and sponsors 53 schools across the country, most near Port au Prince. Information about those children will be released as it becomes available.
Most importantly, God is still God. He still cares and still is working. When we feel like we can't trust the circumstances, we can trust His heart.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Struggle and Surrender
A couple of weeks ago I preached about God's desire to make us holy, and that it only comes through a journey begun and continued through surrender. It took me back to a poem I wrote years back when my struggle was at it's height. Then FINALLY. Finally surrender led to purpose, peace, and adventure:
When I was small I used to dream of days that lay ahead,
When plans and choices for my life would be exactly as I said.
But now that I have traveled to that place where I decide
I find this is the very place where heart and will collide.
My will is bent to follow you--my mind seeks out your way.
But You and I both know, my Lord, my heart is prone to stray.
I WANT to choose alone to live the life for which you died.
Please strengthen me, be my Resolve, when heart and will collide.
Jesus, beyond the strongest doubt You've truly won my heart.
You sheltered me, protected me...been with me from the start.
You're such a counselor and friend, an everpresent guide.
You still reach out with faith in me, when heart and will collide.
The collision of my heart and will--
A painful place of breaking.
Shape my broken pieces, Lord,
For the person YOU'RE creating.
My Savior, no other one holds claim or rights upon my heart
Like these I gladly give you now--my whole self, not just a part.
I set my will to follow You--You will always be my guide,
My heart and will together now in the love-knot you have tied.
--bgmy 1996
Father, here I am. Still surrendered and surrendering, and satisfied.
When I was small I used to dream of days that lay ahead,
When plans and choices for my life would be exactly as I said.
But now that I have traveled to that place where I decide
I find this is the very place where heart and will collide.
My will is bent to follow you--my mind seeks out your way.
But You and I both know, my Lord, my heart is prone to stray.
I WANT to choose alone to live the life for which you died.
Please strengthen me, be my Resolve, when heart and will collide.
Jesus, beyond the strongest doubt You've truly won my heart.
You sheltered me, protected me...been with me from the start.
You're such a counselor and friend, an everpresent guide.
You still reach out with faith in me, when heart and will collide.
The collision of my heart and will--
A painful place of breaking.
Shape my broken pieces, Lord,
For the person YOU'RE creating.
My Savior, no other one holds claim or rights upon my heart
Like these I gladly give you now--my whole self, not just a part.
I set my will to follow You--You will always be my guide,
My heart and will together now in the love-knot you have tied.
--bgmy 1996
Father, here I am. Still surrendered and surrendering, and satisfied.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tiger's in the Tank
You knew it, didn't you? Anyone who has witnessed two or three stories of betrayal, discovery and the accompanying blend of heartbreak and rage smelled something fishy about the Tiger Woods "accident" long before he owned his "transgressions." His attempted cover-up only gave fodder for the late night tv joke machines and the internet jokes that go viral in a nano-second. The jokesters seem to forget that, at bare minimum, four hearts have been crushed, four lives forever altered, two of them unsuspecting little children, with not a clue that a tsunami was beginning to batter the coastline of their safe home.
Yeah, I knew there was bad news coming sooner or later. Been there with too many people to not recognize the signs. Here's what I know for sure:
The wages of sin are death--every single time. No one ever sins without something dying. The death toll in Tiger's case is yet to be determined. Right now, the fatalities include trust, joy, dreams, innocence, reputation...
Money and prestige are a poor trade for character. Wonder how much less finances and fame Mrs. Tiger would be willing for her husband to have if she could get faithfulness and integrity she could take to the bank in return?
We are all the same under the skin. Pain rips away the differences between us. In the deepest pain, rich and poor, black and white, old and young, famous and unknown---we're all the same.
We all need redemption. A columnist suggested Tiger, a professed Buddhist,evidently needs to meditate more. She doesn't get it. Meditation can't pay the debt, change the heart, heal the wounds, make a new start. Tiger has nothing to offer that has any power in the ways that matter. He needs Someone to do for him and his family what he can never do on his own. He needs a Savior, Someone who can work in his heart and his wife's heart and over time do things that today seem completely out of reach.
Tiger and his family need my prayers. If he was my son or my brother, I wouldn't laugh or send jokes around about him. I wouldn't consider him a lost cause, I wouldn't point out all the things "I knew" were wrong about him long ago. I would be beating on the doors of heaven, pleading with God to move on his heart, to do a miracle, and to restore that family. To give those little children a father who will lead them to the Father.
Maybe I should do that for Tiger?
Yeah, I knew there was bad news coming sooner or later. Been there with too many people to not recognize the signs. Here's what I know for sure:
The wages of sin are death--every single time. No one ever sins without something dying. The death toll in Tiger's case is yet to be determined. Right now, the fatalities include trust, joy, dreams, innocence, reputation...
Money and prestige are a poor trade for character. Wonder how much less finances and fame Mrs. Tiger would be willing for her husband to have if she could get faithfulness and integrity she could take to the bank in return?
We are all the same under the skin. Pain rips away the differences between us. In the deepest pain, rich and poor, black and white, old and young, famous and unknown---we're all the same.
We all need redemption. A columnist suggested Tiger, a professed Buddhist,evidently needs to meditate more. She doesn't get it. Meditation can't pay the debt, change the heart, heal the wounds, make a new start. Tiger has nothing to offer that has any power in the ways that matter. He needs Someone to do for him and his family what he can never do on his own. He needs a Savior, Someone who can work in his heart and his wife's heart and over time do things that today seem completely out of reach.
Tiger and his family need my prayers. If he was my son or my brother, I wouldn't laugh or send jokes around about him. I wouldn't consider him a lost cause, I wouldn't point out all the things "I knew" were wrong about him long ago. I would be beating on the doors of heaven, pleading with God to move on his heart, to do a miracle, and to restore that family. To give those little children a father who will lead them to the Father.
Maybe I should do that for Tiger?
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