House of Prayer

Mark 11:17 - And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"

1 Corinthians - Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.


In three of the gospels, Jesus quotes His Father from Isaiah 56:7. I’ve always heard it said that if something is repeated in the Bible multiple times it is important. So even though the “Jerusalem’s great temple” is gone, God lives inside of us. We, His people, are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Because we are the temple of God or the house of God doesn’t that give Him the right to name us? He could have called us the house of praise and worship, the house of bible study or fellowship. All of which aren’t bad things they are good things. But, God called us to be a House of Prayer for all nations.



In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Apostle Paul directs all believers to "pray without ceasing." Did Paul really mean that we should give up all other activity and only give ourselves to prayer? That we should pray 24/7? If we did, we wouldn't last very long. We need sleep. Most of us need to work to earn a living.

Obviously, it cannot mean we are to be in a head-bowed, eyes-closed posture all day long. Paul is not referring to non-stop talking, but rather an attitude of God-awareness and God-surrender that we carry with us all time. Every waking moment is to be lived in an awareness that God is with us and that He is actively involved and engaged in our thoughts and actions.

It’s also about our due diligence. Our persistence isn't to convince God to act but to keep active the lines of communication so that we know when He is prodding us into action. This is nowhere more evident than in the prayers we offer for the salvation of those around us who need a relationship with God. We know that God desires their salvation (2 Peter 3:9). All He is waiting for is a receptive heart and someone willing to deliver the good news. Might that someone be you?

Yon jou

The Ginghamsburg team worked in the clinic today. Very recently the clinic was moved. We did a little organizing today but mostly painting all the walls. Tomorrow we will organize all the medication and supplies. Hopefully we will see patients on Friday.

This evening one of the orphans was in some pain. He has a bad tooth ache and a fever. Not very often do I let kids just lay or sleep on me. Today I made an exception. Dr. Dave gave him some new meds so hopefully he will feel better soon.

Summer Trip Notes

The small team of five was amazing. Three of us have never been on mission before and definitely not to Haiti. Then there was Brother Stephen who I am always excited to do ministry with. We hiked up part of a mountain Thursday near the village of Fedja, evangelizing along the way. One man gave his life over to God. Amazingly enough, our guide for the hike was the former voodoo priest who came to know Christ when I visited this past April.


Friday we visited more homes. Most everyone we met was a Christian and we encouraged them and discussed life with them. In the evening we held a small VBS. We discussed John 21 and casting our nets on the other side of the boat.We also gave the kids the fish that kids from Covington made them. The were very excited and I thought they were going to fight over them until I reassured them there was enough for everyone.

On Saturday we crossed the river to Balmaitre. Some of our new friends from the world race traveled with us also. Of course (I’m beginning to think there is a conspiracy) while we are on our way there I hear “Tyler, you are ready to do a brief message with the people there right?” “Well, I will before we get there!” I gave a brief devotional using Psalm 139. We distributed rice and shoes to folks. And in true Haitian fashion a riot almost brook out during the shoe distribution. We got it under control just in time to run out of shoes.

On Sunday I went back to Balmaitre for morning worship. I asked the church who Jesus was? I used the scripture Mark 8:27-30. I shared with them that we all view Jesus through our own lenses. I view him from an American way of life and they from a Haitian way of life. But, we should be viewing him through a Biblical view. I then reminded them that It doesn’t matter what Jesus is to me or any other leaders it matters who Jesus it to them.

The reports show that only 2% (no that is not a typo) of earthquake damage has been cleaned up. Not much has changed since April. However I do think the spiritual climate is continuing to change. I know that my Christian brothers and sisters are doing an amazing job sharing the Gospel of Christ all over the country.


Please continue to pray for Haiti. Pray for the elections coming soon that government will either step up and help it’s people or step back and let mission organizations help the people in Haiti. Pray for the church in Haiti that it will continue to share the love of God amongst the fear that voodoo creates.

Spring Trip Processing

I’ve come to a much better understanding of what Haiti has gone through since the earthquake on January 12. Most buildings that were damaged have had no attention. There are tent cities everywhere. There is approximately 1.3 million people living in tents, some on our orphanage campus. This is the beginning of the rainy season and it has yet to start to rain while I was there. When it does I don’t want to imagine what diseases and issues will come about. There is still destruction everywhere. There are people that still need medical attention. Many people need mental and spiritual attention as well. We have taken in several children who have been left without parents since the earthquake.

In my message to the church in Balmaitre I talked about the Body of Christ. I talked about how it takes all of Christ’s followers to do His work here on earth. I reminded them that each of us has our own story, or own experiences and our own past. It takes Haitians, Americans, Africans, Asians... it takes all of us to be one body. Sometimes we are the only Bible people get to read or the only Christ some people know.

With that said I want to thank each of you for your role in the body. I want to thank you for your prayer support. Please continue to pray for me and for all of GVCM. Pray for the children in Fedja, our staff members, their families and all of Haiti. I appreciate your continued financial support, too. It is only by your support that I can continue to spread the love and hope of Christ and share my passion for the people of Haiti.

Update from Haiti - Two

Today David and I served at the clinic. We did not have plans to take patients today. We were going to just look to see what supplies were there. Well there was a line of people at the clinic when we got there. They didn’t know if anybody was going to be there, but they took a chance. So David and I took 10 minutes to learn of our surrounding. We met and helped 36 patients today. Amazing God moments too!!!

Pastor Brian spoke to a group of 16 church leaders and pastors today. His talk today was about spiritual giftedness and serving out of that gift. At the end there was a small commissioning service for one of the new pastors. They rest of the group worked on the house down the driveway. They deconstructed what was damaged from the earthquake and figured out what is needed for the next step. They have all of their supplies for tomorrow as well.

We had the privilege of attending the large wedding tonight too. There was five couples (I think previously I said seven). One of the couples has an amazing story of how God has moved in the last few months. This couple is over 80 yrs old and married for the first time tonight. I am so humbled to be a part of their story.

Keep praying for us and we will keep praying for all of you.

Update from Haiti

So many amazing things happening here. Today [Sunday] I crossed the river in a dugout canoe to preach at church. Didn't even know I was preaching until they said Tyler we need you this morning, get your tie and let's go. If we would not have had a flat tire I would have had to prepare something to say during music in worship. Here is a picture of me with Bible and notes in hand while wearing suit in a canoe in the middle of the river.

The church in Fedja was where all the rest of the Ginghamsburg folks were when they had a once-in-lifetime experience. One of the most feared voodoo priests came to Christ in worship. So the team and many pastors (here for a conference) went to this guy's home after worship to throw out all things related to voodoo that he had. Not much left. (Note...by doing this he also loses his job.) Then he decided that his girlfriend must also make a decision so they went and visited her. Then his mother. They had many stops today.

Tomorrow Pastor Brian will teach pastors. At the end there will be an ordination or commissioning service, for a new pastor and then in the evening 7 couples will become husband and wife. Everyone is doing very well and healthy.

When Jesus' Heart Broke: by Henri J.M. Nouwen

“I found this just today. Good Friday. Lord break my heart with the things that break Yours.”

Dear Lord Jesus,

You, “the image of the unseen God, the first-born of all creation, for whom all things are created in heaven and on earth, everything visible and everything invisible,” you hang dead on a cross. You have just spoken your last words, “It is fulfilled,” and given up your spirit.

I look at your dead body on the cross. The soldiers, who have broken the legs of the two men crucified with you, do not break your legs, but one of them pierces your side with a lance, and immediately blood and water flow out. Your heart is broken, the heart that did not know hatred, revenge, resentment, jealousy or envy but only love, love so deep and so wide that it embraces your Father in heaven as well as all humanity in time and space. Your broken heart is the source of my salvation, the foundation of my hope, the cause of my love. It is the sacred place where all that was, is and ever shall be is held in unity. There all suffering has been suffered, all anguish lived, all loneliness endured, all abandonment felt and all agony cried out. There, human and divine love have kissed, and there God and all men and women of history are reconciled. All the tears of the human race have been cried there, all pain understood and all despair touched. Together with all people of all times, I look up to you whom they have pierced, and I gradually come to know what it means to be part of your body and your blood, what it means to be human.

As I look, my eyes begin to recognize the anguish and agony of all the people for whom you gave yourself. Your broken heart becomes the heart of all of humanity, the heart of all the world. You carry them all: abandoned children, rejected wives and husbands, broken families, the homeless, refugees, prisoners, the maimed and tortured, and the thousands, yes millions, who are unloved, forgotten and left alone to die. I see their emaciated bodies, their despairing faces, their anguished looks. I see them all there, where your body is pierced and your heart is ripped apart. O compassionate Lord, your heart is broken because of all the love that is not given or received.

Blood and water flowed from your broken heart. Lord Jesus, help me to understand this mystery. So much blood has flowed through the centuries: blood of people who did not even know why they were trampled underfoot, mutilated, tortured, slain, beheaded and left unburied; blood caused by swords, arrows, guns and bombs, tainting the faces of millions of people; blood that comes forth from angry, bitter, jealous, vengeful hearts, and from hearts that are set on hatred, violence and destruction. From the blood of Abel killed by his brother to the blood of the Jews, the Armenians, the Ukrainians, the Irish, the Iranians and Iraqis, the Palestinians, the South Africans and the countless nations and ethnic groups victimized by the evil intentions of their sisters and brothers in the human race, blood has been covering the earth, and cries have gone up to heaven: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?”

Let the blood and water that flow from your heart give me a new heart to live a new life. I know that in this world water and blood will never be separated. There will be peace and anguish, joy and tears, love and agony. They will be there always—together—leading me daily closer to you who give your heart to my heart.

Haiti Earthquake

By now you have seen hours of news reports about the events in Haiti. You may have given a gift to an organization. I’m sure you have prayed many prayers for the Haitians and for the aid workers. I also know you have prayed for me. Many of you have contacted me and asked about my friends and the projects of Global Vision Citadelle Ministries.

All of God’s Children Orphanage and all of the GVCM main buildings have nothing more than cracks. Some of our churches have major damage and reports are still coming in. Also many of our neighbors’ homes were destroyed.

All of my friends are doing well. Some of them have family members injured. Several of them have been left homeless and are now staying at the orphanage. There is at least 50 extra people living there. GVCM has also responded by taking in more orphans. This will continue to happen for quite sometime.

We also experienced a miracle. Twelve of the orphans that were in the adoption process were able to come to the States. Most of these adoptions still had a couple of years of processing. We were able to get them out on refugee visas. I have been in contact with the children’s families. They are all doing very well and adjusting to American culture.

This week I was reminded by a Haitian friend of the scripture in Lamentations 2:11. I then took great comfort in Lamentations 3:20-23;
“I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

I ask that you continue to share GVCM with your friends and family. Continue to pray for the children in Feja, our staff, their families and all of Haiti. Thank you for supporting me and this ministry in the past. I ask for your continued support as we spread the love and hope of Christ.

In the Love of Christ,
Tyler

We are all in this togther

Jackson

Not just a broken bottle...

"You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3

Today the team, Yvon, and I visited members of the church in Fedja in their homes. We talked with them, shared our stories, sang songs and prayed with them.
At one of the homes I saw a bottle half buried in the ground by the gate. But, I thought nothing of it. When walking out Pastor Yvon saw this too. He turned back to the women and spoke to her, he then dug it out of the ground spoke a few more words and broke the bottle on a rock.
There is a superstition that if you bury a bottle by your gate it will keep you safe. This is a voodoo practice.
By putting trust in anything other that God alone a person is worshiping an idol. It is Yvon's job. It is my job. It is your job. It is every Christian’s job to dig up the gods. And that might even be a god that is deep inside of us. Yes, it is our job to aid, love and bestow grace on our families, friends, neighbors and coworkers. But we need to use tough love, also. Sometimes we only pray that peoples eyes will be opened. God wants this person to change. He needs us to help them.
What are some idols you know that need to be broken?

Wednesday

All is well here in Haiti. We have been playing with the children every evening. Monday was the first any of them, including the staff, have seen water balloons. We taught them to toss them back and forth like a ball until they dropped them and they broke. They never did just throw them at each other and the innocence of that was very cool to see. They had a blast.
Yesterday we visited church members in their homes talked with them and shared our personal stories. We sang songs of faith and then prayed with them. Yesterday evening we had a fire and set around and sang songs. We made smores and that was a first for them too. Today we planted trees and laid a concrete floor for a widow from the church.

God shows up when not expected. That is so like Him.

When I left last night for house church I took my Bible off of my bookshelf. The one I usually use was packed in my carry on and ready to go. I found a card in the front from a friend. This friend wrote out a few verses on one side and then wrote a note on the other. The date on the top was from Eight years ago. After reading it a smiled and Thanked God. As I put it away I noticed something else. Written in the bottom corner in a very light pencil was Genesis 28:15. Hmm I wonder what this says…

Genesis 28:15 (TNIV)
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Thank You, Father! I know that You will. I have faith and full trust in You. I love You.


Heavenly Father,
I pray for travel mercies today, God. Not just for me but for all of my teams coming. God, I pray that you go before us and prepare a way for us. Mold our hearts. Come in and invade us so that we know we are doing Your work. Lord move in us and through us these times of service to you and your people.
In the name of awesome name of Jesus

Preparing...

While preparing for my next trip to Haiti, June 13 -27, I went back to read some journal entries from past trips. I remember situations and feelings of some good times, times of testing and times when God was at work. I used these things as topics of prayer and to prepare myself spiritually for my time in this country for which I love! Here is a story yanked right out of my journal from my November 08 trip…

While walking down the back streets today we noticed a young boy. This boy couldn’t have been more than ten. He was walking a mother goat and her babies somewhere. The group I was with talked about how cute baby goats are. **and how ugly grown goats are ☺ ** We then yelled ahead to the boy to stop, we wanted to talk with him. He turned around and stopped for a moment. He smiled that big Haitian smile. He only paused for a moment then looked off into the distance and then looked back at us and turned and walked away. So we tried to get his attention again. This same thing happened a few times. We then realized his father was behind us watching and making sure the boy did what he was supposed to do. And that didn’t involve stopping and talking to the foreigners.

How many times have we been given a job from our Father and get distracted? This is exactly what satan wants. He wants us to get our focus off God and the job He has given us to do. Satan uses the world around us as a distraction. But, God has great plans for you. And the devil doesn’t want you to fulfill this mission. Just remember God is a God of strength. God is a God of courage. God is a good God. He has great and mighty things in store for His kingdom and His people and wants you to be a part of all of these plans.

I know that it is hard but be thankful for the devil trying to attack you. It means that he knows that great things are going to be done through you. Take it as a blessing on what is already happening in and through you. I consider it an honor that the devil tries to attack me. Join me in saying to the devil, “I got the power of God, So bring it on.”

...all things God works for the good...

I received a phone call a few days ago about a friend of mine. I was told he had committed suicide. I was reminded once again of how precious life is. I immediately recalled the times that he and I would talk about life and about God. And then God reminded me of a scripture I would say to my friend, Romans 8:28:

And we know, in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

If, and I do believe, there is a God who has control over the universe and its people and their destiny, then something good can come out of every situation, in spite of how bad it may appear to us. I continually need to remind myself that a loving God, my God, can turn ANY tragic situation to good.


Eternal Father - in the midst of pain and grief we thank you for the good that you granted us to see and experience. We pray for your healing grace and set fast in our minds and our hearts the good news of our faith - the news that all that is right - all that is beautiful - all that is noble - all that is fine – it is not lost to us, but rather brought to us in full.

Gracious God - we thank you for your steadfast and life-giving love. Grant us peace to help and comfort those who find themselves desolate and lead us with them in the paths of quietness and hope through Christ Jesus our Lord, AMEN

A time to return to God...

Often the demands of our daily living take us further and further away from the one who gives us life. Lent is a time to return to God, to refocus ourselves on our relationship with God. It is a time to return to who we most deeply are: children of God.

Lent has often included, in the common tradition of the church, the practice of giving something up. Sometimes we give up something we’d like to let go of but have difficulty stepping away from. Sometimes we give up something precious in order to sharpen our focus. I, sometimes even do something new to mark devotion. Whatever addition or subtraction we choose to do this year is part of our yearning to return to God. Even the best of our spiritual practices are not to be ends in themselves, but aids to our returning and to living our days with a full sense of God’s presence and love.

Abba, Father,
spark a fire in our hearts
the longing to come back to you.
May you use these days,
these days of lent,
as a time of a renewed relationship.
May you fill our hearts
with your love,
spirit
and peace.
May you use us
as an instrument this season,
use us as a riverbed,
of your understanding,
love,
grace
and your hope.
It’s in the wonderful,
Holy
And powerful name of Jesus,
Amen.

Community Health Evangelism

I was able to go to a TOT1 (trainer of trainer) in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago. I learned about an amazing mission strategy used all over the world. The strategy for wholistic ministry is based on a concept called CHE (Community Health Evangelism.) The CHE approach combines evangelism and discipleship with community development.

Four of us from Ginghamsburg joined eleven others. We were from all over the country and worked all over the world. Burma, Kenya, Tajikistan, Zimbabwe, Czech Republic and of course Haiti, just to name a few. We told stories and shared experiences with each other.

We were trained the Biblical basis for CHE and basic principles of wholistic community based development. We learned steps for implementing CHE and strategies for entering the community. We also learned basic skills for raising awareness, organizing and activating the community for shared action through the development of a committee.

CHE is being used in rural and urban areas in over 70 countries. It is even used in some urban areas in the US. I am really excited about this approach and what it can and already has done in the world. I can’t wait to use CHE in Haiti. For more information visit www.lifewind.org.

Tabitha, meaning restored to life...

One evening, in Haiti, we were asked to pray for a new infant at the crèche (orphanage). The baby girl was only a few days old, I believe 6, and weighed 5lbs when she came to the Lashbrooks. She came without a name so Cindy called her Tabitha. Keith told me the mother was going to throw the baby away if she didn’t find a home for her that evening. I can’t put into words what I felt. Heartbroken can’t explain the feeling. The good news is that within a few days there was a couple interested in adopting her. I will always remember this child. Seeing this first hand reminds me that this happens every single day in Haiti. I don’t understand how anybody could not love these children.
James 1:27 says this “Religion that pleases God the Father must be pure and spotless. We must help needy orphans and widows and not let this world make you evil.”

Prayer

I'm leaving in a few hours for Haiti for this fall trip. My prayer request is that God would reveal Himself to us and through us this week.
Here I am Lord! Use Me until you use me up.
Use as a riverbed for the flow of your:
Spirit
Love
Grace
Peace
Hope
Understanding
and your word!
Please pray for all of our families. It is who the devil asks first.

Not Your Everyday Flight...

We got up early from our first night in Port au Prince and hustled to the airport. We waited in the airport for quite some time before we walked out to the runway boarded a little plane that wasn’t greatly maintained. Our Ginghamsburg group boarded with a few more seats open. Soon four or five people joined us.
One of the students was sitting in the very front seat. I was sitting right behind her in the second row. A young Haitian lady came on the plane with a few bags and her infant.



The student asked this lady “can I help you?” The lady, without hesitation, handed the baby off.
I then immediately got the look of “what in the world do I do?”
I responded with, “You are in Haiti now. She’ll be back. Don’t worry.”
“Tyler this is only the second time I have ever held a baby in my life.” She said back to me.
“You will be fine. The lady just went to get another bag or something. She’ll be back.”
Sure enough the lady came back and took the baby. The lady did need more help though. She needed help mixing formula. Not something easily done in air.

We also hit a storm on that flight. It was the first time I remember actually turbulence in a plane. I was never so happy to get on the ground in my life. The flight that came in behind us had a worst flight. The pilot told them when they landed that they should not have made in safely.



This was the perfect setup for the rest of our week. Everybody knew we were not in the States anymore. You might get a kid handed to you, there’s not a TSA to ground flights or any travel laws to govern any transportation. You are in a foreign land so throw out every thing you know. If it makes sense, it most likely won’t get done that way.