Day 11

Haiti Update: My family and I received a phone call from Andrew earlier this evening and spoke with him for some time. He had quite a bit of information to update us on how things were going with him, his peers and the overall trip. Well, for starters, after being denied harborage, the ALERT guys were flown via helicopter to mainland Haiti to begin some work projects that needed completion. These projects mainly consist of digging trenches for water lines to repair those lines that were damaged or destroyed. According to Andrew, this will be very hard physically, but they (the ALERT guys) have been waiting, and were sent, for just such a purpose and mission.

Just some fun facts that may not have already been shared: Andrew has experienced real life sea-sickness (not a "fun" fact, but fact nontheless), he has jumped off the bow of the ship 23 feet into the water below, he went swimming in water 8,000 feet deep, and he also had a helicopter ride. Those are just a few, but not all, of the fun stuff he had experienced on this "expedition" as one of our younger friends called it.

Though I do not have their exact location, I do know that they are on the pennisula North of Port au Prince. They are sharing a compound with another ministry, Samaritan's Purse. The compound they are staying in has a medical clinic run by medical staff from Samaritan's Purse. When it was made known to these medical staff memebers that there was a group of paramedics coming in, they were happy to have some extra hands that have been trained in the medical field, to help with the daunting task of serving the native people in need of medical help. It is not unusual to have a long line of patients waiting to be seen all day, every day.

Andrew also had some prayer requests that he asked us to share with others. First off, pray for safety. Not only is Haiti still not completely safe, but there are little critters native to the island that could be cause for some concern (e.g. scorpions and tarantulas) They have been advised not to walk under trees as any one of this little critters could fall on them from above. Also, they have some unfriendly neighbors, one in particular, that has threatened to shoot any white person they see walking on their land. Not very friendly at all, that one. Also, be praying for them as they are begining to feel the magnitude of the evilness that dwells in a country regularly dedicated to Satan. Finally, pray that the Holy Spirit would be strong in each one of them, that they would not faint in time of adversity, that they would hang on tightly to the Lord and that they would put on the full armor of God daily, swinging the Sword of the Spirit boldly. Already, they have discovered the difficulty of communicating God's Word to a nation that hardly speaks any english. Please continue to lift this team up in your prayers. They need it now more than ever.

Well, that is all for now. Until next time...take care and God bless!

In Him,
Josh

Day 10

My dad received a couple of text's from Andrew yesterday. The first,"Alright! We're almost to Haiti. I'm looking at the island right now. Should arrive sometime around 8-ish." and the next said, "Hey! I'm trying to figure out the network so that's why i haven't called yet. But other than that, i'm doing great! Trip overview: first day- stormy which = seasickness. Second day- gorgeous & felt great. Today- took a swimming break in 8,000 feet deep water. =) Love you!" Thank you so much for your continued prayers!

Day 7

Since the last post, departure was put off yet another day, however, Andrew and the rest of the crew aboard the Integrity set sail yesterday at 4 pm (eastern time) and are now officially somewhere in the middle of the ocean!

After pulling up anchor and setting out to sea yesterday, Andrew called one more time before communication possibly is altered. He was so elated with some of the things he saw and experienced...one being that as they traveled along, 4 dolphins decided to join them and race in front of the boat jumping up and doing their most amazing tricks. He was so excited...such an amazing start to an awesome adventure.

Day 6

Today, Andrew and the rest of the men set sail for Haiti. After talking with Andrew last night, a couple of his biggest prayer requests would be that 1: Safe travels with good weather and that the men would not get sea sick and stay healthy for the whole trip. 2: that there would be a sweet unity with those in the crew, his fellow ALERT men, and others as they work toward the same goal having servants hearts and genuine love toward one another. Other prayer requests would be that the Lord would be their greatest strength and that they would lean on Him in everything. Also, that they would have a soundness of vision as they will be ministering to the poor and needy setting aside their will and seeking to do the selfless will of the Lord. Furthermore, because there is a documentation crew aboard, that what is filmed, whether word or action, would be glorifying to the Lord and would ultimately bring Him praise.

We are all so excited for Andrew and the rest of the men. What an experience! :D I know that they would all covet your prayers as the days get tougher and longer.

Blessings,
Elisabeth :D

Challenging thoughts...

After starting school in January, the Lord has really begun to stretch my faith and shine light on weaknesses and other struggles in my walk with Him. One of the biggest has been not fearing or being ashamed for Christ in the place I am in and the fellowship that comes my way. While looking for a quote through my "favorites" quote book, I came across a quote from William Wilberforce on this exact issue and was humbled. Peter denied Christ yet Christ still searched him out and after finding him He ministered to him. This is such an example of Christ love and knowing this is such an encouragement.Even though I am ashamed of my fear in the wrong direction, and the words that followed, I am so grateful for the Lord's ever present love, grace, and presence with me. I share this, not to spill my emotions and seek sympathy from others, but because I feel this message is so important to all of us. It is my prayer that whatever "lap" your on in the ultimate race towards Christ, may you continue to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, "Who is the Leader and source of our faith,"setting aside all the weighty sin that "readily (cleverly) clings to and entangles us" while remembering that for the "joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despised and ignored the shame," Who also "endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds." (Portions from Heb. 12:1-3)

"My main message would be that many of those who call themselves Christians fall short of living out the essence of real Christianity. As long as we allow this inadequate form of Christianity to go unchallenged, those who are spiritually needy will never come to faith in Jesus Christ. Our nation faces challenges at home and abroad and now is the time for us to return to a radical faith in Jesus Christ..."

"The very tendency that we feel to hide our faith from the world's view confirms that we are more influenced by the world's opinions than we are by God's. I would hope that simply because our faith is secret, having vanished from our conversations, replaced by a pretended freedom of feeling and conduct, that it still does exist in our private hearts. I fear, though, that we are not merely paying attention, our faith may have quietly smothered. By complying with the world's habits, participating in the manners of this dissipated age, we have removed every external distinction between the Christian and the non-believer. We seldom find anyone who is brave enough to be different for Christ, someone who "is not ashamed of Christ"" -William Wilberforce

Additional News for Day 3

After talking with Andrew again last night, he mentioned that due to needing to finish loading the boat, they actually won't set sail until tomorrow. With trips such as these, flexibility seems to be the key :D I am planning on posting more once we have more info...thank you all so much for praying!

Days 2 and 3

Day 2 - After staying the night at a church in Minton, FL, the men arrived safely at the location where the boat is docked. Once there, they were welcomed, given the low down, and were assigned duties. Andrew and Evan were assigned to help one of the nurses on board as well as a couple other things. Andrew said that they all will be sleeping in the same room however I am not sure where on the boat. The tone is his voice was pure excitement...I don't blame him...to have this opportunity is amazing, and to be used in such a way! Another piece of fun info is that along on the trip is someone from TBN to do a documentary.

Day 3 - Heard from Andrew again today. They have been loading the boat and preparing it to set sail tomorrow. He has asked that the trip be successful and safe...and that none of the guys, including himself, get's sea sick. The boat's name is Integrity.

Andrew's Trip to Haiti

We decided to post updates from Andrew's trip to Haiti and if you think about it, I know that he and the rest of the men would covet your prayers. I am not sure how frequent the updates will be due to the limitted communication but will try to post as much as possible. The first is an update from my Dad:


Day 1 – Andrew left this morning from the ALERT Campus, at 5:30 am, with 13 other ALERT men on their way to Miami, FL to help load a cargo ship bound for Haiti. They will spend tonight in the Panhandle of Florida. When they arrive in Miami, they will spend a day or so loading the ship. Once the ship is loaded, the ALERT men will board her to take the two day journey to Haiti. Pray for their safety and that the Lord will use them to serve and be a testimony for Christ.