The House That Love Built

Last January, our Simply Love Haiti team in Pignon met a family who lived in a mud stick house next door to a witch doctor. To make matters worse, the tiny hut leaned to the right, like it would tip over any second. I don’t know if I’ve ever witnesses a family as poor as this one. They let me come in and see the inside… I was so humbled. At the time, my family lived in a 5000 square foot home, and had every imaginable convenience to make living comfortable. This family of 6, including twins, only had one bed and their chickens lived inside, too. Missionaries, Bill and Jennifer Campbell had witnessed to them and they accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior … that’s when the miracles started. God began showering this family with favor and blessing. A mission team purchased an acre and half of land for $900 and raised the money to build a new house. (another great example of how powerful short term missions teams are!!) The property has 2 large mango trees, 2 massive avocado trees, banana trees, sugar cane, and rich soil for their garden. Their new neighbors are followers of Jesus and there is a church 200 yards down the dusty road. They are covered in love.

10 months later, I headed over with the building team and saw for the first time their new home. It brought tears to my eyes. The team was here to finish the project, put on the roof and build furniture and beds for the family. I have to admit, I was a little giddy … hugging the family, the neighbors, and team building the dream home. God sold our dream house when we said yes to serving in Haiti. Last night, I was wide awake due to drinking a late coffee with my friend, Jennifer … I had time to think about the things I have had to let go of this year. I miss my stuff, but it’s getting easier every day to thank God for the new stuff in my life. The new ministries we serve, the new provisions He has provided, the new friends, and new opportunities to share the gospel to the unreached people groups. Roger and I lived 20 years of comfortable living and now I’m working on thanking God for the supernatural experiences He has faithfully planned for our God-adventure to live 12 months in Ethiopia, Haiti, and Nicaragua! Our big dream is to encourage (loud cheerleaders) missionaries to serve out-of-the box.. build a new generation of missionaries that will man up and go to all the unreached places.

This is the house that love built. Here are a few photos I took of their old house.

Here are photos of their NEW dream house. More pics coming soon …

There is nothing God loves more than keeping promises, answering prayers, performing miracles, and fulfilling dreams. That is who He is. That is what He does. And the bigger the circle we draw, the better, because God gets more glory. (The Circle Maker)

If you have never been on a short term mission trip, I want to encourage you to dig deep and go. It will change your life forever. I had the opportunity to share the gospel with the people waiting for clinic on Wednesday. The Campbells open their blue gate every week and the mother’s and families come for formula and food distribution, as well as medical care for their children. The community of Pignon is very poor and sometimes, you have only one day to save the life of a baby that is malnurished or sick. Pastor Clebert helped me translate Ephesians 4:4-7 , so I could offer comfort for their spirit, as they waited for physical comfort for their children. I love this verse … and I hope it brings you comfort today, too. There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But GRACE was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Prayer Challenge for the weekend: Would you take time for the next 2 days and pray these requests specifically?

• Will you pray today that the Holy Spirit will give you courage to boldly take the gospel to the unreached?
• Begin to pray for an unreached people group. You can search online (www.joshuaproject.net) or buy the Live Dead Journal for unreached people group prayer profiles and find great resources.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes to neighbors who may be from places that have no gospel. You may have never seen them in this way before. Ask the Lord to guide you in connecting with them in love to share the gospel.

(3 Prayer Challenges- Live Dead Journal)