Hey all this is Brant. Just an update on things in Haiti. We went out and learned how the Haitians made rope yesterday, is was really interesting. We helped make some, and hung out with the people at that tribe. We jumped some rope with the younger ones, I think we had 4 people jumping on the same rope at one time. We do have pictures, I guess you'll have to see them when we get back. Before we left, we did get to pray with the whole tribe. I actually was able to lead the prayer while Leon interpreted afterwards. The people were very opened to us praying for them, and did associate the prayer with being able to recieve God's blessings. It was good to see that there are those who do believe.
Nathan and I are the most sun burned, we went snorkling all day yesterday. WOW, the most beautiful sights you can ever imagine. I can't believe that there was a time in my life that I didn't think there was a God. His creation is awesome.
Church was good this morning, we studied John 10. The people really can understand this because of the Shepherd issue. Jesus is the good Shepherd, maybe we, in the United States don't understand this as well as the Haitians, because there are actually shepherds here. They shepherd mostly goats, but I've noticed that they will walk around with their master, and seemed to never get mixed up about who they were supposed to be following. May we all be the same as the goats, never getting mixed up about who we're supposed to follow. Our master provides for us more than we can ever acknowledge, lets give Him all the praise and glory, His name is Jesus.
Continue praying that we can break this "stranger" barrier and be able to actually talk to some of these people about our Lord and Savior. It's a difficult thing waiting on the Spirit to move, but I know it's coming.
We thank you for your prayers, and I hope we can get some pictures out today. We are constantly trying, I promise.
Also pray that mine and Nathan's sunblock will work better today. It really burns right now.
Good afternoon! It sounds like you had a lot of fun with the snorkeling yesterday despite the sunburn. Take care of yourselves; you are right there at the equator after all.
ReplyDeleteKen Danielowski did make the announcement in church to continue to pray for the Haiti missions trip team!
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Special message for Nathan:
Well, the birthday celebration is over and your brother is now a year older. We missed you here today. I made chicken cacciatore, and believe me, there is a lot left over since you weren't here to help consume it.
I told everyone that they could guess what supper is going to be tomorrow night. Crystal and Jaron were here, too. Virginia is working, though, until 8 tonight.
Love you, take care, and keep working hard for Jesus!
Mom
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Pastor Ted spoke about "Prayer that Liberates" this morning using Mark 9: 14-27 as his text. Here are some of the highlights from my notes:
verse 14-15: The people are arguing among themselves until they see Jesus, then they run to greet Him forgetting their petty arguments.
When we keep our eyes on Jesus we will have fewer "arguments among ourselves."
Jesus explains to his disciples in verse 29 that "This kind can come out only by prayer."
Prayerlessness = Powerlessness
When Jesus' disciples could not pray with him for 1 hour in the Garden of Gethsemane we later see them fleeing in fear from the crowd that came to arrest Jesus.
In verse 25, the boy's father says, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."
We are to take our doubts and unbelief to Jesus; He can work with us.
Faith is the answer; prayer is the key!
Quote by the Puritan preacher, John Rogers:
"Weak faith is true faith. It's as precious, but it's not as great as strong faith. The same Holy Spirit is the author, the same Gospel is the instrument. For it is not the strength of our faith that saves, but the truth of our faith. It's not the weakness of our faith that condemns but the want of faith."
Two examples of great men of God who had doubt:
John the Baptist doubted while he was in the dungeon about if Christ was really who John thought he was.
Elijah, after seeing God's great display of power on Mt. Carmel, fled in fear from Queen Jezebel.
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Now, to steal a quote, "I said all that to say" ". . . pray continually . . . for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thess. 5: 17 & 18b
Brantley, blessings to you and the whole team! You continue to be in my prayers and thoughts!
Mrs. Brenda, Mrs. Hole, Brenda, etc.
Brant! I wish I was with y'all! It is 42 and raining here. The kind of rain that fills up the church yard and MAKES everybody use the sidewalks! Some warm weather would be nice!!!We prayed for you and your team at church today, looking forward to hearing every detail you feel like typing. I know how frustrating it is to loose what you type or not be able to post a photo because we had those issues in Ukraine. Just know I will appreciate EVERY WORD you type! Blessing to you from Alcoluuuuuu!
ReplyDeleteWell, I finally got a turn at this comment thing (even if it is under Maggie's name) and see that the previous commenter stole my comments. Searching for a new idea, I realized that YOU are speaking much more profoundly to ME than I can expect to speak to you right now. Coming out of our last Mission Conference service today, I am "wowed" once again that God has His people at work all over the world!! The following from II Thessalonians seems appropriate:
ReplyDeleteTherefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of [His] goodness and the work of faith with power,
that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bless you snl team!
PS to Brant-- I love you very much and my cup overflows with praise to God for His redeeming work in your life!
Erie (Brantley's mom)
Brant, Hey from the lake. It's Michael and Aunt Susie!! Really rainy here, but looking for some snow in the a.m. I hope that you're having a great time and doing great things for God (we all know that you are). We have been praying for you and the team. Hope the sunburn heals quickly. Can hardly wait to hear from you again. Looking forward to pictures and your safe return. God will make a way for you to cross the language barrier. We are very proud of you and love you very much.
ReplyDeleteSusie & Michael (Brant's Aunt & Cousin)
Hello All,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Brantley's post today. It's great that the message from John hit home for them. I didn't know they raised goats and had real shepherds. You're right, they may have a more vivid understanding of this than many American's. That's so neat.
I'm glad to hear things are going so well for you all, despite the sunburn. You should have taken some SPF-85 with you. It's the best & nothing gets through it if you re-apply.
Keep going strong and spreading God's amazing truth to Haiti. I keep you all continually in my prayers that God will keep you safe & move through each of you in a mighty way that shows His love & brings glory to His name.
Nikki Callaway
Hi Brant-
ReplyDeleteDisappointed that we didn't see a white March but it fills me with gladness to know you are experiencing God's underwater beauty. His people are the best; however, and being able to witness His love to them must be very fulfilling on this trip.
We studied transformation in CCLC today. A hard concept to believe that we will be like him in heaven. Isn't it cool to see His people from different parts of the world?
What a Mighty God we serve!
Praying for you and your team-
Kim DuRant