Haiti | "Moving the Mountain or Another Way" by: Holly Aman

God went before us in seeing the need for clean water in Lartigue, Haiti. God went before us in raising over $15,000 for a well. And, God goes before us even now as we seek out the solution to the need right now. 

Sometimes even as God points out a need to us, the solution is not what we initially expect. While this certainly has the potential to take us by surprise, He is not surprised by it. He knows all things, sees all things, and loves to meet needs far more than we do. 

Last Monday, I journeyed to Lartigue with Pastor Wilson and a few others to begin the process of drilling the well in Lartigue, Haiti. We anticipated that it would take a few days to drill and that the trek up the mountain would not be easy for the equipment. We prayed over the ground, prayed with the community, and anxiously waited for Drill Tech to arrive.

They finally arrived late that evening and with no electricity on the mountain, it was pitch black but families gathered while children, wide-eyed, excitedly ran around the “machines”! It is fair to say trucks this big had never made it up the mountain. The team would begin drilling first thing the next morning, which in Haiti means the moment the sun is up. 

Over the next few days, complications ensued. Equipment was breaking, trips to Port-au-Prince to collect parts were made, they would drill twenty feet and then need to pull the pipes out again and again and again. 

Probably because I had never walked through this before, I assumed it was normal and even expected difficulty. It didn’t sway any of us from pushing through. We knew there had to be water. There was water everywhere on the mountain. We prayed, believed, and kept going. What was supposed to be three days in Lartigue turned into five days. We left on Friday morning right after they had hit a little bit of water and we were all hopeful that by that evening, the job would be on its way. 

Then, on Friday evening, we received a call from the foreman stating that the day did not prove to be any more promising and that he would give it one more day but that he supposed that they had hit a fault line which makes drilling a well impossible. After hearing the news, Pastor Wilson and I went right to the feet of Jesus. We prayed to our God who can move mountains and begged that He would make a way where there seemed to be no way. I heard Him say, “Holly, trust me. I showed you the need, and I will meet the need.”

The next afternoon, we received a call that apologetically said that a well was not possible. Neiko (the owner of Drill Tech) explained that this had never happened to him in nine years of drilling wells in Haiti and there was no way to know this until we drilled. I still spent the rest of the day fighting disappointment and wondering where we went wrong. The Holy Spirit kept reminding me that He already knew the way and that His way is always better than what we naturally anticipate. I found comfort in this though in the moment it was difficult to imagine. In the moment of something not going the way we expect (especially when it was answering something He called us to, to begin with) it is far too easy to think God’s way is second-rate. 

So, Church - here we stand - aware of a need and with money in hand to meet it, thanks to your generosity, creativity, and faith. As I write this, Pastor Wilson is in Lartigue meeting with the community leaders. He is getting their thoughts on a few ideas we have to expand, filter, and move a portion of the stream water through underground pipes to a reservoir on the Church property.

I am filled with faith more today than I was last week. We are committed and will not let something like an impossible well stop us from giving clean water to the community of Lartigue! We believe that if God cared enough to point out the problem, than He already knows the solution.

- Holly Aman

Haiti | January 8th, 2013 | "The Take Away..." by: Bob Aman

Reflecting on this trip there are so many images that both impress on me and reinforce in me our support for this country, it's people and specifically the kids at the Wings of Refuge Children's Home.  One image pertains to the commitment to the family - and by family I do not mean actual brothers and sisters - I mean the extended family.  In Haiti it seems everyone who is a friend is considered a cousin - someone who is looked out for and who looks out for you.  And this begins at a young age.  In the week i was there, we got a free tap-tap ride by cousin, help with a couple of flat tires by cousin and some missing ingredients for dinner from cousin.  

Our first time to visit the kids I saw both the older boys helping with squeezing the juice and the older girls helping with the laundry.  In this it is easy to expect more of those who can do more.  Maybe it is the "American mentality" in me, but I was taught a long time ago that everyone needs a Twinkie to balance out the brussels sprouts of life.  So we saw an opportunity to maybe deliver a Twinkie to a few of the kids who also lead.  

The plan was to take out the six kid leaders with a day on the town.  Our first planned stop was for lunch at a Baptist Mission compound where American food is the specialty (hot dogs, chicken fingers, fries, cokes and ice cream). The setting was up in the mountains outside of Port au Prince, overlooking a beautiful landscape of mountain farms and rough landscape.  What impressed me here was both the lively discussion and the huge appetites enjoying the atmosphere, food and recognition.  But I was even more impressed when each child, discretely but with purpose, saved something to bring back to their friends in the home.  French fries and ketchup, part of a hot dog, half a ham and cheese hoagie, chicken nuggets and even a glass of Sprite were all loaded back in the truck for the journey back to town (just imagine a full glass of Sprite making it successfully in the back of an SUV driving across Port au Prince - doubtful).  While the kids knew "why" they were with us, their thoughts were still of the others who they help to care for and protect.  They even tired to save ice cream - but luckily we convinced them to finish this because we had purchased cookies for all.

When we returned - the crying and weeping that sent us off was no longer evident ... our six were met with love and affection, and they willingly shared the bounty that was collected.  You would not believe how four hour old french fries and ketchup, or half a hot dog that was transported in a back pocket were looked upon like treasures.  Please know this was not because of being malnourished - it was to share in the experience.  These kids know what it is like to be loved - and as such love freely!

I am so proud of my church family for what they have done and continue to do in Haiti.  There is no doubt to me that crowns will be waiting for us in heaven - but this is not the reason for the investment.  It is the smiles, the joy, and the fact that our small investment will be increased exponentially by this group of amazing kids.  

And, for the record I now consider you all cousin's.  

- Bob Aman

Haiti | January 7th, 2013 | "Digging Deep" by: Bob Aman

By the time this is published you will all hopefully know that the well has been drilled in Lartigue and while the job may not yet be finished (holding tanks and purification to name just two areas) the big part should be complete.  While I was not able to participate or support in this effort directly (the drilling company delayed the start a few days), I was still able to go and see the site and meet the people.  

First off, we are talking remote. I really do not think anyone can seriously imagine the drive into Lartigue from the sea.  Forging rivers, utilizing mountain paths called roads (I think there was something missing in the translation) and climbing & descending grades most riders on horseback or mule-back would not consider possible. But - in the end we got there safely (I am just glad it was not my car - and this for me was further evidence why you don't buy used rental cars and I will now add to this list used pastors cars.)

Immediately upon arrival I had a decision to make - to stay with our group or to follow Holly on an adventure.  Naturally the father instinct kicked in and in the spirit of protection, forged ahead - a couple of steps behind.  Our destination was one small group of homes just off of the main trail, specifically homes to a couple of families Holly became friends with during the summer when she spent a week there.  Before even getting to the house there were shouts of "Holly" - followed by huge smiles, hugs, kisses and more hugs.  In about a week last summer - real, genuine relationship was forged.  Not because of what we can do for them, but because one young person was willing to invest time to listen and talk.  While communication with words was and is a challenge, the communication of the heart is crystal clear.

I think that is what God is looking for in us all ... Who out there is willing to speak with the heart? That is when He works - when it is no longer about us. That is when God can use us - when we are submitted to His will. I guess this is fairly simple and straight forward.

On Sunday I had the honor of addressing Pastor Wilson's church during their communion service. I shared a word received for them and then told a short story about our church's involvement in Haiti. In the end I said there is one thing I am absolutely sure of - if it is God's will, it can not be stopped! I am even more confident that His using a young woman and a beautiful church in Williamsburg to show His love for a remote village in a distant land was and is His will.  

I encourage you to try talking with your heart.  What I saw in Lartigue is that it begins with a smile and a hug... and a willingness to listen to God. You do not need to go to a distant land - but sometimes God's communication is clearer when we do not have the distractions of words.

- Bob Aman