The first 4 containerized metal churches were built in various places in Haiti in as many years.  The last two were build for Haitians living in the Bahamas where they do most of the menial and domestic work.  Many are illegal immigrants living there below the poverty line.  Last year Coy & Company built one for the Haitians on the Island of Andros.  This year they built in Freeport after being blocked in Abaco by government bureaucracy.  It took Coy and me 4 recon trips to the Bahamas before we were able to finalize the location for this church.  But through patience and persistence, God led us to the right place and right partner. 

Just as was the case last year in Andros, this latest church was built through Pastor Wilbur Outten, who has been a dear personal friend and partner for over 25 years.  He is not only the pastor of the Freeport Bible Church – one of the most dynamic churches in the Bahamas – he is also the President of the Bahamas Evangelical Church Fellowship (BECA).  Pastor Wilbur had just completed a two year project to build a beautiful new church for his Bahamian congregation.  One of their sister Haitian congregations was also using that facility on Sunday afternoons.  Now the Haitians will have their own church building to worship in weekly.  It will also serve as a Youth Center and Empowering Center where the Haitians will be taught English and some vocational skills – and the Bahamians will learn Creole.  So, we rejoice in the completion of this multi-purpose church building!

When someone is trying to get something built quickly, a worker will sometime quip back: “Rome was not built in a day you know!”  Well, that maybe true – but it’s only because Coy and his team were not doing the work!  It has been an inspiration each year to watch this team of men work with a passion and expertise that is amazing to behold!  Most are professionals in their various vocations: builders, concrete finishers, masons, carpenters, electricians, plumbers.  You name it and these men can do it! 

It is a sacrifice for many of these men to take off a week of work like this.  That’s because they are the heads of their own businesses who took off at a time when the economy is in serious crisis and both the housing and building markets are radically down!  But they did so because of their love for God and respect for Coy.  Others are in their retirement years – like Mr. Jerry Cutrell who designs Metal Buildings for a living.  On this trip he was 77 – and still worked like a man a third his age!  And it is my joy to go along each year and teach a daily Bible Study, take pictures – and work on the clean-up crew!

This latest project cost over $100,000 by the time the building was purchased, containerized, shipped, airline tickets bought and food and accommodations paid for.  So I thank God for the love, faith and generosity of Coy and his “Manteo Miracle Men” who made yet another Haitian Church possible! 

As you read through the names of this year’s team, take a moment to pray for each of them that God would abundantly repay them for the time, talent, technology and treasure they lovingly invested in this Church.  And pray also for Pastor Wilbur as he ministers to the Bahamian congregation and Pastor Nelson as he ministers to the Haitian congregation. 

To God be the glory!

P.S. Enjoy the following slideshow of the highlights of this church building project.

Church Building Report SlideShow

While this is not the proper forum to analyze their debate or positions, it was interesting to me that both candidates made several references to NDI!  Did you hear it?  Both McCain and Obama stated strongly that “We need a NEW DIRECTION in America today!”  I couldn’t agree more!  That’s a message we have been preaching for 40 years in America and around the world! 

But a “new direction” to us means going back to the “old direction” that our country was originally founded upon.  Those Judeo-Christian principles that are the moral, legal and cultural underpinnings of American life and governance.  It is those principles that made America the great nation we have been in the past – the “shining city set on a hill” that is the last and greatest hope for liberty, democracy, and equality for mankind.

As a nation we have not always lived up to those ideas and ideals.  Often we have fallen far short of our own standards of “freedom and justice for all.”  But even in our lowest times as a nation, we have not ceased to be the envy of the free world.  America is still the number one desired destination for all of the repressed peoples of the world.  They still look to us as the great “land of opportunity” where any person can reach their potential – which is why we continue to be inundated with legal and illegal immigrants.  As a result, we are the only nation on earth that has to erect fences to keep people out – rather than to keep people in! 

In spite of our current economic crisis, I believe that we can once again rise to greatness as a nation.  However, it will not take place without a national spiritual revival that takes us back to the “Faith of our Founding Fathers.”  We have been living in a false “economic bubble” for decades.  We have been on an unrealistic materialistic binge that is now being “corrected” on Wall Street, Main Street and the Back Streets of America.  It is long overdue and will not be quickly or painlessly fixed – on a personal or national level.  Whether this is a recession or depression, it cannot be corrected with a “business as usual” attitude or actions.  We must deal with the root rather than the fruit of the problem.  And this next Presidential election will largely determine what “new direction” will be taken to try and fix our economy.

After the recent economic “crash” on Wall Street, the media pundits were using ominous words like: “Economic Meltdown”…”Total Collapse of our Financial System”…”Unprecedented Bank Closures”…”Lending Institution Collapse”…”Economic Tsunami Sweeping Across the World”…”Worldwide Recession,” etc.  Obviously these kinds of words create panic in the public and become a “self-fulfilling prophecy.”  There are not many political purveyers of hope right now!

From a Biblical perspective, one has to ask if this is the “Big One?!”  Is this the worldwide total economic collapse that John forsaw in his revelation when he wrote about “Babylon the Great”: “In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!” (Rev. 18:17). 

At this point I can personally relate to the words of the prophet Amos who said of himself: “I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet” (Amos 7:14).  But it does not take a Biblical prophet to see from this latest financial crisis that a worldwide economic collapse is possible now as never before in history.  That’s because unlike any other time in recorded history, the world economic systems are intricately connected together.  The old economic truism is now more true than ever: “Whenever Wall Street sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold!”  Right now they all have a serious case of the “financial flu!”

So you and I are in the midst of an international, national and personal economic crisis that impacts every one of us.  Some are better equipped to “weather this storm” than others.  Sadly, millions of Bible believing Christians will be just as negatively impacted as non-Christians because they too have been “living above their means” and are “in debt up to their eyeballs!”  So when the economic “house of cards” collapses, their life-style will collapse along with it.  That’s a painful way to learn the Biblical principle of debt taught in both the Old and New Testaments: “The borrower is a slave to the lender” (Prov. 22:7).  As a result we are to: “Owe no one anything but the debt of love” (Rom. 13:8).

Past times of economic “depression,” “recession” and “correction” have shown that the first place that most people – including Christians – start cutting back is in their benevolent giving.  Because most Christians only “tip” rather than “tithe,” they just cut down their tipping at church each week when the offering plates are passed.  And giving to non-profits often significantly falls off – except by the radically committed Christians who have a “Madedonian spirit” that I wrote about above. 

This is where we can not only learn from the Macedonian saints of the First Century – but also from our brethren in the Two-Thirds World in the Twenty First Century.  In spite of their “severe trial” and “extreme poverty,” God’s grace caused them to “overflow with thanksgiving” and “rich generosity.”  As a result, the Macedonian Christians continued to “…give as much as they were able and even beyond their ability.”  And all the while they called their giving a “privilege” rather than a “sacrifice.”  What a conviction that is to my own living and giving! 

Because of our Judeo-Christian heritage as Americans, giving is in our DNA.  That’s why studies show that Americans are the most generous people in the world and Christians are the highest per capita givers in America.  Because of that fact, studies show that giving to charities only dropped about 1% during the past 3 recorded recessions in America.  And that faithfulness has certainly been true with our NDI partners like those of you receiving this email.  You have faithfully and generously stood with us through “thick and thin” – for which we are deeply thankful!

During times like these, we can learn a lot from the churches in Macedonia, as well as from our brethren in other countries.  For them,  persecution,  poverty and privation are the norm – not the exception, like it is for us.  Right now our beloved partners in Zimbabwe are living with the world’s highest inflation – some 215 million percent!  I can’t even begin to imagine that economic reality that they have now been living under for the last several years!  And yet, they are finding God faithful in the midst of their trials and tribulations.

When you receive and read this email, I will be in flight to India and Bangladesh for ministry until the end of the month.  Christians in India right now are facing renewed persecution by the Hindu militants – especially those in the State of Orissa.  In the last few weeks more than 30 Christians have been killed…3,000 homes burned…130 churches destroyed.  Christians in Bangladesh constantly live under pressure and persecution from militant Muslims – just like in the majority of other Islamic countries.  So I do covet your prayers for these next two weeks of ministry.

Finally, to give you a bit of historical perspective, I am sharing below a few pictures from my first trip to Bangladesh and India for Franklin Graham and Samaritans Purse back in 1987.  Franklin just honored my sister-in-law, Becky Williams, with a million dollar gift in her honor to a hospital in India – please note the pictures from the “million dollar party” he threw for Becky! 

So I trust you will be blessed and encouraged by these following pictures out of our ministry archives that show God’s faithfulness through partnership with people like you!

For His Kingdom & Glory,

PS: Because of my constant travel recently, I have still not reported to you on my last trip to Africa…the Bible Distribution in Haiti…and the Church building project for the Haitian Diaspora in Freeport, Bahamas.  Hopefully those will be sent out to you next week while I am in Asia.  So be watching for them.

Me teaching at a Pastor’s Conference in Bangladesh 21 years ago.

Young pastors eagerly taking notes as I taught.

Giving some of my books and Study Guides to the local Bible College

It was a joy to teach that first Conference in Bangladesh with the late Roy Gustafson of the Billy Graham Association, one of the great Bible teachers of the last century.  And music was provided by Dennis Agajanian.

Dennis Agajanian is still considered one of the best guitar players in the world and continues to sing regularly with Franklin Graham.  He also sang when Becky was honored by Franklin for her 30 years of service.

After that first Conference in Bangladesh Franklin had me go to India to dedicate several churches and Jesus Wells.

One of the first ECI Churches I ever dedicated with Dr. Ezra Sargunam, whom I will be with on this trip.

One of the first “Jesus Wells” I had the joy of dedicating in India for Franklin and Samaritan’s Purse.

Here Franklin surprises Becky with the “one million dollar check” to the Lok Hospital in Bombay, India, in her honor.

Becky and my brother, Ed (right), along with Dr. Stephen Alfred, founder and CEO of the Lok Hospital who came over for this surprise presentation.

It was a great joy for me and my sisters and brothers-in-law to surprise Becky on this event.  Dr. Keith & Hannah Thompson (left), and Dr. Charlie & Judy Baer (right), joined for a picture with Becky, Ed and Dr. Alfred.

Ed, Becky and Franklin after the presentation at The Cove, the Billy Graham Training Center near Ashville.  This was not only a commemoration of Becky’s 30 years of service to World Medical Mission as Franklin’s first and longest running employee, it was also her 70th Birthday.

Little could I have realized when I was invited several months ago to speak to a gathering of Haitian elite businessmen and women, that it would be at a time shortly after Haiti was devastated by 4 successive tropical storms and hurricanes.  Haiti is always a mind-blowing experience of stark contrasts in so many areas of life.  None is more dramatic than the chasm between the extreme rich and extreme poor.  The elite of Haiti are a thin veneer of wealthy and successful people who live at the top of the economic pyramid there.  They have been able to stay and somehow prosper under all of the political regimes from Papa Doc to military dictatorships to Aristide to President Prevail.  And while many are nominally Catholic, few are truly “born again” in the Biblical sense of the word.  So they constitute one of the largest unreached people groups in the Caribbean.  Since the church has grown so explosively in Haiti among the peasantry, the elite largely associate evangelical or Pentecostal Christianity as something relevant only for the poor and powerless.  Thankfully that is changing—slowly but surely.  And this gathering was a positive thrust into the elite world of Haiti.  Ultimately, you have to reach the powerful in order to be able to help the powerless!

It was held at the new Karibe Hotel and Conference Center, which is an international “5 star” facility and “state of the art” in every way.  The facility is beautifully built, posh, opulent and on several acres of flora and fauna reminiscent of a tropical paradise.  It is literally a hint of what Haiti once was as the “Pearl of the Antilles” and the “Paris of the New World.”  And it is fully owned and operated by one of the elite families of Haiti.  I was invited to speak on the subject of “The Priority of Relationships over Riches.”  And my message was followed by a Question & Answer time of lively interchange.  The full event was also shown on national television.  God wonderfully blessed and several people gave their lives to Christ.

Another very exciting thing for me was the fact that this entire event was envisioned and funded by a successful Haitian business woman, Madam Monique Guillaume.  She was assisted in this by my long time friend and partner, Pastor Edner Jeanty, Jr., who invited me in her behalf.  He is now starting a new church for the specific purpose of reaching out to the elite community.  And he will be helping to follow up on those who made decisions for Christ that night.  Do be praying for both Madam Guillaume and Pastor Edner as they continue to partner together to reach the “movers and shakers” of Haiti for Christ.

After the Saturday night outreach to the elite of Port-au-Prince, we left early Sunday morning for Gonaives—a city virtually under water from the hurricanes.  Before leaving for this trip to Haiti, a cousin of mine sent me $1,000 with the commission to “feed some hungry people in Haiti ravished by the storm.”  So with that “seed money,” we begin to buy up as much rice, beans, cooking oil, spaghetti noodles, tomato sauce, spices and sardines as possible.  But because of the extreme inflation in Haiti right now, we were not able to buy as much food as we would have liked with that money.  So, by faith, I borrowed another $2,500 to buy more food supplies.  If we were going to make the long trip to Gonaives, I was determined to take as much food as we could carry in our large truck.

We had been told the day before that no cars or trucks could make it through to Gonaives because several of the major bridges had been washed away by the floods.  But we decided to try anyway since that Sunday was our only window of opportunity.  It was a long, hot, dusty, bumpy, bone-crushing trip that took over 5 hours.  We were turned away at several check points manned by the police and UN.  But God gave us favor with them when they saw we were carrying food and relief items—so they let us through.  Fortunately, our truck was high enough that we were able to forge the raging rivers.  We were also able to get through the several road blocks set up by local thugs trying to rob and intimidate.  God used the prayers of friends and partners like you to help us successfully reach our destination. 

I trust that the following pictures from our food deployment in Gonaives will be a blessing and encouragement.  Thanks also to those of you who have responded financially to help us with this relief effort.  Please continue to give as you can since I hope to deploy another truck load of food this coming weekend when I return to Haiti.

Haiti 2008 Photos

Ministering Relief in His Name through Your Partnership,

P.S. Please click on the brief video I made at the Eben Ezer Mission in Gonaives last week.  You will be challenged and moved by what you see.  I will be sending out another report on Haiti after I return from my trip there this weekend.  Please be watching for it.