Haiti trip - November, 2010

I've just returned from Haiti and the situation is as serious as I am sure you've all been hearing about on the news.  Between the cholera outbreak and the Haiti elections, the destitution of the average Haitian has, if it were possible, escalated even further.

Discouragement and quitting are not options!  Enjoy a few pictures.  I am so grateful to be one of the many volunteers of the "Joy and Hope of Haiti" group.

Moments like this are what it's all about.

Jim and Joan's 30th plus trip and Brian's (centre) first time to Haiti



The Trade School 80% completed

Road2Hope (November 6 & 7, 2010)

What an amazing weekend! Great weather, 4,500 participants, many event sponsors and a few hundred volunteers - net funds raised are split between City Kidz, a Hamilton children's ministry and the Joy and Hope of Haiti continuing school construction efforts in the north of Haiti. Here are some pictures:

Art and Cathy Zavitz at Joy & Hope of Haiti table
   

Selling popcorn and candy floss

Kids 1km race

On Sunday, I ran my first 1/2 marathon in 1 hour, 57 minutes and 29 seconds:

A Remembrance Day “I’ll Always Remember”.

Yesterday, I had the privilege to share a few words and then say grace for some of Canada’s heroes.  What an honour!  This was the eighth annual dinner put on at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Hamilton.  All of the food and beverages were donated.  All of the services including food preparation, serving and clean up were done by volunteers.  You’ll notice  in one of the pictures the men and women are wearing white shirts and red bow ties (all volunteers).  Also a high school from Hamilton had their youth volunteering.  What an experience for them to meet, greet and serve our heroes.  Before asking God’s blessing on the food, this is part of what I shared from an author unknown.  

"It's the soldier, not the reporter, who gives you the freedom of the press.  It's the soldier, not the poet, who gives you the freedom of speech.  It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who allows you to demonstrate.  It's the soldier who salutes the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag that allows the protester to burn the flag".  He closed with "Lord hold our troops in Your loving hands.  Protect them as they protect us.  Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need".

Colombia continued

When Ken Yinger and I returned from Colombia, we brought back information for 22 potential projects to consider.  We identified three projects that are a priority for Colombia and after the banquet in British Colombia last week, we now have funds to finance all three (God is so good!).

We have three mission trip opportunities to share with you. 

**We have the partners in Colombia ready to work with our teams.
** We have the funds raised for the projects.
** We have the Canadian team leaders lined up to go to Colombia. 

The only missing piece of this puzzle is YOU!  Are you interested in going?  Will you commit to going?  Here's info on the projects:

Colombia Trip #1 Opportunity

1. Olaya Church  Project:  WORK TEAM

Men, we need you!

Roll up your sleeves and help to construct a church in the Olaya section of Medellin, Colombia

When: December 4th - December 14th, 2010


Tax Receiptable Cost: Approx. $2,000.00 (price will vary depending on province of departure)

Contact:  Charlotte Kroes: ckroes@mfmcanada.ca  1-888-417-5256

The Olaya Project will construct a Christian church located in the Olaya sector of Medellin, Colombia. The name of the church is Aposento Alto which means “The Upper Room”. It is a fitting name for a congregation in a growing suburb high up the mountains of Medellin.


The church is trying to share the Gospel with newcomers who have been displaced from other parts of the country. Reaching these people with the Gospel is of utmost importance.

Are you willing to invest 10 days of your life to go, give and do as God leads? We need 12 men, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

(First come, first go basis. Space is limited.)

Check the next two blog postings for the other two trip opportunities!

Colombia Trip #2 Opportunity

Colombia Biblical Seminary

WORK TEAM

When: January 12—26, 2011

Tax Receiptable Cost: $2,000.00 Approx. (price will vary depending on province of departure)

Charlotte Kroes: ckroes@mfmcanada.ca  1-888-417-5256

Roll up your sleeves and help us refurbish the Colombia Biblical Seminary for God’s glory!

 
The Colombia Biblical Seminary is a training ground for more than 200 students from many denominational backgrounds. The seminary is more than 60 years old and many of the buildings are in need of repair. Available funds have been spent on teaching students, however, they need a good place to study and minister.


Many seminary students are serving in churches and in front-line ministries that take the Gospel to areas not yet reached for Christ.

Will you invest 2 weeks of your life to go, give and do as God leads? We need 12 people who will roll up their sleeves and get to work.

(First come, first go basis. Space is limited.)

Colombia Trip #3 Opportunity

ACCA Prison Fellowship

WORK TEAM

Roll up your sleeves and let’s get to work, investing in the lives of the people of Colombia.

When: March 21 - April 1st 2011

Tax Receiptable Cost: Approx. $1,700.00

(price will vary depending on province of departure)

Contact:  Charlotte Kroes: ckroes@mfmcanada.ca  1- 888-417-5256 

The ACCA (Prison Fellowship of Antioquia) is a ministry that changes lives. This group ministers to men and women who are living in Colombia’s grossly overcrowded prisons. More that 40 ex-prisoners are now pastors on the outside. Additionally, ACCA ministers to family members of inmates. Perhaps the most amazing ministry is with the widows and orphans of the sixty pastors who have been assassinated by the drug cartels.


Are you willing to invest 12 days of your life to go, give and do as God leads? We need 12 men, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Please help us help ACCA expand their ministry.

(First come, first go basis. Space is limited.)



In Vancouver, October 20th to October 25th

Twice a year, One Mission Society, Canada (OMS)/Men for Missions have board meetings and this year, I am privileged to be participating in the board meetings in Vancouver, B.C.   Our meetings start early in the morning October 21st and end October 23rd.  There is much to be thankful for and there are a lot of requests for help from many mission fields.  Please pray during the time of the meetings.   There are many decisions to make.

On October 22nd, there is a banquet planned.  If you live in or are visiting the Vancouver area on Friday, please plan to come.  Even though the October 14th deadline for reserving a ticket has passed, there is still room to come.  To reserve a ticket, call Kim at 1-800-784-7077.

Art.

Meet Gerardo "Papa" Pino, Colombia

Back in August, I promised to write more about my experiences in Colombia.

Meet Gerardo "Papa" Pino

From left to right:Art, "Papa" Pino and Jeannine Brabon

There is quite a story about Papa Pino written in a book called "The Lord of Bellavista".  Bellavista Prison in Medellin was one of the most violent and bloodiest prisons in Colombia.  (You may have read the article about Jeannine Brabon in my August 18th blog posting).

Papa Pino was imprisoned 18 times for armed robbery.  In March, 1988, his life was transformed by God once and for all......look at his smiling face.  His weapon has been his precious Bible for 22 years and counting!

I highly recommend all of you read the book "The Lord of Bellavista".  Papa Pino's conversion experience is in this book and many other incredible stories.  We have copies available here at our office.  If you'd like to read this book, please let me know (donation contribution - $10.00) and we will send one to you.

Check out this short video clip - Untold Stories of Colombia:  http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=7005af52bc9e778a058b

Art. 
     

A Saturday Spent with Friends at a Wedding

Art and daughter, Raquel (sitting down) and Amanda's colleagues at wedding reception

On Saturday, September 18th, I had the privilege to join in the celebration of Amanda and Jimmy's wedding.  Amanda and her colleagues from St. Peter's Residence at Chedoke, Hamilton helped our family through a number of difficult years.  The staff at St. Peter's cared for and loved on my father until he passed away in 2009 after enduring years of Alzheimer's disease. 

When Amanda asked me to officiate at their wedding, I felt honoured and moved.   I explained to her that I was ordained mainly to minister in jails and that I seldom do marriages.  Being part of this special day, with such special people is a day I'll always remember.  The staff at St. Peter's have become like family.  My daughter Raquel joined the celebration and remembers the care give to her Papa.  Blessings to you all at St. Peter's.

More Aquaponic Pictures from Malawi, Africa

We've just received a couple more fish farm pictures to share with you:

Fresh lettuce!

My Wife

Well, it's time for another blog......I want to share with you something, rather "someone" who is very dear to my heart. 

Isn't she beautiful?  Please allow me to brag on just a little.  Elaine is beautiful inside and out.  Our children, Artie, Max and Raquel and myself are who we are because of her.  Oh, I know you have heard that before, but it is so true.  Well, that's it.  A short blog.  I wanted you all to know how much I love her!

Fish Farm, Malawi, Africa

OMS Canada has a ministry partner in Malawi, Africa - Iris Ministries.  Hunger is a huge problem in Malawi and Iris is involved in providing food for relief.  In 2008, after much prayer, planning and fundraising in Canada for a fish farm and hydroponic vegetable growing operation, these plans began to take shape.  One of the main things that needed to happen was to find a trustworthy Malawian to train and then lead this programme.  In a society where there is plenty of lying, theft, adultery and laziness, it was a breath of fresh air to find someone whose heart is pure and from this, springs forth a lifestyle which honours our Lord.

Meet Kelvin Sitati and his little family:

Kelvin's world up to then had been a mud house with a grass roof, walking barefoot on dusty paths, subsistently farming to provide enough maize to feed his wife and child, drawing water from a village well, living without electricity.  Kelvin may be poor physically, but he is rich in his relationship with the Lord and with his family.  They are happy, filled with joy, content and satisfied with life.  They have each other and they exhibit faith in their Faithful God.

In March, 2009, Kelvin went from this life to spending three months at an aquaculture research and training centre in Florida.  Morning Star Fishermen is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help fight world hunger, especially in underdeveloped regions.  Imagine all the "firsts" for Kelvin on this trip.

A container with all construction supplies for the fish farm was loaded in early summer to arrive in early fall, 2009:

I had the privilege of going to Malawi in the fall, 2009 with the intent of helping construct the fish farm.  I did help with that but also, due to some unfortunate circumstances, David Morrision, Iris's Canadian missionary had to come back to Canada for a period of time.   This trip to Malawi ended up being a significant life changing trip for me.  To help David out, I ended up preaching and teaching far more than I expected on this trip.  I slept out in the open air and preached in the middle of nowhere in Malawi.  It touched my heart more than I could ever describe in words.

Here's a few pictures:

Open Air Preaching

Mode of transportation

My sleeping quarters

Here's some pictures of the fish farm:

Under construction

Tanks for Fish

Beginnings of Vegetables

Tilapia Fish !  Kelvin is Happy

Congratulations Gord Pauls! You did it!

Gord Pauls completed all three triple ironmans over the weekend! Congratulations Gord! Check out this video that was shown on 100 Huntley Street  on Monday this week:

http://100huntley.com/video.php?id=qfngx5wmsNg
 
This video was filmed prior to the event.  More pictures and video to come.....   
 
Art

From Penticton, British Columbia in support of Gord Pauls' Triple Ironman effort

The date today is August 26, 2010. Today might well be the hardest day of Gord’s journey to the challenge of a Triple Ironman. Today, Gord picked up his race kit, looked after his bike and gathered together the myriad of other minor elements that will ensure a successful race. Today, is a ‘waiting’ day.

Last November, Gord decided to take on a challenge like no other he has attempted before. He decided to do three Ironman races, 3 days in a row, culminating with Ironman Canada in Penticton, British Columbia. Gord is not looking for glory, he is looking to help give a hand up, to Haitian people in need, via micro-credit. With micro-credit, Haitian people are able to borrow small amounts of money to start their own businesses. With these businesses, they are able to support themselves and their families long term.

Gord is eager to finally start the races for which he has trained so hard. The waiting is difficult but the return, once he is finished, is well worth the effort.

Thank you so much for all of your support over these many months. The people of Haiti also thank you. It means the world to Gord and by extension it also makes all the difference for the people of Haiti.

We found a quote from an Ironman Canada book. “Glory comes not from externals. It’s what’s inside that counts. It’s an act of faith that defies understanding, making everything else fall by the way.”



Please visit http://www.gordpauls.com/ for more information regarding this incredible endeavour.

I'm off to Penticton

As you read this blog posting, I am on my way to Pencticton, British Columbia until Monday.  Do you wonder why?  Read on:

Our dear friend Gord Pauls is involved in a triple Ironman in Penticton Friday August 27, Saturday August 28 and Sunday August 29.   He will be swimming, cycling and running a total of 678 kilometres in order to raise money for the people of Haiti. If you would like to contribute financially, you can go to http://www.gordpauls.com/ .
Please be sure to pray for Gord, Esther (his wife) and the rest of the crew. Please pray that he will be encouraged and that he will be convinced that he can do this!  Esther remembers Gord saying when he was training for the Chicago marathon, that running long distances is mainly psychological. Yes, you have to train, but you also have to believe that you can swim, cycle and run! Gord has done the training: he can do this and God will continue to be faithful!

During the triple Ironman, you can track Gord's progress at http://www.gordpauls.com/ or http://www.ironman.ca/.

Art

A Heartfelt Thank You

We would like to thank all the people who have given their time, talents, materials and/or financial support to make the Haiti Emmaus Seminary a reality. A thank you card designed by Bob Salo was mailed to many people last week.

This is the front cover

The inside inscription reads as follows:

Because of you, this wonderful seminary will train thousands of pastors.
Because of you, hundreds of thousands will find their Lord & Saviour.
Because of you, Haiti has hope.
Because of Jesus, all things are possible.



God has done an amazing thing.  Even the earthquake did not and will not stop the purpose of God.  You may or may not know that a number of students from a destroyed seminary in Port au Prince now are being blessed to not only continue their theological education but have a roof over their heads at the Emmaus Biblical Seminary.

We truly appreciate your investment in this seminary.  We invite you to continue your connection.  Please visit the Emmaus Biblical Seminary blog (http://ebshaiti.blogspot.com/)  and celebrate with our Haitian brothers and sisters as they rebuild Haiti.

Sincerely, Art Duerksen and Jack Ryvers.

The "Heart" of Colombia

As promised last week, a few stories about Colombia.

Jeannine & Art

Jeannine is an OMS missionary in Colombia. I promise that you will be amazed at the work Jeannine is doing in Colombia.
Please read her story:  www.urbana.org/great-cloud-of-witnesses/jeannine-brabons-ministry-in-colombias-jaws-of-hell

Luis receiving his gift of shoes sent by Gord & Esther Pauls from the Runners Den

Luis is a product of hundreds who have been blessed by the servants heart of Jeannine. Luis was abandoned as a child in an "area of conflict" in one of the toughest parts of Colombia. At the age of 10, through Compassion International, Luis began as a new Christian to preach and was paid small amounts to speak at churches. At the age of 15, he sold a ring that was given to him and purchased a one way ticket to the OMS Seminary in Medellin. There he met Jeannine where in spite of his young age, he was accepted into the Seminary program.  Luis has worked hard and against all odds he will graduate after completing his fourth year of seminary!

Luis wearing his new hat and showing his thanks to "Dick".
As a thank you, Luis has promised to pray for Dick, my friend from the YMCA who donated the hats,
and this really touched my heart.

A Taste of Colombia

I arrived in Medellín, Colombia on August 9th to begin a new journey in a new country.  New sounds, new sights, new food and new relationships have already enriched my life and captured my heart.  I do not believe that I am alone in my impression of what Colombia would be like, based on news reports both past and present.  I was so uninformed and misled.  The commitment, endurance and passion of Colombians to help one another is unlike any country I have ever visited. 

We (Ken Yinger, executive director of OMS - Canada and I) have encountered people passionate about serving widows, orphans and men, women and children in zones of conflict.  I will be blogging stories with pictures of REAL life in Colombia.  Some of these stories will wrench your heart, others will inspire your spirit with joy. 

Until Next Week...

Earthquake! January 12, 2010

Just one day after celebrating the grand opening of the Emmaus Seminary, Ebed Paul and I were driving in  Cap Haitien, 80 miles north of Port au Prince. The ground started moving. We were wondering what was happening when we saw people flooding into the streets. We got our news like the rest of the world by CNN. A seminary in Port au Prince was levelled and we now have some of these students in our new seminary!

One of the hundreds of buildings leveled in Port au Prince

Downtown Port au Prince

Grand Opening of New Emmaus Seminary (January 11, 2010)

 

I left for Haiti January 6th, 2010 to attend the grand opening celebration of the New Emmaus Seminary on January 11th and for the second annual Race for Solidarite to be held in Cap Haitien January 16th. Below are some  pictures surrounding the celebration.

Clockwise from palm tree:  the library, the men's domitory, the administration/classroom building, the cafeteria/kitchen and the chapel in the middle.

State of the Art Kitchen