What can bring people from different cultures together? Some of my greatest passions: the love of God, mechanical work, and music! Recently the missions community in Haiti was joined by a new organization: DFI, Development For Freedom International. Our family has been privileged to get to know the Korean lady who started DFI, Helen Kim. Helen has been joined by three Korean young ladies serving alongside her. Having four single women serving in Port-au-Prince with all the electrical and water issues we have is no easy task. Thankfully, I have a very mechanically inclined husband who uses his skills to help others in need. Several times in the past few weeks we’ve loaded our tools in the car to make a drive across town. This past week, Helen had a team of about 15 people come from Korea… and had no electricity! This also means she had no water, as her pump won’t work without power. What a blessing it was to be able to serve these brother and sisters in Christ!
The Quisqueya Chapel worship team, Korean musicians, and some of the children’s choir from local orphanages / tent cities.
After working on Helen’s generator, water and power were restored. The medical and dental teams could see patients and use their equipment. The dancers and musicians could rest more comfortably after working long hours with groups of Haitian kids and teens from local orphanages and tent cities.
With several busy days and a lot of hard work behind us, we were treated to an amazing concert. And even though we didn’t all speak the same language, we were blessed by the singing and dancing. On Sunday, our worship team (Haitian & American) was joined by five Korean singers and musicians. What a privilege it is to worship the Lord together! I couldn’t help but think of the beautiful day when people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will bow before the Lord together, worshiping our King. I think God’s just giving me a little glimpse of what is to come.
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Karen: you, yourself, have given us a glimpse of God’s Heaven within your daily ministry. Just recently I received a book via snail-mail from my sister: “Heaven” ~2004, Eternal Perspective Ministries, Randy Acorn. The flyleaf reads, “Other than the bible itself, this may well be the most life-changing book you’ll ever read.” Then, of course, there’s the recent, “Heaven Is For Real” (the true story of a four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who experienced heaven during emergency surgery. He talks about looking down to see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn’t know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear …). Whether in book or real life, it’s always exciting to see God extending his hand down from his Heavenly Throne in his miraculous caring and uniting towards us – all of us. Many thanks.
~Bob Shank, Tucson AZ, and you and your family (as is all of MAF) are in our state-side prayers (wouldn’t hurt to pray for us as well!)