Are you tired of the busy crowds at the stores as you spend hours deciding what Christmas presents to buy for your friends and family? Wishing there was a way to give the perfect gift without all of the "world-li-ness" during this blessed Christmas season?
Are you asking yourself, "How do I find the real reason for the season?"
(I thought you would never ask!)
At LCF, we are celebrating this Christmas season with the Haiti Christmas Fund.
Here are four easy steps to be a part of this exciting time:
1. Think of that special person that you would like to give a gift like none other...the gift of helping others.
2. Give a monetary donation to the LCF Haiti Christmas Fund in replace of a gift for a family member or friend.
3. Take a card provided by LCF of the most adorable children from the St. Louis du Sud orphanage.
4. Give the card to that special person so that they know how much you care to help orphans have the basic necessities of life.
The donations given will be prayerfully used to help improve the basic conditions of the orphanage as projects arise throughout the coming year.
Thank you for your prayers, your time, and your donations as we continue to be God's human hands and feet for the children in St. Louis du Sud.
Merry Christmas,
Amy
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Monthly Prayer Time for Haiti
HELP WANTED: Prayer warriors for Haiti
Before each Family Gathering Night at LCF we have a prayer group that meets at the LCF Church house to devote prayers of thanksgiving as well as prayer requests to the Lord on behalf of those in Haiti that we serve.
Please join us at 6pm at the Church house this Wednesday for a vital time of prayer for the upcoming missions trip in January.
Colossians 1:9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
-Amy
Before each Family Gathering Night at LCF we have a prayer group that meets at the LCF Church house to devote prayers of thanksgiving as well as prayer requests to the Lord on behalf of those in Haiti that we serve.
Please join us at 6pm at the Church house this Wednesday for a vital time of prayer for the upcoming missions trip in January.
Colossians 1:9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
-Amy
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Prayer request: health concern
Just a quick blog to say that we have received word of an unconfirmed case of a family of four in Les Cayes (the nearest large town to St. Louis)with cholera. We are asking for prayers to be lifted up concerning the health of the people in the village of Les Cayes and the surrounding area...including the children in the orphanage in St. Louis.
Please pray specifically for protection against cholera, especially for the children. Pray also for God's healing hand upon those that have acquired cholera.
Psalm 34:1-3
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
Please pray specifically for protection against cholera, especially for the children. Pray also for God's healing hand upon those that have acquired cholera.
Psalm 34:1-3
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Day 7
Our last full day in Haiti was.................full.
It began around 5am when we awoke to prepare for church in Les Cayes at 6. There was no water, which meant no flushing toilets and no showers. Thankfully everyone had showered Saturday night, except me! In typical Haitian style, we didn't leave for church until almost 7, but not to worry; they were just getting going when we arrived.
As I have said many times, worshipping here is like a taste of heaven; John's vision in Revelation of people from every tribe, and tongue and people and nation worshipping before the throne. While we couldn't understand most of what they were singing, we worhsipped together nonetheless. They did sing one song in English, and I was moved to tears.
We left Cayes church early at 8:30 to attend church in St. Louis du Sud with our kids. They are always precious, but in their Sunday best, they are adorable! What a blessing to worship alongside them! Don't know how to put it in words, but when they sing, you feel like you are in the company of angels. We were blessed. I had the opportunity to preach and as always, count it a special blessing.
We spent the afternoon with the kiddos. About 3 it began to rain so we headed to the church and sang; first our songs, then theirs. As we finished, several team members shared with the kids what the week had meant to them and then we prayed for them. As they left the church, each child got a vitamin, a snack, and a hug from each team member. It was special! Near the end, several boys broke down in tears, and so did the team. Then Pastor LaBastille's wife was crying. Even after a week, goodbye's are incredibly difficult. We tried to explain a team will return in January, Lord willing. But I am not sure what their minds comprehend. Hopefully over time, as we continue to come back, they will know how much we care.
After a quiet bus ride home, we had dinner with Samuel, our translator. Today is his 25th birthday. We sang Happy Birthday and had a cake for him. He grew up in an orphanage and said it was the first time anyone had every sung Happy Birthday for him. Afterwards, we gatehrered around and prayed for him. Louis told me later that Samuel was very blessed by the evening. He was sure a blessing to us. The week wouldn't have been what it was without his help. Hopefully he will be a regular when our next team comes!
You would have been so proud of this team. I stood back and watched them, love, serve and minister here. Our two teenagers, John and Jenna did an amazing job. The kids loved them! If they weren't kicking soccer balls around, they had multiple kids in their laps.
Greg and John S. were thinking, planning and working all week. What a blessing to have people who understand construction and site planning. The future of our village will be vastly improved as a result of these two guys being on the trip. But those skills were secondary to their love for the kids; they did such a great job of loving our children. Even when they were working, they had kids following them around, sometimes even helping!
Kelli cared for sick and scratched kiddos, while showering them with love. By the end of the week, some were looking for reasons to see the "Doctor".
Rob was always serving, anticipating needs and taking care of things before anyone could ask. He usually had a child over his shoulder or wrapped around his arms.
Brett led singing, often times in Creole. It was very impressive! He was always juggling, dancing and doing anything to make the kids smile.
Cindy, who had all of 36 hours to prepare for the trip, did an amazing job keeping us organized, preparing daily craft time with the kids, leading singing, and loving on kids. They loved her back!
Thank you for your prayers; we could not have done this without them! God is doing some really neat things in Haiti, and we are blessed as a church to be able to join Him here. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity.
We will leave on a 7:45 flight out of Les Cayes and hope to arrive in KC by 10PM. Please pray for safe and on time travel tomorrow.
Love from Haiti!
Scott
for Team Haiti
It began around 5am when we awoke to prepare for church in Les Cayes at 6. There was no water, which meant no flushing toilets and no showers. Thankfully everyone had showered Saturday night, except me! In typical Haitian style, we didn't leave for church until almost 7, but not to worry; they were just getting going when we arrived.
As I have said many times, worshipping here is like a taste of heaven; John's vision in Revelation of people from every tribe, and tongue and people and nation worshipping before the throne. While we couldn't understand most of what they were singing, we worhsipped together nonetheless. They did sing one song in English, and I was moved to tears.
We left Cayes church early at 8:30 to attend church in St. Louis du Sud with our kids. They are always precious, but in their Sunday best, they are adorable! What a blessing to worship alongside them! Don't know how to put it in words, but when they sing, you feel like you are in the company of angels. We were blessed. I had the opportunity to preach and as always, count it a special blessing.
We spent the afternoon with the kiddos. About 3 it began to rain so we headed to the church and sang; first our songs, then theirs. As we finished, several team members shared with the kids what the week had meant to them and then we prayed for them. As they left the church, each child got a vitamin, a snack, and a hug from each team member. It was special! Near the end, several boys broke down in tears, and so did the team. Then Pastor LaBastille's wife was crying. Even after a week, goodbye's are incredibly difficult. We tried to explain a team will return in January, Lord willing. But I am not sure what their minds comprehend. Hopefully over time, as we continue to come back, they will know how much we care.
After a quiet bus ride home, we had dinner with Samuel, our translator. Today is his 25th birthday. We sang Happy Birthday and had a cake for him. He grew up in an orphanage and said it was the first time anyone had every sung Happy Birthday for him. Afterwards, we gatehrered around and prayed for him. Louis told me later that Samuel was very blessed by the evening. He was sure a blessing to us. The week wouldn't have been what it was without his help. Hopefully he will be a regular when our next team comes!
You would have been so proud of this team. I stood back and watched them, love, serve and minister here. Our two teenagers, John and Jenna did an amazing job. The kids loved them! If they weren't kicking soccer balls around, they had multiple kids in their laps.
Greg and John S. were thinking, planning and working all week. What a blessing to have people who understand construction and site planning. The future of our village will be vastly improved as a result of these two guys being on the trip. But those skills were secondary to their love for the kids; they did such a great job of loving our children. Even when they were working, they had kids following them around, sometimes even helping!
Kelli cared for sick and scratched kiddos, while showering them with love. By the end of the week, some were looking for reasons to see the "Doctor".
Rob was always serving, anticipating needs and taking care of things before anyone could ask. He usually had a child over his shoulder or wrapped around his arms.
Brett led singing, often times in Creole. It was very impressive! He was always juggling, dancing and doing anything to make the kids smile.
Cindy, who had all of 36 hours to prepare for the trip, did an amazing job keeping us organized, preparing daily craft time with the kids, leading singing, and loving on kids. They loved her back!
Thank you for your prayers; we could not have done this without them! God is doing some really neat things in Haiti, and we are blessed as a church to be able to join Him here. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity.
We will leave on a 7:45 flight out of Les Cayes and hope to arrive in KC by 10PM. Please pray for safe and on time travel tomorrow.
Love from Haiti!
Scott
for Team Haiti
You Won't Relent
I have Haiti on the brain. Many of us at LCF do. Reading the blogs from the team are so inspiring. Once again, God's fingerprints are all over the missions trip.
Lately, every time I think of the Haiti trip a certain song pops in my head. I am wondering if it could be the theme song for this missions trip. Do missions trips have theme songs? If so, this would be a great song choice.
"You Won't Relent" by Misty Edwards.
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
I'll set You as a seal upon my heart
As a seal upon my arm
For there is love that is as strong as death
Jealousy, demanding as the grave
Many waters cannot quench this love
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
I'll set You as a seal upon my heart
As a seal upon my arm
For there is love that is as strong as death
Jealousy, demanding as the grave
Many waters cannot quench this love
Waters cannot quench this love
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
Waters cannot quench this love
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
Come be the fire inside of me
Come be the flame upon my heart
Come be the fire inside of me
Until You and I are one
So, instead of a Bible verse for the day, I have a strong feeling that God is rejoicing in song just as much as the team is right now for the love, time, and effort that has been shown to the children and adults.
Praise you God forever and ever!
Amy Newberry
Lately, every time I think of the Haiti trip a certain song pops in my head. I am wondering if it could be the theme song for this missions trip. Do missions trips have theme songs? If so, this would be a great song choice.
"You Won't Relent" by Misty Edwards.
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
I'll set You as a seal upon my heart
As a seal upon my arm
For there is love that is as strong as death
Jealousy, demanding as the grave
Many waters cannot quench this love
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
I'll set You as a seal upon my heart
As a seal upon my arm
For there is love that is as strong as death
Jealousy, demanding as the grave
Many waters cannot quench this love
Waters cannot quench this love
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
Waters cannot quench this love
You won't relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours
Come be the fire inside of me
Come be the flame upon my heart
Come be the fire inside of me
Until You and I are one
So, instead of a Bible verse for the day, I have a strong feeling that God is rejoicing in song just as much as the team is right now for the love, time, and effort that has been shown to the children and adults.
Praise you God forever and ever!
Amy Newberry
Day 6
Day 6
Day six started out a little slow and with some uncertainty. But it turned out to be one of the fullest days of the week for the team. The plan was to leave at 8am to go to the orphanage and to leave for the beach at 10:30. There was a problem with the rides and finally our van came, we loaded everything up, and the van wouldn’t start. So we got out of the van and prayed. While we were praying, God had laid the song “This is the Day that the Lord has made” on both Jon and my heart, but before we could share it Rob shared it in a prayer. So after a few more prayers, we sang the song, “This is the Day” and gave the day to the Lord. John Skillman would say in our sharing time at the end of the day, that once we gave the day to the Lord, everything began to work out right.
After our prayer time, we found that the van was just out of gas, and we were on our way after 10 or so more minutes. We got to the orphanage quite late, but found we had 30 minutes before the bus would come, which we got to spend with the kids. When the bus came, 110 people got on the bus including the 90 kids, the house moms, Paster Labastille and his family and the LCF team. As Kelly put it, you could just tell it was a special day for kids that probably don’t have so many special days. The girls were in their Sunday best – to go to the beach!. The neighbor kids looked on as the St Louis de Sur kids got on the bus for their field trip. We made our way thru the rough, but beautiful countryside to a Haitian national park beach area. It was great to watch the kids gaze out at the views. Even packed sometimes 4 in a seat, the ride was a real treasure for many of the kids.
When we got to the beach, we all filed out and picked out a spot a little way back from the water in a shady grove of palm trees. In groups of 5 or so, each of the kids went out and waded in the water for several minutes and then went back to the shady area under the palms. There we had fellowship, just hanging out together, many of the LCF team commented that it was the companionship not the ocean that was the center of the day. It was much different than we expected kids to act at a beach.
Yesterday, God had put the boy, Marck Gerald, on my heart. He had come over to me several times, but was quiet and slightly withdrawn. He kind of smiled, but it was a Mona Lisa smile. I was hoping to connect somehow with him and I prayed for an opportunity. We had brought a shovel and buckets to build a sand castle by the water, but since we weren’t by the water, Brett and I decided to bring the water to our sandy beach under the trees. Brett went to get some water and I started digging with the shovel. Out of 90 kids, who do you think came over to ask to dig with the shovel but Marck Gerald. Isn’t God great? Marck and I built a nice castle with the help of the water from Brett and when I started making a wall across the moat that he had dug, Marck did the same for the other half of the castle. Some of the other kids decorated the wall with domes made filling sand in a half of a plastic egg and after a bunch of photos, we all jumped on the castle and smashed it to smithereens. Marck and the kids had a full smile that day.
We went back to the St Louis de Sur and showed the Jesus Film (in Creole). The new projector worked great. The kids watched intently as the story of Jesus was told. About 15 or so neighbors wondered in and saw the film also. When the film highlighted the parable of the Good Samaritan, many of the our kids talked between themselves that was the story that they had had in one of their lessons. Isn’t it neat how God weaves the message together. (Thanks Bev for preparing that lesson!) The Jesus Story shared the gospel and asked the audience to pray along if they wanted to accept Jesus as their Savior. Please pray that the seed planted tonight would bear fruit in the lives of our kids and the neighbors that visited.
At the end of the day, Scott shared that he had been a little perturbed that the day started out like it did. Samuel, our interpreter, told Scott that maybe God wanted to show us what it is like everyday for the Christians in Haiti. There are a lot of struggles, but we take joy in knowing that God is our strength. Samuel said happiness is for a time, but the Joy of the Lord is forever. May the God’s Joy fill your life, it certainly filled ours today and the day that started out weak finished strong thru God’s Grace.
We have a big Sunday ahead of us tomorrow with two church services and the foot washing time with the kids before saying the hard goodbye’s tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.
Gregg and Jon Lehenbauer
Day six started out a little slow and with some uncertainty. But it turned out to be one of the fullest days of the week for the team. The plan was to leave at 8am to go to the orphanage and to leave for the beach at 10:30. There was a problem with the rides and finally our van came, we loaded everything up, and the van wouldn’t start. So we got out of the van and prayed. While we were praying, God had laid the song “This is the Day that the Lord has made” on both Jon and my heart, but before we could share it Rob shared it in a prayer. So after a few more prayers, we sang the song, “This is the Day” and gave the day to the Lord. John Skillman would say in our sharing time at the end of the day, that once we gave the day to the Lord, everything began to work out right.
After our prayer time, we found that the van was just out of gas, and we were on our way after 10 or so more minutes. We got to the orphanage quite late, but found we had 30 minutes before the bus would come, which we got to spend with the kids. When the bus came, 110 people got on the bus including the 90 kids, the house moms, Paster Labastille and his family and the LCF team. As Kelly put it, you could just tell it was a special day for kids that probably don’t have so many special days. The girls were in their Sunday best – to go to the beach!. The neighbor kids looked on as the St Louis de Sur kids got on the bus for their field trip. We made our way thru the rough, but beautiful countryside to a Haitian national park beach area. It was great to watch the kids gaze out at the views. Even packed sometimes 4 in a seat, the ride was a real treasure for many of the kids.
When we got to the beach, we all filed out and picked out a spot a little way back from the water in a shady grove of palm trees. In groups of 5 or so, each of the kids went out and waded in the water for several minutes and then went back to the shady area under the palms. There we had fellowship, just hanging out together, many of the LCF team commented that it was the companionship not the ocean that was the center of the day. It was much different than we expected kids to act at a beach.
Yesterday, God had put the boy, Marck Gerald, on my heart. He had come over to me several times, but was quiet and slightly withdrawn. He kind of smiled, but it was a Mona Lisa smile. I was hoping to connect somehow with him and I prayed for an opportunity. We had brought a shovel and buckets to build a sand castle by the water, but since we weren’t by the water, Brett and I decided to bring the water to our sandy beach under the trees. Brett went to get some water and I started digging with the shovel. Out of 90 kids, who do you think came over to ask to dig with the shovel but Marck Gerald. Isn’t God great? Marck and I built a nice castle with the help of the water from Brett and when I started making a wall across the moat that he had dug, Marck did the same for the other half of the castle. Some of the other kids decorated the wall with domes made filling sand in a half of a plastic egg and after a bunch of photos, we all jumped on the castle and smashed it to smithereens. Marck and the kids had a full smile that day.
We went back to the St Louis de Sur and showed the Jesus Film (in Creole). The new projector worked great. The kids watched intently as the story of Jesus was told. About 15 or so neighbors wondered in and saw the film also. When the film highlighted the parable of the Good Samaritan, many of the our kids talked between themselves that was the story that they had had in one of their lessons. Isn’t it neat how God weaves the message together. (Thanks Bev for preparing that lesson!) The Jesus Story shared the gospel and asked the audience to pray along if they wanted to accept Jesus as their Savior. Please pray that the seed planted tonight would bear fruit in the lives of our kids and the neighbors that visited.
At the end of the day, Scott shared that he had been a little perturbed that the day started out like it did. Samuel, our interpreter, told Scott that maybe God wanted to show us what it is like everyday for the Christians in Haiti. There are a lot of struggles, but we take joy in knowing that God is our strength. Samuel said happiness is for a time, but the Joy of the Lord is forever. May the God’s Joy fill your life, it certainly filled ours today and the day that started out weak finished strong thru God’s Grace.
We have a big Sunday ahead of us tomorrow with two church services and the foot washing time with the kids before saying the hard goodbye’s tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.
Gregg and Jon Lehenbauer
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Isaiah 35:10
Today's verse centers around JOY. A joy that only God can provide no matter what the day brings.
Isaiah 35:10
...They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
*Just a reminder that the prayer group will meet again Monday morning at 6am at the church house.
Amy Newberry
Isaiah 35:10
...They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
*Just a reminder that the prayer group will meet again Monday morning at 6am at the church house.
Amy Newberry
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