Tragedy in Haiti - the team is ok

Hello all - Let me tell everyone who may be reading this that the team is safe and sound. Praise God! But our hearts are heavy as some of you may have already heard, that our dear friend and tireless shepherd of souls, Pastor Louis, was shot and killed yesterday in his home by desperate robbers. It appears that it was an isolated incident, that they were simply targeting any home that was standing and therefore had something of value to steal.

I've spoken with one of the team leaders several times today, Josh Mehlberg, who is also one of our elders here at Immanuel. Their original plan, after hearing of the news of Pastor Louis' death, was to sort of "lay low" at the hotel today and simply decompress. But Elucie, Pastor Louis' wonderful and amazing wife and partner in ministry, insisted that they continue to press on and do as they had planned to do, and that was to be the voice, face, and hands of Christ to the people of Port au Prince through a medical clinic. So that is what they did for a half day today, seeing about 95 patients.

The details of the murder are still somewhat sketchy. All we know right now is the statement I made above, and that there's therefore no connection and danger to our team. That's not to say that danger lurks around every corner potentially in this fallen world in which we live, of course. Continue to pray for their safety!

Pray also for Pastor Louis' family, that they would continue to be comforted by the sure and certain knowledge they have that he has reached the goal of his faith, that which he so faithfully and tirelessly and passionately shared with countless souls in his lifetime, and that is eternal life with his heavenly Father because of his faith in Jesus Christ his Savior.

Pray also for the future of the ministry down there, that God will, in His time and plan, raise up another strong leader to fill the oversized shoes of his faithful servant. Lastly, pray for the person or persons who took Pastor Louis' life, that somehow, someway, they may know the forgiveness of Jesus in all of this. I know that Pastor Louis would most certainly feel this way. Wouldn't it be amazing one day, to see the reunion between Pastor Louis and this person or persons in heaven, should they come to faith in Jesus? I know that he would welcome them with arms open wide.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. I apologize for not getting this info to you sooner. God's peace to all of you. In Christ, Pastor D

Haiti Team is Off!

Well, in spite of all of the sunshine and dry roads, our MIA team made it down to the airport and on their way to Haiti safe and sound late this morning. (That's a bit of an inside joke, since it seems that our last three or four trips have begun in the wee hours of the morning, usually in blinding snowstorms...)

It absolutely amazes me, knowing that God has preordained this trip since before time began. And that He has had in mind precisely everyone the team will meet and treat and be Jesus to. Wow!

All of you are invited to be with us each night that they are gone (they return 3/20) for a short prayer vigil. It's basically going to be a time for our ILC family and team member families to gather together to hear the latest team news, maybe see some pictures or video that's been sent back from the clinic, and just support one another and the team through conversation, hugs, and prayers to our almighty God. We'll be meeting at 7:00 each night. See you there!

Prayer That Makes a Difference

Wow! Has it really been two weeks since my last post? You can tell it's Lent! Time is soooo flying by! Whoosh!

We're starting a new sermon series this Sunday that I'm really excited about. It's on prayer. We're going to take a look at some really famous prayers that are documented in the Bible. It's the prayers, of course, but it's also the situation from which the prayers were spoken; it's the amazing trust that is offered in the prayers to our all-powerful God; it's frustrations and joys and thanksgivings too!

It's all there as God invites to come to Him in this very intimate way. Just you and Him in a quiet little conversation. His promise is that He's going to a) Hear every word you say, and b) That He will answer your every request. Isn't that so cool? The problem comes so often, that He doesn't answer our prayer we feel it should be answered or in the way we want it to be answered. But when it is answered in God's timing and in His way, it's going to be the very best for us, because He can do nothing other than be good, right, perfect, and holy. Thank You, my Lord and God for loving me, and for hearing my prayer!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7