JOHN JUNEMAN
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Haiti: Day 14: Final day

1/23/2015

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Have you even been in one of those gatherings when the Holy Spirit just filled the room?  That is the only way to describe our final class session with the students today.  We began with prayer and singing (I just learned today that the class next door sometimes had a difficult time hearing their teacher this week because of the singing coming from our class!) as the students lifted their hands in praise.  They were all very excited because this was the day they got to each have 5 minutes to present what they have discovered in the Word over these two weeks.  They graciously listened, encouraged, and applauded at the end of each of the 25 presentations today.  Many of them dressed up again today and were so proud to stand before the group to share from God’s Word.  Each and every presentation was excellent.  Most of all, it was exciting to see the passion in their hearts for Jesus and the gospel as they spoke. 

The end of class was one of the most touching experiences I have ever had.  I shared from my heart for a few minutes about what the class had meant to me, and admonished them to continue in what they have learned --- that my prayer was that this would be more than a course, but would become a lifestyle for them.  I urged them to stay in the Word, to continue to seek Jesus, to disciple others, and to bring those people to heaven with them.  I shared that we are brothers and sisters in this journey, and that we are now running this race together.  I told them that if I did not see them again until heaven, I would look forward to rejoicing with them there for all Jesus did in our lives and others.  As we prepared to close this last class, some students spontaneously and passionately stood to tell what this class had meant to them.  One of them then said that it was their turn to gather around Simeon and me to pray for us.  We joined hands in a circle and sang a song of praise (in Creole) that rang out loudly throughout the building and outside (I saw our door crack open a few times as other people we peeking in to see what was taking place).  After this the students all prayed with loud voices, just as in the book of Acts, and then took turns embracing us as we went our ways.  My eyes were full of tears as we experienced the reality of Jesus together in these powerful moments. 

Grades are all turned in, and we had a final supper tonight with the missionaries, who have so graciously served and blessed us in the Spirit of Christ.  What a great fellowship we have had together with them and the other visiting professors.  I head home tomorrow, but will forever take the students with me in my heart.  I have been greatly affected by this time with them and feel that it will shape the rest of my life.  I thank the Lord for this gift.  Thank you for praying and being a part of what He has done here, which will matter for eternity.  As my fellow professor, Bob Petruccio says, let's continue "to make much to do [or ado] about Jesus." 

In Christ,

John

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Haiti: Day 13

1/22/2015

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There was excitement all around the campus today.  First of all, the students know the end of the two-week term is coming and their assignments are getting completed.  Secondly, it was picture day, and the students were proud to put on their best for our class pictures.  In addition to our official class photo (which I will post tomorrow), I posed with numerous students and groups today, and it was a fun time of just making memories together.  There is no doubt that things continue to build and that the class is ending on a high note.  I have seen this many times before when God has moved in places and circumstances.  When He has moved by His Spirit, there has been a deep sense of His blessing and anointing upon it.  This has certainly been the sense here in an increasing way.  Today we went the library and separated the students into three groups, where they spent most of the class time today studying together (putting into practice what they have learned in class) a passage of Scripture that was assigned to them.  I felt led to assign the epistle of 3 John for our study today.  It was exciting to see the earnestness of the students as they dove into this study together in their groups.  
Without being instructed to do so, each group spontaneously began to pray together before they began, with one of the groups singing a worship song together.  It was amazing to see the depth to which they went and how absorbed they were in the Word, even with some of them passing up the regular break time to stay and study.  What was even more exciting was to hear the fruit of their study as each group took 15 minutes or so at the end of class to share their observations , interpretation, and application.  They all did such an outstanding job that you would have thought they had been doing this for much longer.  What a joy it was to see Jesus at work in that room today in this way as they each talked about truth.  As the students studied today, I also studied 3 John myself.  I had never before studied this wonderful little letter, and I was quite impacted by it today.   I am strongly inclined to continue in it as I was so drawn to the message of it.  While this would be a premature summary, I was struck with how the “truth” in Jesus Christ is so inseparable from “love,” because this is who He is.  I was taken by the tone of overwhelming love that the writer, “the elder,” had for the recipient, Gaius.  
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“The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.”  As I studied this, I realized how God has given us this dynamic of His life in the class these two weeks, and this is how I feel this for these students.  I am grateful for and amazed with the love of Jesus and how He can overwhelm us with His own heart.  I will most definitely carry that with me for these students far past tomorrow into eternity.  Thank you for your prayer that has opened the way for Him to make that a reality here these days.  

In Christ,

John
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Haiti: Day 12

1/21/2015

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I am amazed with Jesus and His Word.  I can, as much or more than ever, relate to what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:3.  “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”  This has been the emotions and sense that I experience every day here in Haiti.  For the last several days I have just prayed the words following verse 3, that there would be a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”  I am still as nervous before class every day, not knowing how God will come through that day, but He is answering this prayer and doing something that is beyond me and I just want to thank Him for that.  It is hard to believe but today’s class was even greater than yesterday.  It may sound overly positive, but it is not.  
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Lunch in the EBS cafeteria
There was a sense of the power of the Holy Spirit in the room today as we again opened the Word and did a further “walk-through” in the Word as an example for the students.  They not only grasp the process, but their hearts are being gripped by Jesus Christ.  What took place in the room today reminded me of what is stated at times in the book of Acts to report the victories in the early church:  “So the Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed (Acts 19:20).”  This is the best way I can describe to you what is happening here in class.  Student after student is sharing with me what the truth has meant to them.  Stacey Ayars was told by someone today, “This is just what our first-year students need!” 
I have to confess that the days are full and I am weary in every aspect of humanity.  But the days are rich!  After class, chapel, and lunch, Simeon and I spent a couple of hours grading papers before I went to the missionary prayer meeting.  The other OMS missionaries and guest came over from the other campus for their joint weekly Bible study and prayer time.  It was a blessing as my fellow visiting professor, Larry Lain, shared from Ephesians chapter 4.  It was powerful truth.  It was right from there to dinner, after which I am sitting down to write now before some fellowship time and a then later a video chat with my family!  The time here is winding down as we only have two days of classes left before I come home on Saturday.  I thought I would take minute here to share about my host family here, the Heckmans.  They have been so gracious and made everything like home for Larry and me as we are staying with them.  I appreciate their ministry here on the campus as full-time OMS missionaries, with Phil as the director of operations , overseeing grounds and maintenance staff (you should see the beautiful grounds!), and Emily serving through hospitality for visiting teams (a BIG part of what they do here), teaching, and helping lead worship in chapel.  
Their children, Ethan and Haylie, are a big part of the ministry.  It has been fun to visit with them this week as they have made me feel at home.  They use much of the same homeschool curriculum as my own children have, and they also love Tim Hawkins in the same way we do (it’s been fun to exchange Tim Hawkins quotes).  I cannot thank them enough for all they have done for us, not to mention also the Ayars family next door.  These ladies have provided wonderful “American” type meals for us every evening.  :)  You can visit their blogs to learn more about them at http://2haiti4him.blogspot.com/  or http://www.mshaiti.blogspot.com/

Thank you for your continued prayer.  God is doing more than we can ask or imagine!  

In Christ,

John
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With Ethan, Haylie, Emily, and Phil
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Haiti: Day 11

1/20/2015

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Morning view from campus at EBS
Today was an amazing day as I felt it was our best class session yet here at Emmaus Biblical Seminary in Haiti.  I spent yesterday and today giving the students a very practical and “hands-on” example of studying a passage of Scripture.  We have spent these two days diving deep into 1 Corinthians, giving an overview of the book, background, purpose, context, and then looking in detail at chapter 10 today.  As we have been immersed in this part of the Word over these two days, God’s power has been at work in a remarkable way.  First of all the students are seeing and embracing the Word and understanding the process of Bible study we are discussing.  Secondly, and most importantly, they are excited about Jesus.  There is a tremendous openness in them, and they are responding to the truth and letting Him speak to their hearts.  This was incredibly evident in the class today and has been increasingly so over the days of this course.  Yet, it seemed that there was even a greater breakthrough today.  It is as if the lights were going on it hearts and minds.  It was not an easy truth today as we spoke of idolatry and allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal the idolatry in our own lives and how Jesus is our provision for every need.  
But the response was earnest and sincere.  There was no question of the moving and power of the Holy Spirit in the room.  I asked Simeon after class how he felt like it was going and what the students were feeling.  He said that his own heart was touched because of what he could see in the eyes and hearts of the students -- how they are responding to Christ.  God is answering prayer.  I felt led to pray 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 early this morning:  “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”  As I remember seeing the cactus fences that are so common around the yards here in Haiti, I am grateful for the way in which God is pulling down strongholds here and in my own life.  Thank you for praying that He will continue to do so in an even mightier way, both in Haiti and everywhere in our world.  

In Christ,

John
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Cactus "fences" common in Haiti
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Haiti: Day 10

1/19/2015

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Grading assignments: the "other" part of teaching
As we began our second week of classes, the often “unseen” or “other” part of teaching began to be felt today as well: grading assignments.  My translator, Simeon, and I spent most of the afternoon starting on the job of grading assignments as they are written in French.  
Note to self: take this into account next time you teach a class in Haiti or anywhere else (where English is not the first language) when it comes to the assignments you give!  We were able to get about half way completed with just the assignments that were handed in on Friday, with a new batch of shorter assignments on deck that were handed in today. 
 I do find that assignments are a great way to see how the students are grasping the concepts we are talking about in class, and it is a great opportunity to give them feedback and further direction.  The good and exciting news is that the students are really understanding this process and are getting into the Word in ways that extremely encouraging.  It is amazing to hear some of the observations they are making and to see how they are just being immersed in the Scripture.  It will probably take most of the afternoons the remainder of the week after morning class each day to complete all the grading.  In the meantime, I still have grading to complete from my classes back home.  It is good thing that I am just a “twig” (see Day 8 post)!  We had a great day of class as I led the students into a study of 1 Corinthians in an attempt to give a “live” model of the approach we have been talking about in class.  The Holy Spirit brought many teachable moments as we saw that Jesus is the answer, that pride is the block in our lives, and that Jesus wants to live in us and demonstrate Himself through us in every situation.  We had some lively discussion as we took time to let this apply to our lives in very real and practical ways.  I have to share that the greatest impact in class today came as we discussed how Jesus is our answer and complete provision for all of our lives, whether married or single (1 Cor. chapter 7).  The Holy Spirit seemed to really speak this truth into all of our hearts in a powerful way in that classroom.  
We enjoyed a great meal around the tables tonight with the missionaries, their families, and all the visiting professors and guests.  Tonight we were in the Heckman home for dinner (I will include a photo of them another day).  We alternate between the Heckmans and the Ayars for the evening meal.  It was a blessing to sit around the table tonight and see how anxious people were to serve one another, with the biggest contention being about who would “get to” do the dishes this evening.  It was something of a demonstration of the very thing we spoke of in class this morning: people allowing Jesus to live in them and demonstrate Himself through them in real, everyday life, with no concern for pride. 

I had the special added blessing of being able to being able to video chat with my family:  Trina and Carey at home, and Chaili at college.  What an encouragement to be able to share about our days and to pray together.  God is good, and His goodness continues to spill over in these days in Haiti.  Thank you again for interceding as Jesus continues to make an impact in the spiritual realm; it is being seen in this place. 

In Christ,

John

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Haiti: Day 9

1/18/2015

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Sunday, the final “day off” before the final stretch of class days this week.  It is amazing to think that we are ready to launch into this second week.  Today was a day of worship, rest, and preparation for class this week.  We were blessed this morning to attend the church of one of the seminary students.  One thing that stood out about the service was his desire to preach the Word and make his people aware of the spiritual battle all around us and especially for them here in Haiti.  During the service he called to the front a young couple with a small daughter.  They had sought the help of a local man in voodoo when the wife had experienced a difficult pregnancy with this child.  
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Sunday AM service
According to their voodoo tradition and the instruction of this spiritual voodoo leader, it was believed that their “payment” was that this child would belong to this man.  Sometime after her birth, the parents accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives and had become a part of this church.  Yet, they believed that they still owed this spiritual “debt” to the voodoo leader.  The pastor asked them to come up front so that the church leaders could gather around them to pray a prayer of “divorce” from the voodoo.  He boldly proclaimed that they now belonged to Jesus, that He had canceled this debt, and that He has freed them from this spiritual bondage.  It was a powerful moment to look upon this young girl and to know of the different path in life that Jesus has granted to her --- a path that is available to all who will receive Him, in Haiti and everywhere.  (For a fuller account of this, feel free to read Stacey Ayars' blog for today).  The ride to the church took us through a small village and then some further distance into the country.  All along the way I had the opportunity to view the people and dwellings, pray for them, and wave to them as they waved at us while walking to church themselves.  
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My "sweet ride" to church this morning
I have never before ridden to church in the back of a 4x4!! The bed was fitted with two bench seats along the sides for transporting extra people beyond those who could fit in the cab.  It got interesting as we were pressed for time on the way back and were traveling a little faster than we did on the way to church.  When we hit a rather large rut (I was bracing myself using my legs as shock absorbers), one of the other guys in the back really “took air.”  I am pretty sure that he came between 2 and 3 feet off of seat and nearly landed on me.  All a part of the Haiti experience!  
This evening I am preparing for class tomorrow.  I will be taking the opportunity to try to model Bible study for the students in class, studying 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.  I am praying earnestly that not only would the students learn something about Bible study, but that the truth of the Word would impact our hearts and minds.  I pray that we would all, in a new way, see Jesus as the complete provision for our lives.  I would appreciate your prayer for this in these next days.  We desperately need a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).”   

In Christ,

John

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Haiti: Day 8

1/17/2015

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My "beach spot" today at the Heckman home
Today was my “day at the beach.”  The group went to the beach for most of the day, but it was helpful for me to stay back on campus to catch up on some work that I have from home.  This two-week class in Haiti happens to fall right at the end of the first semester and beginning of second semester for my online classes with The Potter’s School.  Therefore, our TPS students this past week handed in all of their big semester-end assignments that are required for the TPS Bible Survey class.  My goal for today was to at least catch up on grading the backlog of regular weekly assignments that they had turned in the past two weeks (which I had not been able to get to with getting ready for the trip and then the first week here), and then see if I could start in on the semester-end assignments. I was able to finish all of the weekly assignments and then finished grading one semester-end assignment just as the group was arriving back from the beach!  That counts, right?  :-) 
While this may not sound like a restful “beach-like” day, it was for me.  I know that may sound “different,” but it helps me to get some of the work completed so that there is not so much of it that is still undone and waiting for me.  Also, the biggest blessing of my day was to get to have a video chat with my family via Skype!  I cannot tell you the sheer joy of just seeing them (all three of them on the screen at the same time!) and hearing their voices.  As I laid down for a brief rest after that chat, I just thanked the Lord over and over for this gift.  I feel that I have grown closer to them across the miles and that we have become even more one in the Spirit.  
Trina reminded me today of a truth that we have been discussing lately from the devotional book, LifeMessage 365.  In John 15:1-5, Jesus speaks of us being the “branches” that remain in Him, the Vine, and that the Father is the gardener or One in charge of the garden.  We found that the literal meaning of the word “branch” is really “twig.”  A twig is so small, so weak, so dependent.  But that is what we are and what we need to be: just twigs that are absolutely dependent upon Him.  I like what Trina wrote to me today regarding her own work, that she was not asking God to help her get all her work done, but just to remind her to be a twig.  There is such peace in that, and this is what I want to remember here this week, whether I get all the assignments graded or not.  Jesus, remind me constantly and just make me to be a twig dependent upon you.  As the heavy rain pours down outside tonight in Haiti while I write, I pray that the awareness of Jesus and His goodness will continue to saturate all of our hearts and minds.  Thank you for praying --- He is having an impact. 

In Christ,

John

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Will I just be a "twig"?
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Haiti: Day 7

1/16/2015

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Friday chapel at Emmaus Biblical Seminary
It was a more routine day for me in Haiti as I continue to settle into the rhythm of life here.  I am reminded that work on any mission field, whether in Haiti or at home, is really just the living out of whatever Jesus desires to do through us at the moment wherever He has placed us.  It is Friday, the end of the first week of classes (hard to believe we are half-completed with this course!), and the students were all very busy completing the assignment that was due today.  They were to have chosen a passage for study for the entire two-week course, and they were to simply make observations (“What does it say?” or “What do I see?”) of that passage, just being immersed in it and using whatever tools are available to them, following some of the categories we looked at in class.  
We have had tremendous discussion in class about this process.  I am very encouraged about how the students have embraced this. One of the most difficult parts of it, which we discuss often, is that there is the temptation to hurry ahead to interpretation and ask “What does it mean?”  My interpreter, Simeon, and I will be grading these papers together on Monday and seeing how the students did with this.  I already have the sense that they have done extremely well.  We spent nearly all of class today talking about the priority of the Word of God in our lives.  Why is it so important?  One of the highlights of the discussion, with enthusiastic response from the students, was when we discussed how the Written Word is the revelation of the Living Word, Jesus.  I shared about the powerful impact and transformation that takes place in our lives, when we simply allow Him to be revealed through the Word, both to us (in our own study) and through us (in preaching, for example).  One of the students, Bernard, raised his hand and shared through the interpreter that he felt that he was experiencing revival in his own life through this class.  It was a joy and a divine teaching moment to be able to share with the students that it is Jesus that brings revival through His Word, and that He is not exclusive or selective about this --- He will do this in the heart(s) of anyone that will seek Him in the Word.  Benito told me after class that he feels the Holy Spirit at work.  This has been my deepest prayer for this class --- that the students will realize that it is all about the Word, and that they would come to depend upon Jesus in the Word with their entire beings.  I have prayed that there would indeed be a revival atmosphere in the class, and He is indeed bringing that about.  This trip and this class are about students like Bernard and others like him who are open and seeking the Lord.  Matt Ayars (seminary president) told me this evening that some of these cannot afford to be here at the school.  Would you pray with me for God’s provision for these students?  
After a great dinner we had a fun evening of fellowship playing some board games with the missionary husbands (Matt Ayars and Phil Heckman, with son Ethan) and the visiting guy professors, Bob Petruccio, Larry Lain, and myself.  It is great to have such a sense of being a team, which is so strong on this campus.  I feel that support and connection with so many of you at home who have been praying and encouraging during this trip.  Thank you for your prayers --- they are making a difference and God is bringing about revival in the class. 

In Christ,

John

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Clockwise, beginning bottom: Matt Ayars, Phil Heckman, Bob Petruccio, Ethan Heckman, Larry Lain
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Haiti: Day 6

1/15/2015

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The Internet is back on in Haiti!  Well, at least in some measure in our location . . . at times.  I have always known this, but it is amazing to realize anew what it does to one’s perspective to be in a missions setting.  We went through the entire day yesterday and most of the previous day with no Internet at all.  This would seem to qualify as a tragedy or emergency for me in the United States.  I will be honest and say it was not easy.  To be sure, it was a tremendous inconvenience as it limited my communication with home and prevented me from getting my work done.  Yet, life went on.  I got to talk to my family briefly by phone; God was good and moved in great ways; and we all grew in faith and dependency upon Him.  
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With my interpreter, Simeon
Class went well today as we talked some more about the process of Bible study and especially about the final two stages, interpretation and application, and a simple way to present the truth that we discover.  It is exciting to see how students are really understanding and seeming to internalize the concepts.  I am hopeful and pray that it will become a life pattern for them.  One of the best parts of the class was when I asked them to share some of the observations they are making so far in their personal study of a passage during this class.  We found that they are doing an outstanding job and really digging into their passage, making great observations.  In the final segment of class, we talked about the role of the Holy Spirit in the revelation of the Word.  Just was Jesus was sourced by the Father through the indwelling Spirit, so we too are gifted with this same resource as Jesus indwells us by the Spirit.  We spoke of the powerful and life-changing revelation that He brings, and how we need such a demonstration of the Spirit and of power in our lives and in our day.  Again the class closed on a rousing note of commitment to focus upon Jesus and allow this to take place in our lives.  

The remainder of the day was spent working in my classroom.  Since the Internet was working at the time, I decided I should “make hay while the sun shines.”  I was able to catch up on e-mail and make a dent into some of my regular teaching work from home that continues to accumulate.  I even got to instant message with my family a little in the process! :)  It was an encouragement from the Lord today to learn that Trina was looking at the constellation Orion in the nighttime sky somewhere around the same time I was (maybe within an hour?) last night.  It was a small reminder that God is working and in control far above our ways and our thoughts, that He cares for us, and that our lives are in His mighty and gentle hands. After a pleasant evening meal with our gracious host missionaries and the other visiting professors, I sit typing to you this evening with a greater sense of peace than I have had since being here.  The Lord is good, Jesus is more than sufficient, and I am so very grateful for your continued prayer, which is making a difference. 

With a thankful heart in Christ,

John

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Haiti: Day 5 part two :)

1/15/2015

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What a full day it was here in Haiti.  Classes began as usual at 8:00 after having Haitian spaghetti for breakfast in the campus cafeteria (I vow to include no pictures of my food in these updates!).  Class had an ebb and flow to it today.  We had an exciting discussion as we reviewed the basic steps of Bible study and talked about the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit in that process.  The students, especially those who are pastors, told me on break how encouraged and excited they were about these truths.  We became bogged down in the middle of class and ran into the language barrier as I tried to introduce some Bible study tools to the students.  I had not accounted for the fact that a vast majority of these first-year students have very little, if any, ability to understand English.  This really rendered fruitless much of our attempt to show them the English language Bible study tools that I brought with me.  I felt that I lost them in this portion of the class, and I felt led by the Holy Spirit to get back to where we needed to be in the final segment of the today’s class.  So, we just opened our Bibles, looked at several passages, and talked about Jesus as our motivation for being the Word, Jesus as the Truth and the importance of Truth in the spiritual battle, and Christ being our message.  We talked about being committed to seeking after Him alone in this process of Bible study, and asked the students if they would join us in a commitment to be a seeker.  The room increasingly filled with the sound of students saying “Amen” to these truths, and the class concluded with the students spontaneously breaking out into a worship song together. 
From there we went to the first chapel service of the term, where I was privileged to preach today a message I have been calling  “Call of Duty” from 2 Timothy 2:1-3, presenting Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to pass on the baton and that discipleship is the battle of our times.  I was able to rest after lunch before we went over the main OMS (One Mission Society) campus here in Cap-Haitien to have Bible study and dinner with the other OMS missionaries here.  It was after this that I had the most interesting experience of the day.  Since our van would not start, we had the privilege of riding back to the seminary campus on the back of an open flatbed truck that is used for transporting large groups.  
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This was an authentic Haitian experience as we rode the 5 miles back to campus over the rough roads and through the scenes of human need.  At one point, I looked up to the sky and realized I was seeing the clearest night sky I have viewed in some time (not since South American in 1993).  As I gazed at the constellation Orion, the most vivid and detailed I have ever seen it, it caused me to think of everyone at home and to realize that I am looking at the same night sky that my family is seeing at the same time.  We are not so far apart after all.  Above all, we are together in spirit, bound in Jesus.  Thank you for your care and support, and for also being with me here in spirit.  

In Christ,

John
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Haiti: Day 5

1/14/2015

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No internet.  That is the story of Haiti:  Day 5.    We know this because we were actually able to speak to John by cell phone for about 10 minutes tonight!  He called out using one of the missionary's phones.  It was great to hear his voice.   He told us that the internet has been down all day and they're hoping it is restored soon.  Their day was full with morning classes and then travel to another OMS campus and fellowship with the missionaries.  He also got to speak in the student chapel.

Since we don't have a picture from John's day in Haiti, I thought I would upload a portion of a satellite image from Google Maps to show exactly where John is.  I've thought today what missionaries from 50 years ago...even 25-30 years ago...would've thought if they would've had internet and cell phones for communication with their family in the states.  One day without internet wouldn't have seemed so bad. 
Perspective.   Sometimes it's good to "zoom out" so you can see more clearly.

We are so thankful for God's work in Haiti and the opportunity to share in it for a few days.   Thank you for your prayers....Trina
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Haiti: Day 4

1/13/2015

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It was an exciting day on campus as students gathered back in for the beginning of the January term.  Long before 8:00 AM, students began filling the chairs in the classroom that had been empty yesterday.  Today, it was a room that seemed to be full of anticipation.  It was really a new experience for many of us in various ways.  Many of the students in the class are first year students, and this is their very first class at the seminary.  I count it a special privilege to invest in the lives of these students and to get to be a part of helping to give them a foundation for the remainder of their schooling and life beyond.
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I am a brand new teacher to all of the students this term.  It is a new setting for me, along with being the first time to teach while having it translated into Creole (or was it French?  Just shows how little I can tell the difference!).   But the Lord gifted us with a brilliant and dynamic translator named Simeon (I will provide a photo of him later in the week).  The Lord gave us a dynamic time with the students.  It was a blessing to see their faces and the lights go on as we talked about the process of studying the Word of God.  We had great questions which all contributed to the discussion.  I was greatly encouraged by how they understood the entire concept and process, and was so grateful for the way in which the Holy Spirit worked through and across the language barrier.  There genuinely seemed to be a connection of heart and spirit.  The highlight of class was the final 30 minutes, when I simply opened to John chapter 5 and talked about the concept of being a seeker after Jesus, and allowing the Holy Spirit to take us deep into the Word so that Jesus could be revealed to us.  There was tremendous response to this with the students enthusiastically affirming their desire to have this heart and approach.  This will be the approach we will emphasize throughout the course, and I am excited to build upon it tomorrow.

It was a difficult day here with the Internet, but I was so grateful to be able to instant message with my family this evening.  It brought tears of joy to my eyes to be able to interact with them.  I was also able to enjoy playing a new board game (“King of Tokyo” I think?) with the missionaries.  The Lord continues to give us special moments each day, and there is a deep sense of our own growth taking place through this time.  Thank you for your continued prayer for me and my family, and for your encouraging comments.

In Christ,

John
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Haiti: Day 3

1/12/2015

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It was a quiet day here on the campus as students began to return to begin classes tomorrow.  Many things in Haiti, such as classes here, were on pause in remembrance of the devastating earthquake that took place five years ago today.  Therefore, though we were originally scheduled to begin today, it was an extra day of preparation.  I was happy to take some time in the afternoon to rest.  I rarely sleep well away from home, and this new location is no exception to what seems to be a normal pattern for me.  
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The entire morning and some of the afternoon and evening were spent catching up on work and preparing for classes to begin tomorrow.  I sat through the morning in an empty classroom, talking to the Lord and praying for the students who will come while I worked.  Tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM local time, that room will be bursting with approximately 25 first year students here at Emmaus Biblical Seminary --- men and women who feel a call to ministry.  I feel a special privilege and blessing in getting to work with the first year students.  It is an opportunity to invest in their lives, and I pray for the Holy Spirit to kindle a fire in their hearts for Jesus and the Word.  
I will never forget my first semester of class as a college freshman ministerial student with Dr. Elwanger.  I loved this older professor who had been a pastor, who just loved us and invested in our lives.  Now I get to be the "old guy," just like the Apostle Paul who ran alongside those younger ministers like Timothy.  It is an opportunity to pass the baton and make the investment in a next generation.  I would not rather be doing anything else in the world (though it is hard to be away from home!). Jesus, please move in our hearts and give us a passion for you and your Word, so that you can overflow through us to our world.  Thank you for praying with me.  

In Christ,

John
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Haiti: Day 2

1/11/2015

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Some of downtown Cap-Haitien
It was a beautiful day in Haiti, to see the sunshine and be out among some of the people.  Being Sunday, the highlight of the day was to worship in a church in downtown Cap-Haitien, where the pastor's wife is one of the outstanding students at EBS.  The exuberant worship lasted for over an hour.  It was my privilege to preach the Word in the service, translated into Creole by my friend and brother, Matt Ayars (also president of EBS).  I shared today from 1 Corinthians 11 and the question of "Which Table?" we seek in this world.  
"What is the 'big table' that I seek after in my life --- the place, position, or relationships where I think I will feel like I am someone, accepted, and important?" Jesus came from the highest place to the lowest in order to be everything we need right where we are.   Will I accept that I have been seated in Him, and have been provided a seat at HIS table forever?  Will I also allow Him to live through me at the "small tables" of our world?  I was blessed and amazed by the work of the Holy Spirit through Matt as he translated the truth into the culture in such a vivid and dynamic way.  
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One of the missionaries told me, "that truth could be preached in every church in Haiti, every week."  I thank the Lord for the truth of the Word, for the work of the Holy Spirit, and for the body of Christ through which He works.  What a privilege.  The remainder of the day was spent resting, in fellowship, and in keeping in communication with my family.  Have I mentioned how much I miss them?  Matt and I also went out and ran about 2.5 miles.  It felt good to get out running in the fresh air, and even better that I kept up with Matt ALMOST the entire way!  The little children from the neighborhood who ran alongside of us and the mud on my shoes from that path were a vivid reminder of where I am and the very truth of the message from the service this morning.  "Which table do I seek?"  Thank you for your ongoing prayer as we prepare for classes this week.  

In Christ,

John
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Haiti Day 1

1/10/2015

1 Comment

 
Haiti is simultaneously a beautiful and desperate place.  As the airplane descended out of the clouds today, what struck me from my window seat was the lush green carpet laid over mountains and valleys.  As we arrived in Cap-Haitien and left the airport, the depth of human need, both physical and spiritual, was as evident as the pictures on TV had seemed to convey.  
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Other visiting professors and our hosts
One of the highlights of my day was at Miami International Airport, even before departing there, when Matt Ayars, the president of Emmaus Biblical Seminary (EBS), suddenly appeared before me as I was seated in the gate area, awaiting my flight and snacking on some granola.  He graciously escorted me over to where he and the other visiting professors for these two weeks were already gathered together (we were all on the same flight).  What an expected blessing and encouragement it was to meet, get acquainted, and travel together with these new friends and colleagues.  
 After leaving Cap-Haitien airport, we made our way to the beautiful campus of EBS.  Here we spent the rest of the day unpacking, getting familiar with the campus, and having fellowship over meals.  The best highlight of my day was to get to instant message with my family for an hour in the afternoon.  This feels (for me)like the most difficult departure I have ever made from them.  But the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient, and I am trusting Him moment by moment for strength and all that is needed.  I was also uplifted today by the fellowship and sense of comradery between the team of professors and our gracious hosts.  In addition to all of this, I just learned that I am to preach tomorrow morning!  May the Lord bless and keep you tonight as we rest in Him and in His goodness.  

In Christ,

John
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    John Juneman
    Evangelist, Teacher, Writer,
    Husband, and Father
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"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also"
2 Timothy 2:2
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