Haiti: Day 6

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.  

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