Sunday, April 5, 2009

WOW

So, the baked goods for haiti fundraiser, was an amazing success!  Wow!  God is so good! 
 
If you don't go to King's Harbor or weren't there this weekend: the passage we learned about was John 6:1-21.  It just seems to relate to the generous giving of the church today, I will let you dwell on how it all connects yourself.
 
1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. 3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Feast was near.  5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.  7Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages[a] would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"  8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"  10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.  12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.  14After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Jesus Walks on the Water 
16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed three or three and a half miles,[b] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. 20But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
 DSC_0333 by you.
CLAIRMOND, with his brother Clifford, mother and sister, would move from one relative's house to another prior to living at Maison de Lumiere. His father died when he was young and his mother struggled to care for her children. When his mother got very ill, she brought Clairmond and Clifford to the home because she could no longer feed them. Fortunately, Child Hope was able to provide a job for Clairmond's mother as a cook at the orphanage where she still works. Clairmond enjoys his life at Maison de Lumiere and all his friends. He is a friendly, loving, and sweet young boy. He is also very creative and likes to make things to play with around the home. Once, he attached two cups to a string to make his own walkie talkie. Clairmond also loves Jesus and has a kind and sensitive heart. Please pray that he will grow into a Godly young man who is passionate for the Lord.
 
DSC_0016 by you.
CHEDLINE has seen much pain in her life. Her grandmother raised her since infancy, due to her mother's poor mental health. She came from a severely impoverished life in Cap Haitian where she often went days without food. When her grandmother could no longer take care of her, Chedline came to Port-au-Prince begging on the streets to survive. Despite her past, Chedline maintains a sweet disposition and gets along with everyone at the home. She loves studying God's Word and says she wants to be a seamstress when she grows up. Please pray that the Lord will continue to heal Chedline and that she will grow in her faith and into a Godly young woman.
--
Lucas Simmons

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Oops!

For shame, I did not send out an e-mail yesterday.  Well looking at the plane tickets, we are either going to be flying Spirit or paying more than we thought.  We are hoping and praying Spirit works out. 
 
Don't forget we have another meeting this Thursday at 7pm sharp.  We are still working on the reading for this week, but just be thinking about community.  The different ways you get involved in a community and think about how God uses community. 
 
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  - Hebrews 10:24-25

Clifford (Ti-John)
CLIFFORD (TI-JOHN) is a very shy child who loves music, sports and worship. He had a very difficult life growing up in Cite Sole, one of Haiti's poorest slums. Clifford and his older brother used to walk the streets of Port-au-Prince, wiping down cars and begging just to survive. Since coming to Maison de Lumiere, he is more confident and happier. He is one of our best athletes exceeding in basketball and soccer. Often wearing a set of headphones, he enjoys listening to worship music every chance he can. He also loves to sing and play drums. Please pray for Clifford, that God would continue healing his broken heart and that he would grow to be a solid man of God.
 
Chabine
CHABINE is a very smart, friendly girl with definite leadership skills. One of six children, Chabine grew up in a small village near Cap-Haitian in northern Haiti. At a young age, her father went to the Dominican Republic and never returned. This devastated her and her family. When it became too difficult, Chabine, her mother, brother moved to Port-au-Prince looking for other opportunities. Even though this pained her mother, they all ended up begging on the streets to survive. Her mother was happy when Chabine was invited to live at Maison de Lumiere and no longer have to risk her life on the streets in Port-au-Prince. Today, she is happily living at the girls' home where people love and care for her. She especially loves school and writing is her favorite pastime. She wants to be a teacher one day. Please pray for Chabine's continued healing and for her faith to grow as she seeks to be a woman of God.

--
Lucas Simmons

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Haiti April 2nd

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you wil find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seek finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" - Matthew 7:7-8
 
Hi all, there is not much of an update today.  We are a bit closer to buying plane tickets, but only because another day has passed and we need to do it.  We are shooting for early next week, at least in my mind that would be the best time.  We will see.  We are talking with Susette about projects, I hope to have updates for all of you shortly on that.
 
Anderson
ANDERSON is a strong and kind boy. He is healthy and an excellent, self-taught gymnast. He works almost everyday on his backflips, handstands, and other stunts. An excellent soccer player, he has no problem keeping up with the other boys playing soccer. Anderson occasionally struggles in school, but he is also one of the most diligent students, working regularly with the tutor. Shy and quiet, you will find him often in the background with a big smile on his face. Sometimes on weekends, he can be quite the cook. After dinner, you may find him cooking up another "dinner" or after dinner "treat." He also enjoys art and craft projects. Please pray that Anderson would grow in his young faith and learn to know how much Jesus loves him.
 
DSC_4032 by you.
CINDY is a precious little girl who has grown in so many ways since coming to Maison de Lumiere. She interacts well in school and is very smart. An active, healthy young girl, she loves to play on the swing set and with her dolls. All of the other girls act as her "big sisters" and love to watch over her. Please pray for Cindy as she continues to grow, that the Lord would heal her heart and she would come to know how much Jesus loves her.

--

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Haiti Team: April 1st

We are a month away.
 
So for this month, I will do my best to send out e-mails everyday.  Alicia and I really want to keep you updated on the trip and the planning and how everything is going.  So it is not just over here planning everything and surprising you when we get to Haiti.  I also want to get you pictures and bios of two kids everyday since none of you have been there, I thought it would be good for you to get familar with them.  Between Alicia and I we know most of the kids names so if you ever forget one don't hesitate to ask us.
 
I was going to try to tell you that the trip was cancelled, but April Fooling via e-mail is just so tough.
 
Alicia and I are working on plane tickets this week.  It is super duper important that you get your 600 or whatever monies you have to the church ASAP.  The prices are going up, so we need to get these soon.  We will be departing late night May 1st, and returning sometime on the 9th. 
 
I don't use the phase super duper very often, but there it is... in 1s and 0s.  Just for you. 
 
I also keep forgetting to let you know that our updates while we are gone will be posted at http://khchaititeams.blogspot.com  I am also posting these daily updates there.
 
Don't forget our meeting that is not a meeting is this Thursday night.  Let us know if you are coming and feel free to bring friends.
 
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2
DSC_4323 by you.
ALEX is an incredible young man with a deep love for the Lord. He stands out as one with a very sensitive heart and seriousness in his relationship with Jesus. Alex wants to be a pastor and/or serve in full-time ministry. He also loves to joke around and often tries to play tricks on others, particularly the staff. He likes to have fun and is well-liked by all the children. He enjoys reading his Bible and being a teacher/mentor to the younger children. Please pray that Alex's faith will and love for God's Word would grow and that he may become a Spirit-filled Christian leader.
 
christmasinhaiti-6553 by you.
ADELINE is a sweet, precious little girl. She loves to be silly, make funny faces, and just make others laugh along with her. This is a big contrast to her dark days of begging on the streets of Port-au-Prince. Today, she is finally able to be a little girl and not worry about surviving or providing for her family or even finding food for herself. She loves Jesus and is thankful for all He has done for her. She is learning God's Word and loves to sing songs of praise and worship. School is one of her favorite things to do. She enjoys learning and studies diligently. She also plays hard and has a true passion for life. Please pray for Adeline, that the Lord will continue to heal her heart and fill her with His life, love and grace.
--
Lucas Simmons

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Application

Here is a copy for anyone who is interested. They are due in the church office February 13th: http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dt72834_22cgr7kvd6

Please email loomtronic@gmail.com with questions

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Info Meeting

The location for the info meeting has changed. Please email loomtronic at gmail.com if you are interested in coming.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Info Meeting

The info meeting for our May trip will be Thursday, January 29th at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall at Kings Harbor Torrance.