Haiti – PaulThompsonBlog

Today, Your Freedom Has Come!

Posted on February 17, 2021Leave a comment

From the Haiti Journal: February 17, 2010

Alex came by today with a note saying he is sure we will go home this week. He seems to think even today for most of us, maybe. We hear that the prosecutor has recommended that we not be released until further investigation can be done on Laura and Charisa. The day unfolds very slowly. Much like every day, only much slower. Even lunch came later than usual. Usually it comes in no later than 2PM, but today it came around 3PM. The fact that it came at all begins to establish that disappointment I am at war with.

Around 1:30PM the US Embassy showed up to begin talking to us about our return home in the event we are released. Silas and I visited with Cathy and about five other people about possible travel plans. They want to know what our plans are to get home. As encouraging as this visit was, I have no idea what kind of travel plans I have to get home. We no longer have texting ability with our families, so I don’t know what to do here but to do what God has clearly been teaching me to do, trust in Him. The visit was encouraging in that it seems more likely we are to be released soon.

Close to 4:15PM, the lawyers begin to show up and gather in the hallway. Then I noticed Alex. I don’t know how he does it? Then I saw Junior in the hallway.

Alex looked to me and gives me his patented smile and hard blinks of his eyes, then gives me a thumbs up. I know that this is good. I praise God for this breakthrough and then Alex just walked into the jailer’s office and up to the barred window we have spoken through many times and says “Today, your freedom has come!”

He is then immediately ushered out by the police as they grab him by the arms. But not without several glances back to make sure that we heard him. Then in the hallway; Junior, with a grin from ear to ear, points to heaven and mouths the words “Praise to God.”

The US Embassy met with us at the jail about the possibility of getting on a military flight tonight to Miami. We are all in agreement that this is best. The military is still flying emergency flights and they have eight empty seats, a provision from God.

We are to leave Haiti tonight at 8PM on a US Air Force cargo flight. I can’t shake the faces of the men in the cell we have just spent three weeks with. They all make eye contact and give firm hand shakes. Even though we have had our things stolen from time to time when we go to court, we have become very close. God please bring freedom to these men soon.

We make several attempts to allow Charisa to be released so she can get medical assistance in the States by letting one of us stay in her place. This was very hard to be refused to do so. Any one of the eight being released were willing to stay in her place.

The walk through the media zoo was as if it were in slow motion. Alex, true to form comes from the midst of the crowd, then Junior and Florance with a hug and a kiss on my cheek.

What has caused this kind of brotherly and sisterly affection? We are virtually strangers. It can only be the blood of the Lamb. We make our way into the US Embassy van and are escorted to the entrance to the Port-au-Prince airport, just less than 1/2 mile from where we have been for the past 19 days. We have heard these planes coming and going every day for the past three weeks. This time we are to be on one.

While at the airport we all get phones to call family. We put the battery back into the phone that NBC gave us to use as well.

This is unexplainable at the moment. How at all did I speak to my love without being in shock of hearing that voice? I will see her face and touch her embrace soon, if God will so allow.

I was able to speak to David for a moment and Renee’s dad. I will look forward to my call to my parents when I arrive in Miami.

The flight was packed with brave men and women of the US military causing me to think a lot about David. There are many civilians with the look of despair and some with joy. The flight was uncomfortable, but most pleasant! I will strive for the remainder of my life to never complain of this flight, ever!

The Far Side of the Desert

Posted on January 31, 2020Leave a comment

January 30, 2010 – There are days that have a lasting impact upon body, mind, and soul. There are events that leave permanent marks. No one can see them, but they are there.

Those God ordained days on the far side of the wilderness were physically hard, spiritually complex, and emotionally full of an unexpected path. They were what appeared to be of the reputation ruining kind of days. Yet are still some of the sweetest days in my journey with my God.

This photo was taken just a few moments before we were about to get a first person, seventeen day education of how a Napoleonic judicial system worked. The days to follow would be some of the most revealing of my life. I would learn about how selfish I am. I would learn the lies of worry and anxiety are not easily set aside, they would prove to be worthless friends. I would soon learn who my friends were, I would learn how easily people distance themselves from you when things are not as they seem. I would learn the power of the press and their hunger for a narrative. I would immediately learn that I would need to put into practice everything I believed about God and how critical it was to base it upon His word and not my feelings. Lessons I never want to forget.

Sunday night, February 2, 6:30 p.m. at Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, Idaho, Silas, Steve, and I will retell the story of the kindness of God on the far side of the wilderness, a Haitian jail cell.

What Man Intended for Harm…

Posted on October 18, 2018Leave a comment

The story of how I met this kind brother began in days of great uncertainty fueled by inaccurate and untruthful reporting from global media outlets.

While many, including Christians, wanted to blame and criticize 10 Americans who were arrested in the early days following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and their churches for slowing down aid and halting adoption processes, God had plans for good.

In times of darkness one begins to see the sovereign rule of God in all circumstances. When separated from family and church family we had to completely rely upon God for everything. When we needed family and church and they could not meet our needs God already had a messenger of hope prepared.

None of us could ever have seen the outcome of those days to be what they are today. For this, let us rejoice in the the Lord.

By the grace of God I will have the opportunity to introduce my family and church family to Alex Veillard, a godly man who visited us every day while in a Haitian jail. A man of simple means commissioned by God to care for the needs of 10 Americans when few others would or could.

“…God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result…”

Today, by the grace of God, Eastside Baptist is partnered together with Alex in providing housing, nutrition, education, medical care, and most importantly, biblical/spiritual instruction to 68 girls in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Join me on October 28 and November 4 when God’s people at Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, Idaho welcome Alex and his wife Johanne. Alex will be preaching on November 4 at 10:30 a.m.

International Church Planting

Posted on April 19, 2018Leave a comment

I’ve just returned from another trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

This trip was a unique opportunity to participate in the ordination of not just one pastor, not two pastors, but seven pastors. Eastside Baptist now has before us one of the most challenging days in her history. Four of these seven pastors are looking to Eastside to prepare and partner in a church planting opportunity.

On this coming Lord’s Day, during one of our monthly shared meals, I’ll give a full report on what is going on at New Horizon Home and our church planting work in Haiti. Join me following our morning gathering on this coming Lord’s Day. We will stream and then archive the report if you are not able to join us in person.

Today, Your Freedom Has Come

Posted on February 17, 2018Leave a comment

Journal entry from February 17, 2010 – Port-au-Prince, Haiti
___________________________________________________________
I’m guarding my heart and mind against disappointment, yet I believe we will go home today.
Alex came by today with a note saying he is sure we will go home this week. He seems to think even today for most of us, maybe. We hear that the prosecutor has recommended that we not be released until further investigation can be done on Laura and Charisa. The day unfolds very slowly. Much like every day, only much slower. Even lunch came later than usual. Usually it comes in no later than 2PM, but today it came around 3PM. The fact that it came at all begins to establish that disappointment I am at war with.
Around 1:30PM the US Embassy showed up to begin talking to us about our return home in the event we are released. Silas and I visited with Cathy and about five other people about possible travel plans. They want to know what our plans are to get home. As encouraging as this visit was, I have no idea what kind of travel plans I have to get home. We no longer have texting ability with our families, so I don’t know what to do here but to do what God has clearly been teaching me to do, trust in Him. The visit was encouraging in that it seems more likely we are to be released soon.
Close to 4:15PM, the lawyers begin to show up and gather in the hallway. Then I noticed Alex. I don’t know how he does it? Then I saw Junior in the hallway.
Alex looked to me and gives me his patented smile and hard blinks of his eyes, then gives me a thumbs up. I know that this is good. I praise God for this breakthrough and then Alex just walked into the jailer’s office and up to the barred window we have spoken through many times and says “Today, your freedom has come!” He is then immediately ushered out by the police as they grab him by the arms. But not without several glances back to make sure that we heard him. Then in the hallway; Junior, with a grin from ear to ear, points to heaven and mouths the words “Praise to God.”

From this point we are cleared to go, all charges dropped on eight to be released today. We are then told that the people from the Oprah show want us to seek refuge at their place. We quickly say we would rather go the the US Embassy. Aviol has wanted us to go with Oprah from the first day we met him, adding to my unrest with him.
The US Embassy met with us at the jail about the possibility of getting on a military flight tonight to Miami. We are all in agreement that this is best. The military is still flying emergency flights and they have eight empty seats, a provision from God.
We are to leave Haiti tonight at 8PM on a US Air Force cargo flight. I can’t shake the faces of the men in the cell we have just spent three weeks with. They all make eye contact and give firm hand shakes. Even though we have had our things stolen from time to time when we go to court, we have become very close. God please bring freedom to these men soon.
We make several attempts to allow Charisa to be released so she can get medical assistance in the States by letting one of us stay in her place. This was very hard to be refused to do so. Any one of the eight being released were willing to stay in her place.

This is unexplainable at the moment. How at all did I speak to my love without being in shock of hearing that voice? I will see her face and touch her embrace soon, if God will so allow.
I was able to speak to David for a moment and Renee’s dad. I will look forward to my call to my parents when I arrive in Miami.
The flight was packed with brave men and women of the US military causing me to think a lot about David. There are many civilians with the look of despair and joy. The flight was uncomfortable, but most pleasant! I will strive for the remainder of my life to never complain of this flight, ever!
“Today, your freedom has come!”

Our First International Pastors’ Conference

Posted on March 28, 2017Leave a comment

Eastside Baptist Church will host our first international pastors’ conference in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on June 15-17, 2017. We are pleased to obey the Lord in this opportunity.

We are several years past a God ordained struggle that God used to shape our gospel advancing work. We now have over 50 girls we provide housing, food, education, church, healthcare and a security in what is now known as New Horizon Home. Multiple trips over the past few years have given us greater clarity in providing reliable and trustworthy assistance to the Lord’s church and His people.

For over a year now we have been praying about hosting our first pastors conference. This year, Lord willing, we will gather pastors from around the city to supply them with trustworthy resources and biblical training in preaching, church planting and pastoring.

We have partnered with Chapel Library from Pensacola, Florida who is providing several resources in French and Haitian Creole. We bless the Lord for their worldwide ministry and translation work. Their kindness is of the generous kind where they have supplied several books/booklets at no cost to us. May the Lord bless Chapel Library.

We have other resources we are working on to secure.

Pray for me as I begin working with men in my church who will supply the teaching, preaching, and training. Pray for us as we prepare.

Pastor, Keep the Charge of the LORD your God
(1 Kings 2:2-3)
June 15-17, 2017
Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Sponsors:
Twin Falls, Idaho, USA

Press On

Posted on January 28, 2017Leave a comment

The following is from my personal journal dated January 28, 2010. Location, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
________________________________________

We have contacted Pastor Jean Sainvil, we are lined up with our three [translators], and we are still working on finalizing documentation. The process seems difficult to understand and situations change the process after clarity has been given [to us.] We have been told that the illegal trafficking of children has increased and need to have documentation from director of the orphanage is of greatest importance. We are all in agreement and now press on to give hope from God to the orphans.

We have received 33 children from Haiti Sharing Jesus Ministries, lead by Pastor Jean Sainvil.
The traffic is slow, as it has been everyday, so we will not [attempt] going to the border tonight.
Our hope of a safe place to park the bus and have the children examined by medical personnel has fallen through so we are forced to sleep on a street of Port-au-Prince. We do so with joy to care for the children. As we are preparing to bed down, I notice the care of the older children for the younger. This is precious. The children have been well fed today and have had plenty of water. It has been a hard day but a blessed day. I won’t assume that the hardship is over but the joy in to and from God. I learned Charisa is a diabetic tonight. She has not had enough food today and is in need of proper nutrition. It is good to have Drew and his knowledge to help get her to stay awake to eat and drink. We pray for hours with her and for her.
The street is more like an alley. It smells of urine, is filled with trash, and the non-stop barking of a dog and crowing of a rooster down the street have been announcing their presence most of the night.
We have [not been] approached by anyone on the street until about 3:00 AM. A police truck pulled up the street; they asked if we were alright. We explained what we were doing and why we were on the street. They were understandable and let us remain with no problems.

Prayer: God protect the children, help Charisa, Thank you that there will be people from our churches waiting for us when we arrive in the DR with the children. I am physically spent. My outer man wants to complain, but my spirit refuses him. I count it a joy to be poured out like a drink offering. Please make that dog quit barking.

(* Photo’s from Nikki. Thank you Nikki)

____________________________________________

The following is not in my journal… they are thoughts and observations I made one year later on January 28, 2011

——–
Here is some information that I think will help in piecing this day together with people and events in the coming days
This day was very exhausting. We had this smaller bus and needed to reserve another bus to handle the number of children now. There is no way we could have driven the larger bus to the orphanage but the larger bus would better handle the number of children. The additional bus eventually created additional confusion as issues of money and security began to pose a threat. With the assistance of the Haitian policeman we had met a few days before, we were able to pay the fee for the second bus and relieve them of any further assistance. This now made the bus very full with 33 children and 12 adults (10 Americans, now one translator and a relative of Pastor Sainvil.)
While meeting with Pastor Sainvil at the Haiti Sharing Jesus Orphanage, I was approached by a young man who introduced himself to me as Alex. He was very kind and thankful to meet me. He spoke English pretty well, I later learned that he is a school teacher.
He asked me if I could walk with him to his neighborhood. I informed Laura that I was going to walk with him to his house while she was working with Pastor Sainvil. I then met a lady name Florance who walked with us to Alex’s house. There Alex explained to me that their neighborhood was taking care of several children. Their parents were all killed during the earthquake. Alex asked me if we could take these children with us. I told him that we were working with the understanding that we could only receive children from an orphanage with authorization from the orphanage director. He understood and was very thankful I had walked with him to see and hear their need for help. I gave him Laura’s phone number and he gave me his so we could communicate in the future about how to help him. He, Florance and another man named Junior walked back with me to the bus. These three individuals will become very important to us in the coming days.
The dog never quit barking.

What Man Intended for Harm, God Intended for Good

Posted on November 16, 2016Leave a comment

It’s difficult to determine the outcome of life circumstances based on circumstances. It’s difficult to see what God is intending for good when difficulty is ruling the day. Then there is the risky task of concluding the finished outcome of something that is still unfolding. That has been the way it has been for the past six years in relationship to a gospel work God has begun, birthed in disaster, bathed in humiliation and seasoned with joy.

I want to share a brief moment from a recent trip to Haiti with pictures. Anyone wanting more details of the ongoing ministry of New Horizon Home/School/Church in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, I’m more than willing to share more details either in print or in speaking with your church or mission/ministry groups of our ongoing, unfolding, unfinished, developing work in international gospel work.

Here are a few moments from the most recent trip.

Response to Disaster

Posted on October 6, 2016Leave a comment

As hurricane Matthew begins to assault the East coast of the US, it has already left a path of disaster in the Caribbean. By the grace of God, as hurricane Matthew swiped Haiti, our girls home was virtually untouched even as flooding and worse was wide spread.

Disasters like this remind us of the plight of humanity in the wake of tragedy.

What can be done?
What should be done?

There are few things that I weigh when I begin to assess and check my emotions as the news begins to spread of the hardships many are in in days like today.

First; it is right to respond. There are two things here:

Americans (not just Christians) are generous people. It is our way.
More than being Americans, as a born again follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, as described by the Holy Bible, our new DNA is to behave toward others the way we would want to be treated. I wouldn’t use the parable teaching of the “Good Samaritan” be my instructional text on kindness toward strangers. As good of a story as that is I think it is best applied to the Gospel. One might get more people motivated to help with a good story like the “Good Samaritan”, but does one need to muster up motivation from a story to move God’s people to respond? Well, that’s a topic for another day. It’s who we are. It’s what we do. But we are not simply humanitarians. We have a Gospel mandate to the nations.

Second; how do we respond? There are at least four primary ways for Christians to respond.

Pray. This is not the easy way out. This is not to simply ease the conscience. We pray. We pray alone. We pray together. We ask God to help.
Gather helpful items. This can get complicated. Usually along the way we will hear of physical things that are needed. When we hear of things it is vitally important that we give what is actually being asked for. I’ve seen the rooms packed with winter coats, snow tires, ski gloves, and other useless items in tropical islands. It’s not a question of the genuine desire to help by those who send things, it’s a matter of helpful help.
Give. There will raise up a great out pouring of financial ways to help. Saints of the Lord, we love to give. I say to you, be disciplined in who you give to. There are “good” things that nearly every charitable organization can do. But the reality is that many charitable organizations are pilfering the common goodness of humanity for financial gain. I wouldn’t forbid anyone from giving to any organization but let me caution you to investigate any organization you give to before you give. There is one organization I don’t hesitate to warn you of: the United Nations, UNICEF. Yes, they will help in some ways that you will be thankful for, but largely, UNICEF is no friend of the Christian work around the world. I highly recommend the Disaster Relief Ministry of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Any designated contribution given through a local church to Disaster Relief will go to the location and immediate needs of the current disaster. Paid staff of Disaster Relief get their funding through local churches, associations, networks, and state conventions. Money given to Disaster relief is not stopped and pilfered through at administrative levels before going to the need, It’s not needed because Baptists have already put a mechanism in place before disasters even arrive. Check with your local church on how you can do this.
Go. This gets as complicated as any in the response. There is need for many to go. It will be required. Recovery in days of disaster are extremely difficult. The long work of clean up is no glamorized work. But help will be needed. Again, the best is to check with your local church and find out what you can do and how to get prepared to go. Some of you would be ready today, others would need time to prepare, both will be needed.

*edited because of a few grammar issues.

Today, Your Freedom Has Come

Posted on February 17, 2016Leave a comment

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

—

This morning I decided to put on my new clothes. I’m guarding my heart and mind against disappointment, yet I believe we will go home today.
Alex came by today with a note saying he is sure we will go home this week. He seems to think even today for most of us, maybe. We hear that the prosecutor has recommended that we not be released until further investigation can be done on Laura and Charisa. The day unfolds very slowly. Much like every day, only much slower. Even lunch came later than usual. Usually it comes in no later than 2PM, but today it came around 3PM. The fact that it came at all begins to establish that disappointment I am at war with.
Around 1:30PM the US Embassy showed up to begin talking to us about our return home in the event we are released. Silas and I visited with Cathy and about five other people about possible travel plans. They want to know what our plans are to get home. As encouraging as this visit was, I have no idea what kind of travel plans I have to get home. We no longer have texting ability with our families, so I don’t know what to do here but to do what God has clearly been teaching me to do, trust in Him. The visit was encouraging in that it seems more likely we are to be released soon.
Close to 4:15PM, the lawyers begin to show up and gather in the hallway. Then I noticed Alex. I don’t know how he does it? Then I saw Junior in the hallway.
Alex looked to me and gives me his patented smile and hard blinks of his eyes, then gives me a thumbs up. I know that this is good. I praise God for this breakthrough and then Alex just walked into the jailer’s office and up to the barred window we have spoken through many times and says “Today, your freedom has come!”
He is then immediately ushered out by the police as they grab him by the arms. But not without several glances back to make sure that we heard him. Then in the hallway; Junior, with a grin from ear to ear, points to heaven and mouths the words “Praise to God.”

AP photo

The walk through the media zoo was as if it were in slow motion. Alex, true to form comes from the midst of the crowd, then Junior and Florance with a hug and a kiss on my cheek.
What has caused this kind of brotherly and sisterly affection? We are virtually strangers. It can only be the blood of the Lamb. We make our way into the US Embassy van and are escourted to the entrance to the Port-au-Prince airport, just less than 1/2 mile from where we have been for the past 19 days. We have heard these planes coming and going every day for the past three weeks. This time we are to be on one.
The media gets nothing from us and Oprah gets even less.
While at the airport we all get phones to call family. We put the battery back into the phone that NBC gave us to use as well.
This is unexplainable at the moment. How at all did I speak to my love without being in shock of hearing that voice? I will see her face and touch her embrace soon, if God will so allow.
I was able to speak to David for a moment and Renee’s dad. I will look forward to my call to my parents when I arrive in Miami.
The flight was packed with brave men and women of the US military causing me to think a lot about David. There are many civilians with the look of despair and joy. The flight was uncomfortable, but most pleasant! I will strive for the remainder of my life to never complain of this flight, ever!
Today, your freedom has come.

—

These are my personal experiences of a difficult time in my journey with the Lord. They are personal as I reflect on the God appointed days. I do not attempt to speak for anyone but myself. I do not publish these journal entries as a voice for the 9 Others.

Posts Tagged with Haiti

Today, Your Freedom Has Come!

The Far Side of the Desert

What Man Intended for Harm…

International Church Planting

Today, Your Freedom Has Come

Our First International Pastors’ Conference

Pastor, Keep the Charge of the LORD your God
(1 Kings 2:2-3)
June 15-17, 2017
Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Press On

What Man Intended for Harm, God Intended for Good

Response to Disaster

Today, Your Freedom Has Come

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Pastor, Keep the Charge of the LORD your God (1 Kings 2:2-3) June 15-17, 2017 Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Follow PaulThompsonBlog

Pastor, Keep the Charge of the LORD your God
(1 Kings 2:2-3)
June 15-17, 2017
Port-au-Prince, Haiti