{"id":71,"date":"2016-11-12T00:51:41","date_gmt":"2016-11-12T00:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/susangailswanson.com\/?page_id=71"},"modified":"2020-01-28T01:53:09","modified_gmt":"2020-01-28T01:53:09","slug":"my-blog","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/susangailswanson.com\/?page_id=71","title":{"rendered":"My Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Foster Kids \u2013 Forgotten\nGeneration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Psalm 27:10  When my father and mother forsake me then the\nLord will take care of me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When I learned that over sixty-percent of\nprison inmates came out of the foster care system I was shocked. At the time, my\ngranddaughter Kara, volunteered as a junior counselor at Camp Alandale. A camp\nstarted in the 80\u2019s for abused\/foster kids. She loved the ministry and invited\nme to an open house. I wanted to hear more about how the camp programs changed\nchildren\u2019s lives. Their program consisted of play times, Bible studies and\none-on-one relationships between counselors and junior counselors. Also, the\ncamp was free of charge and the ratio of children was one counselor to two\ncampers making it very personal. It seemed like a very exciting, wonderful\nministry. I wanted to be a part of it, but how?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     \u201cWhy don\u2019t you become a counselor,\nGrandma?\u201d Kara asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I smiled, \u201cDon\u2019t you think 70 years is a\nbit old for a counselor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     \u201cThese kids need grandmas, too. Why don\u2019t\nyou try it some weekend?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     I took my granddaughter\u2019s suggestion and\napplied. Soon, all the paperwork and interviews were completed and I headed off\nfor my first winter camp counselor experience. I felt totally inadequate, but\nwas reminded by a friend that \u201cGod doesn\u2019t call the equipped, He equips the\ncalled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Winter camp was beyond my\nexpectations.  I watched the campers get\noff the bus Friday night; many timid or fearful.  But by Sunday afternoon, they looked so different,\nhappy, excited and changed. Bible studies, play time and laughter refreshed the\ncampers physically and spiritually. I was especially touched when one young\ngirl asked me if I would be her grandma all weekend. I readily agreed and made\nit a point to hug her each time I saw her. A very blessed weekend.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     At\nanother winter camp I experienced God move in another amazing way. Campers randomly\npicked their own counselors by pulling a counselor\u2019s name out of a bowl! I was selected\nby a teenage girl who loved to write. In fact, she had a whole notebook of her\nstories with her, but she wouldn\u2019t let anyone read them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     I said to her, \u201cDid you know that I am a\nwriter also. I would love to read one of your stories.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     She clutched her notebook tightly to her\nchest. \u201cNo. I don\u2019t share these with anyone.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u201cYou know what\u2019s interesting, is that you\nand I are the only writers in this camp.\u201d I gently patted her on the back. \u201cAnd\nyou picked my name as your counselor. Do you think that was from God?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     She\nstared at me and ran off to play. But later that afternoon, she found me and\nasked if she could share her stories with me. I read them. They were good and I\ntold her I thought she was a talented writer. I offered some suggestions and also\npromised to send her a children\u2019s book I had written about my grandchildren\u2019s life\nas missionary kids. It was a very blessed weekend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I have happily counseled more than thirty\nwinter and summer camps, since 2016. I have grown closer to God and feel super\nblessed to be part of this fantastic ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE:   Camp\nAlandale began in the 1980\u2019s as a Christ centered children\u2019s camp.   But, quite\nby accident, the focus changed. A lone foster child attended, found Jesus and\nhad a major turnaround in his life. It was such a life changer, the social\nworker called to learn more about the program. The camp founders prayed and\nchanged the structure tominister only to children in the foster care system. The\ncamp is free of charge.  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nNow, over thirty years later, the camp\u2019s track record indicates approximately\nninety-percent of former campers\u2019 lead productive lives. In fact, many of them return\nto volunteer as counselors. They have defied the grim statistics of homelessness\nor felons coming out of the foster care system<\/em>.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                            MARCO, winter camp <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The black hoodie masked his face, but not\nthe anger. He stood apart from the rest of the kids, with arms across his chest\ndefiantly. I learned his name was Marco and his brother had recently been\nkilled in gang violence. At only fourteen, he was too young to have already\nexperienced so much hardship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      It\nwas Saturday night, here at camp, skit time and a chance to act out a Bible\nstory. Marco was on my team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     \u201cWhat shall we do for our skit?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     \u201cHow about Jonah and the whale?\u201d A camper\nsuggested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     The team agreed and one of the counselors\nrecapped the plot in case any campers didn\u2019t know it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     \u201cIs that really true?\u201d questioned one of\nthe team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cOf course,\u201d replied another camper.\n\u201dEverything in the Bible is true.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     \u201cWhy don\u2019t we do a rap song for our skit?\u201d\nI said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Marco sat up and stared at me. I guessed\nbecause I am a grandmother he wondered how I would even know about rap music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     I snapped my fingers and started\nchanting,\u201dYo, bro, here\u2019s a tale about a man and a great big whale.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     The other campers chimed in with verses of\ntheir own. Soon we had composed a funny and amusing poem about Jonah. We\nperformed our rap skit for the entire camp. The audience clapped and laughed,\nbut Marco stood behind us, and didn\u2019t join in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     After the skits were over I found Marco\nsitting by himself. I joined him and put my arm around his shoulder. \u201cYou know,\nMarco, next week you\u2019ll be back in school and you\u2019ll have some rough spots. I hope\nyou\u2019ll remember tonight and it makes you smile. Not only about our skit, but\nthe greatness of God!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     His face came out of the hoodie with a big\ngrin. He looked young and happy. \u201cYah, that was pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Marco was somehow touched that night. I\nbelieve God uses so many of our efforts to reach these kids in ways only He can\ndo.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     * * * *<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                           ESTELLE,\nsummer camp<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Her smile didn\u2019t reach her eyes. Her name\nwas Estelle and she was pretty and blond. But she seemed surrounded by sadness.\nWe were in the same cabin and I wondered how I might reach her. As a counselor,\nI wanted her to know she was in a safe and loving place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     At breakfast I said to her, \u201cIt\u2019s\nbeautiful and peaceful here, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     She covered her mouth with her napkin, \u201cYes,\nit is. Please excuse the way I talk. I grew up overseas, so I have an accent.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     \u201cHow interesting it must have been to live\nin a foreign country. Did your parents have business there?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     She looked down at her plate, \u201cNo they\nwere missionaries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Missionaries? How could a missionary child\nbe in the foster care system? Perhaps her folks died and she had no other\nrelatives? As the days passed she opened up about her life. A very ugly picture\nemerged. She was the victim of a cult. For fifteen years she spent her youth with\na group calling themselves \u201cChristians\u201d. A sect that believed beatings and\nstarvation would keep their children from hell. But they called it repentance\nand fasting. They worshipped a brutal, demanding god and created a cruel and\nevil system. It was so harsh even children as young as three were starved and\nbeaten. Estelle told us she became so depressed she considered suicide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     The cult moved to America. One day, a\nstranger joined them. He explained that the God of the holy Bible was kind, loving,\nand compassionate. Since the stranger disagreed with their philosophy he was\nsoon thrown out of the cult. Estelle\u2019s older sister fled with him. Estelle felt\neven more alone. She began reading a Bible she found. Under the covers in her\nbed at night, she learned the truth about God; His love, His forgiveness,\nsending Jesus to die for our sins so we could have eternal life. A God of love\nand hope. She realized how mixed up her parents were. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Meanwhile, her sister reported the abusive\ncult situation to the police. Estelle\u2019s father was called in for questioning.\nHe brought Estelle with him and told her to lie about the beatings, but added\n\u2018always tell the truth\u2019. Even though Estelle saw the hypocrisy and the lies,\nshe told the police officers exactly what her dad told her to say. Fortunately,\nthe authorities were experienced enough to figure out that Estelle was afraid\nand lied to protect herself. She was rescued and placed in a real Christian foster\nhome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Sadly, years of beatings and cruelty left\ntheir mark, but at Camp Alandale, Estelle grew close to God. Personal honest\nconversations, Bible studies and having fun led Estelle to see real\nChristianity in action. Staff, counselors and fellow campers loved and\ncomforted her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We\nlearned that Estelle\u2019s passion was Christian rap music. Often we heard her\nsinging around the camp. She wrote several songs to honor God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     On our last day at camp, counselors shared\nqualities and blessings they experienced with the campers. They also wrote\nletters of encouragement to them. However, the last day of this camp something\nmore extraordinary happened. Estelle, only four months out of the cult\nperformed a Christian rap. Tears streamed down my face as I watched her dance\nand sing on stage with such joy. I gave thanks to a Holy God. Only He could\ndeliver a child out of such darkness into such light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                                    MARLENE,\nwinter camp<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Tyler, the camp director announced, \u201cIt\u2019s\ntime for one-on-one, with your counselors. See you in thirty minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Marlene, my camper and I headed outside. I\nsent silent prayers to the Lord, please\nhelp me find the right words to comfort her, so I can be a blessing<\/em>. Already,\nshe\u2019d told me details of her terrible past. When she was only five years old,\nher mother, a drug addict, sold Marlene into sexual slavery to feed her drug\nhabit. Marlene\u2019s life had been one of violence and abuse. I was at a loss to\nknow of anything I could say to ease the years of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     We walked outside and passed a huge pile\nof snow. \u201cIsn\u2019t snow wonderful?\u201d I asked. \u201dAnd isn\u2019t God amazing to make water\ninto fluffy white snow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u201cI\u2019ve never seen snow,\u201d she replied. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     On\nimpulse, I gently threw some snow at her. She laughed and threw snow back at\nme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     I grinned. \u201cLet\u2019s make a snowman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     \u201cHow about a snow girl?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

     We spent the next twenty minutes creating\nour snow princess. Marlene, tied a red ribbon on our snow princess and gave her\na tinfoil cape with a matching crown.  For\neyes we used pebbles and we fashioned a big smile from pine needles. The two of\nus stepped back to look at our snow princess. Then we hugged each other and\nlaughed! Marlene\u2019s face glowed with a youthful happiness. I snapped some\npictures of both of us and our snow creation and promised to send her copies.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     That night after dinner, we watched the\nmovie \u201cCourageous\u201d a Christian movie about fathers who make a pact to be\nstronger spiritual leaders for their families. Most of the campers, including\nme cried all through it. Marlene stood up and walked away. I was concerned that\nthe movie triggered a bad memory. But she wanted to pass tissues to\neveryone.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     The next day at our one-on-one time we\ntalked about the importance of fathers. I held her as she cried because her\nfather was horrible and how much she wanted a real loving father.  The rest of the weekend we spent in prayer\nand Bible studies growing closer to God. We talked about the power of\nforgiveness, the future God had for her, and about letting go of the past. Even\nthough she had confessed the Lord as her savior, she was struggling with her\nabusive past. But at Victory Circle, I told her she was a daughter of the King,\nadopted by God into His forever family. Tears of joy streamed down her face as\nshe realized how wonderful it was to be a child of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     Before she got on the bus to return home,\nshe told me how the weekend had been life-changing. Our play-time in the snow gave\nher a childhood she had lost. Also, she realized God, her heavenly Father gave\nher the best family of all! I loved being a part of God\u2019s plan.   <\/p>\n\n\n

Chapter Thirteen \u2013 Ferrier, Haiti, Medical Mission 2019<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Wouldn\u2019t Have Missed it for The World!!!<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Last trip! Hardest Trip! Best Trip!<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act.<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\u00b7<\/span>      <\/span>* * *<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

    \u201cJoin us in Haiti?\u201d read the text from Dr. Peter of Faith Care Ministries.<\/span><\/p>\n

    After a three-minute decision, I responded. \u201cAbsolutely. What dates?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    The trip would occur during the week of my 74th<\/sup> birthday. Wouldn\u2019t that be a  celebration; Haiti on a medical mission trip. Excited I completed all the paperwork, got the shots and started Malaria meds. <\/span><\/p>\n

     A few days before we left, my friend Sharilyn called,\u201d Hey, Susan want to take my Mom\u2019s wedding dress to Haiti?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

      \u201cSure. I\u2019ll come get it and deliver to a bride-to-be in Haiti.\u201d Not having a clue how that might work!<\/span><\/p>\n

      Since I believe God moves in mysterious ways and put this on my friend\u2019s heart, I agreed. Then I remembered that nine years ago after canceling a trip to Haiti, I had intended to bring a wedding dress. Could this be unfinished business?   <\/span><\/p>\n

      Soon the departure date arrived. I waited at LAX for the red-eye flight to Miami Beach, Florida where I would connect with the team. Excited, afraid and more than a little anxious I boarded. <\/span><\/p>\n

     In Miami, a small group waited for the flight to Cap Haitian, Haiti. I recognized Dr. Peter immediately. His warm smile eased my fears. His two daughters ages fifteen and thirteen joined us. My adventure began, then halted when it was announced they needed to find a new plane! At last we were on our way. Arriving in Haiti, warm tropical breezes greeted us along with a Caribbean-style band and singers. I loved it.<\/span><\/p>\n

     Entering customs with so much luggage, personal and medical, gave the appearance we would be in Haiti for months instead of a ten days. Customs officials wanted $1,000.00 to bring our supplies in. Really! We were there to help their fellow-countrymen. Dr. Peter sent in friends who talked the officials down to accepting $100.00. Thanks to God who is bigger than airport officials and greed. <\/span><\/p>\n

     Driving to Ferrier through the countryside, I felt overwhelmed by the poverty and desperation. Sadly, that had not changed since my last visit. But two old friends, Whitney and Cyrus from previous visits to Maissaide, Haiti joined our caravan. They greeted me with hugs, glad we were once again uniting to help the Haitians. An hour-plus drive until we finally arrived at Ferrier, a village of thirty thousand. <\/span><\/p>\n

     In spite of a long day, the five doctors on the team wanted to inspect the building that would be used for our medical clinic.  The rest of us settled into our quarters. A two-story guest-house decorated with beautiful tile floors and vaulted ceilings and one bathroom for eight women and no bathroom door! The men\u2019s bathroom had no shower so we shared ours. The power situation was iffy! Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn\u2019t! <\/span><\/p>\n

     After a long day, we retired early. However, yelling neighbors, barking dogs and loud automobiles offered very little sleep. But I brought a mosquito-net tent to prevent bug bites and it turned out to be a wonderful asset and kept out unwanted insects. <\/span><\/p>\n

      Before dawn, we awakened to a rooster crowing. This was going to be a long week! I prayed that God would help me to be a blessing! Today, Sunday, my 74th<\/sup> birthday and I thanked God that I was still in good-enough shape to be serving Him in Haiti. <\/span><\/p>\n

     After breakfast we walked through the village to the church. Pastor Whitney preached on trusting God which was just the message I needed. Then we were introduced to the congregation. After church and lunch, we walked to the \u2018clinic\u2019 to set up our outreach.<\/span><\/p>\n

        The medical facility took place inside a fenced school complex. The yard littered with trash and pot holes surrounded by several concrete buildings would house different medical areas. The rooms lacked windows, running water, power and air-conditioning. To me it seemed like a poor choice for a clinic. Plus, only two toilets that did not flush, for the three-hundred or more people expected each day!  <\/span><\/p>\n

     The medical team amazed me because in a few hours the marginal facilities transformed into a fully stocked pharmacy, two operating rooms, a recovery room plus a prayer haven. Dr. Lucy the volunteer ob-gyn set up her exam room. It was impressive. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Our afternoon ended. Hot, sweaty and tired we walked back to our guest house only to be told there was no power so there would be no showers. Some birthday! But after whining, I was awed at God\u2019s grace and His provision when the team brought out a Birthday cake. They sang Happy Birthday and even gave me a card. Although frustrated with the conditions, I thanked God for being with us. I couldn\u2019t imagine where they found a cake in this village. It was a yummy angel food cake.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Dr. Peter must have known that I found the conditions difficult because he said he could give me a catheter so I wouldn\u2019t have to go to the bathroom all week! Too funny! I love the team. He also advised us, \u201cDo not hold any babies. The mother may disappear in the crowd hoping you will take the infant to America.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

      I wondered if God wanted us to experience life as the Haitians must live every day. Life as so many people around the world live; lack of basic sanitary conditions, no electricity and no running water. I watched women with huge buckets on their heads walking to the town well for water, with small children in hand. By God\u2019s grace I was born in America. I felt ashamed and humbled that I complained!<\/span><\/p>\n

     Among the gifts I brought were ribbons, hair ties and tooth brushes. Marie, a Haitian-American nurse, put each one in a plastic bag and added candy and a pencil. She gave them out to the children. How thoughtful! Friends also donated new underwear, which Dr. Lucy handed out to her surgery patients. She blessed so may Haitian women! She told me, \u201cI came from Puerto Rico and humble beginnings, so I want to give back to others.\u201d She came to Haiti every year with Dr. Peter. I also learned that Faith Care Ministries, in operation for twenty-five years, treated over 200,000 people during that time!<\/span><\/p>\n

     Monday morning, gathered for worship on the roof, I watched the sun rise over Haiti. I felt blessed and at peace in spite of the noisy villagers around us. It occurred to me, that the One who rules eternity, calls me His friend! After worship and breakfast, we walked to the clinic smiling at the villagers on the way. The Haitian children are so precious.   <\/span><\/p>\n

      Standing in line outside the fence, waited over one-hundred people! Overwhelming! But local villagers acted as guards and calmed the chaos. Only thirty people at a time were allowed to enter. They went to the first stop, where blood pressure, temperature and pulse rate were measured and entered on their card. Then, they proceeded to medical consulting, where I helped. Four American doctors (with translators) and four Haitian doctors diagnosed physical problems. I took the patients to the spiritual consulting room for prayer and to learn about Jesus. From there they went to the pharmacy or to surgery or home. It was orderly and professional. Each day patients were given a different colored card to prevent cutting in line. <\/span><\/p>\n

     Because I had no medical training, I wondered what value I could offer. As I walked each person from medical consulting to the prayer room, I hugged and prayed for each one. I also figured out that most of our team were not Christians, but came as humanitarians.  So, in addition to our ministry to Haitians, we shared Christ with our fellow team members; a double mission trip! God never ceased to amaze me on this trip as on others.<\/span><\/p>\n

     Monday at lunch time we learned that 167 people had already visited our clinic with 12 people deciding to follow Christ. And this was just our first half-day! <\/span><\/p>\n

     Dr. Peter\u2019s daughters, ages 13 and 15, helped their father in surgery and assisted in the pharmacy. At the end of each day these amazing teenagers played games with the Haitian kids! It was too cute watching them play \u2018Duck, Duck, Goose.\u2019 What a wonderful witness! Karl, the pharmacist summed up our purpose, \u201cWe came to ease the suffering and present the gospel of Jesus Christ.\u201d At the end of the week we had more than accomplished our purpose!<\/span><\/p>\n

     Monday and a very long day came to a close. We walked back to the guest house to learn there was power to pump water for showers. A big thank-you to God. Even though the water wasn\u2019t heated, cold showers felt wonderful. Cold and wet worked.  Everyone cooperated and took short showers.  The team spirit impressed me. But God\u2019s design to bring all of us together to help Haiti impressed me more. God moves in mysterious ways. <\/span><\/p>\n

     However, sleep became difficult each night. Between the noisy villagers and barking dogs and hot humidity none of us slept very well. Morning came all too soon. Roosters crowed and the village dogs howled at sun rise.  But, my favorite part of the day occurred each morning as we gathered on the roof to worship and pray. The orange-pink sky gave proof to the majesty of God. I knew also, that this may be my last trip to Haiti, so I prayed that God would make it memorable. <\/span><\/p>\n

     Meanwhile, the wedding dress sat in my suitcase. I mentioned my gift to most of the team. They politely said they\u2019d keep it in mind, but I had doubts as to what to do with it. Should I just leave it at the guest house? Should I bring it home? I prayed again for God\u2019s direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

     In a wonderful miracle, as only God can do, He sent me a bride-to-be! Tuesday afternoon I helped Dr. Ricky in medical consulting. Listening to how he determined a patient\u2019s problem fascinated me, especially since this was a different culture and language. <\/span><\/p>\n

       Dr. Ricky kindly asked each patient, \u201dHow can I be of service today? What is bothering you? Where does it hurt?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

     I enjoyed watching Dr. Ricky determine the medical course of action. Between patients I struck up a conversation with Rafaele, a young woman translator, who lived in the village. <\/span><\/p>\n

     \u201cAre you married?\u201d I asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

     Timidly she lowered her head, \u201cNo. But I have a fianc\u00e9.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

     Was this God\u2019s direction?  \u201cSo, are you planning on getting married soon?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

     \u201cWe are praying about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

     \u201cDo you have a wedding dress?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

     Sadly, she shook her head. <\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cWould you like a wedding dress from America?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

      Shocked she didn\u2019t say a word.<\/span><\/p>\n

     \u201cI brought a white satin wedding dress with me. Would you like it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

     At this point I wondered which of us was more amazed at what was taking place. \u201cI will find out how to get it to you. I also brought a veil and a rhinestone headband and heart shaped buttons. Oh, I have a sewing kit to alter the dress.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

     I checked with Venton, our director on when and how I should deliver the gift. It worked-out to take it to her on Friday, the day the clinic ended. He explained, \u201cWe need to keep a low-profile and since we will leave on Sunday, the villagers won\u2019t be coming to our door asking for money or other hand-outs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

         Every day Rafaele asked me about the dress and if I was really going to give it to her. I guess she must have thought it was too good to be true.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Wednesday continued the same as the other days. They were hot, sweaty, noisy but there were a lot of happy Haitians. However, Wednesday evening Pastor Whitney re-joined us. This was a surprise as he was supposed to fly home to New York.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \u201cWeren\u2019t you flying out of Port-au-Prince yesterday?\u201d I asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

     He replied, \u201cThe capital and all the roads leading into the city are closed and barricaded. There are political demonstrations and riots happening. It\u2019s turning into a violent situation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

     This did not sound good to me. I wondered if I should be concerned. Perhaps here in the countryside politics weren\u2019t that important. Nobody else on the team seemed upset, so I decided not to worry either. <\/span><\/p>\n

     Thursday, Valentine\u2019s Day, I woke up before dawn to the most spectacular sunrise I have ever seen. One of those \u2018freeze-frame\u2019 moments you want to enjoy forever. Shades of orange, yellow and pink blending together with palm trees swaying in the foreground as though dancing. I ran up to the roof for a better view. Venton, Peter, Marie and Karl were already up there in prayer. I joined them and In unison we thanked God for all his blessings and to help our Haitian friends. <\/span><\/p>\n

     Later at our worship time on the roof, Venton surprised all of us ladies with Valentine hearts full of chocolate. What a wonderful Valentine\u2019s day surprise! I ate mine immediately. Dr. Peter and Venton gave us hugs and thanked us again for all our help. The devotional words for the day rang true, \u201cYou can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

     Our pharmacist, Karl, headed home today, but before he left, he gave me a big hug and told me I was an inspiration! How sweet. His ride to the airport picked him up at ten o\u2019clock in the morning for an afternoon flight in case of barricaded roads. We heard later that he made it home okay.   <\/span><\/p>\n

     I decided to call Shannon and Jason and asked them to pray for our political situation. We heard it was deteriorating and getting worse every day with increasing violence. So glad God is sovereign.<\/span><\/p>\n

     Thursday, our second to last day. The clinic grew unusually busy and also overly chaotic. In fact, we closed early at four o\u2019clock. The crowds became unruly and aggressive. Perhaps because they knew we were leaving soon or it was the worsening political situation. But on this day, I decided I wanted to be a bigger part of the team. I asked Dr. Peter if I could help in the operating room. He readily agreed. Even though I grew a little nervous I knew I would never again have a chance to see an operation up close.<\/span><\/p>\n

     Dr. Peter found me in the afternoon, \u201cPut on a gown, cap and mask and come to the operating room. You can help Dr. Lucy finish surgery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

     Suiting up, I walked into the operating arena and watched Dr. Lucy sew up a woman after a hysterectomy. The patient, under a local anesthesia, a spinal injection, was scared and kept asking if the operation was over. I rubbed her shoulders with one hand and held up a bright light with the other so Lucy could see better. The first thing I thought as I watched the doctor operate, was from the bible \u201cwe are fearfully and wonderfully made.\u201d Dr. Lucy sewed the abdomen together with small tight stitches. Amazing! She wanted to know if I was dizzy or faint and surprisingly, I was not. Just in awe of God\u2019s creation. On a funny note, I asked Dr. Kurt what dripped out of a plastic bag next to the patient. <\/span><\/p>\n

     \u201cOh, that\u2019s Vodka we are pumping into Dr. Lucy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

      His funny joke helped to lighten a serious situation. Dr. Lucy showed me the woman\u2019s uterus that she removed. It was so large it filled the plastic bucket. The hysterectomy saved the patient much pain and probably saved her life, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

     Dr. Peter told me that one of the women having surgery brought her own blood in case of an emergency. A nearby blood bank filled her request. <\/span><\/p>\n

     Thursday came to a close early and we headed home. Just a few days left. I praised God for sustaining me. Returning to the guest house waited a wonderful surprise, the air-conditioning was on and cooling our rooms. That night with the windows closed, the cool air and the hum of the machine I slept the best of the trip. <\/span><\/p>\n

     Friday and our last day. We planned to close at noon, so we could pack up the clinic. I looked for Rafaele to present her with the wedding gown. She waited at the gate for me. We found a quiet room and I carefully removed the dress and the veil from the bag. I draped the white netting over Rafaele\u2019s face. She looked lovely and I could tell she was thrilled! Along with the dress and rhinestone bling, I gave her some money. She hugged me and the dress and invited me to her wedding! The gown would bless her on the big day. Afterwards she could sell it or rent it for more money, a double blessing!<\/span><\/p>\n

     At noon the school yard stood deserted and quiet. Our medical clinic ended and it had been a difficult but incredibly rewarding week. I wondered if we would go to Cap Haitian for a Saturday outing, but the rumors of increased violence indicated we needed to leave the country sooner. <\/span><\/p>\n

     Venton held a meeting during dinner. \u201cI want all of you to know what a difference we\u2019ve made. First of all, the village thinks we were a miracle, since they feel no one really cares about them, being so remote.\u201d He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. \u201cFor those of you into numbers, here\u2019s what we did in four-and a-half-short days. We saw 1,100 patients, performed 46 surgeries and the best news of all, 192 people committed their lives to Christ.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

      Wow, what a trip. Then the dinner conversation turned to the deteriorating political situations involving riots. Should we leave early? <\/span><\/p>\n

     Dr. Peter told us, \u201cOur plan is to drive to Cap Haitian tomorrow, Saturday, change our tickets and head home.\u201d He looked at his daughters. \u201cThe violence is supposed to increase over the weekend so at any rate we want to be near the airport.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

     Venton added, \u201cOur ride is picking us up early tomorrow at seven a.m. We\u2019ll pack up tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

     Dinner finished. We headed to our rooms to gather luggage. I slept well that night and the village was surprisingly quiet. Most of us were up with the sun and carried our bags to the front door. I really wanted to go home. Our Haitian ride to the airport was very late. Eight o\u2019clock came and went before our drivers appeared. There was a sense of urgency with the need to avoid road blocks or angry demonstrations. Pastors and others that had joined forces with us came to say a tearful good bye and lots of thanks for our visit. Several hugs and tears later, we headed for the airport, praying all the way for no trouble.<\/span><\/p>\n

     The Cap Haitian airport, usually quiet was a noisy circus. People stood shoulder to shoulder to get tickets to leave the country. Venton offered to deal with American Airlines to get all our flights changed. We waited amidst the clamor and almost panic-like atmosphere. <\/span><\/p>\n

     \u201cAmerican wants $200.00 per person to change our flights!\u201d reported Venton.<\/span><\/p>\n

     I asked, \u201cThat\u2019s just from Haiti to Miami. What happens in Florida, another $200.00? I don\u2019t want to pay extra money. I\u2019d rather wait a day and go home as scheduled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    Evidently, Dr. Peter along with his daughters, Marie and myself felt the same way. We decided to remain in Cap Haitian. The rest of the team choose to leave for Miami. We left the airport to stay with a pastor friend of Whitney\u2019s. He agreed to put us up for the night at his beach-side home. The house overlooked the ocean with a huge terrace. Inside each room was laid with exquisitely tiled floors and white furnishings. It was absolutely gorgeous. What an estate! I looked forward to just enjoying some ocean breeze time. Marie and I just settled down in our rooms and changed into comfy clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n

     Dr. Peter called from downstairs, \u201cWe just got a text from Venton. American will change all our flights at no cost, so we\u2019re heading back to the airport.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

     We met up with Venton at the American Airlines counter. All the lines of people were gone and our new tickets processed quickly. We surprised the rest of the team already in the waiting room. I looked at my boarding pass and to my surprise I was all set to fly to LAX. Again, thanks to God who is bigger than airlines!  <\/span><\/p>\n

     Once in Miami, we tearfully parted with lots of hugs and pictures. What a week. What a Trip!  I was the third person on the plane to Los Angeles. I just wanted to go home. But I wouldn\u2019t have missed this trip for the world!  <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00b7<\/span>      <\/span>* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Amos 4:13 He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, He who turns dawn to darkness and treads the high places of the earth, the Lord God Almighty is His name. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

TRACT TALES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Several years ago, a pastor challenged our church to hand out \u2018tracts\u2019. Since I was a new believer I had no idea what they were.  Tracts are small pamphlets that share the entire gospel in an easy to read way. Often they look like greeting cards with a message; perhaps with a prominent political figure on the face or just \u2018Happy Halloween\u2019.  I wondered if they did indeed work to lead people to Christ. The Bible says God\u2019s word will not return void. This \u2018tract\u2019 idea intrigued me, so I took a bunch and tried to hand them out. Some people took them, some did not. The Holy Spirit put it on my heart not to give up. I started putting them everywhere. I went to shopping malls and hid them in pockets of jeans, robes, or purses or wherever!<\/p>\n

Then I thought the public library might be a good place. Perhaps in the privacy of one\u2019s own home the word would be read more thoroughly. It turned out to be an exciting adventure, because the Lord directed me to book shelves that I would not have found. Books such as comparative religions or life after death or autobiographies of atheists!  To this day I continue to \u2018hide\u2019 tracts in as many places as I feel led.<\/p>\n

Our town has a huge Halloween parade and I handed out over 200 tracts at that one event. People eagerly took my \u201chappy Halloween\u201d cards.  Recently I took a class at College of the Desert and I put numerous tracts in the student library. I figured out that this year I have handed out or distributed nearly 600 tracts. I have no idea if anyone read them and got saved, but I do know the Lord can use these messages.  This is not a bold ministry, but I do feel I am somehow answering God\u2019s call to spread the good news.   I get my tracts from \u201cMoments with the Book\u201d on line.<\/p>\n

Camp Alandale Tales<\/strong><\/p>\n

Always interested in children and especially making a difference I went to an Open House at Camp Alandale, a camp for foster\/abused kids. I thought most of the counselors would be teenagers BUT that is not the case. These children need mature role models\u2026\u2026especially grand- parents. So I applied and have done several camps.<\/p>\n

This was my second Winter Camp, just a weekend from Friday Night to Sunday afternoon. Each counselor is paired with one or perhaps two campers, making the camp experience impactful and very personal. My two campers were both atheists, bitter and angry. There is a lot of mistrust among these foster kids. I can\u2019t blame them. The foster care system is a mess.  Both my campers were also aloof, but I didn\u2019t take it personally. I know how damaged many of these kids are.<\/p>\n

So, how can you change lives in just a weekend? Does this camp really make a difference? All weekend, I loved them, listened to them, shared the Bible with them. We worshipped together, played together (we built a snowman and a snow unicorn). During our Bible study time, walls came down and we discussed really serious issues, such as teenage suicide and demon worship.<\/p>\n

My last one-on-one time with camper \u201cA\u201d (just the two of us) proved to be a turning point. We walked down to the river and she quickly ran across a log to the other side. I did not want to go. The log was narrow, the river wide and freezing. I said a quick prayer and started out after her. I was having a difficult time. I called to her and asked for help. She turned around, ran back and crossed the log. She took my hand and helped me! I was astounded. She was not so cold and distant and unreachable as I thought! She helped me across the river and we spent time laughing at what a clod I was. I don\u2019t know how God may use this, but we became closer. It is so wonderful to be a part of this ministry even though I may NEVER know the impact I\u2019ve had GOD does! And what else matters.<\/p>\n

Camp Alandale Stories- Winter Camp \u2013 January 27, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was a wintry night as the children arrived on the bus. All of us counselors ran out to welcome them\u2014cheering and hugging each child. Then we escorted the rosy-cheeked middle schoolers into the lodge where a fire warmed their hearts and hands. Homemade chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven and of course hot chocolate heated their tummies.<\/p>\n

The campers chose their counselors for the weekend by picking names from a bowl. I never cease to be amazed at how God places each counselor and camper together — just the right match!<\/p>\n

This last weekend was another incredible story of God\u2019s partnering because my camper turned out to be a WRITER! She had never really shared her stories with anyone. I talked her into sharing one with me and I was impressed. She is very gifted.  Her writing contained great dialogue and excellent word pictures. And she writes Christian allegories, but did not realize it, which was even more amazing. So in addition to sharing Jesus with her, I encouraged her to continue to write and told her she was immensely talented. As I escorted her to the bus to return home, she told me she just wanted to be alone and cry. She had been so encouraged about her writing she wanted to digest it all. I was so pleased that the weekend touched her heart. It is so wonderful to influence these kids\u2019 lives in a positive way.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in helping out, we always need more staff, just go to the Camp Alandale web site: http:\/\/www.campalandale.org<\/p>\n

Elizabeth-Islam to Christ! 2002 interview in Egypt after Sept. 11<\/strong><\/p>\n

I interviewed a woman who converted from Islam to Christianity. The following is her story. Her name has been changed.
\nIn Egypt, there are few churches or Bible studies. Christians are persecuted for their faith.
\n\u201cMy name is Elizabeth and I was raised in a fundamental Muslim home. We had to pray five times a day to Allah. My Father beat us if we did not pray and sometimes for punishment we were not allowed to eat.
\nMy father went to the Mosque to pray every day, even in bad weather. I asked him why. He replied, \u2018Good deeds and works for Allah means blessings.\u2019
\nWhen I was thirteen years old I began to wonder why the Prophet married so many women. In school I sat next to a Christian girl. We had been raised to hate Christians, but she was very nice. One day I peeked in her Bible and read that \u2018Jesus went about doing good\u2019. I began to compare Jesus to the Prophet. Jesus helped many women, but did not marry them. I asked my Father if I could read the Bible, but he became violent and beat me. Then, I asked my religion teacher at school why the Prophet married so many women and for the first time ever in school, I was beaten. I stopped asking questions.
\nI graduated from college and was offered a job with a nominal Christian attorney. He wanted a Muslim helper so he could get more business. I read the Christian books the attorney had in his office; books about the Crucifixion, the Trinity and other theological events. I discussed many questions I had with the attorney, but he would not answer them, in fact he threatened to fire me if I continued to read his books. I was afraid to read any more.
\nI went to the Sheik (Mosque leader) for some answers. He told me to read the Koran and fast for three days. I was already praying every day and I wore the customary veil for Muslim women. I read the Koran and stayed on the job with the attorney, but the old questions kept returning. I wrote down the contradictions, such as the position of women, killing and the violence. I read the thirteen parts of the Koran and took notes. I came to the conclusion that it was not a godly religion and I could not believe in the Koran. However, I did believe that the God of the Bible was with me. I asked God, \u201cIf you are here why don\u2019t you present yourself?\u201d I did not know how to pray to God, but I continued to talk to Him anyway. I read more Christian books, including the Bible. I began to see Jesus and knew he had to be God. (at this point she has made a decision for Christ). I provoked my Father into discussions about religion. All my Father did was beat me. He could not answer any of my questions. I experienced a lot of conflict as a Christian living in a Muslim home. I went to the Coptic Church but was not welcomed there because of terrorist activities. Also, the church was afraid of me, because I was from a well known Muslim family.
\nI spent six months asking God where to go. I thought about Abraham leaving his family. I felt I should leave home, but I had no friends, no shelter, no church and not much money. I knew it was a crazy decision, but I followed it anyway and fled my home at five o\u2019clock in the morning. I was afraid my Father would find me and kill me. The Koran calls for fellow Muslims to do whatever it takes to bring a convert back to Islam. The church refused to take me in. I left at five in the morning and it was one o\u2019clock the second morning before I found shelter. In Egypt it is not cultural for women to be alone, so I looked suspicious. I found a priest who helped me. I spent two months in hotels and Christian homes. However, when the family found out I was a Muslim convert, they threw me out because it is against the law in Egypt to shelter a convert. Finally, I found a group of converts and I am still with them. Three years ago my fundamentalist cousins kidnapped me. They kept me prisoner in a deserted apartment without food or water. They beat me and attempted to rape me to convert me back to Islam. When the cousin who guarded me fell asleep, I stole his keys and ran to the nearest train station. When I found out the train was full I went into the bathroom to pray. I went back to the ticket counter and was told that a seat was now available. I sold my ring for the fare and called my group leader to pick me up. What a miracle!
\nI still move every six months because I am hiding from my family. The Egyptian government will punish churches for hiding converts. Also State security knows about me and that is another reason I move all the time. I provide shelter for other Muslim women converts on the run and I counsel them to remain at home and be silent witness to the family. However, this creates a real problem if the family wants to arrange a Muslim marriage. Then the convert is forced to flee. I still call my sisters for family news and have given them all Bibles, but I have not talked with my Father.\u201d
\nAt the conclusion of the interview Elizabeth told me, \u201cReturn to America and tell them that Islam is not a religion of love, but violence. \u201cShe also told us that it is not a crime to beat your wife or your children in Egypt and Muslim women just accept this.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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