Spots of Light

(Written by Dr. Mike Runion of City View Baptist in Greenville, SC. Mike and his group were in Haiti July 31-August 6, 2011)

“Spots of Light”

Andy and Carol were the most unlikely couple to interact with. Nothing prepared me for the accent in which they spoke or why the two of them came from England to Haiti. Come to think of it, why was I there? Walls Guest house is not the Ritz Carlton. Really, who stays at a Hotel (Guest House) without hot water? At least we were serving Jesus! That seemed logical to me. We had a reason, if you will, from the highest authority —“Go and make disciples of all nations.” Sacrifice seems very rational when it is Christ who says “Go.” I was deeply curious and I must say I liked talking to this couple with their unique accent from England.

    
In this conversation God reminded me why I was in Haiti sharing Christ. Keep in mind, Andy and Carol were not there from a church, nor were they sent by a Christian organization. They had no religious epiphany or calling. They were admittedly two people who simply wanted to help other people who were less fortunate. Hearing of the cholera outbreak in Haiti they decided to bring in medical supplies to the villages affected by the disease along with sizable donations from constituents in order to help bring healing. That’s it! No agenda other than a humanitarian work to help fellow man. Not even a call from Jesus.

     
As they sipped their drinks it occurred to me that we obviously had two separate motives, however similar the outcome — to help others. Then the question came I thought they might ask, “What brings you to Haiti?” Understand, we did not bring in tons of medicine nor did we bring in tens of thousands of dollars as they did. I was already mulling over what I might say so that my cause would sound just as important and impressive as theirs. I decided however, just to throw it out there and see what happened. “We are here because Christ has command us to go into all the world and share the good news of the gospel. We are working in two orphanages this week bringing only a small amount of money a lot of love and we are conducting evangelistic services each night to share the love of Christ. In addition, we are going house to house to pray and share the love of Christ with whom we can.” Not even an awkward pause followed. Before I could finish both of them were pressed to the edge of their seat almost impatient to speak. Carol began, “Thank God for what you are doing. Everywhere we go in Haiti we see a marked difference anywhere you and other Christians have been. This is a dark place and everywhere we go we can tell if you have been through a place because there is a ‘Spot of Light’ there. We find ‘Spots of Light’ everywhere we go. Thank you for what you do — you indeed are making a difference in a dark place.” Andy agreed and thanked us for our efforts. I felt as if I had received an accommodation by the Queen of England herself by the time we were through.

     
Wow! I was taken back a bit by two people from England who had noticed something that I had missed. Indeed, we were making a difference. I know this but it sometimes just takes someone saying it so I can get it! Sometimes while working with the details I fail to see the larger picture. The work God is doing is so much greater than the level we live on individually.

    
I walked away thrilled having talked to Andy and Carol. Their observation was priceless to me. Not from a missionary, preacher, or churchy perspective but from two people I had not met before whom I did not know who may have or may not have shared the same convictions or faith. However, from their perspective, they shared a heart of gratitude for what a team of missionaries from South Carolina were doing in Haiti - being “Spots of Light!” 

     
Even when stumbled onto accidentally, it is rewarding to discover that in some ways you and I are being what Christ said we are in Matthew 5:14-16,  “You are the light of the world . . . let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  May God indeed be glorified!

    
Thank you Bill Howard for your vision and obedience to God. You are in every way being a “spot of light” in a spiritually darkened place. In addition, our lives have been made much brighter because of your friendship and fellowship in the kingdom work. Know that God is glorified mightily through your life.

Be blessed,

Mike

Pastor Mike Runion (green shirt) prays with Bill Howard, Andrew Owen and Patrick Georges while in Haiti.

Welsh and Pleasant View Baptist Join the Alex's House Family

We are happy to welcome two new partnering churches: Welsh Baptist Church in Frostburg, MD (Pastor Thomas Winborn) and Pleasant View Baptist Church in Oakland, MD (Pastor Wally Weeks).

Pastor Thomas passing out shoes to Alex's House Children

Pastor Wally with Lougens of Alex's House

Both Welsh Baptist and Pleasant View Baptist were introduced to Alex’s House and Bill Howard through Sam and Delores York while on mission trips to Haiti.

The more they heard and saw about the vision of Alex’s House, the more they knew their churches would be a wonderful fit with Alex’s House.

Several members from each church have made trips to Haiti. Both Pastor Thomas and Pastor Wally have each been to Haiti on several occasions. Visiting the orphanage in Bon Repos solidified for Pastor Thomas that it can appear to be an overwhelming task with so many needy children in Haiti, but even with that hopeless feeling, there was an avenue available to make a difference and that avenue was Alex’s House. For Pastor Wally, one defining moment while in Haiti was the connection Bill made with an orphan boy who hitched a ride on the bumper of their truck. Bill gave him a snack, some money for food, as well as encouragement, but left with a broken heart because Alex’s House didn’t have room for another child.

Pastor Thomas expressed that Welsh Baptist Church’s hope is to help its members see that all are created to reflect the image of God and sin is just a perversion of that. As Christians attempt to walk closer to God and grow to reflect Christ more, a big part of that is taking care of those in need and those who can’t help themselves. By partnering with Alex’s House and traveling to Haiti, he hopes the members will reflect Christ's love and see that the church is bigger than themselves. As Pastor Thomas explained, “No matter how much you help with money and going down, it all comes down to those kids having the hope and mercy and grace that never leaves them. We hope to be a small part of their lives – to help them learn God’s love and to reflect long term change in the country of Haiti.”

Pastor Wally already sees the connection Pleasant View is making with Alex’s House – through praying for the ministry, workers and children. As they continue to be  financially blessed, they plan to give liberally to Alex’s House. He looks forward to his church visiting and serving where God enables. It is their prayer that God expands the ministry, and that as children are brought in, they would come to faith in Christ and be discipled in His word.

Members of both Pleasant View and Welsh churches are presently on the ground in Haiti being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Bill Howard to lead Alex’s House Full Time

It’s hard to believe, but Jennifer and I came to Willlow Ridge Church twenty one years ago.  We were thirty then – only one year out of our twenties! My - how time flies.

A couple of decades later, we look back and praise God for the wonderful way He has blessed our church. To name just a few of the highlights, we were the first church in S.C. to survive and thrive a total church transition, and since have inspired many other congregations to follow. We changed our name from Agape Baptist to Willow Ridge Church; moved from a little plot of land to a beautiful 31 acre campus with wonderful facilities. We have become passionate about reaching our community and world for Jesus, starting one of the areas first Hispanic congregations and now passionately taking the gospel and love of Jesus to Haiti.  Through the years we have seen close to 1,000 people accept Jesus and follow Him in baptism and have seen our congregation greatly grow in their spiritual maturity and commitment to the Great Commission.

This commitment was seen clearly on June 12, 2011 when Willow Ridge commissioned Jennifer and I as missionaries to Haiti.  It’s not often that a congregation sends one of their members full time into the mission field, but special indeed when they send their Senior Pastor.

Jennifer and I are excited about what God has done in the past, yet even more excited about what He will do in the future through Alex’s House Orphanage. 

Please pray for us, that we would be bold, courageous and completely obedient in our surrender to the Lord.  Please pray for the homeless children of Haiti. Pray that God would use us to change the direction of their lives.  Pray that the financial needs of the ministry would be met. Pray that the funds would come in for the land and facilities to house the children. And right now – please pray that God would direct us to the property He wishes us to have. (This has been a challenge, but I know He will direct us to the right property in His time).

Also, please pray for our family as we adjust to this new journey of faith.  Stepping out of your comfort zone is never easy. Stepping out of your comfort zone to work in Haiti – that’s another thing all together.

Thank you for your support, your love, your friendship and your prayers. I look forward to the next 21 years of ministry with you!

Let’s change the world! (Mt. 28:19)

~Bill

Helpless Children

 ***The contents of this post have been edited to accommodate the movement of God in my relationship with the Pastor of this orphanage.  God has shown signs of drawing our hearts together.  Please pray that God will receive glory in this situation and that these children will grow to learn of His goodness and grace.

(April 7, 2011)

On a recent trip to Haiti my oldest son and I were introduced to an orphanage in dire need.  Much of the facilities had been destroyed in the earthquake.  Left standing was a mix of broken cement and twisted rebar.  The government had come by and left their "red" mark, declaring the buildings uninhabitable.  

Inside these broken walls live 50+ beautiful children.  They surrounded us with smiles and hugs and welcomed us to their home.
  

Problem was - there wasn't much of a home to welcome us to.  Food was scarce.  They slept either face down in the dirt or were fortunate enough to sleep 3 wide on a metal grate or broken wooden door stacked on blocks and covered with a sheet. The clothes most of them wore, hung from their little bodies.

They would relieve themselves in a 10 foot hole, dug by their own hands two days before we arrived.  The "facility" is covered by two boards and surrounded with rocks for "safety."

                           

Their water comes from a hand dug well.  A dirty bucket is dropped by a dirty rope into a dirty hole. Up comes dirty water.

                               

Some were sick.  Some were hungry.  All of them pulled at our hearts and brought tears to our eyes.  

                              

They generally have one meal a day, usually a bowl of rice with a few beans cooked in.  It's piled high and must last until evening the next day.

                               

Some had plates, others ate from tin cans with jagged edges.

In short - it was heartbreaking.  It's heartbreaking seeing them malnourished and sick and half naked.  It's heartbreaking knowing that they sleep on the ground and at times go days without food.  Our hearts broke.  Yours is probably breaking too. 

I was determined to help.

I returned home and within a week had a group of friends who were willing to pay their own way to return to Haiti to help these children.  We had money, materials and dreams of coming along side this orphanage to establish a long term relationship with them.

(Edit)

We built thirty bunk beds, invested thousands of dollars in materials, food, cooking supplies, salaries and clean water - and we walked away - without a thank you - without a wave good bye - without a "Bondye beni ou" (God bless you) from the leadership.  

It was a confusing trip.  Yet - it was a great trip.  It made me realize once again why we go to Haiti - not for an ego boost or a pat on the back.  We don't go seeking a "thank you" or an "at a boy" from the leaders.  We go for the children.  We go for those Jesus called "the least of these."  Their smiles make it all worth while.

Please continue to pray for our involvement with this orphanage.  I know God has a plan and loves these dear children.  We are still ministering there and praying that God's perfect will will become a reality.  Please pray for the Pastor, who is under a great deal of stress and responsibility. He lost his wife in the earthquake and has gone through many sufferings.  Pray that God would lighten his load and return joy to his spirit.

                                           

Grateful for a bed to sleep on. No mattresses this time.  

The next morning we found that the children had moved in!

The proud owner of a new bunk bed.

For the least of these,

~Bill

~Pastor Rick Mann and Jim Faller (Fairview Baptist, Russell Springs, KY)

~Michael Brewer and Mike Morgan (Willow Ridge Church, Lexington, SC)