Post-Trip Debriefing's

We have been having groups come into Haiti every month and we ask those groups to fill out a de-briefing form at the close of their missions trip. We let those who come know, that they do not have to put there name on the paper yet these friends of ours (who we made in Haiti) chose to sign there de-briefing forms. Our prayer is that this will be a guide for Pastors and lay leaders who desire to dig deeper and see what goes on in the hearts of those who come. I was asked by the Wilmington News Journal in June how Haiti affects these groups and if the groups are really helping. I believe these de-briefings can shed some light on those questions from a different view point. Regina and I have learned a lot both in Haiti and in the D.R. from this evaluation process (See March 2008) and in several cases have implemented long term changes to our short term group strategy.

The following 3 de-briefings come from 3 different groups who visited Haiti over a course of three months. Steve Drake is a career police officer and a member of the S.W.A.T. team in his county. Keith Bengston is a Park Ranger and Rene Saltana P.H.D. is a professor at Texas Tech University. 3 men, 3 groups, 3 different walks of life. All were a blessing and love the Lord.

One thing debriefing triggers is the reentry process. Reentry is both an end and a beginning.

• an end to a foreign experience, but the beginning of feeling foreign

• an end of a trip, but the beginning of another journey

• an end to being/feeling special, but the beginning of being ordinary with a special heart for God and for the people of Haiti

• an end to being stared at, but the beginning of looking at people and the world through different eyes

• an end to simple living, but the beginning of a different lifestyle

• an end to crowded housing, but the beginning of having more space for God and for people

• an end to eating foreign food, but the beginning of friendships with International students, immigrants, refugee’s and ethnic minorities

Steve Drake - Police Officer / S.W.A.T - Heritage Baptist Church - Lebanon, Ohio - Pastor Steve Craft

EXERCISE 1 FOR SHORT TERMERS

Complete the following sentences.

LEAVING

1. When I think of leaving, I feel . . . Sad, for leaving friends behind.

2. My experience here has been . . . life changing, I will cherish this trip forever.

3. For me Haiti means . . . a beginning for me to help the country

4. The people I will miss are . . . Tom, Jean, Luis and George

5. The things that I will miss are . . . spending time and talking to Tom

6. The things I will be happy to leave behind are . . . N/A.

7. When leaving a place I usually . . . N/A

8. The easiest point of leaving for me will be . . . Getting to see my family

9. Before I leave I really want to . . .N/A.

10. I feel that my goals/expectations have been . . . fully met. God has worked in my heart.

11. The most stressful part of leaving will be . . . knowing my brothers and sisters are suffering.

Note from Tom: This group came through the Dominican Republic These last four questions under leaving were not on the evaluation form at the time this group came to Haiti.

12. A few things I would suggest to the missionaries . . .

13. A few things I would suggest to the national team at the base . . .

14. The base needs . . .

15. One thing I wish we could have done was . . .

EXPECTATIONS

1. I think the return home will be . . . Bittersweet. I want to go home, but I will miss my new friends.

2. I expect the reception from my family will be . . Great Joy

3. I anticipate my church to be . . .waiting for a full report.

4. I picture my friends to be . . . very interested in the trip.

5. I expect my family to be . . . start praying and support Haiti.

6. I hope my church will . . . catch a vision to help rebuild Destini’s church.

7. I think my friends will be . . . N/A.

8. I am looking forward to . . . spending time with my family

RETURNING

1. When I think of returning to the United States, I feel . . . very excited.

2. I will be going back to . . . work and catching up with my family.

3. Going back will enable me to . . . share the needs of Haiti with others.

4. Regarding money, I will . . . increase my missions contribution

5. I think the hardest part of going back for me will be . . . getting back in the routine when I know of the suffering going on in Haiti.

6. I think the easiest part of going back will be . . .

7. I cannot wait to. . . see my wife.

Keith Bengston - Park Ranger - Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church - Hillsoboro, Ohio - Pastor Dan Lamb

EXERCISE 1 FOR SHORT TERMERS

Complete the following sentences.

LEAVING

1. When I think of leaving, I feel . . . Sad, but know that #1 we tried to make a difference the short time we were here #2 that it went too fast.

2. My experience here has been . . . Unbelievable. It has truly been a blessing. I felt the presence of God in a powerful way. I have not felt this moved since our church’s Canada fishing trip with my son in 2000.

3. For me Haiti means . . . an industrious, faithful, happy family of people amidst devastation on an apocalyptic level. It is not what the news portrays it to be. It was not what I had in my mind. It was better and not scary.

4. The people I will miss are . . . Tom and Regina, Pastor Destini and his wife Carmen, Luis and the other staff, George, Pastor Jean Dial and the ladies

5. The things that I will miss are . . . Regina and Yolanda’s food. New Friends and Fellowship. Laughing with Luis and yet - not understanding him.

6. The things I will be happy to leave behind are . . . heat. Although I was getting used to it.

7. When leaving a place I usually . . .

8. The easiest point of leaving for me will be . . . knowing I will see my family to share this great trip.

9. Before I leave I really want to . . . thank everyone for such a great time.

10. I feel that my goals/expectations have been . . . met beyond all doubts, fears and trepidations I had. I let the world tell me through research what Haiti was about. I let my mind out think my heart before coming.

11. The most stressful part of leaving will be . . . Customs and Frontier

Note from Tom: This group came through the Dominican Republic These last four questions under Leaving were at the time of this evaluation under Reflections.

12. A few things I would suggest to the missionaries . . .

13. A few things I would suggest to the national team at the base . . .

14. The base needs . . .

15. One thing I wish we could have done was . . .

EXPECTATIONS

1. I think the return home will be . . . Long and thoughtful. I pray the Lord works with me about missions.

2. I expect the reception from my family will be . . excited and eager to learn

3. I anticipate my church to be . . .very excited and yearning to know about our adventure

4. I picture my friends to be . . . eager to hear

5. I expect my family to be . . . excited and happy to see us

6. I hope my church will be . . . excited to hear of the trip

7. I think my friends will be . . . happy for me and my trip

8. I am looking forward to . . . Air Conditioning. My wife and kids. Getting ready to move our house. Hearing from God.

RETURNING

1. When I think of returning to the United States, I feel . . . Sad, I left the missions field in Haiti. I want to pray harder.

2. I will be going back to . . . business of life

3. Going back will enable me to . . . share my experience

4. Regarding money, I will be . . . more thoughtful towards missions

5. I think the hardest part of going back for me will be . . . rememberin it all and wanting to do it again soon.

6. I think the easiest part of going back will be . . . seeing my family

7. I cannot wait to talk to Pastor Lamb to share the experience. . . of our trip and give him a concrete piece of Pastor Destini’s church - representing the destruction. Then a brand new Ondura nail - representing rebuilding, our project and His promise.

REFLECTIONS

1. One thing the base needs is . . . Can’t think of anything

2. The best thing at the base was . . . Happy Children, Fellowship with the Staff, Church member, The Team. Services. Tours

3. The food was . . . Great very filling

4. I learned from the missionaries . . . the importance of empowering the local people to grow.

5. I learned from the nationals in Tom and Regina’s team . . . Teamwork & God goes a long way

6. Three things I suggest . . . Zero

7. The Project was . . . completed and very interestingly: Powered by God and Built with Love

Rene Saltana P.H.D. - Professor Texas Tech University - Lubbock Baptist Temple - Pastor Wes Bygel

EXERCISE 1 FOR SHORT TERMERS

Complete the following sentences.

LEAVING

1. When I think of leaving, I feel . . . both happy and sad. Happy that I will be with my family again, but sad at leaving new friends and so much work yet to be done.

2. My experience here has been . . . all positive. I was leary at first because the country is so foreign to me, but the family at the base certainly alleviated those fears from moment one in country.

3. For me Haiti means . . . a very real place filled with so many souls in need. It means Pastor and Madame Destini working to win as many of them to Christ.

4. The people I will miss are . . . Luis, George, The Franklin boys, The Franklin’s period. Jackson.

5. The things that I will miss are . . . the fellowship with the men on the work site, the seeing of the work being / getting done.

6. The things I will be happy to leave behind are . . . the heat and the smells of burning trash.

7. When leaving a place I usually . . . pack up and go. The leaving is bitter sweet.

8. The easiest point of leaving for me will be . . . the airport. I could try swimming but I’d get tired fast. No, really the easiest point is hard to pin-point.

Note: This group came through the Port-au-Prince Airport

9. Before I leave I really want to . . . take in the sites, sounds and smells on the way to the airport. To have a very clear memories of the people / souls.

10. I feel that my goals/expectations have been . . . met. We wanted to come be of service in any way and I feel we did. The work on the site was always in flux, but it came together.

11. The most stressful part of leaving will be . . . getting to the airport: on the plane, ticketed; loaded.

12. A few things I would suggest to the missionaries . . . I really can’t think of anything. It was great to meet all the kids; Regina though that is not do able for every team.

13. A few things I would suggest to the national team at the base . . . nothing - they ran the show like Pro’s. I wish for my part, to have been able to serve them more, but they were ever the servants themselves.

14. The base needs . . . NO hot water.

Note: This is a joke - we had asked this group if this was important due to a suggestion from a previous visitor.

15. One thing I wish we could have done was . . . gone out to pass out tracts and or invite folks to Pastor Destini’s church.

EXPECTATIONS

1. I think the return home will be . . . a joyful one. I can’t wait to see my wife and sons and begin to tell them all that that I saw and heard of Haiti, the Base family, and what we did.

2. I expect the reception from my family will be . . happy

3. I anticipate my church to be . . . glad at having the Pastor back

4. I picture my friends to be . . . eager to hear of what all happened during there stay.

5. I expect my family to be. . . happy, warm and cozy.

6. I hope my church will be. . . glad at our return and become even more missions minded than we are.

7. I think my friends will be . . . excited to hear my recountings.

8. I am looking forward to . . . holding my wife and sons first thing and for a long time. Setting the thermostat at 68 degree’s ha ha ha!!!

RETURNING

1. When I think of returning to the United States, I feel . . . good. I’ve tried to do a good thing here, and I think I have.

2. I will be going back to . . .family.

3. Going back will enable me to . . . remind myself that any and all support of missionaries is key.

4. Regarding money, I will be . . . more willing to give back to God.

5. I think the hardest part of going back for me will be . . . leaving friends behind. But the work continues. Here and there.

6. I think the easiest part of going back will be . . . that my wife; boys are waiting on the other end and at the flight.

7. I cannot wait to . . . sleep in my own bed tonight, hearing the most familiar sounds, knowing we are all tucked in and together.

2010 Vacation Bible School Album

Jorge and Penny getting things Started

Jordan helping with the Activity Books

The Kitchen Crew - Hot Dog's, Rice-n-Chicken, Spaghetti

You name it - they can cook it!

Tom giving instructions to the Children's Choir

Ohhhh My Word - Grab a Can of Deodorant

Tom leading the music for the closing evening service

Once again God blessed our Vacation Bible School this year. In my "human fallible thought process", I thought we would have just about the same amount we averaged last year (100-120 not counting the adults). Boy was I was wrong, we easily went over 150.

The whole week was great. I am not a big believer in "group salvation prayers" but with so many it was really the only way to go. One service we had over 20 who stood for salvation. Several, including two boys came up to me after services and told me that they got saved. That was exciting. Jorge and Penny (our missionaries) do a fantastic job encouraging the kids to come and tell us about their decision - this really helps us connect more with each one.

One day I got a hug from one little girl when she was leaving, that was special. One older boy bought me an ice cream and brought it to me while me and Luis were standing in the sun watching the kids at the gate and helping them across the street. I was shocked, really, but the next thing he did was even more amazing. He came back with another one for - Luis Marco. Luis Marco is a member of our church, real humble Haitian man. Not going to go into it more than say - Dominicans and Haitians - DONT LIKE EACH OTHER THAT MUCH. To see something like this is what I call - "snorting the miraculous". I will never forget the look on Luis's face, He was even more shocked than I was - it was great.

Our closing evening activity we had over 300 in services including adults. Everyone was walking in the clouds. Lord was good and throughout the week we had over 30 receive Christ as there savior. Tyler and Jordan did great with the video and soundboard. Regina was everywhere - as always. Literally everything including the children's choir specials, sermon, ect. was perfect.

Our missionaries Jorge and Penny (real troopers) during the week went out and did another VBS in the evening after going at it for 3 hours with us in the morning. After you get that picture in your mind (Not 1 but 2 VBS's in the same day) - imagine them coming and asking if they could take Tyler and Jordan with them? Yes, and then imagine the boys jumping at the opportunity to do it - Yes, (even I was surprised) Afterwards both Jorge and Penny said that they were G R E A T and wanted them to go with them again one day to another VBS. No, I haven't been drinking or taking any prescription medicine, it really happened, and I want to say I'm very proud of them. Truly one of the great things that happened this week. Imagine, third culture boys, sharpening there spiritual trench knives on the souls of Dominican boys and girls, now that is a thought I can go on Monday to Haiti with - ever so happy.

Series on Prayer Completed

Finished up a four week series on prayer. Presented Mabier as our newest member after having baptized him at the river last week. (It was beautiful day) He really perked up with me calling him up in front of everybody, a very special moment. After a rather long morning service, I had to run over to Pastor Jean Dial's church (this is the second work we started last year) and to my surprise they were all waiting for me. I walked right in and started preaching: "If I were the Devil" - Gary translated in Creol. Sure hope he did well, because, I have no clue what he was saying, I think they thought I really was the Devil for awhile - Smile - it went great and I was very encouraged. All in all a wonderful morning. Tonight our missionaries Jorge and Penny came in to stay with us and we spent the evening getting ready for VBS. Lots of work this week - please pray - didn't get home till 10:00. Neat to have a full house of national friends, Carmen is doing better and better. Pray for us, hoping to have a good attendance but we really want them to soak up God's word more than anything.

God has Everything Under Control

Had to leave Haiti today to try to save Carmen's baby, but unfortunately it was not in God's plans. Everyone was a little sad. The Lord has everything under control and we must rejoice in the midst of trials and tribulations. The trip was normal but the baby was already in the canal Friday morning when we left. Both Luis Manuel and I were a little nervous we wouldn't make it but God was with us. Regina had a everything ready including a specialist but it was not to be.

She's resting here now at our home and I will take her back to Haiti after a series of tests next week. The clinic where she will have the tests is highly specialized and believes Carmen and Pastor Destini may have a child one day but they will more than likely need to undergo some blood treatments so Carmen's body does not reject the little one. They have tried over 10 times to have a baby and my heart went out to them all day.

They never lost faith, wavered or doubted. If somehow these treatments can also help them have the baby they so badly desire - then that would be icing on the cake. Please pray it will be so.

Well being drilled in Callabase, Haiti

Our ministry gave the first $1000 for a new well in Callabasse, Haiti. Callabase is a town up in the mountains where people have been walking over 5 kilometers for fresh drinking water. Our friend James was installing a water purification system donated by Operation Blessing immediately behind the Baptist church when the pump got stuck at the 150-foot mark of a 300 foot well. Nothing could be done other than to drill a new well, which is projected to cost over $5000. James continues to supply us with food, water, wheelchairs and more, we know that this well, once its finished is going to be a big blessing to the church and surrounding community.

Hillsboro Bible Baptist in Haiti

Truth Baptist Church and School outside of Port-au-Prince was destroyed by the earthquake on January 12th. Our team after 16 weeks of relief work began investigating materials for reconstruction efforts in Santiago, Dominican Republic and selected Ondura panels for several different re building projects we plan to undertake in our Building Back Better Campaign.  We are just in the initial phases of the first re-building project (Pastor Destini's home) and with all the heavy rains decided to build a temporary church shelter. We are so grateful for Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church who came all the way from Ohio to help us build and encourage those who are still struggling to overcome the difficulties of losing their building.

4x4 Columns Set

Framing Begins

Initial Purlins are Measured for Panels

Work Continues in the evening

Frank teaches Haitians how to install Ondura panels

Over 200 in Services the following Sunday

Wilmington News Journal Asks Important Questions

Recently Reporter Colleeen Dillion at the Wilmington News Journal contacted us on behalf of the paper and did an newspaper article on Haiti. Here is the full version.

Introduction:

Regina and I are missionaries with the Baptist Bible Fellowship International in the Dominican Republic. We have set up a base in Croix des bouquet Haiti to support local Baptist churches and their families. You can find out more about what we have been doing in Haiti at www.dr4christ.blogspot.com The trip into our sister nation with Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church this week will be our 14th trip in since January.

Colleen: What will they (Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church) be doing?

We have three goals.

1.) Take food aid to a church who's building has collapsed in Leógane, Haiti. (This is close to the Epicenter)

2.) Build a temporary church and school shelter (larger than normal) using Ondura corrugated roofing panels for a church whose building was destroyed in the earthquake. This is a new material that has recently arrived in the Dominican Republic. You can learn more about that at www.ondura.com

3.) Begin removing columns and digging footers at the First Baptist Church of the Truth. You can learn more about our long range goals for the church, Pastor Destini, and the school at www.dr4christ.com/projectimpact

Colleen: How may what they see in Haiti affect them? How many groups have assisted you since the earthquake?

In my opinion each person and group that has come is affected differently. We do exit evaluations and looking over them, no two are alike. I can say that God most definitely uses trials and tribulations in our life and the lives of other for His purposes. I think it is tough, no matter how strong you are to see people go through so much. When things get bad I remind myself that God has a plan and that He has everything under control. My faith is increased when a new morning comes after such heartache and seeing this impossible situation made possible by our Lord. In my opinion Hillsboro is in tune with this and is fulfilling a command rather than seeking some type of personal gain or affect. I know this is pretty deep but consider this: Galations 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Jer 32:12 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. I think the counter question is: What affect would not going have on Hillsboro when they have the resources, time, talent and ability? In missions and many times in life it comes back to sewing and reaping. I believe by responding by Faith to this crisis that there are great blessings in store for Hillsboro and their people. What do you think Colleen?

Colleen: How are these groups helping or not helping?

Most definitely helping, Hillsboro is not only getting involved, but as others, has committed financially to helping build back better Pastor Destini's church and school. The church for numerous reasons is vital to the lives of those it ministers to and the school is a bonus. The earthquake that hit January 12 is more than likely the largest disaster in the Western Hemisphere of record. Admittedly, Haiti has complex political and social problems but partnering with local churches and specific people to see projects to the end, like what Hillsboro is doing is a vital part (in my opinion) of long term spiritual change that is so desperately needed.

A Mexican Fiesta in the Dominican Republic?

Saturday nights we have youth services and recently we had the teens over for a Mexican Fiesta. There was Mexican music, special videos, tacos and a piñata. Tom has been teaching on love and Christian relationships and the piñata served as a perfect object lesson to teach selfless love. The teens were told that when the piñata broke and all the goodies fell out, not to pounce, grab, kill ect, but to practice self control and show love so everyone, including our two little girls (Tiffany-4 and JuliAnna-2) could participate. Well the stick was swung; the piñata burst the teens dived into the mayhem headfirst for his or her piece of candy. I was shocked, the girls terrified and Tom kept making eye contact with the teens while encouraging them (in his crazy way) to look at themselves. It was very impactful and when the teens realized what had happened, some were embarrassed, others ashamed, several gave excuses and one cried; but one thing is for sure, the message sunk in. That night our teens learned that there are far greater temptations in there lives than candy and that they must learn to depend on Jesus, practice self control and the selfless love that Christ demonstrated to us on the cross.