Break thru at the prison-January 2014

After a breakfast of spaghetti with hot dogs, one of my staples here, I went to the prison, accompanied by 16 year old twin boys who want to become priests.  We had no appointment at the jail, no paper from a judge for access, and no gifts to bring.  But we prayed, that God would open doors. And He did.  We waited inside the prison gate for the commandant to arrive and give us permission to enter. And we prayed for favor.  After a few minutes, a very short wait for Haiti, a guard came over and asked what our intention was.  I explained I wanted to talk about Jesus and pray for the men.  He asked what I had brought to give them.  I explained that I didn't have enough money to continue purchasing soap or food for the 300 inmates and was hoping to visit them without gifts.  He exchanged looks and then words with his fellow guards, then told us to follow him as he escorted us to the cells.  This was our first answer prayer.

Let me set the stage.  The prison has 5 cells and 300 men.  The cells are very small, dark, crammed with bodies, and smelly.  A few lucky men sat in buckets at the barred gate, breathing in fresh air.  One cell 30'x40' held 120 men.  An experience you have to see to comprehend.

I have visited before so after quick introductions, I begin to speak of the hope in Jesus to the first cell of 80-100 men.  Before i could ask them if i could pray, they asked me to pray for them and then told me they had been praying for me since my last visit.  This greatly encouraged me. 

One man from the next cell, had given his life to Jesus during my last visit.  I asked him how he was doing and if his life was any different.  He explained, with a huge smile on his face, that he no longer felt like fighting with the other men.  But when he tried to sleep, the devil would bother him.  This opened the door for me to tell them about using the name of Jesus to stop the plans of the enemy.  

The juveniles were next.  Most of them hung with their heads low as I shared Jesus's love with them.  And explained that they needed to have a relationship with Jesus, not just have knowledge about Him.  That God had good plans for their lives and they needed to make good choices.  I asked if anyone wanted Jesus to come into his heart and life.  One young man slowly looked up at me and declared he needed Jesus.  And then 3 more followed.  As we prayed the sinners prayer, I gazed at the other 'boys' and saw most of the saying the prayer with me.  After praying, they still looked downcast and hopeless.  I told them that the angels were rejoicing because of their decision and they needed to have happiness in their hearts too.  Slowly they began smiling and soon there was snickers in the cell.  God released his joy just like we prayed.

As we were leaving, I asked the four guards posted at the gate if I could pray for them.  As I prayed, The Lord gave me a word of knowledge about the man to my right having back problems.  I finished praying and opened my eyes and asked the man if he had back pain.  Before my translator could interpret, another guard who had arriving after I began praying, and who was standing directly behind the man to my right, stated in English, "That is me!  I have back problems".   I explained that when God gives a word of knowledge that He would heal that person  and asked if I could pray for him.  He asked how long it would take because he was on duty and had a task to complete.  I told him 2 minutes and proceeded to pray.  He confirmed everything that I prayed for when I was through and I believe The Lord healed him fully and completely.

I walked down the muddy, dirt street rejoicing and praising God for His faithfulness. This is the reason that I am here.  To proclaim God's promises and to share the love of Jesus.  

Thank you for partnering with me and please continue to pray.  We are making a difference.

God bless you!  

Morning of a market day in Haiti September 2013

9-9-13. I sit on my front porch spending some precious time with my Jesus, preparing for the day ahead.  Thanking him for safety and for loving me the way I am.  Asking for a message for the prisoners today and experiencing His peace.  I sit with a soft pillow behind my head, with my IPad plugged into electricity, with a cool welcoming breeze blowing across my body, before the heat and humidity of the day begins. I sit.

It is still dark and and the sun is just starting to brighten the sky into a beautiful medium blue hue. The trees making a dark silhouette against the sky, as if praising The Lord for creating them, reaching their branches in worship.

I sit and reflect and listen.  It is quiet for Haiti.  Too early for the shouts of children playing soccer on the road in front of my house.  Too early for a heated game of marbles, played in the dirt. Too early for my neighbor to blare his radio so loudly that I can't have a thought of my own.  I sit.

They do not.  They are the women heading for the market.  I hear them before I can see them.  I hear their footsteps, walking quickly and with a purpose.  I hear their shoes struggling to stay on their feet as they walk through the mud and the puddles left by the previous nights downpour.  (A downpour that filled my home with 3" of water as it came pouring in through my electricity box.).  I hear a few talking, but most walk quietly, determined.  I hear a song, someone is singing her praises to The Lord.  I hear clip, clop, clip, clop as the donkeys and mules and sometimes horses parade by carrying the wares to be sold.   I hear an occasionally swish and thud as the freshly picked branch connects with the 4 legged cargo van to reminds the mule who is in charge.  Then I hear, click, click, click, click, click as the donkey picks up the pace.   I hear the squawks of many chickens, not enjoying their journey to their final destination.  And the loudest of all, the squeals of a pig, declaring his objection to his upside down ride to the market, wishing he could have been the little piggy that stayed home.

The day is dawning, and I begin to see outlines of them walking.  Tall and straight as they balance baskets, tubs and even their chair on top of their heads.  Their eyes dart back and forth but their heads are fixed,allowing the perfectly balanced objects to stay afloat.  Some hold hands of their small children, who are required to help mom for the day.  Some are pushing wheelbarrows full of freshly picked mangoes, pineapple, potatoes, carrots, and many other vegetables that I can't identify.  Their shoulders sagging under the weight of their job.  Some walk unobstructed, allowing their mules to do the heavy work, holding only a switch in their hand.  All are focued.

A few are carrying phones that are being used as flashlights, but most walk confidently in the dark, a feat that would be miraculous for me to do.  A few carry umbrellas that will protect them from the blazing sun during the heat of the day. 

I am told some of them have been walking since midnight, bringing their wares from miles away.  Only to repeat the journey after a long hot day in the sun.  

They are going to the market.  To sell the organic grains and vegetables that they have raised.  The only source of income most of them have.  They will set up shop,  laying a tarp down on the dirt road, and placing their finest selections in small piles, arranged in a way that looks appealing to the passerby.  And then...they sit.  Waiting for someone to buy their wares so they can buy food that can't raise for their family,  so they can pay for their children's school, so they can buy clean water to drink.  They sit.

And I sit.  Enjoying the cool of the morning, thinking about making a cup of coffee, and reminded of how blessed I am.  Even the spaghetti that has become my new breakfast food, is sounding wonderful. Time to go and cook food that I purchased from these women.  

Thank you Lord, for the reminder of how blessed I am.  And bless these women today.  Amen!

Highlights of 2013

January 30, 2013  Heading back to Haiti today for another 6 weeks. It was great seeing everyone during my visit home. Please keep praying for me and I will pray for you as well. Send messages when you think of me. I am encouraged when I get notes from friends back home. God's richest blessings to each of you!

02-07-2013  Good day in Haiti. One marriage proposal and one life given to The Lord.

NewDay team February 11-18, 2013  Francin's Wedding

We had an awesome trip with NewDay Church - the first week we were in Haiti was incredible. We saw blind eyes healed, deaf ears opened, pains healed, limbs restored. Our medical clinics ministered to nearly 1,000 people. We were able to visit the local hospital, providing them with supplies and talking/praying with their paitients for hours. We were able to encourage and be encouraged by the local churches in Hinche, Haiti - we learned a lot from one another and grew many friendships. Thank you Jesus for the opportunity to bless and be blessed by so many new brothers and sisters! May your loving reign increase, on earth as it is in Heaven. :)

3-1-13 Mountains of Pay Pauri 

Hot shower!! Host family heated water for me last night and I enjoyed my first hot shower in a month. It's cold here in the mountains of Haiti, but still not as cold as Minnesota. 

 My time here is flying by, and I will be back home in two weeks with lots of stories to share. I will be preaching on Sunday and showing the Jesus film Sunday night. As far as I know, the first time for the mountains. Another first in the mountains...We made bread in the oven my team built the last time we were here. It tasted wonderful-almost as good as my grandmother used to make. It was hard eating something other than rice and beans but sometimes i have to make sacrifices. :) 

As I see the needs here in this country, it makes me appreciate even more the way The Lord has blessed me. I thank God for each one of you and I pray for you all often. I thank him for the little things, like the hummingbird gathering nectar in the tree next to me, water that appears with a turn of a faucet that didn't have to be transported for miles on top of someones head. For smooth roads, even if they have a few pot holes. I live in a world of want, not need. The Lord is showing me a new perspective. A life built around relationships and helping others even when you don't have enough to help yourself. A life of happiness that doesn't come from things! A life of serving Him who created all things, who loves all people and desires to be in relationship with each one of us. God is so good and so patient. May this God be the King in your life. The ruler over all areas and may you bless others as He has blessed you.
Love from Haiti!

4-7-13 What a beautiful morning! Mary Anderson's commissioning, at New Day Church in New Prague, as a missionary to Haiti.

4-25-2013  Look out Haiti!! Ministry time will be much easier with this beast! I might look confident while parked, but it will take a lot of training and prayers to get me to drive here. I can only imagine the stares I would get. A blan (white) women driver??

05-07-2013  In Port au Prince for a Recho Tibwa (rocket stove) conference. After chasing 2 chicks out of my hotel room, I stepped into my first western style bathroom since my arrival back to Haiti. Only to find the shower didn't work and the drain didn't drain. The toilet eventually flushed,which was a good thing! As my not so favorite saying goes 'that's Haitian culture'.

Excited for the conference to learn about new stove molds designs and to see what is working for other people building the stoves.

Katie Kasten visit. July 2013

My sweet little friends at the Orphanage

6-1-2013  Cleaning in the kitchen of my Haitian home! Can't wait to move in. Maybe another day or two. I must say that I am looking...Bon! Who's going to come and visit?

August 8, 2013  Hi all! Greetings from Haiti! So much has happened since I returned to Haiti in mid July and here is a little recap.

The photo is some of my kids at the orphanage that I visit frequently. They are so fun and always happy to see me!!

My friend Katie spent two weeks ministering with me in haiti. We had a wonderful time together and it was so nice having a female to talk to and understand American jokes and sayings. We ministered in the hospitals and Katie's heart broke for one 4 year old disabled and blind girl who lives in the hospital because no one wants her. She would break out into laughter when we would speak to her and touch her. I don't think anyone ever touches her or speaks to her. We prayed for healing for her physical needs and blindness and Katie was very disappointed that God didn't immediately heal her. I am still believing!!

We also ministered in the streets and had opportunities to witness to unbelievers. Seeds were planted. The time went way too quickly and repairs on the truck I recently purchased keep us home for more days than planned. But this gave me an opportunity to witness to Katie and we did some informal soza, which Katie said was her favorite part of the trip.

We also had some trials as Katie's money was stolen along with my cell phone (that would be my third phone that was stolen) right from my house. We had 4 men helping with cooking and body guarding and Johnson fired all of them as they were the only ones with access to the house. Two of them he has re-hired as they were with him when the 'crime' happened. I never cease to be amazed at the dishonesty here. And these were people that we trusted.

I preached at a new church on Sunday. Met the pastor/lawyer/judge at the courthouse and he invited me to his church. God is opening new doors and I am thankful! Also met 15 year old twins that speak English and have been a welcome addition to my friends. They want to become priests and have lots of connections in town as their father is a lawyer. Even in Haiti it's about who you know!!

So, a few days ago, I went to jail! Now that I have your attention, I went to minister, not as a punishment. This was quite an adventure. First, we had to go to the courts and have a judge issue a letter of admittance. This took more than 2 hours, but we got it. The only question he asked me is what I was going to bring them. I guess you can't visit unless you bring them something. I was hoping to go weekly, so to bring 'something' for 300 people might be cost prohibitive for me. This time I brought 100 bars of soap thinking that would be enough. Well I was wrong and the guards were upset that I didn't bring enough for everyone. I had to promise that I would bring more next time.

It was an experience! The jail had a big open courtyard and then cells positioned around the courtyard. It sounds beautiful but it was anything but! The cell were different sizes and held anywhere from 11-40 men. The smallest cell that held 11 'timouns' (kids around 14-17 years) was maybe 10x10. It had one sleeping mat on the floor. One large food pot with flour-like paste residue stuck to the sides. A few personal items were stuffed in plastic sacks and hanging from nails in the wall. That was it! No beds, no toilets, no sheets, just body to body people.

The cells were made of cement and had no windows, the only light or air coming from the barred door. Two or three fortunate men were sitting on buckets ( I assumed their toilets) next to the barred door. This gave them fresh air to breath. I had to hold my breath more than a few times so I wouldn't gag. The cells were hot, smelly, overcrowded, and filled with hopelessness.

One cell 10x25 held 40 men. When they were standing, it was almost shoulder to shoulder. There is no way even a few of them could have laid down and slept. I was told the men didn't sleep in prison, and now I know why. They can't lay down!

There was no TVs, no exercise room, no privileges. They were thrilled to receive a little bar of soap!

I shared Jeremiah 29:11 with them. About Gods plan to prosper them and not to harm them, for hope and a future. I had to go to each cell individually to preach. And was warmly welcomed. I then prayed for each cell. It was a special time and you could feel the atmosphere change. I am excited to see what God will do as I continue to minister there. You can pray that finances would come in so I can continue to visit and bring food or soap for 300 people. The soap alone would cost $70 a visit.

So today, the stove project kicks off. My trainer has been hired by a local organization, MPP, to train 50 men to build stoves over the next month. This is a great business opportunity for him and he is hoping to build 50 stoves in the next 25 days. This is a big commitment! The piece that is missing is that the men being trained will have no way to make their own stoves or businesses unless they get a stove kit. We are researching how we can have kits manufactured here.

It is my understanding that the stoves will be given away by MPP to needy families. This might be counterproductive to our desire to start micro business but I think it is also a great way to promote the stoves and get them into use. I have asked my trainer to obtain permission for us to visit the homes of people receiving the stoves, so we can track usage and help trouble shoot problems.

Also, I had a surprise visitor yesterday. One of Johnson's friends stopped in with his American girlfriend, and asked to spend the night. This meant I got to spend a whole day visiting with a lady!! It was wonderful! God knew that is just what I needed.

So lots of excitement happening here. So please pray for success in stove project, for business development plans to fall into place. For the jail ministry-for open hearts and that they can receive the Lords love. And for increased finances to continue with ministry opportunities. For continued protection of myself, Johnson and anyone helping us. Johnson is under attack because he is helping an American, and is honestly fearful for his life. This is a real concern. In Haiti people don't like when other people have success and will do anything, including hiring someone to kill them, to stop it from happening. Johnson is adamant that I am safe, because they will attack him. But that doesn't give me much peace of mind as he is an integral partner to this mission. So this is a huge prayer request. We have hired a body guard to stay with us.

I am learning more about the culture every day and can carry on a simple conversation in kreol. People are starting to call me Mary instead of yelling 'blanc' (white) so that is a good thing. And if you were thinking that this sounds like fun or at least an adventure and want to come and visit me and experience it first hand, let me know. I have an extra bedroom for guests!

I hope you enjoyed this recap.

God bless you and please keep praying.

Love, Mary

September 9, 2013  I sit on my front porch spending some precious time with my Jesus, preparing for the day ahead. Thanking him for safety and for loving me the way I am. Asking for a message for the prisoners today and experiencing His peace. I sit with a soft pillow behind my head, with my IPad plugged into electricity, with a cool welcoming breeze blowing across my body, before the heat and humidity of the day begins. I sit.

It is still dark and and the sun is just starting to brighten the sky into a beautiful medium blue hue. The trees making a dark silhouette against the sky, as if praising The Lord for creating them, reaching their branches in worship.

I sit and reflect and listen. It is quiet for Haiti. Too early for the shouts of children playing soccer on the road in front of my house. Too early for a heated game of marbles, played in the dirt. Too early for my neighbor to blare his radio so loudly that I can't have a thought of my own. I sit.

They do not. They are the women heading for the market. I hear them before I can see them. I hear their footsteps, walking quickly and with a purpose. I hear their shoes struggling to stay on their feet as they walk through the mud and the puddles left by the previous nights downpour. (A downpour that filled my home with 3" of water as it came pouring in through my electricity box.). I hear a few talking, but most walk quietly, determined. I hear a song, someone is singing her praises to The Lord. I hear clip, clop, clip, clop as the donkeys and mules and sometimes horses parade by carrying the wares to be sold. I hear an occasionally swish and thud as the freshly picked branch connects with the 4 legged cargo van to reminds the mule who is in charge. Then I hear, click, click, click, click, click as the donkey picks up the pace. I hear the squawks of many chickens, not enjoying their journey to their final destination. And the loudest of all, the squeals of a pig, declaring his objection to his upside down ride to the market, wishing he could have been the little piggy that stayed home.

The day is dawning, and I begin to see outlines of them walking. Tall and straight as they balance baskets, tubs and even their chair on top of their heads. Their eyes dart back and forth but their heads are fixed,allowing the perfectly balanced objects to stay afloat. Some hold hands of their small children, who are required to help mom for the day. Some are pushing wheelbarrows full of freshly picked mangoes, pineapple, potatoes, carrots, and many other vegetables that I can't identify. Their shoulders sagging under the weight of their job. Some walk unobstructed, allowing their mules to do the heavy work, holding only a switch in their hand. All are focued.

A few are carrying phones that are being used as flashlights, but most walk confidently in the dark, a feat that would be miraculous for me to do. A few carry umbrellas that will protect them from the blazing sun during the heat of the day.

I am told some of them have been walking since midnight, bringing their wares from miles away. Only to repeat the journey after a long hot day in the sun.

They are going to the market. To sell the organic grains and vegetables that they have raised. The only source of income most of them have. They will set up shop, laying a tarp down on the dirt road, and placing their finest selections in small piles, arranged in a way that looks appealing to the passerby. And then...they sit. Waiting for someone to buy their wares so they can buy food that can't raise for their family, so they can pay for their children's school, so they can buy clean water to drink. They sit.

And I sit. Enjoying the cool of the morning, thinking about making a cup of coffee, and reminded of how blessed I am. Even the spaghetti that has become my new breakfast food, is sounding wonderful. Time to go and cook food that I purchased from these women.

Thank you Lord, for the reminder of how blessed I am. And bless these women today. Amen!

The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on you, because the Lord has anointed you to preach good news to the poor. He has sent you to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners! :) Isaiah 61:1

November 14, 2013  Haitian Stove training in progress

November 20, 2013  Buying food for the prisoners.

Getting ready for New Day Church's mission team arrival next week. We are purchasing supplies to feed 300 prisoners for a day. In Haiti, the families have to supply the food for the prisoners and many can't afford to do this. So we are showing them God's love. We will also sharing the gospel. I am hoping to pray individually with each person, to show them the power of the one true God!

The team is also giving a goodie bag filled with personal hygiene supplies to each prisoner. Thank you for all who contributed to this ministry!

November 25, 2013  God had a different plan...I was scheduled to preach in a village church yesterday. Upon arrival, I sensed that my sermon was right. I began praying and then searching my IPad to see if God would highlight a past sermon for me to use. Nothing stood out. Still feeling a sense of uneasiness, the pastor introduced me and called me to preach. Before I could stand up, Johnson Fonrose, my son, with tears in his eyes, declared The Lord was nudging him to share. He shared his testimony and the scriptures The Lord placed in his heart. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. And Haitians don't cry!!

God's timing is always perfect. It is up to us to listen and obey when he nudges. Sometimes we are to be silent, and other times, step boldly into what He is asking us to do.

What is He asking you to do today?

https://www.facebook.com/dolan.laura.michelle/videos/10100167082732062/

11-18-13  Click the link above for a video on the streets of Hinche, Haiti.

11-28-2013  Happy Thanksgiving. Having liver and onions for breakfast. We give thanks for our family and all the people who supported us on this trip financially and prayerfully!

Co-workers in Haiti- Dec 2013

My Missions Blog

Welcome to the 21 century, thanks to Austin!!  I am going to attempt to do mission updates using this blog.  I know!  Get excited! 

Updates and pictures to come! Subscribe to this blog to get live updates from Haiti. :-)

Mountains of Fond Parisen October 2012

10-10-12 Leaving for Haiti early Wednesday morning for 5 weeks. Please pray for relationships to be built, and the love of Jesus to be poured out upon all we encounter. My team of 5 will be sharing the gospel thru stories in a mountain village. We have been warned that our mode of transportation will be the same as Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem during Pentecost. We will be building cooking stoves and training nationals how to build them as well and planting vetiver grass on the mountain side to prevent erosion. You can follow our journey on Facebook at embark now. Gazing at the mountains in Haiti that I will be climbing and living in for the next 4 weeks. It will be an adventure and I am asking for lots of prayers to be sent for strength in climbing on Tuesday. So far we have been on easy street, staying in nice hotel and now at Victory's base. Times will be changing. God is good and faithful. 10-21-12 Trecked down from the Mountain in Haiti early this morning. I am now at the Victory Base for a week before heading back into the mountains for another 9 days. We had an amazing God-filled. Met wonderful people and I miss them already. Please keep the prayers coming. Will try to post more in the next few days. Blessings! 10-23-12 Update from Haiti: My team has spent a few days at the Victory Base in Fond Parisian at the mountain base resting from our 12 days on the mountain. We met amazing people. One family has given up 2 houses for us to sleep in and has been very generous in helping us cook, cleaning up our muddy rooms, lighting our charcoal fire, and helping us learn the language. Here are some of my highlights, if it's possible to name a few. I rode a very nice mule up the mountain, that is until he decided to fall down and rip the whole back of my pants off. Then he got to close to the other mule and I got kicked twice. The mule driver was quite amused and I made quite a sight riding into camp with no back on my pants. We spent the first days getting to know our family and starting to build relationships with them. They are very sweet people. Grandpa is 70 and he build all the houses. His son, Jotosse is the area police and has helped us met others and keep us safe. Janet, papas daughter, and her 2 year old son Orlanda run the place. Janet is a hard working lady that never sits down and makes wonderful meals for us. She has taught us many things about cooking but her rice and beans always taste the best. She starts our fire every morning after she saw how long it was taking us. Many of the family members left a few days after we got there, I'm sure it wasn't personal!! The children had to go back to school. One of our projects is to build rocket stoves. A clay stove that uses much less wood and is much more efficient than the fires. Our 2 trainers worked very hard, but the clay wasn't as good as they hoped. After much trial and error we think we found a mix that will work. Many villagers came and were trained on how to make their own stoves. We will bring forms to them and our hope is that some of them will start their own businesses. Many village children helped gather mule dung, grass, and clay that we needed for the stoves. We are also building an oven in Janet's kitchen in which she will be able to bake fresh bread. Unheard of in this mountain village. We also planted vetiver grass on the mountainside in order to help with erosion. We only planted a small amount but will bring much more next week. The neat thing with the vetiver grass is that you can cut the grass and make brickets to use as fuel in the stoves. That will be a future project. I preached in a church on Sunday and was very blessed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We have made many connections in surrounding villages. Sharing Jesus' stories and praying for them. Many people are receiving Jesus and the Lord's healing touch is present here. We have been very well received and welcomed into homes, including the witch doctors house, whose wife is a Christian. When we return to the mountains on Oct 29th we will be using our training on orality and sharing Bible stories with our new friends thru story telling. We are studying very hard so we will be ready. It's so exciting. Our last night on the mountain, we had a worship service. Our host invited about 30 male friends and we sang songs, American and Creole, and then shared the gospel. It was a beautiful closing. God is certainly changing hearts. Both ours and theirs. Please keep my team in your prayers. For open hearts and for open ears to hear of God's love. 10-26-12 Another update from Haiti. We have been in a tropical storm for the past three days. There has been much rain and flooding. The town next to us has 5000 people without homes. I am safe at the base but the road out is flooded out. Please pray for the rain to stop and things to dry out and repairs to be made. Thanks! Nov 8, 2012 Back on state side. Wonderful 5 weeks sharing God's love in the mountains of Haiti. I am missing my new friends already and can't wait to go back. Lots of stories to share. God is so good!

Survival Training Sept 2012

As part of my missionary training school, we were required to attend a survival training.  Well....I survived.  We hiked thru the night, ate snakes and grasshoppers (which we gutted and fried) cooked over fires which we started from flint, dug our own toilets, swam thru a river, ziplined and climbed a rope ladder.  To name a few things.  Glad that is over and I hope I will never have to use the techniques we learned on the field.

Getting ready to step off the cliff-repeling.

Crossing a dam-one of the scariest parts for me

Hiking with full gear-over the river and into the night!

Survival Training-shelter we madeand were required to spend time in during the night