Pray for Haiti

Caitlin and I recently visited Haiti before she returned to the states. What a different world! It is astonishing the difference just 4 hours away. One thing you will see in the pictures is all the trash. The purpose of our visit was to spend some time with the Kids Alive missionaries there and be a bit of encouragement. Tom, Helen and their three adopted Haitian children have been in Haiti for 7 years. They have recieved much persecution. Last year they were robbed 7 times. Tom has had a death contract on his life, they have been physically abused, as well as spiritually drained. They told us that Haiti was nationally committed to Satan 200 years ago as way to distance themselves from their "christian" oppressors from Europe. There are few or no friends there for them. They definetly do not get to enjoy many social activities outside of their family setting (which because of that they are a family that is very close.) Right now the land that they have been living on and have their minisistry on, is being taken away from them. Drug lords have threatend death if they don't leave. They won a great battle in court, then soon after the drug lords presented false documentation saying the land was theirs. The case is now in the Supreme Court and could take years to be resolved either way. In spending time with the Froese's you feel like you are in the presence of champions. Tom's ability to laugh and tell jokes that we all laugh at (and his family all roles their eyes at) has served him well through everything they have had to overcome. You also get a since of appreciation and grattidude, as they do not have the privilage of many visitors. Over all it was an amazing trip. We were reminded in a loud way the power that Satan has and the importance it is to be fighting for the lives of people. Please pray for Haiti, and for the Kids Alive staff and ministry

Update

Hello dear friends!!
It is a joyous Easter season here in the Dominican Republic. Semana Santa, or “Holy Week” is probably the most celebrated time of year for Dominicans. Just about everything shuts down for a week of celebrating and relaxing. Our kids were off from school and ready and packed for a vacation. For 3 days all the kids from “The Ark” in Jarabacoa, as well as the kids in our Constanza program (another Kids Alive home site), set off in 3 different groups all across the island. We explored, camped, hiked, and had lots of fun. Caitlin went with the littlest kids to the coast of Samana. Another group drove all the way east to Bavaro. I was with the oldest group, and we went to the southwest. Memories were made, relationships strengthened, and appreciation for God’s wonderful creation was understood in a new way. See our blog for a more detailed account and lots of great pictures of our adventures. www.layneandcaitlin.blogspot.com .
Our time is nearing its end on the island. In May we will complete our original 2-year commitment. We have struggled in prayer and thought over the past year as to our plans and the direction God will lead us in life. We have thought of staying longer, transferring to another Kids Alive site, or going back and starting a life in the States. It has been one of the hardest decisions we have had to make thus far in our marriage. Our decision, or rather God’s revealed plan to us, is to move back to the States and start a new life there for an undetermined amount of time. We are both excited and sad, as the last two years has been unbelievable, as well as unforgettable.
Right now our plans are for Caitlin to return on May 19th. She is in her 3rd trimester and will need to return for doctor visits and to prepare for the birth of our first child. I will be staying for a few weeks longer as we will have teams coming to Caraballo that will need someone to lead them. I will join Caitlin back in Missouri and am anxious to take part in the birth.
I’m not sure if one can put into words the things we have experienced, the people we have meet, and the things God teaches a person in a third world country. One sees, lives, and changes from the onset of the journey. We are changed people from the inside out. I’m not sure if we would in a lifetime grow in the things that we have grown in over the past two years. We are closer to God, more mature and ready for life, humbled and broken, and stronger in our marriage. In another sense we are afraid. Will people understand? Will we be able to relate to our friends, our family, and our culture? Will anyone care? There is a Gospel message in this place that is hard to understand if it is not experienced first hand. There will always be apart of us here with these children, these friends, and these people who choose to stay and continue to sacrifice their lives for the overwhelming task of meeting the needs of this country.
We can say with confidence that God did amazing things through us. We were able to be apart of so many things, and share in the lives of so many that are eternally changed. I think of our year in Caraballo and the growth we were apart of there. The brand new project that it was when we arrived, to the thriving school it is now. Over two hundred kids being fed, taught, and discipled on a daily basis. I think of Ruben and Yubi whose lives will never be the same, going from living in a run down shed, to having concrete walls and floor, running water, a bathroom, an office, and even a spare room for guests. What a blessing it was to be apart of hundreds of individuals that made up the dozens of teams. We taught, laughed, cried, and set light to a new path for them. We lead them down a path that changed their lives, the same path that changed ours. We experienced so many whose lives changed right before our eyes. There are so many people who will never be the same because of what God is doing in the DR, and what a privilege is was to be apart of that. What friendships we made, National and American! Our time at “The Ark” has also been special. The friendships we have made with all the Dominican house parents, interacting with the kids on a very personal level, and being apart of the community has been special beyond description.
Being a military kid accustomed me to moving every three years, starting over, and ending friendships on a regular basis. This, however, is not much like those other times. This is harder. Maybe it’s because we have learned more than anything in this place: that life if about relationships. I realize that I practice better relations with the guy that helps me out in the local hardware store than I do my own family and best friends back home sometimes. You can’t get away from doing relationships well here. It’s more important than time and a busy schedule, problems, money, even comfort takes the backseat. We will miss being offered coffee every single time we enter a house of a friend or stranger and people greeting every person in the room when they enter the bank, clinic or whatever other public place. We will miss having our door constantly open and people coming and going, little kids with their faces to our window saying our names over and over. We’ll even miss the sound of motos and chickens at 2 AM. Everywhere you look there is life and relationship. But what about when we return? I guess I should get used to not greeting other women with a kiss on the cheek! But our desire is simple and a bit cliché. If life is what you make of it, then we want to make our life full and rich in relationship. We have this place and God’s people here to thank for that.
We are also indebted to each and every one of you who have dedicated and sacrificed over the last 2 years so that could continue in the work that God placed in front of us. Thank you for your service, thank you for your sacrifice, and for your time. It is our hope that we represented each sacrifice that each of you made with integrity, respect, and honor. Not a single week has gone by when we have not been completely humbled and in awe of God working in the willing hearts of each of you. We feel privileged and honored to have been an instrument and opportunity for so many people to serve the kingdom. Thank you for your obedience and willingness to serve our Lord where He has called you. Our time with Kids Alive will officially end at the end of September. While in the states we will have a time of “re-entry”. We will be attending a re-entry and debriefing course in Colorado Springs. The same group that did our initial training before leaving for the DR also offers this crucial training for those re-entering into their home culture. Kids alive will continue to pay us salary until the end of September as well as continue our medical coverage, provided we have the necessary support. We humbly ask for your continued support during this time of transition for our family.
Our plans are not yet certain. We desire God’s will for our lives and are confident He has plans for us that will continue to expand His kingdom. We are certain that those plans are centered in relationships and look forward to seeing how He blesses us or how we bless others within that realm. Please pray that we seek the Lord daily so that we do not miss a single detail of His plan. We are excited beyond words to start our family and continue His. Pray and hold us accountable to raise our child to fear the Lord. Please also pray and consider the next opportunity to serve the Lord through your recourses. It is our prayer that you continue to help and serve the poor no matter where that might be. I believe with all my heart that Kids Alive International is an organization with integrity and is an excellent avenue for helping those in need. If you would like to continue supporting a missionary, or would like to sponsor a child or perhaps a couple of children, please let us know and we can introduce you into kingdom building relationships. Kids Alive isn’t the only organization that is full of integrity and expanding God’s kingdom (although I’m bias with them when it comes to helping kids), but we know many people in many countries doing a variety of different things and if you need any ideas, we are here to help. You might even consider coming on a short-term mission trip to the DR. If you are part of a church body and are interested, Caitlin and I would love to come and share with you the joys of serving those in need and talk with you face to face about missions. Who knows God might touch your heart and you may decide to come and replace us in our jobs!
Sincerely,
Layne and Caitlin
P.S Keep up with our blog for updates and fun pictures of cute kids! (and soon, our own cute kid!)
www.layneandcaitlin.blogspot.com