Lunch with John

I had lunch today with a missionary friend that I met last February in Haiti / Dominican Republic. He shared a story with me that I think bares repeating.

Preface:

John Martinez is a missionary living in Santiago, Dominican Republic. He moved there from Louisville, KY and is part of the GO Ministries staff (see link below). He has been on the missions field for 6 yrs, and serves as a Short Term missions trip facilitator, as well as many other things including Haitian Missions Coordinator.

K Note: John like most of God's servants has needs that must be met. He is currently in town for a family visit as well as Ministry business. Above all things his biggest need is prayer. I have met with John and know that his heart is for God and ministry. Please add him to your prayer list. If you would like more details on how to help John with missions ministry or missions needs, please contact Vicki at the GO Ministries office ( Link http://www.go-ministries.org/ ) All else fails contact me and I'll get you going in the right direction.



While on a trip to Haiti from his home town of Santiago, he traveled for 12 hrs by bus over roads that were, let's say less than maintained for a simple description. Having traveled a majority of the day they arrived at their destination, an orphanage.

Haiti, besides being war torn from the revolution, and being poverty stricken, has also met with some natural disasters over the past few years. The most recent Hurricane Noel last month. The flooding has left families torn apart and some children have lost not only their few belongings but both parents. Left to live on the streets. Such is the fate for so many in Haiti. This particular orphanage is sponsored and ran by two local Haitian Pastors.

When they arrived at the orphanage the children (several hundred) where lined up outside awaiting their arrival. When they got off the bus the children began to sing. They lifted their voices in praise to God. Now to plant an image, these children have no personal belongings. They have only the clothes they wear, a small bunk to sleep on, and one sheet to cover up with. John's exact words were '...nothing. If they wash their clothes they have to stand around naked til they dry' One of these children, a little girl while praising God in heaven with excitement for the visitors, dropped down to her knees and began to say to God 'thank you! thank you!' She took a minute and worshipped him. John's heart just melted.

Stories like these always get me. Here the two of us, grown men, sitting in a restaurant nicer than these children could even imagine, let alone ever see, discussing impoverished children with 'nothing', thanking God for what they have. John was tearing up telling the story, I was swallowing my own lumpy throat as I heard it. It reminded me of a one armed girl I saw in '95 at an orphanage in the mountains above Port Au Prince that smiled at me and gave me a hug. Children of innocence, to young to realize the cruel world, yet with a child's love for an American visitor, a soldier that came and spent the day. She may not of even understood that I was American, only that I came to visit, because I could. I will never see that girl again this side of heaven, and if I did I surely wouldn't know it. But like so many I saw this past February she's one I'll never forget. And I pray that she too remembers some soldier that spent some time at her orphanage. Christ said in Mathew 28 " Go into all the world and make disciples..." And that is what's happening in Haiti. Two Pastors reaching out into the streets and taking orphans into their care. Not that they have it much better, but that they are willing to do with what they have. Providing the bare essentials, two meals a day, and the Word of God. There's still Hope in Haiti. There's still a cause. There's still Pastors mentoring and teaching the next generation to continue in the fight for the kingdom, in a land riddled with the nightly beats of the Voodoo drums. The prayers of young children ripping holes in the enemies strong hold, with a simple 'thank you God!' Needless to say even after 6 yrs of missionary work, I think John's visit was memorable. He shared with me that every morning he gets up and loves what he does. It's not a job to him, it's a way of worshipping God. It's a way of living in His presence.

To tell you the truth if I could have just paid the bill and left, I'd be back on the dirty streets under the Haitian moon, praying with them tonight. You see, they really know God. When you have nothing, there are no distractions. Like the Children of Israel in the desert wilderness, if all you have comes from God, you stay close. We like to look at them and feel pity because they don't have what we have, but really we don't have what they have, they trust God. And to trust God as a little child is worth more than all we store up. We are like the rich young ruler, given the choice to choose God. It was more than he could bare. As John so eloquently put it today over lunch 'comfortable'. We have become comfortable with ourselves so much so that we think we can't do without all the comforts. Now God doesn't intend for us to live impoverished, but he does mean for us to trust Him, and serve Him. You see, I left something there when it was my time to leave, a part of my heart, some of my compassion. Many people describe mission trips as life changing. I would agree to that, but maybe a better way would be life impacted. I'm not the same, and nor do I want to be. It's a lot of emotions and feeling to process. I sometimes dream of laying in my bunk at night in Haiti, listening to the dogs howl, looking out into the night as people walk by in the dark, and in my dreams I feel peace. The peace I can only describe as being in God's presence. Not the kind of presence you feel when you worship at church on Sunday with your tie on, or in a prayer meeting kind, but maybe the kind Moses and the Children felt. The ' in his presence' kind. Not supernatural, just the He's here kind. One of the things I pray, is that all that I am, and all that I have, be used for His glory. That when I end this life, I have nothing left. All my resources, all my energies, are used for His purpose. That I didn't hold anything back, no regrets. That I can bow down on feeble knees, look up and say 'Thank you Lord!'


Lord,

Let my riches be in Heaven, and let my heart be as this little child humble before you. May your Spirit and provisions find their way into the hearts in Haiti. There's not a child that goes hungery that you don't feel their pain. Not a person's grief that goes unnoticed. Not a prayer unheard. I pray protection for the Pastors who have reached out to these children. I pray guidance for the missionaries and my friend John to do your will. Grant them the resources needed to serve and support. I pray Divine protection to cover them as they work your fields. And bless the harvest with workers to disciple these children. In Jesus name.... Amen.



Kevin

Look up, Live Life, and be thankful.

Bill & Bruce

Today I witnessed an awesome display of Christ's love to a stranger, but before I give you the details I need to paint you a picture.


A friend of mine and I were traveling to the Oklahoma City area for a project. He was driving a tractor trailer and I my pick up truck. We started this journey Sunday morning at 10 am and stopped for the night in Joplin, Missouri (7 miles from the Oklahoma line). It rained on us almost the whole trip, we stopped last night about 8pm. This morning we got up eat a little breakfast and started back at it. It was about 45 degrees and drizzling. Bill, my friend, started up the on ramp of I44 and stopped right in the road. As I approached behind him and come to a stop, he took off again. I hollar'd at him on the CB and ask what the deal was and this was his reply "I had to stop and pick up Bruce. It was the Christian thing to do." I ask "You picked up somebody?" He again clarified for me that he picked up a hitchhiker. I was astounded on many levels.


What seemed funny to me at first was Bill had just turned onto the ramp when he stopped. He hadn't had the time to think about the options but for a second or two before he made his decision. So I hollar'd at him again and told him to tell Bruce, our new found friend the hitchhiker, 'Welcome aboard.'


As we continued up the ramp and onto I44 several intriguing thoughts ran through my mind. One this could be a little dangerous for Bill, two where were we taking him, and three where would he go when we got there.


To give you a few more details, the previous days journey and conversation with Bill had clued me in to a couple of known facts. Bill brought almost no money for this trip. He brought some lunch meat, bread, a 12pack of Mountain Dew, and only 2 packs of cigarettes to last him the week, and the reason he was on this trip with me, instead of home on vacation like most of the road crews this time of year, was because he was trying to pick up a little extra cash. Now to tell you about the character of Bill. He is one of the good guys. Give you the shirt off his back, helps everyone, hard worker, good dad, eats like a goat :), etc. Couldn't ask for a better guy.


Back to the story: Knowing all of this, I pass them a few times as we played Indian Run down the freeway (If you've never played this game, it's just simple passing and then being passed over and over to pass the boredom) and I see Bruce flip out cigarettes and drinking from the famous green can. About lunch time we stop at a Mac's steakhouse for lunch (McDonald's for all you non traveling, non fast food types). As I hopped out I ask if Bruce is going to join us for lunch and Bill replies 'Oh yeah!' ( I ask because I wasn't going to let him go hungry if Bill hadn't already invited him) Invited, Bill bought his lunch!!! I've of course already thinking about putting this on the blog and knew I needed to get a picture at the opportune time. We got the food to go and head out again.


After finding Oklahoma City and heading south on I35 we came to a Scenic Turnout (as they call in out here, we more edumacated states like Indiana would simple call it an Overlook) and with a little nudge from me (besides I'm the Boss) we pull semi and all over to take in the view (and pictures:). It was a nice view, but only briefly before we finish the 30 miles to Ardmore, OK which was our destination. We parked the semi at a Love's Truck stop and hopped out. Bruce had gathered his gear, sleeping bag and all (as I parked) and heading across the parking lot. I bailed out and yelled for him to come back for a minute. I rounded up my guys, Bill, Dave, Myself, and our new friend to say goodbye's. The 4 of us held hands and I prayed for Bruce, for safe travels to his brother's in Dallas, and that a good driver with a kind heart would carry him to his destination. We supplied Bruce with enough money for supper and coffee and away he went, just as quick as he appeared, he was gone again. Nothing left but an old toboggan he forgot in the cab of the truck as he warmed his weary body and traveled in our company.


Looking back from the end of my day at the emotional events of our journey this afternoon, I'm left with only these thoughts: Bruce may not remember the ride he took with Bill, nor Bill may not remember the kindness of heart he has shown, but today I will remember again and again, as I travel the drizzly roads and see someones thumb amidst the cold.



Dios,
I again pray for Bruce, where ever he is tonight. I remember him as a man out of the cold and in the warmth of kindness only you can provide. I'm not only grateful for the kindness of my friend Bill, but for reminding me of the way things should be. Your word says 'Love your neighbor as yourself' and I saw that today in a man with almost nothing, sharing with a man with nothing. Keep Bruce safe in your arms and lead his heart into your kingdom. In Jesus name... Amen



Remember Look up, Live life, and be thankful!!!


Kevin

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving!!! What a time to spend with family and friends. I'm sure many of you have overdone your diet and had that mixed feeling of happiness and misery at the same time. One of the things we do around our home is talk about the things we are thankful for. In the season of Thanksgiving we should show gratitude to those we love as well as The Almighty. For both His provision and the Harvest. I had lunch with a missionary friend of mine last sunday and he was explaining how Hurricaine Noel had ravished the tomato crop in the Dominican Republic, which is a major export of theirs to the US for ketchup. So their harvest is ruined. No really, how bad are your problems? Don't you have something to be thankful for.



I just recently made another movie of pictures for my family in Florida. In editing it I viewed hundreds of pictures of the kids and my lovely lady, I felt the overwellming feeling of gratitude for what God has given me. Family, my Familia, Los ninos. All the love and special moments we've shared in our adventurous ride called life. God is so good to us and yet we tend to forget He's even around.

Fall, the air has turned cold and there's crispness in the yard. I know it's fall because I see the annual venue of Camoflauge pants and deer horns parading through town. Time to have a bon fire and relax. Park the tie for flannel and snuggle up to the fire. Smores (I hear people actually eat these things, what a waste of energy:) roast them. Fill the crock pot with Chile and relax.

I'll end with this old saying I love: Everyday is a choice. You choose if today will be a good day or a bad one.


"This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important because I’m exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it. May I have sufficient wisdom and courage that this shall be my record for today."

Quote from Og Mandino 'The greatest salesman in the world'


Remember Look up, Live life, and be thankful!!!

Kevin

Just a trip with friends

Here's another video I made back in July. A trip with friends, 400 miles in 3 days.

Flight 93 Memorial

Here's a video I made back in the summer after a trip to the Memorial with friends. It was a beautiful day as we trucked across I76 in Pennsylvania. The volunteers that work at the Memorial are there 365 days a year from dawn till dusk. Shanksville has a population of about 600.

My Big Brother

It's another happy day for the Hatfield family. My Big brother turns the over the hill age of 37 today. I wish you a happy birthday since you didn't call us back. Hope everyone is doing well, the ninos and the boss :). We love you and hope to see you soon.

Rainy Days

As many of you already know, except for the fires out west many of us are covered in rain. Such it was this past week for me. Rain, Rain, Rain!!! I was in it, on it, around it, and drove through it. Thank god for the rain, but I'm ready for a break. The past two days have been a relief. I made it home for a few days and will probably be home for a while. sheeeew! Good to be back home.
Starting to make the winter plans. I'm wanting to do more speaking engagements, but we are waiting to see the Lord's direction. Possible teaching a couple of seminars this winter on a Positive Lifestyle. So much going on and it isn't even here yet. I'd like to take two trips, one to Florida (the home of Oranges and everybody's old folks) and the other to Seattle to visit my cousins new church "Resonate" (it's in the links).

Thoughts: One of the things that has occupied my over the past few months is the direction of society. I know, I know big topic, but what concerns me is the extreme everything. bigger, badder, better, High Def this and high def that. Life is too busy, it's not simple at all!!! I'm concerned about the children, both mine and yours. We fill our days with things to do in search of more stuff, we have forgotten what's really important, people and relationships. If we can get past ourselves long enough to see someone else, maybe we can help our fellow man. We have become hard hearted. I.E. I was trucking through Pennsylvania when I came into traffic, a troubled teenage was on an overpass threatening to jump into traffic. By the time I got there the police had the lanes under him shut down. Now this posses two points, first what was so bad that he wanted to end it all? Second, the CB rang out truckers who were suggesting that either they tazz him with a tazzer and let him fall or that he just jump so traffic could get moving again. What they were really saying is that their inconvenience was more important than this young life. It wasn't just one trucker either, some were considering blowing their horns as they passed by to scare him off, and making several comments like that. How sad that we could just watch a kid die, to just hurry down the road. This wasn't viewed as a tragedy just an inconvenience to delivering freight. Where is the value of human life? Why don't we care anymore?
We are all busy. That's a given, but we are busy by the choices we make. Felicia and I have committed to watch less TV and talk more. A friend gave me an awesome CD version of the dramatized new testament to listen to with the kids. Spending time with them and as a family. Family what's that? America has forgotten even the people we live with. They have become disposable like an inconvenience. Brooke and I sat down and played Monopoly the other day. She begged me until I put aside what I was doing, and then I had fun!!! My children aren't inconvenient to me, I must remember that the best gift to give them is my time. The only non renewable resource I have, and they are worth it.
I'm expecting big changes in my life over the next six months, possible a change in employment. I'm waiting the right direction. An open door with divine help. Stay tuned, more to come.