Solid Rock

God knew my personality and supplied us with missionary friends from the states, Minnesota actually. Our first Sunday at Grace Village they came and picked us up and brought us to the compound they live on for a Bible study with about 7 other missionary couples. While we learned more about heaven and earth and what the coming connection of those could possibly look like, all of our children were outside playing hide-and-seek. We have only met with this group one time but I can tell you it was a huge blessing to us as a family. To be surrounded by people who love Jesus, who love Haiti and who are all serving in different organizations was like water to a plant, life giving. Already I am looking forward to tomorrow when we get to sit next to them, connect, and learn together.

Last week at this Bible study, upon introduction, one of them men stated, "Grace Village? I was just contacted by our funders and they wanted pictures of the well we dug at Grace Village. I told them I didn't know if I could even get in the gates but that I would try." Of course we told him to come on up anytime, we would love to share what we do with our water on a daily business. Two days later, Tim came driving up our little mountain and brought a wealth of information. 

Tim was so excited to see how Grace Village has grown since he was here. He said that the last time he was here there were only three buildings, nothing was painted and no one lived here. The place is alive now. He told us of how his team came in with their drilling equipment as a last ditch effort to bring water to Grace Village. How there had been many drillings before, but they had produced nothing. 

To understand the importance of water, I think I need to explain a few things. There is not a solid government system so there is no water company, I don't even think there are any undergroud pipes to homes. To get water; you have your own water pump, you have a systern above your house that a water truck delivers to your house, or you bring your 5 gallon bucket to the nearest hand pump and pump and carry your water to your house. Those are the options. 

Tim continued his story about how his team stood over the spot they were planning on drilling and prayed feverently. He called the spot 'holy ground'. Titanyen is in a desert part of Haiti, where they were drilling was the highest point of our little mountain, and they had already tried multiple times to drill for water, it didn't look hopeful. He said they drilled in this unlikely place and found 'sweet water'. What a miracle! 

His perspective was great because he was reminding us of how important a water source is. Without it, we could never have built Grace Village into the place it is today. Today there is an orphanage, a feeding center, a school, a church, an aquaponics system, and a medical clinic on the grounds. God is good!

Another piece Tim talked about was the rockiness of the ground. Grace Village is build on solid rock...solid. I had heard a story that when Jeff and Alyn came and looked at this spot as a possible location for the dream God had given them. Jean tried to convince them that it was unwise to buy because the ground was too hard and it would make building difficult. Alyn would not be convinced to change her mind. From the stories I hear, she was determined to bring the children she had come to love to a place with an amazing view, fresh air, and hope. The rest is history. 

I got to thinking about the fact that we are build on solid rock. 

Matthew 7:24-27

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the wind beats against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash." 

Haiti has hurricanes and earthquakes, but Grace Village has been build on solid rock and that foundation keeps us relatively safe. It was harder in the beginning, but so worth it now. Grace Village was, more importantly, built on the solid foundation of Jesus' teaching. We as an organization and we as the Imsland family cling to the teachings of Jesus as our rock in all things in life. We know that when we listen and follow God, we are protected. That protection doesn't always mean things will be easy nor does it mean bad things won't happen to us. But we know that no matter what happens, we have a solid foundation that NEVER leaves us. 

I am posting a couple of pics since you made it to the end of this pretty long blog. :) 

Fun with a deck of cards.

Two of our beautiful ladies. 

This picture doesn't do this justice! Just a beautiful country. 

I am so grateful my kids get along...mostly.

Friday movie time!

Some silliness from Sierra. Ha!