Blog Archives

A Vision for 2025...finding joy!

1/21/2025

The new year found me here in PA. I was thinking about the tough life people live each day in Pasbwadom and all over Haiti. I thought about the importance of ASAPH activities in the lives of so many students and young teachers.

I read a passage in a psalm that David handed to ASAPH in 1 Chronicles 16. Verse 10 says : "Find joy in His holy name ; Let the hearts of those who keep on seeking the Lord rejoice."

How do you find joy in Haiti? How do you find joy when life is difficult and nothing seems to ever improve?

The verse refers to what I have experienced many times in Haiti. Joy is not a feeling you find either in things or people. Joy is in Him! Joy is in His holy name. Those who seek the Lord have reason to rejoice. It is true.

I have spent time with rich people while they bemoaned their problems and celebrated luxuries. I have spent time with poor people while they were hungry but celebrated their position in Jesus Christ. The difference is stark.

Joy is from Him. This year, 2025, I want ASAPH to help people find joy in the Lord! I want ASAPH to support so many people at ASAPH who do so already.

"Find joy in His holy name ; Let the hearts of those who keep on seeking the Lord rejoice."

Busy december

1/21/2025

As the final month of the year rolled around, I was making plans to (finally) be in the USA. Knowing that, we continued to plan several major events.

The ASAPH girls' choir (AVJF) made plans to travel to Lozandye for a morning service. We made arrangements with an ASAPH musician/leader to drive the choir. We made arrangements for an ASAPH musician/leader to accompany the choir. We made arrangements for two members of the choir to lead one song each. The plan worked beautifully. While I attended a service in PA, the choir blessed a special convention service in a town west of Pasbwadom.

The ASAPH Brass Band planned a series of concerts to celebrate the birth of our Savior in December. The committee of ASAPH leaders made detailed plans, organized all of the people and materials needed for four concerts, and directed the four trips. It was a successful mini-tour. I was able to follow a few of the concerts on-line. One concert is a ton of work. Four concerts in three weeks is a huge undertaking! I was proud of the band and its leaders for a job well done.

While the band was busy with those plans, we received an invitation to play for a special service at a church in Pasbwadom. Since the band was busy, I invite the "B" band to accept the invitation. Two ASAPH musician/leaders got the "B" band ready, and walked with them to the church where they played. It was an important learning experience for them...both the young players and the new directors. ASAPH is all about growing!

A busy December depends on healthy support from outside. Fuel is expensive. Food is expensive. Support from ASAPH's friends makes these kinds activities a reality! We are proud of our busy December.