Jason & Lindy

I have spent a great deal of time working on CRI’s Digital and Social Media plan over the past few weeks. I’ve read blogs, books and interviewed social media experts and one conclusion I can draw with confidence is this - no one has a “this works best” approach to social media. It is a beast that will not be tamed.

The time spent learning about social media has stirred up some new ideas about how CRI can awaken and enable people to participate in our work. They are the kind of ideas that itch - I can’t stop thinking about them and scratching at what it would take to make them reality. To help CRI wrestle the beast and help scratch the itch we’ve hired a young man (with a degree in emerging media and video) to help reach our SN/D/Media goals. Welcome on board Daniel!

Helping that hurts…

While the afternoon ended with hope and optimism about CRI digital media future the bad news that greeted us this morning wasn’t far from mind. The office received the worst kind of news. Pastor Isaiah from the King of Kings project in India shared in an email that one of the children at the Home had been killed.

Little Devi, one of the first sweet little girls to be taken into the children’s home. She was an orphan with some extended family living in the Deep Forest. They took her home earlier this week to attend her mothers memorial (she died a few years ago). While home, she was struck by the truck as she ran across the road to reach a candy store. We were told she died on impact (no suffering).

Devi and a few of her friends at the home. She is the one at the bottle left.

Helping hurts. If we weren’t helping the King of Kings project the news of this tragedy wouldn’t have traveled the world the Rockwall Tx.  The sick feeling, arigid combination of shame, anger and hopelessness wouldn’t have lingered in my guts all day. I wouldn’t be wondering how God understands this event, why he allows such things, etc. Those kinds of questions kick up their own unique sense of shame - because who am I to ask God why he would allow such things? Who am I to question his sovereignty?

It is a reminder to ask God for his mercy and patience. Psalms 67:1…May God be merciful to us and bless us, show us the light of his countenance and come to us.

Tonight I go to bed thinking about Devi, her family and her friends at the home and the G Brothers. I pray that God will be patient and show us the light of his countenance and come to us as we hurt and mourn the loss of Devi.

O merciful Father, who taught us in your holy Word that you would not willingly affict us, look with pity upon the sorrows of those who knew and loved Devi for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their sous with patience, comfort  and with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We look forward to the day we will be reunited with precious little Devi.

(Below are the emails we received from Pastor Isaiah about Devi.)

July 22, 2010 Dear Sir, We are very sad to inform you that Devi Ella died in an accident in her native place Mandapata Village today. We came to know this information just now. Two days back her relatives came and told that, Devi Ella’s mother’s death anniversary is on 22nd July and they have a prayer meeting on that day. They told that after the prayer meeting they will bring the kid back to Rajah Children Home. Today Devi Ella was going to buy some chocolates at a store near the road. Suddenly a Truck on the road hit her and the back tyres completely were under Devi Ella. She died on the spot. We pray the almighty that the departed soul may rest in peace and also pray to give enough strength to bear the irrepairable loss. Please pray for us and also for her family . Isaiah

We trust this post finds everyone well! We wanted to share a few recent videos of Keller.

One is of her trying out some new food. The other is of her eating sugar for the first time - a birthday cupcake.

Enjoy!

Keller and Cupcakes from Jason Pieratt on Vimeo.

Is Keller getting enough to eat? from Jason Pieratt on Vimeo.

Quick update on what Lindy and I have been up to…

Helping the Rowlands (our Nigerian Missionaries) get ready for their team trip (they leave this weekend).

Preparing to attend a two day seminar (Bootcamp - Raising Support) in Detroit (Aug 5th-6th). This is going to be a wonderful opportunity for Lindy and I. There is 20+ hours of pre-training and prep that has to be completed before we go so… there’s lots of reading and planning going on around here right now! We’ll be sharing more about this event with you soon.

I am working on CRI’s Social Media strategy plan - which involves learning how to run the backend of CRI’s website, learning Wordpress, learning Mailchimp, thinking about how to best use CRI Facebook to get folks involved etc. (I’m social media’d out - but it is fun to learn so many new things.)

Lindy has been working on CRI’s budget to actual report, expense report template, staff monthly reports etc. (We’re putting her CPA skills to work!)

There’s more to share but I think you get the picture.

It’s good work we’ve been called to do. The best!

J

What do you think of when someone asks you about the band U2? The first memories that come to mind for me are hot summer days at the pool in Iowa.  Good ole U2 (Where the Streets Have No Name, Sunday Bloody Sunday etc) was always playing as we rode our bikes up to the gate. They kept us company throughout the day and echoed under our sun bleached hair as we rode home.

When I think of U2 today Bono and the work he has done over the years to help the poor and sick around the world comes to mind. Don’t ask me any specifics on what he has done - I only know that he has used some of his fame and fortune to help the poor (he is a cofounder of the One campaign http://www.one.org/us/).

It would be interesting to know why Bono has chosen to spend at least some of his time reaching out to helping the poor. He seems to be a calm force in the vicious and merciless storm that fame and money bring upon the heads of those who have it.

Guys like Bono can make a lot of difference in a BIG way. Big vision for great need. Deep pockets for deep poverty.

This week I have had the privilege of spending time with two couples that I consider “Bono’s”. The Lawrances and the Rowlands. They are talented. Well educated in their fields. Hard working. Full of hope. Willing to sacrifice and use personal funds and resources to reach their goals in ministry. People, when they listen to them, are captivated (at least this guy is) by the vision they hold for their people and communities. The confidence they have in their calling is encouraging and a bit staggering (who can they be so sure - so willing!).

They may not have the money and fame Bono has but like him they are making a difference in a BIG way. Big vision for great need. Deep passion to help those deep poverty. To the children in their communities they may seem like a Bono; generous, talented yet taking the time to share love and resources with them.

It became increasingly clear that Lindy and I have a very unique job. We sit across the table from “Bono’s”, from men and woman who are enormously talented, full of passion and vision and ready to put it all on the line for the Lord they love. Not only do we get to sit across the table from these folks but we are responsible to help them, encourage them, enable them and to share their passion and vision with others who will listen.

What a job!  What a challenge!What a blessing!

Lindy and I are excited about our role with CRI and passionate about working with the Lawrances and Rowlands and our other national partners and American missionaries as we share the love of Christ with some of the worlds weakest children and their families. (It is good work we’ve been called to do. The best kind.)

We are thankful for the supporters and friends who are standing beside us. We are hopeful for the future (full support - full time work with CRI) and ask that you continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Serve others with hope and passion.

JKL

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John and Maria Lawrance - CRI Missionaries to India - their native home. They’ve just completed 4 year ThM degrees from Dallas Theological Seminar and are just a few weeks away from returning home to be missionaries to their own people in India (pastor training, micro-loans, education for children).

Read more about them at http://www.childrensrelief.org/who-we-are/missionaries/john-and-maria-lawrance)

Jackson and Blessing Rowland - CRI Missionaries to Nigeria - their native home. Blessing just finished her masters in school administration and Jackson is finishing up his Doctorate at Dallas Theological Seminary. Their goal is to return to their land as missionaries (education for children and pastor training)

Read more about them at http://www.childrensrelief.org/who-we-are/missionaries/jackson-and-blessing-rowland-adeniyi

And we’re off!!!!!!

Keller Walking

Click the link see how Keller found her laugh in Mozambique.

Jill has the touch (I have yet to get her to laugh for me! Lindy says it is because I am to serious! Seriously?!)

keller-laughing

or - go here…

http://www.vimeo.com/12802663

A picture at El Shaddia.

More pictures and updates to come soon.

J

We made it home without too much trouble. Over 20 hours in the air and 10 at the airports makes for a long trip but… it is always easier to deal with when you know the end of the trip involves sleeping in your own bed!

Lindy and Keller are slowly working through the jet-lag. I am hopefully that mine has already passed.

The internet in Moz was too weak to post many pictures or video. I’ve shared a few of my favorites below.

More pictures and video to come!

Thank you for your prayers and support.

It was a very successful trip.

JKL

Keller helping us pack for the trip

A sweet Sunday School classmate made the team these yummy cookies a few days before we left. It was blessing to have so much support from our LifeGroup.

The Land of Moz team!

Keller did great on the trip. Everyone enjoyed her big smile!

Jill and Kristen talking with a few of the mothers at the Nutrition Center. Over 80 mothers and babies are helped a month at the center!

Great smile!

Handing out clothes to some needy kids.

Green Door House for Carlitos.

We had lunch at the Cessitos house today. Noemia is a master storyteller and she told us a short story about a young boy who was sick at the Christian pre-school CRI/ROL runs here in Mozambique.

Here is an attempt to retell what she shared…

The preschool boy became very sick so his mother took him to the witch doctor. The WD then placed a healing curse on the boy, complete with string around the boys wrists (to signify the bond between the boy and the spirit’s the witch doctor had called upon for “help”.) The boy got better.

The mother knows that the Pre-School is Christian and that the boy’s teacher is known to challenge any student (and parent) that is found wearing the witch doctor bands. So the morning after visiting the witch doctor she loaded the boys wrists up with charms to cover the bands in an effort to hide them from the teacher and students.

It didn’t take long for the little guys classmates to see the bands. They challenged the boy –reminding him that he couldn’t be a friend of Jesus and also to demons. He needed to take off the bands if he was going to be a friend of Jesus. Noemia said the kids gave the boy a hard time all day long.

Once he returned home he demanded that his mother take the bands off. He wanted to be a friend of Jesus and the bands were causing him grief. The mom told the boy it was impossible to take them off. The boy could die (the spirits would kill him) or family members might get sick and die. ( Side note - I am told this happens here a lot. It sounds unbelievable. Children and families being tormented by demons - unto death. Wow. Scary stuff. You can draw your own conclusions but I choose to believe Noemia and my own experiences.)

The boy would not take no for an answer. He yelled and hollard that he loved Jesus and demanded that his mother allow him to be friends with him by taking off the bands. His mom asked – How do you know you won’t die if I cut these off? Or that I won’t get sick? Or..etc. The boy responded by saying Jesus was his friend and he was certain the Jesus would take care of him. With this statement she finally gave in. The bands were cut.

The boy remained healthy and no one in the family got sided or died.

Noemia said the story gives her goose bumps every time she thinks of it. This young child’s faith may make all the difference for his family. Amazing.

The story makes me think of the Ps that talks about children declaring Gods name.

Through the mouths of babes our Lord will be declared. PS 8:2!

Amen!

The following is a note I shared with our Sunday School class.

Popcorn, Lemon Mist soda and “What about Bob?” was the order for the night here at the Moz team house. Today was a full day so we decided to kick back and relax a little. You can’t go wrong with popcorn and a movie after a good day.

The team spent the morning handing out clothes to a few needy children in the village and teaching a bible study/art lesson at El Shaddai.

The children we visited lived back in what I refer to as the “shadow lands”. There are no roads to their homes. Just winding small mud paths that reach back from the town. The homes vary from cinder block houses to mud huts falling apart. There seems to be no order or code that is followed with respect to where homes are built (but I suspect there is order and code – I just can’t pick it up). Some of the cinder block houses have cement wall but today we didn’t see any. Most of the yards were separated by bushes or thorny sticks. I call these places the “shadow lands” because there are lots of big trees and palm trees that cast shade and shadows over the homes and people. It is cooler here than on the roads. This is good because the sun here sucks the energy out of a person fast!

One of the boys we gave some clothes to has a father who has taken two wives. They live fairly close together. It was clear by the state the boy was in that Dad wasn’t doing a very good job taking care of his charge. Why anyone would want more than one wife is beyond me but I know it is common here.

After navigating the shadow lands and handing out clothes we headed to El Shaddai.

Jill and Kristen have a way with kids that only comes from an innate desire to love children. This desire is compounded by their ability to connect with the kids – even if they don’t speak the same language. Lindy and Scott handed out materials and helped the kids create their color books. Jared was “kidnapped” by the School Office Manager so Jared would teach him how to use Excel and PowerPoint better. The guy wouldn’t let Jared out of the room until we came up to get him. It is fun working with children and adults who are hungry to learn new things!

We were invited to lunch with the Cessito’s – CRI partners at the ROL project. It was a good time. I will share more about it in my next blog post.

This afternoon Lindy and Kristen taught a baking class at the Villa and Jared, Scott and Jill walked Project Life with a few activista’s. The baking lessons went well. I believe they made banana bread cupcakes and then taught them how make guacamole. The avocados here are enormous. The seed is about the size of a racquetball.

I was told the time of bible study and prayers with the Project Life group was very meaningful. It is hard to sit amongst the sick and dying. All the people Project Life help are HIV/AID positive. Most will die sooner rather than later due to a cold or tuberculosis or an infection of some sort that their bodies just can’t fight off due to low white blood cells. It’s a hard thing for me to wrap my mind around. That person, and that person, and that person will be dead soon. Much too soon. It doesn’t take me long to feel quite useless if I stay in this mindset. Instead, I try to think about how much Jesus loves mankind. I try to hold on to grace and mercy, believing that that person, and that person and that person are loved by God. He loves them. He is merciful. He loves them. His grace abounds. Why they have to live and die this way is not for me to figure out. What I can do to help them, to share Christ love with them is for me (for all of us) to figure out.

We are all responsible – home and abroad.

I got to spend some quality time with Keller this afternoon while Lindy and the rest were out and about. I am amazed at the way babies can adapt so quickly. She’s been a real champ and for this we are very thankful. We know it could have been a very different experience. The team has played a huge role in helping take care of her. There is no way things would have gone this smoothly with out them and all the prayers I know are being lifted up. Thank you.

Tomorrow is our last full day here. We are going to have a meeting with Kathy and Val in the AM about what needs to be done around the house as we prepare to go. Then we are headed to Beira for lunch. The afternoon will be spent at the Green Door House. We are going to have a little party for the family it is being built for along with time of prayer and blessing over the home. Then in the evening the translators and other missionaries here are going to come over for a little goodbye party. It should be a full day.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

J

Hurry up and slow down!

Today was a tough day for me. The last three plus days here have had more down time than time spent being productive. Down time is a part of any mission trip but by this morning the team and I  were ready to get “back to work”. However, when we got to the Green Door site we found ourselves standing around more than helping. Now, I could list all the reasons why this bothered me. And I could share how I would try to fix the problems I think our Green Door building effort (with American Teams) faces but I won’t. The second half of the day humbled me, sweeping away my dissatisfaction and challenging me to turn it into patience and thankfulness. The second half of the day forced me to hurry up and slow down ( the root of which is to consider WHY planning, efficiency, productivity etc are so difficult here).

Our task after lunch was to haul two loads of sand to a Green Door Mud House that is under construction. This simple job took from 1:30-4:30. Two loads of sand. Three hours. Are you kidding me? These two loads weren’t very big – just the back of a small pick up. The distance to the sand pit wasn’t too far. We had plenty of hands helping scoop the sand.

The main issue were the roads and the “sand permit” that had to be bought from the Gov. The roads here are horrible. Think - dirt bike track. The lines to buy permits are long. Think - line for U2 tickets. So, you drive slow. And you stand.

I don’t know how many loads of sand it takes to build a Green Door house but I know it is more than two. Just getting the materials to the site must take a day or two. Then you have to worry about theft. If you drop off too many supplies at the site it will get up at walk away. This week the windows in the house we’ve been helping build were knocked out of the wall we set them in earlier in the day. They are about 30 dollars a window. That’s almost a months pay for most here. If it is not bolted down it will walk away. If it is bolted down someone will try to set it free.

Productivity, efficiency and good planning can take place here but it looks and feels differently than it does back home. The rules of engagement are different. Patience is required. (I might argue that patience is not required in many of our efforts to be efficient and productive back home. It’s a matter of how hard you are willing to work.) Here, you can work really hard and still find yourself standing around waiting for something you need to continue. You can work really hard to ensure you have every thing you need to get in a full days work - and STILL find yourself waiting.

Patience is required. Hope is necessary. Thankfulness is needed. My long afternoon of hauling sand humbled me. Who am I to demand something from my hosts that no one has here? Who am I to take away from the good that is going on here via Green Door and all the other projects as I brew over what I think could and should be done better? Why am I not more thankful? Why don’t I start with patients?

CRI’s efforts to provide a meaningful team experience is going to continue to get better. The sooner I hurry up and slow down – the bigger help I can be in our process to be the best at all we do. Slowing down also encourages the mind and heart to do what God tells us to do in all situations – love him and our neighbor. As I (we )wait around there is time to build relationships, to share Christ, to thank God. Can my time be spent doing anything better than these things?

Thanks for the support and prayers!

J

We are a week into our trip to Mozambique and things have gone very well. I have sent out a couple of emails to our sunday school class and just now concluded that it woud have been good to post those here too.

I’ll start with tonights note to our Life Group (Sunday School Class). These are the people who sacrificed time and money to help our team get here and raise an enormous amont of money for the Project (50,000+ total).

Lindy and I are both thankful and blessed to be a part of a class that has a heart for missions. We are excited to see what is yet to come!

I’ve shared a few pictures below along with the email.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We need safety, wisdom, discernment, and peace of mind as we work along side our Moz. partners. Also, keep little Keller in your prayers. She is doing well but she’s teething and that makes everyone cranky!

Keller - world traveler and fussy monkey!

Food Pantry

The Land of Moz Team

Today was another good day in the Land of Moz. This morning Johnny, Scott and Jared led a training and worship time with the Dondo Baptist Church Worship Team. Rex and Tim joined in too. The time went well. Each of the guys led a lesson and in between songs were sung (and they even did a little dancing. If you haven’t seen Johnny dance – you are truly missing out!)

While the guys were leading worship the ladies went shopping for copolanas (fabric ladies wrap around their waist- this beach wrap) in the Market. They bought a bunch to use in some future fund raisers they have planned. (Jill is the best at coming up with fund raising ideas!)

After a long break in the afternoon we headed back to the church for a late afternoon youth group “gathering”. Jared and Kristen had games planned and Jared led and excellent lesson (he talked about putting on the armor of God and resisting the temptations young kids face). At the end of our time the Americans took on a team of 5 boys in a schoolyard game of soccer. One of the kids kept hollering – Cupo de Mundo – America vs Mozambique! With Rex as a goal keeper, Johnny and Tim as our defenders and Jared and I as strikers we did our best to make our Life Group proud. Those little kids were just too good though. Mozambique 1 – USA – 0! Am I embarrassed that we lost to a bunch of 14 year olds. Maybe….but I’d never admit it! Ha! They really were very good – and barefoot!

Good times!

We ended the day with a “Party” where all the Americans that work with CRI plus our team and a few of the Moz. Translators were invited over to the host house for popcorn, cokes and singing. Jared, Johnny and Scott joined the Mozambicans’ in leading some awesome worship. How cool is it to be worshiping with brothers and sisters in Christ from a different land! Very cool.

The surprise of the night was when the translators washed the feet of Rex, Johnny, Tim and Holly (the four leaving tomorrow). They wanted to show them humble thanksgiving for coming and serving their community. It was a pretty powerful experience for them and all who watched.

The night ended with a few more songs and prayer.

We (Jill, Scott, Jared and Kristen + Lindy and I) are sad to see Tim, Rex and the Lyons leave. It will be different with out them here. Please keep them in your prayers as they leave for the airport tomorrow at 11am and then spend the next 24+ hours flying home. They have an 8-hour layover in Joberg and then a few more in Amsterdam and Detroit.

Keep Jill and Scott in your prayers too – as the longer we are here the harder it is to be away from husbands, wives and kids!

Those of us still here will be back to work full steam on Monday. More Green Door Construction, more teaching at El Shaddai, more prayer for and with the sick, more being the hands and feet of Christ as best we can be.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your generous support and prayers. It has made this trip and the lives of many here full of peace, joy and thanksgiving.

Y’all be good. Serve others well.

Jason