TeamDuggan

Read about what God has done in Haiti this year.

I have always loved seeing cross-cultural connections happen between youth group teens, mission work teams, and nationals and missionaries. I guess that is the midwife in me…relationship between a health care professional and their client isn’t immediate, it takes time, trust and openness. I thoroughly enjoy meeting a slim pregnant woman during the early weeks of pregnancy, and seeing the relationship develop as pregnancy progresses and the fetus becomes more than an “idea”.

We are privileged to work with nationals and missionaries and have seen this very thing develop between our home church in North America, sister organizations here in Costa Rica and the members and pastor of a local church body. I couldn’t help introducing myself to a bubbly Tica who spoke her passion for women’s ministry at a vision meeting hosted for our visiting Gringo missions committee in November. This congregation has the entire congregation involved in cell groups which foster community.

In Costa Rica(as in much of Latin America), physical walls and metal gates deter neighborhood interaction. Those fortunate enough to have a few hours of free time, spend it with family be they near or far. Although I have established community with missionary friends, Nicaraguan clinic workers, and Bible study groups I have had limited success in cultivating community in my own backyard. Desiring ongoing interaction with women interested in studying God’s Word in the 2 mile radius surrounding our home in Tres Rios, I was intrigued and wondered if such a small group would “feel” like that experienced in Charlotte in years gone by.

Although the only gringa in the small group, Facebook messages, texts and emails from members connected me mid-week after my initial attendance. Warmly embraced by this local body of believers with cultural and physical differences, I see that the health of this cell group is core to the DNA of the church community our home church in the US seeks to partner. May relationships be planted that stand the test of time, distance and cultural differences. May God be glorified and exalted in connecting communities across an expanse of land and sea, and a vision for partnership become a lasting connection between two communities who love well.

Three years and six months. 42 months. Amazing. When I look into the faces of those whom I have relationship with or at photos of those whose paths crossed mine during those 42 months I am so thankful that God placed our family here. I can’t begin to imagine not having met my dearest friends here, for experiencing God’s tender touch and soft-spoken whisper at just the right moment and learning about faith by living alongside those whose very lives depict it. You see, living life one thousand miles from familiarity is impossible without the intricate details woven into each moment by our Creator.

A handwritten note. Prayer prompted by a whisper. Crystal Light in every flavor imaginable. A song. Pecans. A tender touch. Chocolate( some very luscious, organic chocolate). A listening ear. Rain, and more rain. Brownie mix. Flawed Spanish. Magazines from the USA. Another prayer. Thanksgiving napkins. A phone call. Sunshine. Broken English. A tear . Laughter.

Thank you to those who were the hands , feet ,and heart of God to me and my family during these 42 months. Those who taught me more about faith than you will ever know. For allowing us to touch the lives of total strangers, and for the time to become friends to others along the way. Your investment breathes life and is necessary for us to serve others . Stay with us for the journey.

I tend to be energized by spending time doing what I love- listening to women, reaching out to others, feeding the multitudes, and opening my home to strangers I’ve never met. The early part of my week was a little disappointing

One of the places we've been helping in Haiti is an orphanage in Leogane, a town that experienced flooding during the hurricane last week. God was merciful to the orphanage and there were no problems. Matthew and I helped them unpack from their hurricane prep and get food supplies back in order. I had a very clear directive from my wife and youngest daughter, "Please go see Jenny and make sure she's OK." Jenny is a young orphan who captured the hearts of Cathi and Anna this summer. As I walked up to Jenny this morning her eyes opened wide and her smile brightened the sky. This was the first time she'd met Matthew and she snuggled right into his arms. In the midst of such difficult circumstances, the hug a child receives makes everything else immaterial.

This poem was written by a gringo student living and experiencing recent events here in San Jose.
Enjoy!

You might see an avalanche being a threat
But here we are more worried about the rain
Seven inches in one day, though we mustn’t fret
Only believe that God will becalm the downfall

The very audible assonant bass sound of the rain
And its beau the thunder and lightning
The badgering wind throwing the droplets onto you is a pain
When writing a ballad on the azure sky that lays above

With the rain comes the atrocious cold
We have to bundle up to escape it
So baleful that it awakens the household
So we bask by the fire athirst for warmth

Drinking authentic Costa Rican coffee
We sit on the front porch
Nibbling on bits of tasty toffee
Beaming with beatitude for our benison of having a shelter

Bemoaning for those lost in the many mud slides
Grateful for the benevolence by the people helping
While we stay in our comfortable home and hide
Wondering when the horrendous storm will halt

Traveling as much as I do, I am constantly amazed at how God provides opportunities to be with family. I'm on a two and a half week trip away from home, yet unexpectedly I have over a week with Matthew in Haiti. We started out on Thursday to get here before Hurricane Tomas, but God had other plans and we arrived here yesterday after the storm had departed.

So father and son have a chance to do ministry together, share life together in Gressier Haiti and have the time to talk about whatever comes up. This is a blessing we never expected and recognize is a gift from God.

People sometimes ask Cathi and me how we can stand living so far away from our older kids. What we have found is that the distance keeps us from taking connections for granted. Between regular phone calls, Facebook, and those God-given face-to-face surprises, we find that the distance isn't great at all.

The last weeks in Costa Rica have been rainy, dreary, and unseasonably cool. For most North Americans, central heat and air conditioning are standard even in the most humble dwellings, but when outside temperatures are in the 50’s and 60’s and damp here in Latin America, things are pretty chilly inside as well !

Today is a national day of mourning, and flags are at half staff, for those killed and missing during landslides and other calamities brought on by the continued saturation of Costa Rica during this rainy season. Many are without clean water, phone coverage is spotty, and some are without electricity. Our family is grateful to have both water and electricity, and warm blankets to snuggle up in, while many have been displaced both here and in St. Lucia, Jamaica and Haiti.

Brian,our son Matthew and Kevin(Touchglobal staff) are safely in Haiti. Pray for open doors and open hearts as they seek to minister during this time, and for summit meetings that will take place beginning Monday.
Many Costa Rican neighbors have been shaken in recent days by increasing crime, economic variability and weather-related deaths and damage. Pray for sensitivity and opportunities to boldly share the love of Christ in word and deed.