The word flashpoint is “a place, event, or time at which trouble, such as violence or anger, flares up.” This past week was a flashpoint – a group of right-winged rioters tried to overtake our Capitol and theoretically overthrow an election. This group was encouraged by party officials, including a sitting President. We haven’t given […]
I had a dream. Almost exactly ten years ago. Followed by another dream and another. That we would get a young orphan man, who also had a dream, through medical school so he could be a doctor. Then to send some money to Haiti to help kids go to school, feed some elderly people and […]
One of my favorite things about leading a team to Haiti is our reflection time each night. We talk about what happened during the day, where we saw God that day, and then we pose a question to the group. Each night a different person chooses the question. I have a book of questions that […]
When we go on our trips to Haiti, there are often steps. Steps to the second level of our guest house. Steps to the second level of our school. Steps in the entryway to a building. Because construction is not as exacting, it is common that the steps are different heights. Even though in very […]
Advent is a time of preparation. It is the four weeks leading up to Christmas and the anticipation of the coming of Jesus into the world. Candles are used to symbolize this journey. The first candle is the Prophecy or Hope candle. Typically a purple candle, it is in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, […]
This past week, as we have gotten closer to Thanksgiving, there have been conversations about eating and favorites. Turkey, green-bean casserole, sweet potatoes, and pie are always high on my “looking forward to eating” list. When I think back to my childhood, our regular meals were pretty modest. Growing up as a preacher’s kid, I […]
My granddaughter discovered Fused Bead kits. They are little, colored, plastic cylinders that you place on peg boards. After your design is finished, you fuse them together with a hot iron. She knows I like baseball so created a baseball design for me that I use as a coaster. Other common patterns are hearts and […]
I have been in fundraising for almost twenty years. During this time, I have witnessed incredible generosity. The ones that have impressed me the most have not been the large gifts, but the sacrificial gifts. Now fundraising success depends on large, transformative gifts. But the individuals that make those gifts often have the financial backing […]
On our last trip to Haiti, I took a picture of a row of our water bottles. We just take water for granted. The local water there isn’t safe for us to drink, so we buy five-gallon jugs of “Culligan” water and use that water for drinking, brushing teeth, or cooking. It’s so easy to […]
Recently, we dedicated a school on the island of LaGonave, Haiti. It is named the Rob Marchand Education Center (RMEC), after my best friend who died of cancer four years ago. His wife and kids, along with my wife and a friend were able to attend the dedication, distribute RMEC backpacks and RMEC t-shirts. We […]