Port-au-Prince – PaulThompsonBlog

International Church Planting

Posted on April 19, 2018Leave a comment

I’ve just returned from another trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

This trip was a unique opportunity to participate in the ordination of not just one pastor, not two pastors, but seven pastors. Eastside Baptist now has before us one of the most challenging days in her history. Four of these seven pastors are looking to Eastside to prepare and partner in a church planting opportunity.

On this coming Lord’s Day, during one of our monthly shared meals, I’ll give a full report on what is going on at New Horizon Home and our church planting work in Haiti. Join me following our morning gathering on this coming Lord’s Day. We will stream and then archive the report if you are not able to join us in person.

Our First International Pastors’ Conference

Posted on March 28, 2017Leave a comment

Eastside Baptist Church will host our first international pastors’ conference in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on June 15-17, 2017. We are pleased to obey the Lord in this opportunity.

We are several years past a God ordained struggle that God used to shape our gospel advancing work. We now have over 50 girls we provide housing, food, education, church, healthcare and a security in what is now known as New Horizon Home. Multiple trips over the past few years have given us greater clarity in providing reliable and trustworthy assistance to the Lord’s church and His people.

For over a year now we have been praying about hosting our first pastors conference. This year, Lord willing, we will gather pastors from around the city to supply them with trustworthy resources and biblical training in preaching, church planting and pastoring.

We have partnered with Chapel Library from Pensacola, Florida who is providing several resources in French and Haitian Creole. We bless the Lord for their worldwide ministry and translation work. Their kindness is of the generous kind where they have supplied several books/booklets at no cost to us. May the Lord bless Chapel Library.

We have other resources we are working on to secure.

Pray for me as I begin working with men in my church who will supply the teaching, preaching, and training. Pray for us as we prepare.

Pastor, Keep the Charge of the LORD your God
(1 Kings 2:2-3)
June 15-17, 2017
Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Sponsors:
Twin Falls, Idaho, USA

What Man Intended for Harm, God Intended for Good

Posted on November 16, 2016Leave a comment

It’s difficult to determine the outcome of life circumstances based on circumstances. It’s difficult to see what God is intending for good when difficulty is ruling the day. Then there is the risky task of concluding the finished outcome of something that is still unfolding. That has been the way it has been for the past six years in relationship to a gospel work God has begun, birthed in disaster, bathed in humiliation and seasoned with joy.

I want to share a brief moment from a recent trip to Haiti with pictures. Anyone wanting more details of the ongoing ministry of New Horizon Home/School/Church in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, I’m more than willing to share more details either in print or in speaking with your church or mission/ministry groups of our ongoing, unfolding, unfinished, developing work in international gospel work.

Here are a few moments from the most recent trip.

Today, Your Freedom Has Come

Posted on February 17, 2016Leave a comment

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

—

This morning I decided to put on my new clothes. I’m guarding my heart and mind against disappointment, yet I believe we will go home today.
Alex came by today with a note saying he is sure we will go home this week. He seems to think even today for most of us, maybe. We hear that the prosecutor has recommended that we not be released until further investigation can be done on Laura and Charisa. The day unfolds very slowly. Much like every day, only much slower. Even lunch came later than usual. Usually it comes in no later than 2PM, but today it came around 3PM. The fact that it came at all begins to establish that disappointment I am at war with.
Around 1:30PM the US Embassy showed up to begin talking to us about our return home in the event we are released. Silas and I visited with Cathy and about five other people about possible travel plans. They want to know what our plans are to get home. As encouraging as this visit was, I have no idea what kind of travel plans I have to get home. We no longer have texting ability with our families, so I don’t know what to do here but to do what God has clearly been teaching me to do, trust in Him. The visit was encouraging in that it seems more likely we are to be released soon.
Close to 4:15PM, the lawyers begin to show up and gather in the hallway. Then I noticed Alex. I don’t know how he does it? Then I saw Junior in the hallway.
Alex looked to me and gives me his patented smile and hard blinks of his eyes, then gives me a thumbs up. I know that this is good. I praise God for this breakthrough and then Alex just walked into the jailer’s office and up to the barred window we have spoken through many times and says “Today, your freedom has come!”
He is then immediately ushered out by the police as they grab him by the arms. But not without several glances back to make sure that we heard him. Then in the hallway; Junior, with a grin from ear to ear, points to heaven and mouths the words “Praise to God.”

AP photo

From this point we are cleared to go, all charges dropped on eight to be released today. We are then told that the people from the Oprah show want us to seek refuge at their place. We quickly say we would rather go the the US Embassy. Aviol has wanted us to go with Oprah from the first day we met him, adding to my unrest with him.
The US Embassy met with us at the jail about the possibility of getting on a military flight tonight to Miami. We are all in agreement that this is best. The military is still flying emergency flights and they have eight empty seats, a provision from God.
We are to leave Haiti tonight at 8PM on a US Air Force cargo flight. I can’t shake the faces of the men in the cell we have just spent three weeks with. They all make eye contact and give firm hand shakes. Even though we have had our things stolen from time to time when we go to court, we have become very close. God please bring freedom to these men soon.
We make several attempts to allow Charisa to be released so she can get medical assistance in the States by letting one of us stay in her place. This was very hard to be refused to do so. Any one of the eight being released were willing to stay in her place.

AP photo

The walk through the media zoo was as if it were in slow motion. Alex, true to form comes from the midst of the crowd, then Junior and Florance with a hug and a kiss on my cheek.
What has caused this kind of brotherly and sisterly affection? We are virtually strangers. It can only be the blood of the Lamb. We make our way into the US Embassy van and are escourted to the entrance to the Port-au-Prince airport, just less than 1/2 mile from where we have been for the past 19 days. We have heard these planes coming and going every day for the past three weeks. This time we are to be on one.
The media gets nothing from us and Oprah gets even less.
While at the airport we all get phones to call family. We put the battery back into the phone that NBC gave us to use as well.
This is unexplainable at the moment. How at all did I speak to my love without being in shock of hearing that voice? I will see her face and touch her embrace soon, if God will so allow.
I was able to speak to David for a moment and Renee’s dad. I will look forward to my call to my parents when I arrive in Miami.
The flight was packed with brave men and women of the US military causing me to think a lot about David. There are many civilians with the look of despair and joy. The flight was uncomfortable, but most pleasant! I will strive for the remainder of my life to never complain of this flight, ever!
Today, your freedom has come.

—

These are my personal experiences of a difficult time in my journey with the Lord. They are personal as I reflect on the God appointed days. I do not attempt to speak for anyone but myself. I do not publish these journal entries as a voice for the 9 Others.

Visit Them In Their Distress

Posted on January 14, 2016Leave a comment

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27, NASB)

After six years, I still revisit this prayer I prayed on January 14, 2010. I take a moment to examine my heart each year on what took place. I’m sure I miss things in Scripture when I read it, especially Scripture that is familiar. Little did I know then that obeying the word of God to “visit [them] in their distress” would influence my life like this and prepare me to better understand what it would require to keep oneself “unstained by the world” as the slander would soon begin to fly.

My journal entry on January 14, 2010 was short – but the impact of the days to follow would unknowingly shape how I read and preach the living word of God today.

Date: Early morning: January 14, 2010

Prayer: God, disaster like this raises many questions; how do I answer the questions and how do I handle this growing concern [I have] for the orphans?

Happy Anniversary, New Horizon Home

Posted on April 10, 2015Leave a comment

Yesterday, April 9, was the 2 year anniversary of New Horizon Home.

New Horizon Home is a girls home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. May God bless His name.

Happy Anniversary, New Horizon Home!

An Open Letter to Everyone Who Gave to New Horizon Home Last Year

Posted on January 15, 20151 Comment

Dear generous friends,

I have just returned from a visit at New Horizon Home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and I wanted to express appreciation to each of you who are so kind to give toward the ministry of Eastside Baptist Church and one of her international ministry outposts.

Your one time or ongoing contributions are carefully distributed and gratefully appreciated by Eastside Baptist Church and 33 girls at New Horizon Home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

You have been kind to give, you have been quick to respond, you are partners in an eternal weight of gospel work among these beautiful girls. For this I say “thank you.”

Enjoy some pictures of the new home, the faithful workers and the life-long impact you are making on these 33 girls. Thank you and may the Lord be blessed as you respond to his call upon your life.

For the Glory to God Alone!

DSCN2095 — On the way to the medical clinic for check ups

NHH — New Horizon Home: 33 girls, 3 boys, 5 workers, and 7 recent visitors

NHH1 — Recent ministry team with Alex and wife Johanne

An Open Letter to the Utah/Idaho Southern Baptist Convention

Posted on January 15, 2015Leave a comment

Dear Utah/Idaho Southern Baptist Convention,

I have recently traveled overseas with Phillip Grant to the city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I want to take a short moment of your time to express appreciation for the partnered work of Phillip on this trip and potential upcoming ministry/mission trips in the future with college students from the Utah/Idaho region.

I found Phillip willing to do all that was asked of him along the journey. He was helpful with transportation details and willing to help in any task asked of him. Not only was Phillip willing, as important as that is, Phillip was able and prepared to help.

As with any ministry/mission trip, schedules and plans change within moments. Phillip was able to endure the need for flexibility and always ready to give reason for the hope he has in Christ Jesus. He was able to articulate the gospel to children and adults with clarity, while speaking through the aid of a translator.

I’m thankful to express my appreciation to you for this partnered minister of the gospel to college students in the Utah/Idaho region. I thank the Lord for any future assistance Eastside will need from Phillip both local and abroad.

(Also, I express appreciation to Jason McNair for helping with transportation logistics at SLC International Airport, and pastor Gail Graves and the Lord’s people at Trinity Baptist in Boise, Idaho for the use of your van.)

For the glory of God, thank you Utah/Idaho Southern Baptists.

(Following are some pictures you may enjoy.)

Because they are Necessary, Use Words

Posted on January 14, 2015Leave a comment

This past week I’ve been back at New Horizon Home with our 33 girls. By the grace of God, I traveled with 7 other people from Twin Falls, and Boise, Idaho and Amarillo, Texas.

Jesus warns that once a follower puts his hand to the plow he must keep his eyes on the prize, not looking back with regret or doubt (“No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62). Oh that God would find us fit for harvest work.

In addition to taking supplies to teach the girls to knit and weave, clothing, school supplies, medical supplies and nutritional items; we both took printed word (New Testament in Haitian Creole) and spoke of the Gospel multiple times a day.

Following are a few pictures of the sojourners using words to speak of the glory of God and the necessary proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.