We kept up with the Olympics and it was intriguing that Caribbean sprinters dominated the track. The men’s 100m dash final—won by a Jamaican—featured two American and six Caribbean sprinters. In the women’s 100m dash, Jamaicans took gold, silver, and bronze.

The Dominican Republic and Haiti have few things in common, but they are on the same Caribbean island: Hispaniola. Isn’t it fishy that one side of Hispaniola produces the highest paid athletes in the world, the rest of the Caribbean produces the fastest men and women in the world, and Haiti barely produces a competitor?

August 12th, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Three generations ago it was common for missionaries to pack their belongings in caskets and leave for the field quite aware of the challenges ahead. Times have changed, and one of the challenges today, ironically, may be a lack of awareness of the complex environments in which missionaries serve. (more…)

Silas has always loved music, but recently he has taken interest in guitars. On a few occasions we have sat and watched Phil Keaggy on YouTube. Urban legend has it that Rolling Stone Magazine once asked Eddie Van Halen, “Who is the best guitar player in the world?” Eddie replied, “I don’t know, ask Phil Keaggy.” Whether or not that ever happened, why not learn from the best?

Luke, meanwhile, has been preparing for his Uncle Nick and Aunt Jill’s wedding by sporting the latest fashions for 3-to-6 month olds.

Also, Silas & Luke finally met Wilshire. Wilshire was featured on Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan presented by the National Geographic Channel. This is extra special because Wilshire “works” at LAFD Station 29 where Silas & Luke’s “papa” doubles as Capt. McLaren. Papa can be seen 1 minute 49 seconds into the video podcast.

While in Miami last month, some friends took me to see the documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, with Ben Stein. Expelled contends that those who champion the subtle views of Malthus and Darwin supply the building blocks for horrific applications of hereditary improvement by genetic control. Stein illustrates how opponents of an “Intelligent Designer” court a dangerous worldview that diminishes the sanctity of life.

The 869-page, Written in Blood: The Story of the Haitian People 1492-1995, by Robert, Nancy and Michael Heinl, is arguably the most complete history of Haiti in print. In the introduction, the authors state, “Besides having too many people, too little land and few roads, Haiti has practically no natural resources.” Among those who visit and assess Haiti, this is the simple definition of the problem and the majority view.

Why is this significant? (more…)

This news came on the shoulders of events only ten days earlier where people blocked roads and burned tires throughout the country protesting the high cost of living. This particular manifestation occurred in the street not very far from our house:

All along we had known that no missionaries living in or around our town had children born in Haiti—all the MKs were born in the US. This meant there was no clear protocol for our situation. Haiti has a 7% infant mortality rate—15 times higher than the United States, and a 1% maternal mortality rate—100 times higher than the United States. Because of the less-than-ideal healthcare and proximity to the States, most missionaries have simply chosen to have their babies in the States.

Early in Pam’s pregnancy we were introduced to Cheron Hardy, a missionary and midwife in Haiti. Cheron, with Dr. Steve James present, delivered the son of some of our friends in Haiti. After meeting Cheron, we were confident with this option. But, like most options in Haiti, there was a twist: Cheron and Dr. James live in a city that we needed to travel by plane to get to! As our plans began to unravel at the last minute there was no uncertainty regarding what needed to be done—April 22nd we were in Florida.

The day after we were thrown this curveball, Pam shared the news at a women’s Bible study in our town. Right there, Connie Curilla offered her car for us to use, and Jennifer Campbell e-mailed some friends in Miami who often host missionaries and have a good arrangement for doing so.

Wes & Leah Norton provided us with car seats and a portable crib, and they helped greatly with the logistics of getting us from Haiti to Miami at the last minute. Wes piloted the MFI plane that we took from Haiti to Florida. Also, it just so happened that there was a team of doctors, surgeons, and nurses leaving Haiti on that particular flight—just in case!

Though everything happened uncomfortably fast, God orchestrated the details in such a way that even before we left Haiti all of our needs had been provided for.

When we informed our family about the change in plans, Pam’s sister and mom told us they were interested in coming to Florida to be with us. The day before they were to return to California, after having been with us for a week, Luke still had not come. That morning we had an appointment at the Miami Maternity Center. Pam was seen by Carol Williams (the midwife who also delivered Silas) and though Luke was in position, nothing was actively happening. Carol said if we wanted to encourage labor, castor oil is an excellent additive to get the lower GI system moving—which can trigger active labor—if the body is ready.

That afternoon, Pam drank 2 oz. of castor oil—and waited. I, Matt, was invited to play basketball with a bunch of guys at a nearby court. We started at 5:00pm and got home around 8:00pm. When I got home, Pam said she thought things were beginning to happen. I asked if I should take a shower. Pam said only if I could take Silas with me. When Silas and I got out, Pam said, “We need to go.” The only problem was that the castor oil was doing what it is meant to do—system flush. So, just as we needed to leave for the maternity center, Pam also needed to sit in the bathroom. At 10:00pm we finally left the house, and at 10:30pm we arrived at the maternity center. Sixty-seven minutes later, Luke was born.

Luke Matthias - May 1st, 2008 - 7 lbs. 11oz. - 22 in.

One week later, everyone is doing well. We will return to Haiti as soon as we have a birth certificate and passport for Luke.

Click here to read: Tons of Food Aid Rotting in Haiti Ports by Jonathan M. Katz & Jennifer Kay (Associated Press - 3/6/2008)

Banias (or Banyas), at the foot of Mount Hermon, is where the Jordan River begins in northern Israel. More precisely, the Jordan River is fed by several springs that come together in this region, and Banias is one of the springs. Banias is also the place known in the New Testament as Caesarea Philippi. Herod the Great built a temple at Banias and dedicated it to Caesar Augustus. Later, his son, Herod Philip the tetrarch, made his home there and renamed it Caesarea Philippi. Caesarea Philippi was a pagan place, notorious for its evil.
(more…)

Restaveks: 300,000 child-slaves blend into the landscape here. They are visible only by understanding what to look for—most foreigners do not. Conversely, tens-of-thousands of families in Haiti rationalize this form of trafficking by promising food, shelter, and education in return for household help. Unfortunately, in too many instances these arrangements fall victim to human depravity, and children are exploited.

The following video was produced by Compassion UK: