September 04, 2010
I’ve been so busy of late that it has hampered my time for blogging. I always promise to do better and I really hope I’ll be able to! The great news is I’ve been spending quite a lot of time in planning for Aslan’s medical clinic. With our current timetable, we expect to have almost 1,000 square feet finished and operational by the first part of January!
I have thought time and again of how my son, Daniél, helped dig and lay the foundation with Teen Missions in 1991 for a medical clinic in Uganda. It is a constant and poignant reminder of exactly why Aslan is in Haiti. In one of his first letters home he wrote, “Uganda is breathtakingly beautiful. I love ithere so much. You guys have to come to Africa. Seriously!” Every moment of Daniél‘s six weeks in Africa was alive with joy. The greater the challenge, the more exhilarating it became for him.
“Today, the 10th of July, I had an interesting experience. I was bending steel to put in the hospital’s foundation and I just couldn’t bend it. Then Wally, one of my leaders, said, ‘Remember yesterday’s memory verse? I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength [Philippians 4:13].’ I just laughed when he said that and said ‘Yeah right,’ because I had been prying so hard and I just couldn’t do it. Then Wally said ‘Try once more.’ I bent the steel with the greatest of ease. It was great!”
Nineteen years ago, God planted the seed for our work in Haiti in the heart of a 15-year-old boy. Were it not for Daniél, none of this would ever have happened. And God knows that we tried to get to Africa. Over the next 
three years we contacted missionaries in Kenya and in Tanzania to make arrangements to return to Africa with Daniel, Dustin and a group of our Aslan teenagers. It eventually became apparent, however, that raising the money for the project was just not going to be possible. But we could not give up, because our starry-eyed son would not let us!
In 1994 we heard the whisper of Haiti in our ears. Knowing nothing about this tiny Caribbean nation, we were unaware that Haiti was the second free republic in the Western Hemisphere. We were also unaware that this tiny, impoverished nation had entirely retained their African culture. Walking into Haiti is walking into Africa. As Lynn Ann and I wavered about taking the big step of this mission adventure, it was again Daniél who inspired us to go. Late one evening, he called home and asked Lynn Ann (with strength and finality in his voice), “Are we going to Haiti or 
not?” She knew in her heart this was the sign we needed. Without hesitation she said,”Yes!” Although Daniél was never able to realize his dream of returning to Africa, Africa was forever in his heart. Haiti, however, quickly became enmeshed in all of us.
Thank you, my wonderful son, for letting God plant the seed in your heart nineteen years ago. I know that your reward in heaven is great. And thank all of you who have given after the earthquake to make this clinic a reality. We still have $50,000.00 to raise to complete the first phase, so please get the word to all you friends, family and churches. Through your continued giving, so many lives in Haiti will be touched for eternity.
The top picture is of the Ugandan people blessing the site for the clinic. The middle picture is Daniél. And, yes, that is a real lizard attached to his ear! The picture above right is of Daniél‘s group digging the footings and laying out the forms for the foundation.
Till next time,
Craig
