A new way of thinking...... Part 3

Sand Castles Vs. Madam Maxo

Last weekend my family went for a couple of much needed days of camping on beautiful Lake Michigan. We spent a couple afternoons sitting by the beach playing in the sand and swimming. As I watched my kids build sand castles, my thoughts traveled back to this “new thinking”series of blog posts.

My kids would spend hours filling buckets with sand, shaping them to look like castles. They would build moats, walls, tunnels and all kinds of intricate things out of sand. When they were done, they looked great, and they were so proud, wanting to show everyone what they had built. The next day, when we would go to the same spot, everything was gone. There was not even a trace of all the hard work put in just the day before.

Does this sound familiar? Before starting Ebenezer, I spent an amazing amount of time, energy, and resources leading mission trips to Haiti. We would do all kinds of things for all kinds of people, yet, whey returning with the next team, often these people were no better off than the last time we were there. Money, clothes, food, and all kinds of things given, yet a few months later, the people were still in just as much of need as before. I started to think about this, and try to understand why. The conclusion I came to is not an easy one to share, and it may be taken wrong by some, but I pray not. What I realized, as I was honest with myself, was that a lot of what was being done was not as much to help the people, but to have the perfect photo shot of us helping someone, or a great story / testimony to share with those back home. These, unfortunately, are sand castles. They are the result of a lot of effort, and are beautiful to see, yet, within days there is no evidence that anything ever took place, except in pictures and stories. So, I will ask, is this really helping, or making us feel good? Now, before I go on, I am not saying that doing the short term helping stuff is bad, or that we need to stop. That is not where I am going. What I AM saying is that we need to have a long term solution to go along with the short term help. There HAS to be a way. Let me give an example...

The church was instituted by Christ to be His physical presence on earth in the day of salvation, which we are in now. The church, as they selflessly help others draw the world in by their love for each other, especially to the “least of these”. As Paul traveled planting churches, notice something. He raised up leadership within areas, and let THEM be the local church. This is our core belief at Ebenezer. The local Haitian church needs to start ministering to their own people instead of depending on others. If this happens it will be a huge step towards independence.

Before my family left this summer, someone from the local Haitian community gave me some money, telling me to give it to whoever needs it. That morning I had received an email that a dear friend of mine, Maxo, had died of Cholera. We had built him a house the summer before. His wife was hurt badly in the earthquake, and one of their 4 children were killed. I knew immediately that the money was for her. Upon arriving in Haiti, I shared with Pastor Marc that I had the money, and that I thought it should go to her. He agreed and said I could give it to her. I laughed and told him he knew that I don’t give it, but told him that she needed to know it came from the church. Then, instead of Marc giving her the money, he gave it to someone she did not know. He gave it to her, and said it was for her, from the church.

A few weeks later, a couple from the local Haitian church here in Michigan came to visit us in Haiti. I brought them to see Madam Maxo, so they could share with the donor where her money went. I told them not to mention the money, but just to say we were there to visit. During the visit, Madam Maxo was asked how she was getting by with her husband gone. Here is her answer... “ It is very hard. I am struggling to provide for my family. But, God did an amazing thing and provided a miracle in my life. He provided for us in a way I did not expect, so I took the money and started a market. Now I am able to provide for my family from the money I make selling things.”

See the difference? Because the money came from church, without the fanfare of pictures, GOD receives the glory, and the money has a lasting impact. Now, every time I pass Madam Maxo’s house, I smile as I see her market, neatly arranged, clean, and a big smile on her face.

This is just one example we have seen of a lasting impact that can happen when relief is brought through the church. With the economy situation, and so many other things that are wearing on the churches outreach, we need to start asking ourselves if we want to continue to build sand castles, or houses built on the rock, that will last for a lifetime, and eternity.

I need to get back to a few house stories, but I will continue this series soon. Thanks for the comments some of you have given me. I am open for your thoughts. Let’s continue to learn together!
Nate Yonker

Reilly Concert

October 29 6:45pm You will not want to miss this!!

Tickets are only $10.00

3 bands

Ceglarek Fine Arts Center, Allendale Mi
10760 68th Avenue, Allendale, MI 49401

To order your tickets online go to www.ebenezerdtc.org and click on the Reilly picture.

To send check or cash:

telltheworld5@gmail.com

We hope to see the place filled!! Come out and listen to some great bands!!! We are looking for people to help us spread the word about this concert. If you would be willing to put some posters up for us and contact different churches please email me at the address above. I can send you a cool poster and other details!

Thank you for all your support!!!

A new way of thinking...... Part 2

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 NKJ

As my family waited in line Monday to enter the airport, we were surrounded by a mass of people trying to get inside. Many, I am assuming, trying to get out before Irene came into Haiti. The line was long and tensions were high. Amidst all this chaos, I saw a small, frail woman walking down the line, holding the usual necklaces and paintings that so many try to sell to people leaving. As I watched her come down the line, my attention was drawn to the people that she tried to sell to. For the first time I really paid attention to the reactions people had as she tried to sell her wares. Rude was the only way I could describe it. Short and angry retorts, angry looks, and physically turning away without a word. As she approached my family, I smiled at her and told her the things she was selling were beautiful. She looked at me surprised and said. “your not angry?” to which I replied “or course not, why would I be?”

This started a long conversation with her. We explained why we were there, how hard it was to leave, and how much we love the country and how much we appreciate her willingness to work, even in this tough situation. She proudly told us that she has four children, two boys and two girls, and she was selling to provide for them. After a while we parted with “God bless you’s” as a parting. As she walked away smiling, my eyes went back to the groups she had been to before. They were all looking our way with puzzled looks on their faces. Although it was obvious they did not understand the conversation, they saw the happiness of the lady after sharing a little love with her. I wondered where they came from and what their purpose was. If it was to be the “hands, feet, and mouth” of Jesus, they just failed miserably. Imagine what this lady must think of Americans if this is the way she is treated every day, then multiply that times....

For those of you who have been with Ebenezer since the beginning, you know why it was started. After years of seeing things done the wrong way, God moved in a group of us to do something.... different. With the model of mission powerhouse Gospel for Asia, and using Revolution in World Missions and Come let’s reach the world, two books I highly recommend, we implemented these principles in mission heavy Haiti. Sure, this works well in areas where the name of Jesus is not known, but how about a country where missionaries abound?

Over the summer we had some teams come with members who had been to Ebenezer last year, and then came back this year. All of them marveled at how different things were. Never, never, did we expect to see results like this SO quickly. People in the Ti Goave area and beyond have embraced this new concept with open arms, and even those who resisted at first are now totally on board and excited about what they are seeing. God is doing amazing things as you have seen. I have many more stories to tell.

God continues to show us things, helping us learn. Our purpose is not to say we know it all, or have all the answers. We don’t. What we do want to do is help educate from what we have learned. We believe we are on to something and hope that this spreads for the good of the people, and more importantly, the good of the Kingdom.

Many in the mission community are seeing things in new ways. Admitting that the status quo is just not working, so we need to adjust, change our thinking so that we can actually do some good. This relates to long term AND short term missions. As in the opening story, there are many things that happen, often without our knowledge, that actually do more harm than good to the country we are trying to help. There are many discussions on what to do about this, and some plans in the works. Just like Ebenezer has helped the indigenous people of Haiti think in a new way for the good of the people, we hope that Ebenezer can help Americans think in a new way for the good of the people they want to serve. Posts not to make people feel guilty. Trust me, I have screwed up MANY times. Instead to say that we CAN do a better job if we acknowledge that there are thing we are doing wrong. I believe with all my heart that it is a new day in missions. Not just Haiti, but wherever we are called. Will you join us in this learning adventure?
Nate Yonker

Reilly Concert

The Reilly concert is October 29, 6:45. Opening will be the Haitian praise band from GRW and Altar*d Life. General admission tickets are $10. VIP tickets are $20 and include a private acoustic set from Reilly, autographed posters, and front row seats. These seats are limited and only 32 are left. We hope to sell out and tickets are first come first serve. Please contact me if you want to reserve tickets, and how many.

The Concert will be at the Ceglarek Fine Arts Center. 10760 68th Ave. Allendale, MI 49401

For those of you who have never heard Reilly click on the video below



We are also looking for people available to help that day. If you are interested let us know and we will add you to the list. telltheworld5@gmail.com

A new way of thinking.....

(Nate is posting these on the Ebenezer page on facebook but I know someone you are not on that page so I plan on reposting these here.)

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 NKJ

As my family waited in line Monday to enter the airport, we were surrounded by a mass of people trying to get inside. Many, I am assuming, trying to get out before Irene came into Haiti. The line was long and tensions were high. Amidst all this chaos, I saw a small, frail woman walking down the line, holding the usual necklaces and paintings that so many try to sell to people leaving. As I watched her come down the line, my attention was drawn to the people that she tried to sell to. For the first time I really paid attention to the reactions people had as she tried to sell her wares. Rude was the only way I could describe it. Short and angry retorts, angry looks, and physically turning away without a word. As she approached my family, I smiled at her and told her the things she was selling were beautiful. She looked at me surprised and said. “your not angry?” to which I replied “or course not, why would I be?”

This started a long conversation with her. We explained why we were there, how hard it was to leave, and how much we love the country and how much we appreciate her willingness to work, even in this tough situation. She proudly told us that she has four children, two boys and two girls, and she was selling to provide for them. After a while we parted with “God bless you’s” as a parting. As she walked away smiling, my eyes went back to the groups she had been to before. They were all looking our way with puzzled looks on their faces. Although it was obvious they did not understand the conversation, they saw the happiness of the lady after sharing a little love with her. I wondered where they came from and what their purpose was. If it was to be the “hands, feet, and mouth” of Jesus, they just failed miserably. Imagine what this lady must think of Americans if this is the way she is treated every day, then multiply that times....

For those of you who have been with Ebenezer since the beginning, you know why it was started. After years of seeing things done the wrong way, God moved in a group of us to do something.... different. With the model of mission powerhouse Gospel for Asia, and using Revolution in World Missions and Come let’s reach the world, two books I highly recommend, we implemented these principles in mission heavy Haiti. Sure, this works well in areas where the name of Jesus is not known, but how about a country where missionaries abound?

Over the summer we had some teams come with members who had been to Ebenezer last year, and then came back this year. All of them marveled at how different things were. Never, never, did we expect to see results like this SO quickly. People in the Ti Goave area and beyond have embraced this new concept with open arms, and even those who resisted at first are now totally on board and excited about what they are seeing. God is doing amazing things as you have seen. I have many more stories to tell.

God continues to show us things, helping us learn. Our purpose is not to say we know it all, or have all the answers. We don’t. What we do want to do is help educate from what we have learned. We believe we are on to something and hope that this spreads for the good of the people, and more importantly, the good of the Kingdom.

Many in the mission community are seeing things in new ways. Admitting that the status quo is just not working, so we need to adjust, change our thinking so that we can actually do some good. This relates to long term AND short term missions. As in the opening story, there are many things that happen, often without our knowledge, that actually do more harm than good to the country we are trying to help. There are many discussions on what to do about this, and some plans in the works. Just like Ebenezer has helped the indigenous people of Haiti think in a new way for the good of the people, we hope that Ebenezer can help Americans think in a new way for the good of the people they want to serve. Posts not to make people feel guilty. Trust me, I have screwed up MANY times. Instead to say that we CAN do a better job if we acknowledge that there are thing we are doing wrong. I believe with all my heart that it is a new day in missions. Not just Haiti, but wherever we are called. Will you join us in this learning adventure?
Nate Yonker

Home......

We arrived home on Tuesday evening. I was really hoping to be able to blog while I was there but for some reason blogger would always delete every I would write. I even tried to copy and paste and finally gave up. We were gone for almost 7 weeks. It was an amazing time. We did have some ups and downs but that is to be expected. We watched homes being put up, people coming to Christ, we had another graduation party for the discipleship and literacy class and we even were able to get to know the discipleship class that has been going on for the last 3 weeks. We were able to further relationships and to build new ones. We were able to further relationships with other mission groups and business in Haiti that we prays will turn into something very cool!! No details yet. We had a few teams come down and hang out with us and we enjoyed those times. My hope is that in the next few weeks I will write more about what we did and to have some pictures and videos to show. Thank you for all your prayers and for your support. It is so appreciated. It at times can get very lonley on the mission field and we thank you for the emails that we did get while we were gone. They mean so much.

Every morning for breakfast we would have bananas, fresh pineapple, fresh squeezed juice, bread, peanut butter and Jelly. We would then also either have oatmeal or this egg dish that was amazing! On Saturdays we would have pancakes and on Sundays we would have Cereal. We liked the give the cooks the weekends off to spend with their families. We are very spoiled with our cooks! They are amazing and always have a smile on their faces. They are fun to tease and they tease right back!!



This is Hannah and one of my favorite kids. His name is Christopher and he is 4 years old.
Heather took this picture of Detroit from the air.
Nikolas at the Banaya beach. He is going to be a freshman this year and was such a huge help to us this summer he has a heart of gold and an amazing compassionate heart!! God really blessed our family when he led us to Russia to adopt him.

This was the start of our kitchen, dining area and apartment. I have more pictures that I will share soon of the progress that was made while we were there. This will also be used for classes, eating, weddings and anything else that the community will need.

That is all for today. Do not forget to save Saturday, October 29th for the Riley/Altar*d Life concert. It is going to be and awesome night and we are so grateful to each of them for helping us put on this fundraiser. More details to come as we figure out tickets and other details.

We are praying that Gladys and Henri from Haiti will be able to join us for that evening!!!

We will need people to help us that night so if you are interested please email us at telltheworld5@gmail.com. We are working on making this night affordable for families to attend.

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
for Yonker Family's summer in Haiti

When: Saturday April 30th 7:30 -10:00am
Lighthouse community church – Allendale Mi

Or

Saturday, May 14th 7:30 – 10:30am
Byron Center First Reformed Church – (at the Rock) Byron Center, Mi


Featuring Nate's “world famous” pancakes made with Haitian Vanilla and
Cinnamon, regular pancakes, Sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and Coffee.

ALL YOU CAN EAT!



Free will donation at the door. Any donations of $100 or more are tax deductible. Make checks out to Ebenezer dtc.


The Yonkers will be spending July and August in Haiti. Their main jobs will be meeting the requirements for the grants received for houses, hosting teams, relationship building and working on future plans for Ebenezer.

If you cannot make it but would still like to donate please email telltheworld5@gmail.com and we can send you the address of where to send checks! Thank you!!!!

Tear down the walls

We bought a new Hillsong United a few weeks ago. I had not really listened to it very much or really listened to the words until just recently. I forgot how much I love Hillsong and their passion. Their passion is contagious. A few songs have stuck out to me. This is one of them.

These words are where my heart is. It is so hard to go through every day and watch people who seem to just want to get by in this life. There is SO much more than this out there in the world. Where is our passion? What is your passion? God gives EVERYONE a passion. What are you doing with yours? God has given us a passion, at this time, for Haiti. He has given us a love for the people there. He has given us a passion to tear down the walls there. We have just purchase our tickets for this summer. The 7 of us will be leaving July 7th for 6 weeks. We have a few teams that will be coming again this summer. If you are interested in possibly coming on a trip email us at telltheworld5@gmail.com. We would love to have you join us!!





Tear Down The Walls lyrics

Tear down the walls see the world
Is there something we have missed
Turn from ourselves
Look beyond
There is so much more than this

And I don’t need to see it to believe it
I don’t need to see it to believe it
Cause I can’t shake this
Fire deep inside my heart

Look to the skies hope arise
See His majesty revealed
More than this life there is love
There is hope and this is real

Cause I don’t need to see it to believe it
I don’t need to see it to believe it
Cause I can’t shake this fire burning
Deep inside my heart

This life is Yours and hope is rising
As Your glory floods our hearts
Let love tear down these walls
That all creation would
Come back to You
It’s all for You

Your Name is glorious
Glorious
Your love is changing us
Calling us
To worship in spirit and in truth
As all creation returns to You

Oh for all the sons and daughters
Who are walking in the darkness
You are calling us to lead them back to You
We will see Your spirit rising
As the lost come out of hiding
Every heart will see this hope we have in You

Cause I don’t need to see it to believe it
I don’t need to see it to believe it
Cause I can’t shake this fire burning
Deep inside my heart

This life is Yours and hope is rising
As Your glory floods our hearts
Let love tear down these walls
That all creation would
Come back to You
It’s all for You

Your Name is glorious
Glorious
Your love is changing us
Calling us
To worship in spirit and in truth
As all creation returns to You

Home 5 days

Overlooking Port-Au-Prince
Overlooking the bay in Petit Goave
Jimmy
August and his daughter (they are getting a house)
(Destin - He and his family are getting a house)

I have been home from Haiti now for 5 days. A lot of people ask me if I am happy to be home. Yes, I am happy to be in my house in the states with my kids. I love being with my friends and my family. However 3/4 of my heart is in the country where God has asked us to serve at this time. When we go back we are asked all the time, "where have you been, we watched for you to come every day". I feel alive in Haiti, It feels right. At this time God has not called us to move to Haiti full time. He has asked us to do extended stays. We are thankful that Nate has a job where his bosses let him off and understand what is happening. We are thankful that we have children who are just as excited to serve in Haiti as we are.

Will God call us to move to Haiti? Maybe... We are constantly discerning this. We have been asked by several families that we love and trust in Haiti "when are you moving?" They are praying for us to hear clearly either way.

There are days I want nothing more than to move there. Every day I feel God there and know what he wants us to do. Some days here I feel like it is a struggle. I feel free there. For those of you who have been on mission trips you understand what that feels like.

We know God will make it clear and we just have to be obedient. The waiting is the hard part. We just want God to use us where ever he has us.

My kids have a teacher at school that is a wonderful Christian man. He has helped my kids so much through hard times. Yesterday, Heather, told him that her brother says Hi. He asked who her brother was and she said "Nikolas". He says I did not know he was your brother. He then told Heather what a Godly young man he is and was excited to find out they were related. He then asked Heather to pray for a friend of his who was to lead a team to Haiti and found out his daughter has Leukemia. What made me smile is that he knows he can come to my children to ask for prayer! :) Thank you, Jesus for children who love you and are willing for the children and teachers to all know just how much you love their Lord!

I feel like I am rambling today. I have so many emotions going through me right now and so unsure of how to put them in order. Each time we go to Haiti and come back it gets harder to adjust back into this life. I probably feel a little more emotion as today I am going to the funeral of a wonderful 94 year old woman who was such an inspiration to me. She also loved Haiti with all her heart and I would love to just sit down and spend time with her. She also "GOT IT".

Thanks to all of you who are supporting Ebenezer with your time, prayers and finances. We cannot even begin to tell you how appreciative we are of all of you!

Update from Ebenezer

I know I have not written anything here in a very long time. However today I wanted to share with you something that Nate wrote. He is in Haiti right now and sent this update:

This is a first! Praise God we have working internet at Ebenezer now so I can update while we are here. Just another example of the way God is providing.

I have so much to share. So many amazing things going on. I could share about how your generosity has provided many needed things through the catalog. I could share how house fundraisers have been, and will be, a blessing to those here who are in such great need. I could share how things are progressing here, as they are, ever so slowly, yet progressing. I could share with you the amaing way Jimmy is teaching the pastors and people in tents things like cholera. He is an amazing blessing from God.

Instead, today I want to share about the school. After all, that is what Ebenezer DTC is. A school to train existing pastors, and raise up new Christian leaders so that these leaders will change Haiti from the inside out. Today, I had the amazing privilage to witness a vision of God become reality. When God laid this on my heart years ago, it seemed impossible. Today, as I listened to what these students shared, I had to leave the meeting for a short time as I was in tears. God is doing something here, something big. The men shared how they realize that for Haiti to change for the better, it needs to start with them. They shared that God is the one who will provide the means and stregth for that change, and that it would not come fast, but will come, one person at a time.
As pastor Marc shared with the men, he told them that it was not just the words they spoke, but the actions that they showed that would make the biggest impact. He exhorted the men to do the lowest of jobs, not to wait to be served, but to be the first to serve. He explained the example of Jesus, how He gave up all in order to serve us, and give us eternal life. The men agreed and promised they would carry out this. The men are on fire for the Lord and can't wait to take what they have learned to thier villages.

The men in literacy class warmed my heart. One elderly man shared how he had no parents to raise him, and that he never went to school because he had to help support the family. He was so overjoyed that we were able to help him read for the first time in his life. Another man shared how excited he was to be able to write his name, and recongnize names as they are written. Another shared how for the first time he could read the words of life from the Bible.

The stories and testimonies went on for hours. You can imagine how overwhelming this was. God is so good, and I am so excited to share with you what is happening here. We have only Him to be thankful for. Thank you Father for your vision of Ebenezer. Thank you for the miraculous way you have brought your vision to reality. May we be good stewards of this vision and bring you glory through it. May all praise and glory be yours, for you alone are worthy. Amen, and amen.

God is doing amazing things and thank you also to all of you for helping us to make this all happen!!