Mark Wilkerson’s Blog

January 22, 2011

January 22, 2011

About Haiti:

With an area slightly smaller than the state of Maryland, Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola and shares a border with the Dominican Republic.  Port-au-Prince is the nation’s capital and its largest city, with more than 2 million people.  Being on a Caribbean island means that Haiti is hot and humid during most of the year.  Some areas of the country, however, can be almost desert-like and dry where the mountains cut off the trade winds.  Most of Haiti is rugged and mountainous.  Rampant deforestation and poor environmental controls have left large swaths of the country bare and contributed to large-scale loss of topsoil.  Much of Haiti suffers from chronic drought.  More than 9 million people live in Haiti, making it the second most densely populated country in the Americas.  It is also one of the fastest growing.  On the whole, Haiti has a young population, in part because of a high birthrate and relatively short life expectancies (60 years for women and 56 years for men).  Just 4 percent of Haitians are more than 64 years old.  In contrast, 42 percent of Haitians are younger than 14.  More than two-thirds of Haiti’s population is unemployed or has no formal job.  Most Haitians live on less than $2 a day.  One in two Haitians live in absolute poverty, earning less than $1 dollar a day.  Haiti is the least-developed economy in the Western Hemisphere and one of the poorest countries in the world.  Its economy is less than half the size of Vermont’s, though Haiti has roughly 14 times as many people.  Haiti’s does export many goods and services, particularly coffee, oils, cocoa, sugar and the light assembly of goods.  The country is dependent, however, on foreign aid.  Money sent from Haitians living in other countries – account for more than 25 percent of Haiti’s gross domestic product.  That money is an important source of income for wealth and poor Haitians alike.  Roughly one in nine Haitian adults receive remittances from someone abroad.Creole and French are both official languages in Haiti, though Creole is more common.  You can’t get Creole in the Rosetta Stone software.

 Spiritual Prep:

I am struck by the prayer requests right now.  Most everyone is asking something of the Lord;  successful surgery, healing, good news from treatments and jobs.   I know each is asking for righteous people to pray with the hope of getting the exact answer they seek.  It is my prayer that whatever the answer, each will know the peace of the Lord in each circumstance. 

Training Prep:

We are frozen outside.  Treadmill for today.  Still a little stiff from last run so will just do a 40 minute easy run today.  Next week will really hit the bike and start floor exercises pointing toward starting weights.  Have you started counting calories so you know how much you are eating?  Started walking for 40 minutes a day.  Most health clubs have real specials going right now.  $25 a month and your inside walking.  I am an outside person but use the inside stuff when it is below freezing.

January 21, 2011

Spritual Prep:

My industry is changing.  Some of the newer leaders are asking questions that I don’t understand how they could ask and be the leaders.  Is it their lack of experience or that they really don’t understand and need help?  Some of the questions and concerns they have to me have very obvious answers and I am convinced that they are asking questions in the wrong direction.  Sometimes we can get so close and have so much experience, it is hard to see through others eyes.  I find as it relates to scripture, it can happen there as well.   Good to remember that everyone is at a different level as it relates to Gods scripture in the Bible.  But the truth is:  If we seek the Lord and want to know him, he will reveal himself.  

Training Prep:  

Off day.  Can feel yesterday.  Have to fly back to the cold country tomorrow so will get a good work out tomorrow afternoon.

January 20, 2011

January 21, 2011

Spiritual Prep:

We are tied to the world, the entire world.  The conference I am at is the political lobby for the industry I work in daily.  The world is a complex place as it grows larger and larger.  Technology has made it smaller and we are connected in so many ways.  I see it in the business we do here in the United States and how we must think about how others do business in other countries.  We truly depend on one another.  Our lives are interlock with people we don’t even know today.  Believers across the world.  We are bound in our need for God and the work he has given each of us to do.  Our attention is turned to those in Haiti.  It may one day turn to another part of the world but today, Haiti.  I ask the Lord to strengthen us and the work he has called us in our hearts to do. 

Training Prep:

Had a short break today between business and dinner.  Went out and grabbed a 6 mile run.  Great running track here.  First 3 miles just a jog.  Let the GPS run out of juice so can’t tell my pace so had to go by feel.  The second 3 miles I did 100 yard sprints and 100 year walks.  Felt good then, little still now.

January 19, 2011

Spiritual Prep:

Today is a birthday, not a milestone birthday but another one none the less.  Body feels older but my mind still thinks it is 30 something.  That can be a problem at times.  I am confident that there is some pain involved physically in most days now.  Figure it is that way in my spirit as well.  The more I learn and experience of God, the more I understand my inadequacies.  I can begin to tell you my appreciation and joy that the Lord in his infinite wisdom, offers me a way to overcome my deficiencies through Jesus.  All my trust is in him!

Trainin Prep:

I am traveling so working out and eating right is tough.  They are sure to feed you more than you need at these conferences and meetings.  Finding the time to run is also tough but getting up a little earlier or running a little later can be done.  It is amazing how doing what you can do no matter how small helps to make the habit.

January 18, 2011

January 19, 2011

About Haiti:

Once the richest European colony in the Americas, Haiti is now the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Roughly half of all Haitians live in absolute poverty (earning less than $1 a day) and have no access to clean water. Haiti is a Caribbean nation less than 700 miles Miami’s glitzy skyline – a day’s drive if your car could float, or a short international flight.  Yet very few Americans know much about the country.From the beginning of its rich but tragic history, Haiti has been shaped by the actions of adventurers, missionaries, opportunists, and governments.  All the good and the bad of Haiti are a product of that history.We should be cautious about accepting simplistic explanations about Haiti, and we should be slow to criticize. Northwest Haiti Christian Mission believes that understanding the country, its people and its communities is an essential part of demonstrating Christ’s love in Haiti.  Reliable statistics about Haiti are hard to come by.  Relatively little data is kept by the Haitian government, and false assumptions and misinformation run rampant even among frequent visitors to Haiti. 

Spiritual Prep:

I was amazed when I visited Haiti.  No question the confusion and loss is visible. The roads are in terrible shape, rocky and rough.  That is the way it can be with non believers.  If our road is rough and not smooth, the ride may be to rough.  Do your best to make sure your speech and story is smooth and comfortable.  The Spirit will make people uncomfortable.  That is his job not ours.  Ours it to tell the story.  Make it smooth.  Practice.  Be prepared. 

Training Prep:

No work today.  Had a meeting that took me to late in the evening.  Plan to run early morning.  Will do 40 minutes on the treadmill and watch the early morning news.  FOX News baby!  

Training prep: