Haiti Trip Update #4

All the girls on the roof saying hi

 

[Internet was down last night and is slow this morning so i wasn't able to load a lot of pictures today...sorry]

Morning Devotions

John McHoul and his pet goat

This morning we started with a  devotional by John McHoul, who founded Heartline Ministries 25 years ago with his wife Beth. He told us that Ohio holds a special place in his heart, even though he is originally from Boston. Then he began with a his testimony of getting kicked out of High School and getting into drugs. He and his friend, two druggies, decided to do a road trip across the country and on their way through Ohio a man asked them if they wanted to go to church with him. He said if they came to church, they could come to his house afterwards for some food and a place to sleep.

During that church service, he surrendered his life to Jesus and went to drug rehab in Columbus, Ohio. So Ohio has a significant place in his heart. He later became a youth pastor back in Boston before coming to Haiti in 1989.

You ever spend some time with someone whose sincerity and love for Christ is tangible? John McHoul’s faith is just that way, and is contagious. He told us the story of David, who was overlooked by his father and brothers. Who was anointed by God to be king, but went back to tending sheep. And yet years later, God fulfilled His call in David’s life. Then he challenged us to ask God what He has called us to, and if we would be willing to surrender. Knowing that with God, nothing is impossible, no matter what someone else says. Trust God and watch Him work!

OK Center

Today we did some service projects around the OK Center. The OK Center used to be a American Western themed restaurant that never did very well. After the earthquake, the owner sold the land to Heartline. Now Heartline is trying to consolidate all their different properties to the new larger property at OK.

A few of our ladies tackled some doors and a safe with oil based green paint. 

Which Sam latter decided to wear abundantly…reminiscent of Project Shine! 

Sam painting Project Shine style

A few of the ladies were given the job of organizing the tool shed, and they did a fantastic job. The guys were given the task to load up a truck full of white rocks to use at the Guest House. The morning flew by quickly and everybody had good attitudes and joyful spirit as we worked. There was a brief break to feed the goats!

At lunch, which was a traditional Haitian meal of chicken, rice and bean sauce. Frank had the bakery make us some turnovers, which were delicious! Maurice, the Haitian man in charge of men’s discipleship program, shared about his ministry with us. He and Nick oversee a 6 month program that the men have to commit to. The men meet for devotions and Bible class in the morning. Some days they will work a couple of hours in the bakery, other days they will do prison ministry, and other days they do hospital visitations. At the end of 6 months these men are ready to disciple another man.

Back to work! After lunch we tackled another project. Most of the team primed a storage building near the women’s training facility. A few of us had the task of cleaning out the one side of the building. Despite a few loud shouts, a some acrobatic moves caused by some big roaches and some mice, the crew got the room cleaned out in no time. A huge thank you to Spencer for scaring the mice out!

The Market

Around 3pm we finished priming the whole building and finished up for the day. As we were driving back to the Guest House for dinner, we noticed that we were headed a different way then normal. Soon the road narrowed and was full of people, more then what we’ve become accustomed to anyway. Haitians walk a lot more and all the roads are pretty busy. There were booths selling stuff every where, and then Frank pulled over.

He came around to the back of the truck and told us this was Market Tabbare (or at least that’s my Americanized version of it). He said the supermarket we had been going to is where about 5% of Haitians shop, markets like this is where 95% shop. Kalipso (I found the correct spelling) led the way and we were instructed to stay close behind him, in a single file line, and Frank brought up the end.

What a great experience! If you’ve never been to market in another country, it is amazing. The culture here is a “daily needs” culture, especially when it comes to food. The go to market every day for what they need that day. If you don’t have refrigeration and no secure place to keep your stuff, you would need to be a daily needs culture.

The clothing, shoes, jewelry and miscellaneous sections were fascinated. Small isle, teeming with people and business. We made quiet the spectacle walking through. Sam had green paint all over her, which caused many questions. Frank also gave out bags of cold water (like small water bottles) as we walked through.

Then we got to the food department. The fruit and vegetable area wasn’t so bad, but then came the meat section. The butcher lady doesn’t like pictures, but I shot one from far away. They were cutting up and preparing meet right there and the smell was displeasing to most. Then we headed back to the truck. Don’t worry, we did not get our food there, but at a very nice supermarket.

One thing that continues to stand out is the trash. The people in the market, and most every where here, just chuck their trash where ever. In the market place we tripped over trash left and right. Frank said that on Mondays, the trash is pushed into a pile bigger then trucks and then set on fire.  Makes us appreciate the sanitation of America.

We also learned today that things are really expensive in Haiti. You might think that things would be cheaper here because of how poor it is. But it is the opposite. A car has a import fee of 72%. So car that would cost us $10,000 in the States, would cost the dealer $17,200. Then he would sell it for more. A jar of Peanut butter costs around $10. Because of the expense, Haitians reuse so many things that we take for granted.

Thoughts

Today I read from 1 John today and two passages really jumped out at me.

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared: but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3

The hope we have in Jesus Christ is what constrains us to go on mission. The hope for an orphan that God is their Father and He will come for them is huge. That no matter what destitution they (or I) in this life, God is our Father and He has plans for us. Eternal life, forgiveness of sins and the hope of living with Jesus forever in Heaven is joy giving.

Yet this verse is also convicting. If we know Him we will seek to be like Him. We are to purify ourselves as He is pure. We are to die to sin, not make excuses for it. Not say I’ve had a bad day, or made some mistakes, or I have my shortcomings. No! Sin is sin. And we need to die to it. When we know God our desire is to die to sin. See, that is a convicting passage, but also hope filled.

Then I read this:

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

It’s easy to say I love God and love others. It’s hard to show it. Being here and seeing the orphans and those in need around me is hard. Sure, I’m on a missions trip and showing love now. But what about when I go home? What’s next?

How can I make sure that I’m not giving lip service, or just doing things for show, but that love is truly expressed through kind deeds. Where I’m lacking, I hope in the power of the Spirit that I may do more. Where I am doing well, I thank the Holy Spirit for His empowerment.

Yet this morning reading that text the thought of, “what does it really look like to love in deed and in truth?” My prayer is that I can continually learn more and more how to fulfill this verse.

Prayer Requests

Tomorrow we will once again have the opportunity to share the Gospel at an all girls summer school! We are hoping to do the Wordless Book and the Gospel Beads. Maybe even the face painting again. Pray for Kayla and Abby as they plan on sharing again. Unless someone else on the team wants to, which would be really awesome!

Pray for us as we try to finish the painting on the building tomorrow afternoon.

Pray for the Men’s Discipleship program as they just selected the next class.

Pray for the Heartline missionaries and staff. That God would allow us to be an encouragement to them this week.

Pray for the Maternity Center, we may get to visit there tomorrow afternoon.