Final thought on Haiti

It was my first time to this island nation, but I hope it is not my last. The needs are great. I saw their palace, the equivalent of our white house, in ruins. There is a shortage of food, water and housing. The government is not their provider, and they know that well. I was awe struck at the dedication of the missionaries that I was privilege to sere with. Some have ministered in this country for 20 years. While they have seen very little progress in the county, their "wins" are many. Their focus has changed greatly since the earthquake from that of discipleship to that of relief efforts. But the earthquake has brought a strange blessing as well. Equipment! Equipment that had been desired for many years was finally able to be purchased with earthquake relief funds. In addition many teams are coming and the church has doubled in and lives are being changed.

Each morning I ate fresh fruit and watched boats on a crystal clear ocean.... each night I jumped in that clear water and was refreshed from the heat. I sat on a rocky beach and watched the most spectacular sun-sets. There is such beauty amongst the rubble... smiling faces... encouraged believers... dedicated missionaries. I believe this is a strangely beautiful time for the country of Haiti as God's presence is certainly residing there amongst his people as well.

School Days...in Haiti

School was cancelled for several weeks after the earthquake. Therefore, school is still in session in Haiti. I was privileged to speak at two school assemblies. When we pulled up to the "school" I was amazed at what I saw. A series of tents under shade trees. The school building was too damaged to hold classes. Chalk boards were screwed into a "former" exterior wall, the desks were as primitive as I have seen, the floor dirt, but the children full of smiles as we entered this maze of tents! The administrator quickly greeted us in his perfectly pressed dress pants, shirt and tie. The children were all in beautiful uniforms sitting in a most respectful way.

I had so much fun! We laughed, sang, encouraged them in God's love, taught fire safety and of course handed out candy and limited supplies.

These were the blessed ones. Over half of Haiti's children do not get to attend school. While public school technically does exist, one must have uniforms & shoes and transportation to attend. This is near impossible for many Haitian children. However, again... THE CHURCH...has stepped in to educate, to provide shoes & uniforms and give a future & a hope.... Jeremiah 29:11 I am so blessed to be part of "THE CHURCH"

Clean Water

I watched a young woman emerge from her tent after a brief rain shower. She was holding a water pitcher in her hand. She then began to scoop the water off the top of the tent that was caught in a small intentional fold. This water was precious. She poured it into a large bucket. Earlier I saw small children being bathed by the roadside in small trenches that again held water after the rain. I take clean, fresh water for granted... but when you don't have it, life is consumed obtaining it We were able to hand out hundreds of very simple water filtration units. They were so lightweight that any of us ladies were able to carry them and put them together. With simple care, they last a life-time! It was such a privilege to be part of a blessing and to literally give a cold, clean cup of water! Matthew 10:34

Sunday Services!

I have always loved going to church. I especially enjoy the opportunity to worship with those of other cultures. I would not be disappointed this Sunday. Five hundred lively congregants sang of their hope in God and while I didn't understand the words the tunes of the hymns were familiar. I could sing in english as they worshiped in Creole. This is a little taste of heaven. I was so struck at how beautiful the people were. They live like refugees, many in tents, yet they put on their Sunday best for the Lord, dresses and suits, hair fixed smiles wide. They rejoiced as the offertory was played and gave what they could. The walls were literally plastic wrapped about four feet high leading to open air with a poles supporting a hot tin roof. Sunday school begins at 6:00 am...yes that's AM... this is in order to beat the heat. A "lovely" out-house is located near the rear of the "facility" This sure is a wonderful reminder & challenge to be grateful and not complain. When we are hot, we crank up the air... Oh the words of Paul ring in my head..." ...for I have learned to be content what ever the circumstances... Philippians 4:11

This is Haiti

The airport was the most basic airport I have even seen. One I would expect in a remote area of Africa not in the capital city of a nation. Customs and luggage were located in a metal warehouse building. These are clear signs of a country in disarray. While I have been in more congested traffic I have never traveled on roads in such bad shape. We literally bounced as if on an amusement park ride and it took hours to go small distances... again this is the capital city, not the outback of Australia. As I watched out the window, tents were everyplace... along the side of the road, a-top a pile of ruble, in the fields and on the mountain sides. Random port-a-jons dot the landscape again, this is not the national park in the Grand Canyon it is a capital City... This is Haiti. It has been 7 months since the earthquake, however, the progress since that time has been slow. The challenges are many. I am amazed as I see white vehicles passing in all directions. Theses are the vehicles that bring hope. Samaritans Purse, Convoy of Hope, and even the UN. If it were not for the Christians, this country would have starved and much more life would have been lost as the basic shelter and needs have been supplied by people of God. God's word in action... Matthew 25:35