Coming Through the Fires

Our family came to Haiti with a vision to begin Mission of Hope in March of 2000.  Thirteen years later, here we are still, but the vision has expanded into more than we could ever have imagined!  The impact of this ministry has grown, as have the challenges.  Hopefully, over the years we have been able to convey the positive impact more than the challenges.

Do you ever look back on the circumstances of life that were so difficult to go through and rejoice that God brought you through?  I do so often.  Sometimes, like when dealing with the death of a loved one, I remember the intense pain I felt and I can thank God for having dulled that pain and strengthening me to keep on going.  Other times I outright LAUGH at how immense a problem seemed at the time and realize how I would be so fortunate to have such little issues come up against me now.

That first year of school we had so much difficulty navigating the expectations of our staff and community.  We came from America, so everyone knew we were extremely wealthy.  The reality was that we shipped our pick up truck with a few belongings in it and gave most everything else we owned away.  We took our income tax refund and flew to Haiti.  We had enough money to rent a house for the year and build a thatch building in which to start the school and church.  After that we learned, through experience, just what walking in faith (sometimes barely crawling!) would feel like.

One time, we had gone back to the States to raise money and a few of our staff decided it was time to overthrow us and take over the mission.  Those poor souls.  They had NO idea what they were trying to do.  We never knew where their next paycheck was coming from.  I remember thinking, “Well, Lord.  If they have the means to pay everyone, I don’t mind if they take over!  Can they???”  Of course, that wasn’t God’s plan, but it did help to establish the attitude that I still have today:  “If it’s not God building the mission, if it’s not HIS will for us to be here, I am not interested in being here!”  Seriously, I can’t imagine trying to do this in our own strength.  Talk about impossible!!!

That’s just one of the challenges that I can laugh about today.  At the time it seemed like my world was falling apart.  We lost staff and people left the church.  What’s really fascinating though, is how our church in Thozin just exploded after that incident.  And the general feeling in the church was one of freedom.  God brought such transformation into our midst.  Things have never been the same since.

Many of us have gone through great challenges in our lives.  The difficult ones are NEVER enjoyable.  Making it through and overcoming those challenges changes our lives forever.  One of my lifetime favorite verses in the Bible is Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  We face so many opportunities in life to throw in the towel and quit.  When our circumstances are out of control and any redemption seems totally impossible – when bad things happen to good people – that’s when we need to perk up our ears and open our eyes, expecting to see the remarkable creation God brings forth out of that desolate place.  Some circumstances will not change, but just maybe God has a plan for ME to change – to become so much more than I ever thought possible.  After all, it’s you and me that really interest HIM, not the current circumstances.

Miraculous Testimony

This morning at the church in St. Etienne, a man from Jeremy (tip of the southern peninsula of Haiti) who was unknown to anyone present, shared with the church what God had done for him this weekend.    I apologize if this sounds choppy, I’m having to translate from Kreyol…

Five years ago Daniel had consumed a drink that someone had poisoned.  Just minutes after he drank it, he could no longer speak.  He visited every hospital and doctor recommended to him by anyone and everyone, but after five years was still unable to speak with his wife, children or anyone else.

Recently, a neighbor encouraged him to visit a particular ministry in Port-au-Prince that has a reputation as a healing center.  He and his wife worked hard to come up with the $250HT required to register and get to Port-au-Prince.  Finally, he and a neighbor who lives in Jeremy, but is from St. Etienne, left on the long journey to Port-au-Prince.  They decided to sleep at the friend’s house in St. Etienne Thursday night, leaving again Friday evening to head to Port-au-Prince (-apparently this particular ministry is open 24/7 and they were planning to arrive at night time).  They got on a taptap (Haitian public transportation) and headed out.  The vehicle broke down unexpectedly, right in front of the MOHI church in St. Etienne.  The driver refunded everyone’s fare and told them to try to find another ride.

At this time, Daniel’s friend realized that he had left his phone at home.  He sat Daniel down on the side of the road in front of the church and headed back home to get his phone.  It so happened that as is their custom, the church had gathered for their Friday night prayer service.  Daniel sat listening to the church praying and thought to himself, “I’m on my way to be prayed for and healed all the way in Port-au-Prince, and here these people are already praying.  Why do I need to go to Port-au-Prince?  I can receive the same healing here that I am looking for in Port-au-Prince.”  As soon as he finished his thought he fell asleep.  He thought he’d slept for about ten minutes, when he suddenly awoke and discovered that he was able to speak again.

Daniel was obviously overwhelmed with his discovery.   The people were still praying fervently inside the church.  He thought he should go inside and tell everyone what had happened to him, but then he realized he wasn’t dressed appropriately to go inside.  (Haitian culture frowns on going to church in shorts, which is what he was wearing.)  He was eager to surprise his wife, so he decided to head back home to Jeremy.  

When Daniel arrived in Grand-Goâve, it was very late and difficult to find a vehicle to take him home, so he slept in Grand-Goâve.  Once asleep, he saw a man calling to him to come talk with him.  In the dream, he went to him and the man said to him, “How is it that you are going all the way home without even thanking the church or testifying to what God has done for you?  Go back and tell the church their prayers arrived in front of me and their names are written in the book of life.  The only thing is, they are not tithing.  Tell them for me, they have to pay 10% on everything they bring in and I will bless them.”

In the morning, Daniel returned to St. Etienne and stayed at his friend’s house for the night.  This morning he came to the church early and shared with Pastor Hakine what had happened.  Pastor Hakine asked him to tell the church about it.  He told Pastor Hakine that he would testify, but he was so eager to get home to surprise his wife that he would not be staying for the service.  Pastor Hakine agreed and Daniel told the church what I’ve told you.  He finished his testimony by saying that he didn’t have any money, but that he was going home and next month he would return with his own tithe to give the church.  He said he didn’t have any money left, at all, but that he was trusting God that each vehicle that stopped to pick him up would allow him free passage.  He thanked Pastor Hakine, turned and walked quickly out of the church.  A couple of the working men in the church literally ran after him to give him money to pay his way home.

The way he left the church further convinced the people that his testimony was true.  Churches in Haiti, as I imagine is the case many countries, are accustomed to people trying to “shake them down” – going from church to church telling a fictitious story of woe to play on people’s emotions in order to get money.  Daniel was only interested in high tailing it out of there so he could show his wife what the Lord had done for him.

Whether we all agree with his doctrine or not, I think we can all rejoice with him that he was dumb and now he speaks!  Praise God!

St. Etienne School

I talk a lot about our main school in Thozin, because that’s where I live, but there are plenty of good things happening at our St. Etienne School, too.  Jordan spent a day with our school kids there this week and brought back some great pictures to share with you.  Just like in Thozin, the kids are so precious.  The teachers and students work hard in somewhat less than desirable conditions.  We thank God for providing a roof over their heads, benches to sit on and food to eat.  This week MOHI was blessed with a food donation from Food for the Poor, that will help ensure the kids are nutritionally prepared to learn at school each day.

School Construction Update

We continue to make progress on the new school building at MOHI in Thozin, Grand-Goâve, Haïti.  The finish work is much more tedious than putting up walls and yet my excitement is growing day by day, as I imagine the students and staff moving into the school in just a couple more months.  My spirit soared as I watched the men take turns smashing the concrete trough they made all those months ago in which to dump the concrete from the mixer.  Knowing that we’re coming to the end of the concrete work is just exhilarating.  I’ve noticed an excitement growing among the students this week, as the outside of the building is being painted.  I hope you are excited to see the progress, too. Please do keep supporting this project with your prayers and financial donations.  Thank you!

Burn Baby

Totou’s arm is almost back to normal now.  He has one little spot on his wrist where he was burned the worst that is still healing, but as you can see in this picture, the rest of his arm is returning to normal.  I can’t thank all the medical staff who worked on him enough for impacting this young boy’s life so dramatically.  Thank you!

Thozin

Pastor Edon preached a lively message about love this morning.  It was broadcast live on Hope FM 106.3, MOHI’s radio station.  Yesterday, since there was no school, they put a speaker out into the yard, so everyone could hear the radio station.  As we arrived in the yard, and at different points throughout the day, I witnessed construction workers and little children alike swaying to the beat.  Funny thing is, there wasn’t much shouting going on during the day.  *Happy!*