The end of school activities culminated in graduations this week in both Thozin and St Etienne.    I found myself in tears as I watched the graduates enter.  Many of the seniors have been with us from the start of MOHI.  I’ve seen most of them go through the phases we all go through – little cuties that everyone adores, youngsters trying to discover where they fit in, hard working, lazy bones, know it alls… And now they are done.  I don’t know where they will be and what they will be doing tomorrow.  I hope that we are still a part of their lives, but I don’t know.  It’s time to stand back and trust that the foundation is strong, that no matter where the Lord leads them, the foundation will support them throughout life’s challenges.

I was especially moved when I saw Mano.  He worked for us when we opened Grand-Goave’s first cyber cafe back in 2001.  Several years ago, he approached us about his desire to return to school and complete his secondary school education.  I remember thinking how odd it would be for him to go to school where his son was also a student.  He was determined and we respected that.  He is now officially a high school graduate.  I am so proud of him and grateful that we were able to be a part of that accomplishment.

After graduations, the school yard turned eerily quiet.  It was great for getting work done, but I must admit that I was missing seeing everyone.  By the end of the week, however, there were work groups of students, continuing their preparations for national exams.  The 6th grade exams are done.  For those of you praying for our students (which they are all eagerly requesting!), this week is 9th grade exams, followed by BAC1 and BAC2 (last two years of high school) over the next several weeks.

Next on the agenda?  Bless Back Worldwide (Charlotte, NC) will be sending us two teams, back to back.  Soccer, China camp and medical clinics are all upcoming.

Our annual church conference is coming up, as well.  We are expecting quite a few churches from around the country to be joining us, July 4-7.  We are looking forward to a brief appearance from one of our dear friends and mentors, Dan Lee.  The church will be so excited to see him (it’s been a couple of years).  He always brings a fresh, pertinent word for the churches.  The churches are in high gear right now, collecting funds to buy food to share with all the visitors, organizing ushers, servers, hospitality committee, cooks, etc.  The people take great pride in welcoming and caring for the guests who will be spending several nights with us “camped out” at the school.

Clinic

Angela has had a lot of help in the clinic this week.  She has two student nurses, Baby and Mirlene who have been helping quite a bit.  A few friends, Joy, Crystal and Nancy, who were here working with the Hands and Feet Project also helped at the clinic for a couple of days this week.  We are grateful for all the help, which enables us to help more people in need of health care.

Working Together

I will never forget Esther Plastridge’s words to us, shortly after we acquired the missionary compound (aka Cayes Mirliton) property.  Looking back, I really feel that the Lord was using her to share His plan for that property.  She talked about several different things, but one thing she mentioned was that people would come to Cayes Mirliton to be cared for and built up so that they could go out to minister in different areas of Haiti.  We began seeing this happen more often after the earthquake.

I feel so privileged to host groups.  Our level of comfort really impacts our ability to minister to others. While our facilities are not a 5-star hotel, they are certainly quite adequate.  Teams that come to Haiti work so hard and are usually out in heat that most are not accustomed to.  They are surrounded by people who speak a language they don’t understand and are dealing with navigating a culture they don’t usually are not able to comprehend.  But at the end of the day, they can come “home” to a shower, good food, a beautiful view and a nice swim.

More and more we are hosting teams from different places at the same time.  We have our common area under the choukoun (large, round pavilion) where everyone shares meals.  Sometimes there are times of worship, games and always there are conversations that encourage the participants.  There are also some more secluded areas, where small groups can have more private meetings.  The choukoun, however, is a place where everyone is welcome to be a part of whatever activity is going on.  Sundays are usually a time when local missionaries and groups gather together for lunch and a time of fellowship.

Over the past month we have been working hard, building a new dorm room.  Sometimes we build because of the vision and other times, like now, we build out of a need.  The demand has outgrown the facilities and so we are working to accommodate the coming teams.  I love that we are able to work with so many different organizations and teams coming into Haiti!

Making a Difference

We just completed our fourteenth year of school here in Haiti.  I am more certain today than ever before that this is where we should be.  I know that about me, but it always thrills me when I see someone else come to the realization that they can make a difference here, as well.

There’s Olivia Buckley, the nine year old girl who created beautiful gift cards and sold them to raise money to come to Haiti.  She doesn’t even have a date set to come, but she has her room and board all paid for already.  She’s passionate about reaching out to the people of Haiti.

There’s Fred and Sandy Muffet who head up Mission USA and the mission outreaches at the Chapel in Akron.  They ask questions, listen and jump out and tackle the challenge head on.  They are in the process of sending a second bus to Haiti.  The first was for airport transportation.  This one will be converted into a mobile medical clinic before they even ship it.

 

There’s Cheryl “Chel” Finn.  When we put out a request, whether for OTC medicines or jars of peanut butter, she’s right on it, sharing with all her friends and colleagues about the need.  She’s often a catalyst for meeting the need.  And wow, did she get some peanut butter donated last Fall!

There’s Pastor Kevin and Tammy Groder.  I’ve known them since forever – well, at least 30 years.  They have been such wonderful friends over the years.  They are in the process of getting rid of most of their earthly goods so that they can move to Haiti for full time ministry.  Choosing to leave behind parents, children, grand children and friends to follow where the Lord leads is not an easy decision – but will certainly be worth the sacrifice.

I love serving the Lord here in Haiti.  And I love that He has never left us alone.  We know that He is always with us in Spirit, but He’s also with us in people like Olivia, Fred, Sandy, Chel, Kevin, Tammy and you.  It sounds like a cliche, but it’s reality: together, we are making a difference.