Adventure of the Haiti Mission Team…
Yesterday was filled with adventures some planned, a lot unplanned. After my last post we were on ou way to Mount Cabri or Goat Mountain to be part of (i.e. observe) a revival service in a small mountain community, or so I thought. We were all excited to experience life in the mountains. As things seem to happen in Haiti, everything is unexpected and a surprise. Two hours before we were suppose to leave, about 1 pm as I’m getting ready to get a shower, Boto says that I’m suppose to preach during the revival and said that I should focus on the Gifts of the Spirit. I was frantic, but I didn’t want to seem ungrateful or to reject their generous offer. I thought that might seem offensive.
So we all got ready to leave at 3pm. Two guests have joined us, Rick Phillips and his friend Olivia from McDermitt, OH. So we all piled into a Tap Tap, all 13 of us. Don’t ask me to name everyone who joined us cause I don’t know. Of course once we were all seated in the sweltering heat under a tin roof, the truck wouldn’t start and we all piled out and waited about half an hour to get the truck running. On the way up the mountain we have a flat tire and so we pulled over to the side to change the tire (see above) , which Thank God we had a spare. This will be important later in the story.
We actually travelled past the church where the revival was being held (at 6 pm) to go into the mountains and see where Boto and Pastor Luc want to start a church in the midst of a Voodoo village. Pastor Luc showed a house where he practiced VooDoo (worship of Satan) as a boy with his father. It was here that Esther and Erin handed out candy this the phrase in creole “Jese’ reme’ u” Jesus Loves You! (this is a picture of Tony, Erin and Pastor Joseph)
We left there by 6:30pm, it was dark by then and stopped to visit Pastor Luc’s brother Andre who received Christ on my first visit to Haiti in 2011. We made one more stop so pastor Luc could show us where his other church is in the Mountains. I’m telling you all this so you know that arriving on time is not as critical to the Haitians as it is for the Americans.
I preached on Matthew 7:16-19, John 15:1-8, and Galatians 5:22
I’ve attached the audio (130221_002) so you can hear what it’s like to preach in these kinds of services with an Creole interpreter. It’s hard to listen to and perhaps you can understand why I’m concerned that my style doesn’t connect with the people through an interpreter, but you can also ask if FUMC would listen to this kind of message as presented. I am powerfully grateful for the opportunity to preach God’s word whenever and wherever asked.
During the service the Haitians broke out in a praise and worship dance, and it did my heart good to see Esther and Erin get up out of their chairs and join them. When the service was over, Esther, Erin, Tony and Matt were mobbed by the people who wanted to touch them, hug them and bless them, this went on for a good 20-30 minutes. Like famous stars, they had to be escorted out of the church or we might still be there!
On the way down the mountain, in the complete darkness of Port-au-Prince, we were all very tired and exhausted when the unthinkable happened. Another flat tired. Do you remember the first one? So you guessed it, there was not spare. Boto left us long the side of the road to take a motorcycle taxi and one tire to get it fixed. We were all a bit on edge but confident that our Haitian friends would do what they could to protect us. After about an hour, Boto returned, fixed the flat, and got us home at 10:30 pm. Exhausted but with another story to tell.
Today started with Matt’s devotional on not being concerned for the things of earth when things of the spirit are within your grasp Matthew:6:19
Today has been exhausting work. The girls painted a blue strip on the second story wall, Steve and Tony build bookshelves for the office, and Matt focused on digging a hole for a basketball rim and net. It’s been incredibly hot, and were thrilled to share a soda drink that is produced here in Haiti with ICE!
Tomorrow we heat to DBR and so I will be off the grid for a couple of a days. I will try and give you and update and saga of the FUMC Haiti Mission Team on Monday.
The very bottom picture is of the boys receiving new towels that were purchased with the money from FUMC donors. God bless you all!
Till then, please let Linette know that I’m 
heeding her advice and changing my underwear every three days whether they need it or not!
Today’s Prayer Time: Do what thou wilt with me, O God; make of me what Thou wilt, and change me as 
Thou wilt, and use me as Thou wilt, both now and in the life beyond. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen
tomorrow begins our Journey to DBR at 6 am!
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Thank you for this post. Haiti is dear to me. We have financially adopted a little girl there and pray for her like she is my own. Also, on your good read, I checked out the Executive Toughness at our library. Thank you for this list. Lastly, I am in BSF leadership with Linette. She’ll be happy to know you are staying relatively clean! 🙂
give her a hard time if you can. We’re having an amazing experience. Will you join us next year? Ask Erin and Esther for a recommendation. We’d love to have you!
very proud of tony ,erin ester—-they r some super good young people
I think they’re terrific too. thanks for your prayers and support!