Bonjour!
Wow, Haiti already.
We have now entered our second month of the race, and it’s wonderful. Our squad of 42 has now split and 20 girls and I are now living in a pink house in Mountrious (pronounced mow-y), Haiti, with Supply and Multiply. This ministry serves the community in a wide variety of ways, which we will come to be a part of by the end of this month. Some mornings we walk to areas that Supply and Multiply has not been to yet and get to evangelize the old fashion way: walking up to strangers and talking to them about our Savior. This is a new way of ministry for me and definitely an area of growth. What is cool is that as we are walking down the street people stop us and ask us to pray for them in specific ways.
One thing Supply and Multiply is passionate about is ministering to the elderly. They have two facilities and a third about to open next month, that houses senior citizens from the area. We often spend time with the men and women, eating meals together, hanging out, dancing, and painting nails. They really really love music and to dance. The time we spend together is so sweet and to see the joy on their faces just to be with each other and us really is impactful.
Most evenings and afternoon we lead bible clubs. When I first heard we would be a part of bible clubs I thought it would be a fun thing to do with the kids in the area, similar to my Wednesday nights at my church. I was taken back to see that bible club is a serious school of studying the word. They truly hold such a high value for the word and want to understand it so that they can apply it to their lives and to the lives of their community. Another thing that stood out to me is that the bible club is hosted in the yard of the Matthew 25 home. The oldest generation gets to see the youngest generation here being raised and trained in the word. There is so much hope in that.
We also get to go to a children’s home called Anne’s where Anne from Michigan houses 18 children who need to be taken care of. Most of the children have some type of disability. It is simple but life giving to just let those kids be kids with us. And somedays we host VBS in the school yard. We play, sing, teach, and dance. Little girls love to braid our hair. I had two girls grab my hands and pull me to the picnic table where they took my hair out of a pony tail and start yanking my hair into tiny braids. I am not tender headed at all, but I could not control the tears brimming my eyes from the pain. But all in the name of Jesus!
On Saturday afternoons, we attend choir practice for the local church. Yesterday was our first one, and I found out that I know nothing about singing in choir. The leader came up to me and asks, “Soprano?”. Now, I have no idea what soprano is, but I figured I probably am not soprano, so I went and sat in the back… BUT, we are a part of a Haitian choir, even if we sound terrible! Make a joyful noise for the lord, right?
In all transparency, these days have been great, wonderful, and hard. There is little down time and I am actually not sleeping very well here in Haiti, I have yet to sleep through the night (not sure why). I ask that you pray for energy and strength from the Lord. I am also trying to finish my applications to Texas A & M and University of Oklahoma, however, we only have Wi-Fi for 15 minutes a week, and that includes posting blogs and communicating home. Pray for efficiency and productivity. And some homesickness is kicking in with the lack of communication so if you could pray for that as well I would seriously appreciate it. You guys are wonderful for reading and supporting and commenting and praying. Such an encouragement to know I have people back home who truly care for me. Also! One of our team members is sick so please be praying for her.
This is a verse that I am learning and finding so much comfort in: Isaiah 41:9-10
You whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from the farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant. I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Thank you all : )
