The Hope of Haiti, Pt. 2. Reference Psalm 50:2

I have so many more images of the Haitian people, and closing this series is a difficult thing for me as my passion for these wonderful human beings and my desire to return to their nation has not abated. I pray to God in Jesus matchless name, He will allow me one day soon to return to give of the labor of my hands and the witness of my mouth to his Glory, and to be so blessed again as I was by Him and these hopeful people on my first visit.
The image above is of the children of the small church we attended service at in Cap Haitian. Their pastor who's name I fail to remember is poorly cropped to the extreme right. Greg, whom you have seen in other posts is rear left, and the little girl in the very front left is one of the missionaries children who brought us to the service and helped us to understand the translation.
The second facet of hope I see for Haiti is the faith of it's Christian people, especially their children who worship and sing in service with as much energy as the adults! These will be the future parents of godly children no longer under the yoke of Voodoo or a Catholic hybrid thereof.
Some of these young folk speak more than one language, learn a tireless work ethic that the need to just survive demands, and show up every worship service dressed their best as if they were going to meet Jesus personally that day. Amongst all the squalor and poverty, every attendant of the service we went to from oldest to youngest were dressed in a fashion that rivals most of us who worship corporately in America. For most of these folks I am told it is the only good set of clothing they may own, and in some cases if they do not feel presentable enough they will not attend for shame of disrespecting Christ in their appearance! Although I was informed that this practice is happening a little less as they come to understand it is the condition of the heart and not the clothes Jesus is concerned with.
Can you see the hope there? who do we know among us that loves Christ so much they fear to disrespect Him by even less than their best dress in church? How many in America will miss church this Sunday simply because they want to sleep in, or have work around the home to do, or want the money Sunday overtime may provide!
Can you see the the richness of Christ in the souls of those who have little, as compared to the poorness of the hearts of some of us who have so much?
This is the hope of Haiti, the love and devotion and enthusiasm to our Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus Christ, taught diligently by missionary brothers and sisters to the parents, who's hearts are open to God and touched by His Grace, and teach of His Word their children well!

The Hope of Haiti, Pt.1

This photo was taken by the last mission trip to Haiti from Holland Church. I believe the young man in the foreground is Isaac, and the man behind the wall is Pastor Randy, team leader that year. they are working on an outer wall of the Bethesda medical clinic. As each year passes, and the teams continue to work, the hope of the people who live in Haiti as missionaries grow alongside the lives of the native peoples as they learn of the love of Jesus, and see it displayed by those who come to share it.

Greg sweeps the dried tile mud and sand from the unfinished section of the room. We had hoped to finish the whole room, just as I below strove to finish the hallway before we were called back to the OMS compound for dinner. Even in our earnest labor for the Lord we are still chastised for our pride. He sends hands to dig the furrow, others to plant the seeds, some to water and He gives the increase. The next team, one from Canada will take over next week and finish here all according to His plan.

I never expected to learn a skill on this foray, even one as enjoyable as this one is to me. I look forward to the day when the Lord calls me back to Haiti to serve the needs of these people, and to share in the fellowship of such good brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Hope is such a multifaceted word. Over the past blog segments we have seen the need for it, and I pray enough drive to empower the execution of action on it's behalf. I believe there are two planes of hope for this nation. This segment will attempt to address in some small way the lesser of the two.
Above part of our missions work team takes a quick break from laying tile in the new compound that will house a large modern seminary school for the training of Haitian pastors. As I write this the building you see here is already completed and occupied by full time missionaries Gil and Dan Shoemaker, who are overseeing the project. The physical labor is hard and the temperature is above 90f. Most of us have never laid a tile in our lives, but became fairly good at it under the firm and professional guidance of fellow missionary Lt. Dan, a professional contractor from Indiana who gives weeks each year to the Lord's service.



Begun and finished 3 years ago, this is an addition to the Bethesda medical clinic on the main OMS compound, this photo was taken by the last mission team to Haiti from Holland Church.



Donated from The US, Canada, and other countries, things we take for granted like cabinetry for a kitchen may seem trivial, but the desire in the hearts of those who donate, ship, and work to install these simple amenities is anything but that. The love of Christ and the desire to help those in desperate need fuel the furnace of human industry that helps to build even the smallest parts of God's Kingdom.



John, son of a full time missionary from Canada spends his winter months working to add to the compound. Here he cuts tile with a wet saw. The pace is fast as we strive in a week to accomplish all we can for those who live and devote their lives to the mission field full time. Though we are but a small drop in the bucket, the privilege and blessings are great, growing our hearts for service to others.
The next segment will be the final one on this experience, and will tell of the largest hope for the people of Haiti, and for those who are moved by the Grace of God to call Jesus Christ Lord and Saviour.

In love in Christ, Mike.