One At A Time

“So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.”  Genesis 6:23

Noah did what he was directed to do by God.  He didn’t debate, or excuse, or ramble.  He just did.  How?  One at a time.  One board at a time, one nail at a time, and one step at a time. 

This roof, built in 2010 was built one at a time.  One bucket at a time.  One person, handing off to another.  One at a time.  What has God put in your heart to do?  Are you debating the issue?  Are you overwhelmed at the enormous task?  Be comforted in knowing that God will hand it to you, one at a time.

By Mollie Bond

A thought from 2012

2012 Thoughts

                                                               

If For No Other Reason!

Not knowing his name I will call him John and share this story as my failed memory keeps it. A day before the earthquake on January 12, 2010 in Léogâne, Haiti, (the epicenter), John felt compelled to move to the mountains and to do it now. He owned little, so that same day he headed out. His journey finished at Fond Baptist where there is no running water or power. News travels slowly to Fond Baptist but in time the destruction of the earthquake on the 12^th reached John. His former home, Léogâne, was hit like never seen before. John pondered this. Why was he spared? It’s a troubling thought but answers escape him. It’s a deep seed planted.

Fond Baptist is something like a county in the mountains with farming and gardening dotting the landscape.  Few travel here from outside but a vibrant community exists within. Lack of education and poverty are ever present and survival is pretty much day to day. Small "communities" crisscross the mountainsides clear to the river basin below, one of which is called Bataille.

Bataille lags behind modern culture about 150 years. It’s rural, rugged and remote, even lacking access by any type of vehicle but change is coming to Bataille because it, or more accurately, its people, tug on the hearts of many. Education is slowly coming to Bataille.

So, for two years John sought a purpose or reason for being spared and for whatever reason eventually made his way down the mountain to Bataille. He wondered why he made the trek.

The day he arrived was October 12th, 2012, a day that also brought a small team to Bataille. They helped build a new school and stood alongside a Pastor who managed to bring a generator, projector and laptop computer. Also some time ago this Pastor acquired a Creole version of a 3 part Billy Graham presentation called “My Hope”.

John arrived when the team showed the third video and, towards the end, rain chased most back to their homes that provided at least some shelter from the moisture. John hung around though. He briefly shared his story and knew that the questions he had been wondering were answered that night.

Eternity changed that day as another soul, John, took a step of faith to walk with our Lord and Savior. There is much rejoicing in heaven and here on earth as we have seen a miracle!

If Hope for Haiti has been drawn to Bataille in this season to save one man’s soul, it is worth it.  This would not be possible were it not the Lord's nudging and your response to make a difference.

Thanks for making a difference!

This is just one story of many from 2012.  Much more is available online as it happens throughout the year.  Blessings,

Remember

“Look at the nations and watch—

and be utterly amazed.

For I am going to do something in your days

that you would not believe,

even if you were told” (Habakkuk 1:5).

As we remember the earthquake anniversary, we pray for the people who never saw family members again.  We pray for community to come around those who fled the city in the months afterwards.  However, we also pray for God to again wake up the people to his power and care.  This scene in downtown St. Marc is from when the believers gathered to pray for their country days after the quake.  May God keep that spirit of unity as we remember.

By Mollie Bond

Just a box?

Just a box?  So much more than that.

Read this slowly with a pause here and there.

A stirring happens and the process begins.  Prayer begins and God's children cry out.  In our weakness we fumble with words and speak to the Creator of all, and... He hears, accepting us right where we are.  Do we come before Him expecting an answer?  Oh, maybe, but I'm not sure this time... and He knows this.  He's happy that we come and through this simple gesture a door opens.  What step in the process of prayer will I be today?  The one crying out, the one listening and watching for an answer, the one responding to a nudging and possibly answering a prayer, the one in the desert feeling no one is listening?  And then, it happens in His perfect timing, and direction is made clear, the manna appears... and our faith is strengthened and we continue to pray.

This box could represent an answer.  Many have come together to make this possible.  Filled with donations and headed south.  Free shipping is offered and accepted, just get it to Charlotte and the rest is done.  It's already at port in Florida.

Thanks to the many that continue to play a part in making this a reality.  More photo's available at http://www.hopeforhaiti.ws/photo.php?pageID=37 or just visit the web page at www.hopeforhaiti.ws and check out the photo's.

Joyful Strength

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength’” (Nehemiah 8:10).

We celebrate at the New Year.  We are joyful because of the good things the Lord did over the past year:  preparing, building, strengthening.  We met new friends, started new seasons, and have seen the Lord add to our number those that choose to follow him fully.  Let’s continue to celebrate God’s holiness by enjoying food, but also sending “some to those who have nothing prepared.”  God’s strength will provide in return if we are joyful.

By Mollie Bond