Seasons

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

            a time to be born and a time to die,

            a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

            a time to kill and a time to heal,

            a time to tear down and a time to build,

            a time to weep and a time to laugh,

            a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

            a time to scatter stones and a time to gather               them,

            a time to embrace and a time to refrain from             embracing,

            a time to search and a time to give up,

            a time to keep and a time to throw away,

            a time to tear and a time to mend,

            a time to be silent and a time to speak,

            a time to love and a time to hate,

            a time for war and a time for peace” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

Most read these verses in their lifetime. Usually it’s in connection with a funeral. However, life also weaves it’s way though happy seasons as well. Even in the letting go there is hope for the new. For example, a popular speaker quits something every Thursday. Sometimes it’s a burden he gives up, sometimes it’s letting go to make room for the incredible. What would you give up? A lack of commitment? An activity that doesn’t fit into the path God has you traveling? What season are you experiencing?

Life has many changes, some minor, some major. Hope for Haiti recognizes the seasons in life.

A season is closing, but a new one begins. This is the last blog post at www.emevi.blogspot.com. However, the adventure continues at our new blog site: www.hopeforhaitiws.wordpress.com. We find the flexibility at Wordpress will allow greater opportunities for us to connect with you and encourage you to be involved with the people of Haiti, even from your home.

We work with established Christian organizations in Haiti because we believe that God can do a wonder for Haitians through Haitians. The ministry we currently support is called EMEVI. However, here in the states, the group that helps EMEVI is called Hope for Haiti. Imagine a book with EMEVI on one page, and Hope for Haiti on the conjoining page. Same book, different pages. Therefore, we’ve established the new blog as www.hopeforhaitiws.wordpress.com.

Another question we often receive is “why ws?” It’s simple: “ws” stands for website. If you venture to www.hopeforhaitiws.wordpress.com, you’ll also have the address of the website where all our projects, sponsor children, and more information is housed: www.hopeforhaiti.ws. We encourage you to frequently visit each site and learn more about the ministries.

Please feel free to email us (saintmarchaiti@gmail.com) with any questions, suggestions, prayer concerns, or just to say “hello!”

In this season of reflecting, joy, and revelation, we pray for you and your family the happiest of holiday seasons. We also pray a particular peace… for your season.

Reflect

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart” Proverbs 27:19.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Often, we’re busy wrapping gifts, baking for parties, and dreaming of what to do while we don’t have to be at work. Haitians celebrate Christmas too. There’s midnight suppers, concerts, and gift giving, and they go all out starting at midnight on December 24. After Christmas, for Haiti, they have another huge party. There’s more celebrating to do after the most wonderful time of year. January 1 is also another huge party. It’s not only the first of the year, but it’s also their Independence Day. The slaves broke free from the French rule January 1, 1804. Haiti has parties with tons of food all week, and they celebrate with flowers and bands too. The voodoo culture is very much part of the tradition.


As you celebrate, Hope for Haiti encourages you to reflect. In what celebrations do you participate that reflect who you are? What do you care about, and what will be priority in the new year? Two things reveal what you care about: your schedule, and your pocketbook. Take a look over the past year, and reflect on what you care about.

by Mollie B.

P.S. For more information about Hope for Haiti, or how you can give before the end of the year, please visit http://www.hopeforhaiti.ws/#/the-story-contact-info/donate.

Teach

 

“Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, ‘Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children’” (Deuteronomy 4:10).

As you watch the video, notice the sounds. Separated by a thin sheet, the sounds come from the classroom next door. These children don’t complain. At least they aren’t in the outside classroom without a chalkboard or walls. It’s not the ideal situation to educate, but it’s important for the children to learn even with distractions and without desks.

Some Haitian kids don’t have the funds to pay for school. Public education is not free in Haiti. It doesn’t use the gospel in its foundation. The poor quality often has parents looking elsewhere, or nowhere, and the child never learns to read or write or do math.

Hope for Haiti provides children with the opportunity to learn. Sponsoring a child gives the kiddo a uniform, a meal, and education: the chance to support themselves for a lifetime. The sponsorship also gives them the chance to hear God’s words so that they can learn to revere the Lord.

God recognizes the need for people to learn at a young age because it stays with them for the rest of their lives. He even encourages us to learn and grow too, so we can teach the younger generation.

Do you find yourself learning? Do you take the time to apply the lessons? Will the younger generation learn from your example? Consider sponsoring a child. Perhaps a younger person around you will also sponsor children when they see a picture of your sponsor child on your refrigerator. Perhaps your prayers will bolster the kids in this video to stay in school, even with the distractions. Perhaps your gift of education will inspire them to become teachers, live in the land, and teach their children about the goodness of our Father.

By Mollie

Oct 2013 News

It's happening!

     October 30th thru November 1st Leadership Conference will be in full swing. This year it will be held in the new building at Bois Neuf allowing the 400+ attendees to stretch out a bit. Want to see the new building and where it's at? Click here. Please remember to pray for the attendees who come from all over Haiti as well as the teachers.

     Travels to the states. Marcel traveled to Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Alabama visiting supporters and

friends along the way this past month. So many contribute in so many ways it's hard to report it all, so, just a

couple notes of interest for now.

     Churches in Colorado, Michigan and Alabama have made and are making it possible for the building at Bois Neuf to come together. Checking out the slideshow mentioned above with the realization that this just would not be possible were it not for the body of Christ all coming together, each with their giftings.

     A clinic in the mountains? Yes it has begun. For many years now it has been a desire of Marcel's heart to

be able to minister spiritually, emotionally and physically to the needs of those around him. From our standpoint the original clinics started not many years ago seemed to meet some very basic needs. When no health care is available even those basic needs are huge. Last month a building in the mountains became the newest addition for clinics. Much work both from stateside and in country all came together as the first (in this location) clinic was held as well as teaching for midwives. This coming week the second clinic will be held with more improvements to the building as it also becomes a place of refuge. If you would like to see some of the progress to date, click here. , here you will also find a link on the photo or title to a short video.

     Beyond the mountain clinic work continues to bring to completion a new church/school building. No big deal except that you reach this location by foot. This coming January plans are for a roof to be set in place. A church in Kansas and Tennessee have partnered with the folks there to encourage and walk with them,

marveling at all that God is doing. More on this may be seen by clicking here.

     Next year is filling up fast with groups from Kansas, Tennessee, Colorado and Alabama already in process looking at dates. Not to mention Camp Meeting in April and EMEVI's mission trip scheduled in August going to Belladere, Haiti. Just a couple photo’s, one from this year’s outreach in Gonaives. www.hopeforhaiti.ws 

Fog

“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” Exodus 13:21-22

Fog slows us down. It’s hard to see around the corner, or if you are on a ledge, when there is fog. Just like in this picture, sometimes you can’t make out who is the person in front of you. This photograph was taken on the way to a remote village called Bataille, whose people have to climb the mountain in order to get supplies and meet those from the city of St. Marc. This day, they came in the fog to meet a team from America. The fog led the people to each other.

God sent fog to lead the Israelites. It seems odd to send something that makes it harder to see. And even though God had fire guiding the Israelites by night, the blackness still made it hard to see everything around them. When they were ready to move forward, it’s like God had a sign that said, “No Running Allowed.” Each step had to be slow and deliberate.

It sounds contradictory, but praise the Lord for the things in life that confuse. When things get foggy, and it’s hard to see the right path to take, it’s actually the Lord being close. He’s leading your steps, even if by looking at the shadow of a person ahead.

Take a moment today to thank the Lord for his guidance. And praise the Lord for foggy days.

Lajounen, Senyè a t’ap mache devan yon an yon gwo nyaj kit e gen fòm yon poto pou moutre yo chemen pou yo pran. Lannwit, li t’ap marche devan yon an yon dife kit e tankou yon flanm ki t’ap klere yo. Konsa, yo te ka vwayaje lajounen kou lannwit. Lajounen, nyaj la te toujou ap marche devan pèp la. Lannwit, se te dife a. Egzòd 13:21-22

By Mollie Bond

Living Water

“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life’” (John 4:13-14).

Before the earthquake, Haiti was the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Everyone had needs. The country was bypassed on the news, another third-world far away from the daily grinds of Americans.

After the January 12, 2010 earthquake, the country changed dramatically. The average life expectancy changed in one day from so much death. Tent cities arrived. Other towns around Port-au-Prince doubled in size overnight from those who had nothing to come home to. People were more verbal than ever about what they needed.

Most of Haiti still looks the same as January 12, 2010. In Port-au-Prince, some of the rubble is left in the roads. No one is getting paid to move it, so drivers learn to take different routes to avoid the buildings in the middle of the road. Tent cities still exist, although now, without deeds and offices to zone, squatting and claiming makes the tent cities volatile. Most didn’t return to Port-au-Prince. There wasn’t much to return to, so those cities who took in extra residents struggle to continue to provide basic utilities for it’s long-time residents and the new population. People still can see the lingering affects of people being verbal about what they need. Take for example, this house seen on a major highway outside St. Marc. The spray paint reads, “Nou bezwen dlo,” which in Haitian Creole means, “We need water.” The earthquake left a visible impact on Haitians.

Jesus has a knack for leaving a visible, long-lasting effect on people. However, his eternal legacy restores, not destroys. Meeting the Samaritan woman and asking for a drink of water, he gives the woman a refreshing do-over. Her actions after speaking with Jesus concludes what our response should be as well. “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’” (John 4:28-29, italics mine.)

The woman at the well heard Jesus’ call for eternal life. Then she left her jar, and invited others to come. Do you see an invisible sign on someone’s house telling you of their need? Does a friend need an invitation from you to “come?” Will you leave your water jug to help another find the living water?

By Mollie

Nanpwen

This will start a short series on Nicknames.  Marcel enjoyed sharing while spending some time in the states.

Wichelande

“‘And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me’” (Matthew 18:5).

Wichelande lives in Colmini. It’s a church and school located in the desert. When you ask her to draw what makes her happy, she’ll draw her house, chickens, and cactus flowers. Wichelande doesn’t smile for the camera, but as soon as you turn around, she’s running and playing with her friends in the hot sun. It’s a different world than in America. If you ask a child to draw what makes them happy, most likely you’ll see pictures of family, clothes, and some video games.

Wichelande is one of many children in Colmini, and in Haiti, and in the world. Her immediate world is simple, trying to learn in a loud one-room school that houses three classrooms at one time. Since she has three brothers and five sisters, large feasts for dinner are rare.

Two disciples argued about who would be the greatest and asked Jesus for the final answer. In response, Jesus pulled a child close to him, and asked that we humble ourselves like a child. We should welcome children, he says.

God didn’t distinguish Wichelande from any other child in the world, or in your neighborhood. God knows Wichelande, and likes her. At this time, Wichelande is not sponsored. We trust God to find a person to welcome Wichelande. Will you join us in praying for Wichelande’s future sponsor?

Waiting

“Gideon replied, ‘If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.’ And the LORD said, ‘I will wait until you return’” (Judges 6:17-18).

Haitians live by Haitian Time. When you say that church starts at 9 a.m., Haitians will show up any time within the 9 o’clock hour. They can be there at 9:50 a.m., and say, “I am here at 9. It is not 10 o’clock yet.” Few options for electricity exist in Haiti, so the lack of clocks and alarm clocks also accentuates their timing.

An American learns patience, rest, and how to wait while in Haiti. As our example, God waits too.

Gideon just learned God chose him to lead his people against the Midianites who have mistreated Israel. He’s given his excuses, and God remains firm that Gideon is a mighty warrior. Gideon’s reaction is in line with his culture. He hopes to prepare a sacrifice in acceptance of the charge given to him.

And God waits for his return.

Even though God is outside of time, he waits for us to return to him. He allows Haitian time to exist. What in your life do you think God needs to put a deadline on? What feels like it has to fit within your schedule? Is it worth living out God’s example of Haitian time and waiting for it to be ready? Commit to give God an offering. He’ll wait for you.

By Mollie

Lessons of Life, face to face

Matthew 18:2-5

Paraphrased -
    Grandma and Grandpa were gathering clothing items and filling their vehicle trunk with plans to deliver them for shipment to the people of Haiti.  9 year old Granddaughter see's what happening and the questions start.  What are you doing?  Collecting these new (showing her)  and like new clothing items to be shipped to people who have very little or even in some cases no clothing.  Why don't they just buy some?  Because they do not have the money to. Why?  How do we explain this one?  God has blessed us with many things and wants us to share.   Does everyone do this?  No, just some.  Grandma and Grandpa rearrange things while the granddaughter has disappeared off to do things that young children do, or at least that's what was thought.  Grandma and Grandpa will be headed out in the morning continuing on this journey south to meet up with family.  Then to drop off what's been gathered.  While these last minute details have been playing out, other details in a young child's life have also been falling into place.  Her journey has taken her to her room and clothes closet.  No one has asked her to, or even had any idea of what was coming to pass.  She's going through her clothing picking out 3 of her favorites to send along with grandma and grandpa.  Now she's arrived back and our lives are forever changed as she hands off her favorites, to help others.  Grandma and Grandpa (after composing themselves) check with her mom and dad and yes it's ok with them to send on these precious gifts.
     Scripture is brought to life as we ponder this lesson - "He called a little child and had him stand among them.  And he said:  "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." "

www.hopeforhaiti.ws

Strength

“The LORD turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’” Judges 6:14

Haitians take what is available, and use it, even when it seems not useable. A truck had an accident, and broken watermelon littered the highway. What does an American do? Call for a tow truck, call the boss, and start to calculate the lost product. What does a Haitian do? Pick up the watermelon and start eating.

A house starts to fall. There’s nothing but sticks around the barren land. A Haitian gathers the longest sticks they can find, and puts them around the house to hold up the roof. Just one stick wouldn’t do, but putting many sticks around the house seems to do the trick.

Gideon didn't have much when the angel of the LORD appeared to him. He’s hiding in a hole, just trying to get some substance for the day by thrashing wheat. When Gideon reports his lacking skills to the angel, the response is to “go in the strength you have.”

The body of Christ can be powerful if we use what we are given today. Even if it doesn’t seem like much, God will use it combined with others. Maybe you feel like a stick, a forgotten piece in the land of plenty. God says to “go in the strength you have,” and contribute.

--Lè sa a, Senyè a bay Jedeyon lòd sa a, li di l:

-- Ale non. Avèk fòs koura you genyen an, w’a deliver pèp Izrayèl la anba men moun peyi Madyan yo. Se mwen menm menm ki voye ou!

Jij 6:14

By Mollie 

Mighty Warriors Have Fear Too

“The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.’” (Judges 6:11-12)

I sat at the table and saw a flash a fear cross her eyes. Over lunch I asked if a friend wanted to come to Haiti with me, and her response was,  “My initial reaction was I can’t afford it, even though I would want to go with you. Finances are just too tight.”

I thought of Gideon. When he first appears in the Bible, he’s working, but he’s doing it in secret. The Israelites were taken over by the Midianites for seven years, and they ransacked anything the Israelites might grow, produce, or create. So Gideon, full of fear, threshes the wheat in a giant hole where he can’t be seen. An angel stops by and calls him a mighty warrior. The guy hiding in a hole, a mighty warrior.

Sometimes our fear of those that can take our livelihoods keep us from being the mighty warriors God intended. The Haitians say, “Si se Bondye ki voye. Li peya fre ou.” It means, “If it is God who sends you, he’ll pay your expenses.” Going to Haiti will change lives, both yours and those you’ll meet.

Having confidence in God means accepting the task at hand. Gideon doesn’t loose his fear (you can read all about him in Judges 6-7). He does let God pay for his way, though, and in the end is known as a mighty warrior. Will my friend come? I’m not sure, but I hope she resolves to be a mighty warrior. Let that be true of all of us.

by Mollie B.

Rocks

 “They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:3-4

Currently, the church in Bataille is built from rocks held together with mud. Each hard rain forces the people to rebuild the church because the mud washes away. The community in the mountains are close to finishing their first cement building, which happens to be the church and school built by EMEVI.

Rocks signify many things for Haitians. As means of income, smash rocks with a hammer to create gravel. Or mix crushed gravel with cement to build bricks. Rocks inhibit farmland, change the flow of water, and litter footpaths. Rocks show up in Haitian proverbs too: Woch nan dlo pa konnen doule woch nan soley. (“The rock in the water does not know the pain of the rock in the sun.”)

Rocks signify many things in Biblical history as well. Moses struck a rock to get water for the people (see Exodus 17:6). Jesus called Peter “the Rock” because Jesus chose him as the rock to build the church. (see Matthew 16:18). Rocks build foundations, and God is our foundation (Psalm 19:14).

Join us. Whether you are physically capable to build a church in Haiti, or spiritually capable to pray for the church in Haiti, be a rock. 

     Submitted by Mollie Bond

Don't worry be Happy

Pa enkyete Fè Kè w Kontan
Sam Pase Pa Ka ampeche-m Kontan
Don't Worry Be Happy
Your happiness has nothing to do with your circumstances

Be Planted

Marcel shares while traveling through Rocky Mountain National Park.

Fè Youn ak Pawol Bondye
Pou-n Ka pote Fwi

Be planted in the word of God "to bear fruit"

Join us at www.hopeforhaiti.ws

Depend on God

"Lage sa nan men Bondye"
"nulle n'est plus fort que celui qui depend de Dieu"

Depend on God.  No one is stronger than the one that counts on God.

Anxious to be with the Lord

Mwen Pa Ka tan-n Pou-m wè seyè-a

How Marvelous... Creole version

A treat in Creole from Marcel.

"How marvelous is your work oh Lord, nature declares the greatness or glory of God.

Nothing is impossible

Boat

“’Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said.” Matthew 14:28-29a

See the boat in the background? Sometimes the background subtly reminds us of our priorities or passions. It’s like when a tragic accident happens. We’re reminded of the importance of life, or basic physical abilities, or something that was floating in the background, unseen in daily life.

The focus of this picture is a baptism service. While at the baptism, no one noticed the boat. After seeing the pictures, it became a reminder. The background, now the focus, taught each person in the picture a lesson.

The boat is empty.

Someone got out of the boat.

Just as in baptism, getting out of the boat requires courage and opportunity.

What is your boat? What do you need to get out of? Perhaps it’s complacency, or maybe it’s fear. John Ortberg notes in his book, If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat that “Peter didn’t as for a guarantee, just an opportunity.” Hope for Haiti provides opportunities that best match your skills, priorities, and passions. We’re reminded of the things we take for granted, always running in the background. Who doesn’t have the guarantee of another opportunity for life? Who doesn’t have the basic physical ability to function? What is unseen in your daily life that can remind you to be courageous? It’s time to take a step. It’s time to get out of the boat.

Submitted by Mollie Bond