A week of faces...

     October 2012 brought a trip to Bataille, Haiti.  Here is a glimpse of these precious one's.  No power, running water, roads, just beautiful people in the mountains of Haiti.

     Around 250 children attend school here.  While the current building may hold 100 in very tight quarters another building is in the plans with foundation work moving forward.  As it is 150 children will meet outside for school some of which walk up to an hour one way just to attend school.  Of those many cross the river La Couline multiple times, carrying their school clothes until the last crossing, so that they might change while hiding in the weeds to look good for school.  On the way home this process is reversed.  No bridges here and even in Haiti, in the mountains the water does get cold so the sun is welcome to warm back up by.

     In this remote area teachers are hard to find that will commit to staying for the year.  One teacher comes down the mountain staying here most nights with a walk awaiting him of about 2 hours each way when he does make the journey.  About 90% of the adults have no formal education at this location.

   
     If you would like to help provide shelter, sponsor a child or a teacher or supply food for a day a month, please let us know.  Additional information may be found at www.hopeforhaiti.ws , check out the link for children or the schools or just contact us and we will do our best to answer your questions.

     Watch each day this week for additional photo's.

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." John 13:14

 

A Special Treat at Bataille

This past week brought a visit to Bataille, Haiti, located in the mountains east and south of St Marc.  At the river basin just below the church and school we were introduced to something special for a snack.

Shelter

Shelter is important.  It protects from thrashing wind, snapping rain, and forceful hurricanes.  Shelter also provides privacy and intimacy.  Some venture past the flimsy walls to wave to others.  God’s shelter is much different than a tent.  When you find shelter under God’s protection, he shields from thrashing temptations, snapping words, and harmful practices.  He also provides privacy and intimacy.  But will anyone venture past the brawny walls to interact with others?

By Mollie Bond

Short Cuts

See the mountain in the distance?  It would be tempting to try to find a short-cut past the valley. The goal is ahead, but it’s the process that makes the ambition worth the distance. Oswald Chambers said, “Temptation is a suggested short-cut to the realization of the highest at which I aim – not towards what I understand as evil, but towards what I understand as good.”  Temptation isn’t the bad things we want to do, it’s taking the short-cut to the good things.  What might require some work to avoid short-cuts in your walk with the Lord?

By Mollie Bond

The Extra Mile

“They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying.”  Acts 28:23a

When Paul came to visit, the people traveled 33 miles on the Appian Way to see him.  When visiting Bataille, many of the Bataille people come to help by carrying backpacks and gear on their heads.  Not because they have to, but because they want to help and meet their visitors.  They go the extra mile by walking extra miles with strangers.  How can you meet someone where they are at and walk the mile with them today?

by Mollie Bond

The Steps

The rains came nourishing the earth. Our friends came, carried our gear, led the way, brought their mules to carry some of us, made and shared mats to sleep on. Day two we arose to a beautiful morning and steps were built... Psalm 40:2 comes to mind at this point. www.hopeforhaiti.ws — at Bataille, Haiti.

A New Name

A New Name

What do you think is this man’s name?  Haitians give nicknames during the first few days of a person’s life.  It involves what is going on in the mother’s life.  Sometimes the nickname sticks, and people forget the real name.  His name is “Let it Go.”

Isaiah 62:2b says, “…you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.”  What would you like your name to be?  “They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted” (Isaiah 62:12).

By Mollie Bond