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