Love, Life and Light

This coming Thursday EMEVI Conference starts at Bois Neuf.  The theme this year is Love, Life and Light. Local churches join the EMEVI churches for this yearly gathering that brings over 1000 people together.  Many have come to share during this time of worship, baptisms, teachings, messages and more.  This year a pastor from Tennessee will join in, lending and hand and speaking during the conference.  It all started very simply with wood posts with leaves attached for protection from the sun as shown in this picture.  A huge tarp has been set up in recent years and maybe by next year a roof will be in place as we look to the future.  The encouragement the attendees receive reaches far beyond this yearly gathering.  With most of the EMEVI churches being rural, the message goes back home for those that could not attend.  Pray with our brothers and sisters as they come together once again calling out to God.

Love, Life and Light, with thoughts from the parable of the Good Samaritan being used out of Luke chapter 10

Shoe Bags 2011

Just what are these?  We call them "Shoebags".  Filled with school supplies and simple hygiene items for children in Haiti.  Last year we kicked this off for a test run and run it did.  A wooden box on a pallet filled with donated items reached out to quite a number of children.  So the visionary that shared this last year asked are we going to do it again?  Yup, it's off and running, with groups from multiple states joining in.  The first shipment made it here last week and our ship date to Haiti is not even until the end of May!  So folks have been asking about it and this past weekend churches in at least two states shared with their respective fellowships.  If you are interested there are many different parts to this whole process, so a referral to a couple of web sites is appropriate.  www.shoebags4haiti.info or www.hopeforhaiti.ws should answer most questions or call or email the noted information at each website.  Even a new slideshow clip of last years project is available right here by following the video link on the left side of the main page.

Water Filters

All water is hauled to this mountain location in Haiti.  With the river valley below possibly contaminated with Cholera these water filters attached to buckets provide safe drinking water.  These long lasting filters are simple to use and maintain, so seeing this bucket being cleaned before use was an encouragement.  God provided many of these filters which were distributed to many rural locations and churches/schools around St Marc.  The news media has shifted it's attention away as other stories have caught their attention but in Haiti the needs have not gone away.  Want to help make a difference, not only for a drink of water but for an eternity?  Contact us and lets see where He leads.

Basketfull

Early one morning we had broken down along a high mountain trail.  Reflecting upon the fact that we had left well before sunrise to get to this point, how early had he started baking this bread?  Our paths crossed here while he paused for a break before going on to market.  Here we have bread for our bodies, what "bread" are we consuming for our souls?  This had provided an opportunity to pause and ponder, just what is it, that is feeding my soul?

Hands

Reach out to someone in need, lend a hand.  Opportunities present themselves each day, it's a choice worth making to be there, to help.  Touch is powerful, a gentle touch when someone is hurting, a hand up when someone is down.  After all He has rescued us and even brought Peter out of the water as he sank.  Washed the disciples feet, can you feel His touch?

Mountain Home

     High in the mountains of Haiti are many villages, this one being east and a bit south of St Marc.  Lepinard is home to a small mountain community where around 100 children come to school.  The community sits somewhere around 4000 feet in elevation below the peaks around that rise to over 4900 feet.  No roads, only trails, no power with the exception of a small generator at church, no running water, a spring under an hours walk away.  But cell phones yes, recharged as the generator purrs just outside on a Sunday morning.  Primitive sound system that runs off the generator for electric guitar, mic's, speakers and right next to them a "drum set" with a cymbal hanging from a rafter.  The drummer never missed a beat.  What a contrast with modern technology next to very primitive living conditions.  Bathroom, hum, wherever.  Looking to the north is a beautiful view of the valleys below and the mountain ridges to the south.  It's quite a climb from the "trail head" taking about 2 hours.  Common ground is found here as we worship, side by side with brothers and sisters in Christ.  Click on the picture or title for a few photos of this journey.  Interested in helping reach out to these brothers and sisters, let us know.

What Load?

This saddle is currently at rest.  It carries many loads up and down the mountains at LePinard, Haiti.  All kinds of vegetables and fruits, spices and cooking oil.  With no power it becomes a daily task to have fresh food available and the nearest road is about a two hour walk away.  Water comes from a spring down in the valley but it's only about an hour walk.  The reminder here is that we take the "load" off to allow the animal to rest.  Why then is it so hard, to allow the loads we carry to be set off and put aside for a time?  Reminds me of a scripture - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30) Click on the title or picture for additional photos of our trip to LePinard.