final days

Bon soir from Haiti! This is Tim reporting late Sunday night prior to our departure tomorrow a.m. God is doing big things in the lives of His people in Haiti. Our day started with pumpkin soup for breakfast – another scrumptious meal served up by our hostess Francoise, wife of pastor Moise.

We loaded up 2 vehicles and headed off to church. The music and the singing are outstanding at Source de la Grace – they put a lot of time into their music ministry, much like we do @ LCF – and you can tell the difference it makes. The pews were filled across the auditorium and up into the balcony – over 500 strong. Scott preached another awesome message – this time from the book of Nehemiah regarding revival. It was very well received, especially with the assistance of our interpreter Samuel. Where would we be this week without our interpreters Samuel and Sarah? Government officials were present at today’s church service to renew the Source de la Grace’s permit that had expired - they passed with flying colors, and you could tell that the officials were very impressed with the progress the church had made. After the service, Janese got an opportunity to visit with the doctor that would be providing care for the orphans at the new orphanage. She was very encouraged as a result of the meeting.

After church, our team treated our hosts for the week (Pastor Moise and his family) to a nice lunch at a resort restaurant called Visa Village. It had a very nice buffet which included garbanzo beans, chicken, rice, and pizza. Janese was excited about some kind of special cole slaw they had. For dessert they had coconut pudding – needless to say it was yummy.

Next we made a pit stop at the house to change clothes before heading back to the church. Bev worked with Pastor Moise on a computer program that promises to make his keeping track of his congregation more efficient. Meanwhile, the boys were helping John hang 4 security lights and a pencil sharpener at the church facility. Most of you who know John know that John probably didn’t need the help. But, he was very kind to let us touch his tools every now and then. It is very similar to throwing a dog a bone every once in a while. Scott pretty much held the ladder for John while Todd was calculating style points. Tim was supervising all 3 making sure that no Haitian building codes were broken.

The day ended with a big party at the Vaval family home. It was a combination birthday party (Moises’ mom’s 80th birthday, and a good bye party for the LCF team leaving in the morning. Guests included leaders from the church, 2 other Haitian pastors and their wives, the Vaval family and of course the LCF team. The menu consisted of 2 cakes, and 3 trays of assorted croissants. The highlight was the fellowship that transpired after church leaders expressing their gratitude for our visit, and Scott expressing our gratitude for their hospitality. Bev described later the same evening that prayers for “knitting our hearts together” with our Haitian brothers and sisters had been answered. God is moving in Haiti – and I think we’re all humbled to have an opportunity to be a part of that movement.

Verse for the day (from Bev): James 2:5,6 – “Listen my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which He has promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man.

Tim
for Team Haiti