Haiti has a well known reputation for things going wrong. From large scale natural disasters to crippling shortages of the essentials to disruptive and often violent political demonstrations,it is rare to hear stories of things going as planned in Haiti. As I travel home from this 27th trip which was yet again blessed with success and safety, I can only stop and praise God. To me it reveals that the work of IOCH is really the work of God and He is able to do as He see fit to do and nothing will stop His will.
It is difficult to summarize all the amazing experiences from these 3 days but I will try:
Saturday - September 7th
I got through customs with the normal amount of difficulty. Aftterwords, our group headed to MSC to buy supplies fo the house as well for Monday's work day. I surprised Richard's mon and sister with a surprised drop in on the way back to the house. I met a man selling ice cream near our house. What began as a curiosity about his machine it quickly became a new relationship. We ate dinner together and then the rest of the night was busy with meetings, relationship building and housewhole chores.
Sunday - September 8th
We traveled to Limbe for church and to make a YouTube for fundraising purposes. This was though. Our staff worked hard to memorize their English speaking parts. The mid-day Haiti sun regularly over heated my camera; the staff memorizing lines in an unmastered language; and the neighbors' dogs apparently being uninformed that we had a video to make were some of the challenges we faced. After many attempts and a committed effort from all involved, I believe we were able to put together enough material for a video.
On the way home we stopped bya new school in Limbe that had requested the support of IOCH at last month's seminar. Each school we visit is uique but yet almost exactly the same. It starts with a courageous director filled with passion to care for the hurting children of Haiti. Each director makes tremendous sacrifies to give children the opportunity to learn to love God and sustain the hope that Haiti can have a better future.
Furthermore, we tour the construction that somehow serves 100 to 400 joyous children. I've included some videos to show what is difficult to explain about the construction. Then there is the children themselves. All so beautiful and all so excited to have the opportunity of education.
On the way home we passed the ice cream man several miles from our house. This is a fun video!
Back at the house Richecard,Dalindo and Chery welcomed the neighborhood children into the second floor for the Kid's Club. We had a very productive staff meeting followed by another late night of housewhole chores and relationship buildings.
Monday - September 9th
Two months ago we built 4 swing sets at 4 new schools in Camp Louise in one day. This would be round two. Mezou went through the house at daybreak literally pulling each of the guys from their beds. I didn't get a video, but it was hilarious. We loaded up and headed out. I had met all the directors at the seminar, but this was the first visit to their schools. Each was full of the previously mentioned uiquinesses and similarities. Dalindo and Richecard played games with the children at each school while the usual crew built the swing sets. We had to overcome a few issues, but the team prevailed in the end. Before leaving each school, I spoke briefly to encourage the directors,children,prayed together and took a picture with the whole group. Also one with just the directors. Each of these moments were sovery beautiful. We also prsented each school with an "unpoppable" soccer ball.
I felt a special connection to director/pastor David Augustine, when I interviewed him at the seminar. His heart overflows with passion to serve God through serving children. There is some amazing videos of him and his school. The one with the children repeatedly yelling, "GOD IS GOOD", was instantly an all time favorite.
We had accomplished our days' work but God was not done with me. While we were at the 3rd school, two men approached us , pleading with me to come see their school. They had heard of the work of IOCH. It has become nearly impossible for schools in Haiti to find outside help and the flow of tuition from parents has slowed to a drip. A new school year was about to begin for their 350 students and they had no way of paying teachers, buying materials or serving food to hungry kids. AS the two brothers shared their passion for Christ centered education and showed me around the typically unfinished construction, I was overwhelmed by the depth of the problem. I realized the entire Haitian education system has collapsed, but these brave men and women of God persevere alone to keep the hope of the next generation alive. I was encouraged to continue to share their story and partner with them in Christian education.
In the evening, the neighborhood community came over for our third meeting. We have decided to start a small farming program that they will manage to provide food and jobs. They have a vision to expand this project into food packaging and distribution. I told them as they do the work and it succeeds stepby step, I am happy to partner with them. Mezou explained a simple solar powered irrigation system I brought with me and Igave them a small loan to begin. It was very exciting to see the elders of the community joining the younger men to work together in this effort. Praise God!
I thank God for all He has done and continues to do in IOCH ministry. That's all for this trip!!
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