Day 4

Happy 4th of July!  We didn't get to celebrate with fireworks but we did get an awesome dinner back here at the mission center.  We were surprised by Hot Dogs, Sloppy Joes, corn, mashed potatoes and Coca-Cola.  It was a great end to another fruitful day here in Haiti.

This was the first day in which the groups split.  The VBS group travelled to Chardenne.  Addi and Mya were excited as they got to travel the Haiti way - standing in the back of a truck.  The VBS group started with approx. 70 kids, but as the program went on they ended with 140.  One of the highlights was when they recognized a song we sing back home, "Father Abraham".  It was awesome to see the excitement on the kid’s faces as they sang praises to God.  The children have been so blessed to receive the flip flops from back home.  We brought 500 flip flops when we left the states, but have already exceeded that number.  Each student has been receiving 1 flip flop and it has been humbling to see the appreciation and ownership they show in receiving that gift.  Back home we would question 1 flip flop, but for the Haitians it is a gift they cherish.

The Leadership group continued with the Leadership Academy with a full day’s activities.  We have discovered we are learning much more from them, then them from us.  Their knowledge of scripture is amazing, and we have met a few students that speak fluent English.  These students have connected well with the high school boys as it is neat to see they are really no different than us back home.  While Ben and Andy were able to deliver a lesson, there was also a lot of downtime where we got to teach them about American Football, and Ben, Enoch, Reid, and Grant played (or at least tried to play) soccer with them. 

The night ended with a ton of laughs as you can tell everyone has become great friends.  It is neat to see how fast a group of people from various places can develop friendships so fast. 

Thank you for your continued prayers back home.  We are amazed at how fast the trip is going.  It is hard to believe we only have a few more days here.  We miss all of you and hope all is well back home.

Day 3

Hello everyone!  Hopefully this post finds you all well and encouraged by the stories you have already heard.  As much as we have been told coming into our trip to Haiti, nothing could have prepared us for the scenic views, the sounds, and the people that have greeted us in Haiti.  It has truly been an amazing experience so far!

Last night during the storm we had the great pleasure of hearing the testimony of Jean Michelle, the pastor of St Marc church.  It was great to hear how God has worked in his life and brought him through various struggles into a relationship with Christ!  When asked last night what his favorite part of being a pastor was he responded, “Worship”.  We found out why this morning when we attended his church.  As we approached the sanctuary we were greeted by the beautiful sound of worship.  It was truly amazing when we were able to join the songs like “10,000 Reasons”, “Lord we lift your name on high”, and “Unstoppable Love”.  Several of us, Andy, Reid, Grant, Enoch, DeAnna, and I (Ben), were asked to share the messages we had prepared for the Haitian adult and student leaders.  After we had finished all five talks on Mission Possible’s core values we had accomplished the impossible, making a Haitian church go long!  After the service finished pastor Jean Michelle offered us a gift of cold pop, water, and juice!  It was such a wonderful surprise for all of us and truly an appreciated gift!

This afternoon was filled with conversation, relaxation, and wonderful food from Monita!  We used the time to nap, talk, and prepare our hearts for the first night of student leadership where I (Ben) gave the first of the five leadership talks on the first core value of Mission Possible, being Christ Centered.  The entire group was able to travel to MPCA to witness the opening ceremonies of the student leadership retreat.  It was interesting to see the students interact with one another and to witness the respect they have for the adult leaders Mission Possible has provided them.  We are excited for the week ahead as the men and DeAnna continue to assist with the student leadership academy while the women continue touring Mission Possible schools to put on VBS for the students. 

Thank you all for the constant prayers, we continue to feel them as Christ works through us and in us during our time in Haiti! We love you and miss you all!

DAY 2

Sorry for the delay again.  I'm sure many of you have checked this multiple times today looking for an update.  We actually wrote and had everything ready to post last night but a storm came through and we lost our internet connection.  Just got it up and running - so here is our post from yesterday.  Tonight we will have a late night as we start our leadership academy.  We will do our best to get your updated late tonight.  We miss all of you and hope all is well back home.

We started our journey today (yesterday) with an adventurous ride to la Hatte.  After arriving, we walked through the community to invite children to VBS.  The Haitian children just grabbed our hands and followed us through the village.  After praying to God about loving on the children, Brianna was the first to guide a child to VBS.  We visited a park on our walk, and listened to stories of those in the community.  Deanna carried a little girl to the church because her leg had been amputated.  Once we were back to the church, Lyn met a little boy who was a sponsored child of Ben and Tina Ruetz.  The joy on his face when she told him about his Mission Possible family was amazing.  Games were played, flip flops were decorated, and beautiful songs were sung by all of us.  But more importantly relationships were built between Mission Possible and the children at la Hatte.  Amy picked up a child when crying, and she immediately stopped.  The young boys at VBS loved playing with Enoch, Grant, and Reid.  Our time here in Haiti has been blessed by God.  He has shown us beauty in a lot of devastation.

After returning from la Hatte, we painted a fence in the mission center, and swam in the ocean.  Andy, Ben, Deanna, Reid, Grant, and Enoch presented to the pastors and school administrators.  They were surrounded by these leaders at the end of the conference to give them encouragement.  They sang and prayed for the presenters.  God is at work, and using all of us to show his power and glory!