Life is Hard in Haiti

The work of Precious Kids Ministry has begun in Haiti!! Last night we returned from a 7 day trip to northern Haiti. I am still processing all of my amazing, intense experiences there. We stayed in Gulman du Plaa at the Center for Biblical Training (CBT) which is close to Cap Haitian, the 2nd largest city in Haiti. As we crossed the border into Haiti from the DR, we were in awe of the stark contrast between the level of poverty and the lack of natural resources due to pervasive soil erosion. It's as if we went from a lush tropical land to a desert.

We are so very thankful for everyone's prayers. It was evident that people were praying for us and those we ministered to, and for all of our protection. In general, I had an extra measure of energy, peace, joy, and love for those I met. God's presence was palpable and my faith grew immensely as His Spirit moved in my heart, words, and actions. We would love to convey all of these experiences to you so that you, too, would be encouraged and grow in your faith as well- as that is not possible- you just have to go with us next time.

Before I go on too much, we need to tell you about the children from Milot. Perhaps you are all on the edge of your seats to find out how that went. It was the greatest challenge for me on the trip. We had spent the week getting to know many of the ministers from the churches in northern Haiti. (I have never met more loving, gracious, couragious, and faithful brothers). Then we went to each of their churches (7 in all) to encourage them and their members, provide a clinic for the sick in the congregation and from their village, and do an interactive program for the children.

We were headed to Milot to be the 1st church for the day on Saturday. When we called Kensley and Choumay, the ministers there, they said they were going to meet us on the road in Milot. So as we were driving there, we saw the sign (see picture) for the church/orphanage site and asked the driver, Moise, to stop. We stopped there for several minutes to take the pictures but there was no sign of Kensley and Choumay. Aracelys told me (from her conversations from Geraldo) and from my conversations with Kensley that the children and ministers all live there in Milot, so I figured they were more in the downtown area. So we went all the way in to town when we needed to actually stay where we were originally at the sign. The children, teachers, and ministers were even before we reached the sign. By the time we were on our way back out of Milot, we were headed on the road to our next church in Dondon. So we missed them. So sad. I called Kensly and told them we had to keep going to Dondon and we would see them in 4 hours.

By the time we got to them, it was dark. There are no street lights or even house lights from the houses close by for us to see each other. The only light we had was from the headlights from oncoming traffic. So we were all on the side of the road and the children were crying, tired and hungry from waiting all day for us. I hopped off the truck and met the ministers; then grabbed a bag of things to hand out to the children. Two of the nurses with us went out with me and handed out worm medicine to each child. The guys on the truck started handing down the four 120lb bags of beans and rice (2 bags of each) and 4 boxes of other food items and Bibles Precious Kids bought for them the day before in Cap Haitian. The situation was not safe being on the side of the road in the dark and with the towns people starting to crowd around as well. So we made sure they received all the things we brought for them- including the $860 raised for the children's school tuition, took one last picture (see picture), then we drove away.

We found quite a contrast between the children in the villages with strong churches who are supported by churches in the States with those who do not have regular support. For example, the church of Christ in Duty, Haiti was supported by a church in the States up until Oct. 2008. There is a school with a feeding program for the children affiliated with this church. The church building itself is beautifully finished- which further makes a statement to the community. Good teachers stay because they are able to be paid some for their work. The children in Duty have more clothes and shoes to wear, are better nourished, and are less diseased compared to the children in villages without churches with assistance.

On a personal note, the biggest blessing for me was getting to spend time with and talking to the ministers from the school (CBT) as well as those who have already graduated and have churches, schools, and orphanages of their own. I learned so much from their faith, courage, and insight into the scriptures and relationships with God. Their work is so challenging on many levels. They must contend with the pervasive Voodoo beliefs which instill fear, hatred, and oppression in its followers. Everyone in town knows these ministers have contact with missionaries who bring food and supplies and perhaps money to them occasionally. So whenever anyone from the congregation or the village needs anything, they go to the minister for help. They give what they have if anything. Almost all of the ministers who have graduated have families of their own and most of the them have orphans in their care. Also, most of them run schools which have anywhere from 60-300 students each. They are well known, loved and respected in their communities, but their lives are at stake. They are easy targets for bandits/ thieves and kidnappers. Some of them have horrid stories to tell, but yet they keep preaching, serving, feeding and teaching. They ask for our prayers for their safety and for God to provide them with tools needed to teach and serve the children who God sends to them. That is what Precious Kids Ministry aims to do.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support. Please consider going with us next time. You will be blessed as you serve.

In His love,

Cynthia