JUST MERCY
Prayers and Preaching
Teaching in Pelerin
Some folks from JUST MERCY went back up the mountain two weeks ago to teach the children who had completed The Greatest Journey class a little more. As a result of that visit, this Saturday morning at Pelerin, we will have a baptismal service for those who want to make that step in their walk with the Lord.
We are really excited about this. The logistics are difficult since there is so little water there and it will have to be hauled bucket by bucket from an hour away. But it is getting worked out, including an unexpected turn driving while looking for something that could be used as a portable baptistry, which is not easy in Port au Prince. Bill and our visiting friend Len C. were stuck in “blockage” (a traffic jam) and had to turn. They ended up right in front of a store that had a tank that would work! God is so amazing!!
Tomorrow the tank and our supplies will be carried up the mountain on foot. Please be praying for us Saturday and for the children that God’s spirit would work in their hearts as they take this next step in following the Lord.
We will hike up on Thursday to Chapelle where we will have the graduation ceremony Friday morning for 51 children who have competed the course. Going with us will be Rita S. and Brian who have helped support the Chapelle school for over a year. We will then go on to Pelerin to spend Friday night before the baptismal service.
The Riverbed
This past Sunday, we drove a couple of miles up the dry riverbed where we usually head into the mountains, past the trailhead to a village called Lastic. We had long wanted to go there. We, along with Manolo and Juani and some Haitian friends, visited one of the churches in the town.
When we arrived, they brought plastic chairs out into the shade so we could “have a little rest”. Then they led us into the church, all the way to the front and set our chairs down on the large front dais.
Bill speaking to the people
They asked if we wanted to preach. At first both Manolo and Bill said no but then Bill said he wanted to speak just a little. Since we had been led to the front of the church, when they gave him the opportunity, he spoke to them about Luke 14.
So often in Haiti, even in our own front yard at the well where people come every day to pump water, we see so much inconsideration of others and self-advancement at every opportunity. The name of Jesus is everywhere in Haiti but we see so little that would reflect a real honoring of Him in people’s lives so Bill took the opportunity to encourage the people in following the Lord’s words and example. When he sat back down with us on the dais, it wasn’t long before he got up and went and sat toward the back in the middle of the people for the rest of the service, hoping to illustrate even more what he had been trying to say.
We recently met with Mike from Samaritan’s Purse and he wants JUST MERCY to continue to distribute Operation Christmas Child gifts. We hope to do this in Lastic later this month and then provide them with The Greatest Journey course for their 350 students. We are blessed to continue to be given the opportunity by SP to share the gospel with children.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We especially covet your prayers as many decisions about the future of JUST MERCY in Haiti are being made. We pray for God’s continued guidance as we seek to serve Him here.