Sharing Jesus

After the Hymer’s left in March, I was determined to have a Bible Story hour for some of the children.   The challenge of doing that in Haiti is immense! Anytime you try to do something for people, the crowd will grow exponentially as word gets out. (Remember the clothes distribution in January????)

So I set out to watch for a fairly slow quiet time of day when it might work. One afternoon, several of just our immediate neighborhood children were hanging around the deck and I felt like this might be the chance. So I gathered them up and asked if they would like to hear a story. We read from the Jesus Storybook Bible and then we colored a picture.

I talked about how there is nothing we can do to make God love us and told them how precious they are to Him. I also talked about how sad it makes Him when we are unkind and selfish and if we love Him, we’ll want to love our neighbor, etc. Life in Haiti is lived outside and we see negative interactions, some even violent, nearly every day. I want so much to encourage the children to find a better way for their lives.

Ashley reading the Jesus Storybook Bible in Creole

The children really enjoyed it and I managed to do it again a few days later. Everyday, I left the Jesus Storybook Bible in Creole on the table on the deck and was so glad to see that many of the children would pick it up to look at and read several times a day. Please pray that the lessons learned will go deep into their hearts.

I also tried to stop and read the Bible with Estane every day. She made a commitment to the Lord in January and I really hoped to encourage her and help her build on her foundation of Jesus. Sherlie acted as translator in all these things and I am so grateful for her help in so many ways.

One night, 9 year old Ashley showed up on the deck after dark, crying with lumps on her head. Her “mother” had been throwing rocks at her. Among other things, this “mother” has been known to pick her daughter up and dash her to the ground. I took Ashley on my lap, laid her head on my shoulder, and started rubbing her head and back as I sang soft songs to her for over 30 minutes. No, she couldn’t understand me but I hoped that for once, she might know a touch of love. I asked Sherlie to tell her in Creole that she was very precious to God and that even though life can be hard, He loves her very much. “Sanje, Jezi reman ou” I told her. Remember, Jesus loves you. Please pray for Ashley, her mother, and us as we seek to love the people and children around us in Jesus name.

Bill and Estane ready to go to worship services

We decided one Sunday morning to attend services at the local church Estane was attending. During services, we noticed an older lady who was in pain, constantly moving her leg and rubbing it. Bill left briefly and walked back to the base, bringing back ibuprofen, water, and some crackers for her to take with it. She was very grateful.

Madame Vita and I

Two days later, Madame Vita showed up with a return gift of cashews, abricot fruit, and bananas. Many times when we help the older ladies, they are the ones that return with a gift such as a mango, almonds, or things like Madame Vita brought. It is such a blessing to be able to have such interactions with people on a regular basis.

Bill continued working on the boat and work also continued on the woodshop. The woodshop is important as unemployment is a huge problem in Haiti and it will provide jobs for some of the men on the island.  We hope to continue producing the adirondack chairs started last year but also to develop some smaller items that could be sold locally and to visitors such as wooden spoons.

We are excited about the prospects for the future in so many ways as we seek to share God’s love with the people of the island.  Thank you for praying for us and for helping JUST MERCY to continue working in Haiti.