VBS Day 1: God can use you no matter what!

"God can use you no matter what!" This was the theme for day one of VBS and our focus for the day. Going into today we were all a little bit nervous, because a team of 5 of us was supposed to lead a VBS for up to 500 kids. If we were to try this on our own it would have been an utter failure, but we trusted God to work in and through us and to use us to bring him glory. And it happened in the coolest way. 

Our team was joined by the Lawson's, a family of four that works with Hope and is spending a big part of their summer here. We were also joined by the local teachers and church members serving in their own school and church. And finally we were joined by a team of trained Haitians who serve at Agape church in Petionville who are joining us for the week. So it is the coolest picture of the church working together. We all speak different languages, have different strengths and backgrounds, but are here for the same purpose to love and serve. 

We all broke up into teams and served in different capacities. We started out in an assembly time where Shelby led in music and Jeff taught a lesson. 

Then we split up into our classes and rotated through them for most of the morning. We taught crafts, sang songs, and memorized scriptures. It was a lot of fun. 

The VBS day ended with us serving lunch to all of the kids in attendance. It was the coolest and most humbling thing to get to serve a plate of food to each of these kids and pray that they not only are filled with this food to grow strong, but are taking in the truths that only come through Jesus.  

Our afternoon has been spent just hanging out with our new friends. We have played games, sat and talked, prepped for VBS and even helped do some laundry. 

All in all it has been a pretty great day. This type of trip and partnership is one we have been dreaming and praying about and it has been great to get to see it come to life. We are enjoying ourselves tremendously and love it here. We look forward to what each moment brings and the relationships that are forming.

Pray for us as we share the story of David and Goliath tomorrow. 

Pray for the kids, teachers and volunteers that we are coming in contact with. 

(Teachers prepping for tomorrow)

Pray for clear communication of the gospel. 

Pray for strength to continue through the long day.

Sabbath

Our sabbath in Haiti started off great. Our first night of sleep was really nice, and it helped that we were all really tired. We got to experience a Haitian tradition of pumpkin soup this morning for breakfast. It was really good and got us ready for the day. Before we left for church we were able to get some work done and prepped for the week. We unpacked the backpacks and shoes for all of our kids and were able to pray over them and stuff them with some extra goodies. We also started the prep process for all of our vbs supplies... It will take all day to get everything ready. 

After this we went to church and really got to experience life in Haiti. Although we didn't understand much we were able to worship alongside our brothers and sisters here in spirit and truth. It was truly an experience we will not soon forget. 

The rest of the afternoon has been spent hanging out as a team and getting things ready to go for the week. All of our supplies are sorted and organized and ready to go. 

We also had a cold front come through with a thunderstorm, so we enjoyed rain on the tin roof and temps in the high 70s, sorry not sorry. All in all it has been a great sabbath. We are eagerly waiting for VBS to start and continuing to make new relationships.

Pray for our VBS as it starts tomorrow. 

Pray for the kids, teachers, and helpers to come and understand the truths we are sharing. 

Pray for confidence as we all lead out tomorrow.

We Made It!

After a long day of travel we are finally in Haiti and it is so great to be here. We dove right into the culture and community when we got here. On our way to the boys home we got to stop in Petionville and meet Jean Alix, the Haitian pastor we partner with, at one of his churches there. We got to see the facility and hear what the plans are for the week, all the while knowing that the key word to missions is Flexibility. 

After touring the church we headed to the boys home in Guibert which will be our home for the week. We were greeted with all kinds of smiles and hugs. It is going to be a good week and we are so excited to get to serve alongside these new friends.

Pray for us as we worship in Haiti tomorrow. 

Pray for our first night of sleep and transition into life here. 

Pray as we prepare for VBS and the 500 kids that could come and hear about the stories of David. 

It's gonna be a great week! 

Pastors Conference Day 4

The 2016 Pastors Conference came to a close today.  It has been an honor and blessing to serve these Haitian pastors.  Every year this conference improves.  Our American team did a fantastic job.

We were able to bless the pastors today with the resources and books that were purchased through the generosity of individuals and churches in the US.  We gave each lead pastor a commentary and a devotional book.  The other staff and church leaders received Study Bibles and a book on leading small groups.  They were all so grateful and joyful to receive such precious gifts.

Our photographer for the week, Dave, and his wife are preparing to go to the Middle East in June as missionaries and church planters.  As we concluded our time, we asked the pastors to commit to praying for Dave and his family and then had them lay hands on Dave and pray for him, for his wife, for their family, and for the call that God has placed on their lives.

We finished the week in prayer as the Haitian pastors laid hands on our team and prayed for each of us, our families, and our ministries.

We have a day of rest tomorrow and look forward to worshiping with our Haitian brothers and sisters on Sunday.  Pray for our team, as each of the pastors will be preaching in a different church on Sunday.

Here are some more great pics from today:

Pastor praying as he arrived for the conference.


Pastor JeanAlix enjoying giving out the commmentaries










Haitian Pastors praying for our team

Pastors Conference Day 3

We had another great day.  Our focus for today was "Training the Church to Care for One Another".  Our team did a great job.  The Haitian Pastors continue to be very engaged and seem to really be enjoying the conference.

Pray for our team as we finish well tomorrow.  We are excited to distribute the resources and study materials to the pastors tomorrow.  It is always a joy to be able to bless them before they return home.

Our team photographer has done an amazing job.  We are so glad that he was able to come and help tell the story of this conference.  I've uploaded a few extra pictures tonight because they are all so good.

Pastors Conference Day 2

Today was a wonderful time with the Pastors.  Our team did such a great job.  Today we talked about Ministry to Young People.

"Young People" is actually a very large group in Haiti.  Generally speaking anyone under the age of 30 that us not married is a "young person".  This is a little different from our American understanding, but our team did well.

During our Q & A times today, the pastors really asked some great questions.  Their questions showed that they are thinking deeply about the material and working hard to apply the information to their individual ministries.

Thank you for your prayers.  Continue to pray for our team and for the Haitian pastors.  We are covering lots of information in a very short amount of time.  Pray for the ability to focus and finish strong over the next two days.

Pastors Conference Day 1

We arrived safely yesterday. After a brief stop at Agape Church we made our way to the Mission Center in Guibert.

The Pastors Conference started this morning with some great praise and worship, preparing our hearts to hear from the Lord.

Today's topic was on Church Leadership  Principles. The Haitian pastors were engaged and hungry for God's Word.  We had a wonderful time serving, teaching, and praising the Lord with these amazing me a and women of God.

This is the third year we have helped lead this conference but this year feels different, in a good way.  The Haitian pastors seems more eager and ready.  They have come expectant to hear and learn, which is an exciting place to be.

Pray for our team as we teach.  We have been asked to really challenge the Haitian pastors this year and we want to be faithful to the words the Lord has given us.

Pray for the Haitian pastors.  Pray that this time with us is a blessing and encouragement to them and their ministry.