a powerful day

This morning I woke up very excited to go to church in Haiti. Our ride was over 30 minutes late, and Jim (team leader) was hesitant already to let us leave, but then they showed up and minds were eased.

The church was not far, and when we got there, they had seats reserved for Bob, me, and Jaun (pronounced Gina) up front with the pastors on the platform. How embarrassing! After worship, Pastor Simon introduced the guest missionary speaker (who is from CA) and then us. I got up and said a quick hello and gave our love from the United States. Pastor Simon was one of the guys I met last Wednesday, and he is a great man of God who loves his congregation. His church is closer to downtown than the mission, and his congregation was filled with over 500 people inside, and maybe 50 to 100 more outside (and that was just the first service). They had the microphones turned up super-loud, and they kept ringing, but the worship was AMAZING. They all stood with hands raised, and sang with all their might to the Lord who rescued their lives and their souls from great disaster. Their passion was palpable and I wish I could have bottled it to bring home to bless all of you. I was filled with joy and tears filled my eyes, though I understood few of the actual words. It truly was the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The main sanctuary was intact, but the school was severely damaged, and they cannot use it as of right now during the week for the children or for the Sunday School classes. I think Pastor Simon was upset because he knows that people can't come into the service, and they have to stand outside. There were several new guests, who stood at one point, and four people received Jesus as Lord for the first time today. People are hungry for Jesus here - they have seen first-hand what God can do, and they desire the God who is in control.

At one point Pastor Simon leaned over to me and said, "Don't forget us when you go back, please." I could never in a million years!!

I spoke with the missionaries when the service was over, and they were a blessing and joy to meet. I could tell that they have a heart for the people of Haiti and desire to help in the most effective way possible. They have been in France for 6 years, and last September, God called them to come back to Haiti, where they spent their first Missionary Term. After January 12, they knew exactly why He did so.

We also got to take a drive downtown after we got back to the hotel, and saw more of the devastation in the worst parts. I tried to take some pictures, but the Haitians don't really appreciate us taking pictures of them, and I desired to remain respectful. It was so terrible to see an entire city of little more than rubble. The poverty here is shocking, and we definitely saw people in extreme need and desparation.

On the way back to the mission, our driver told us that one of his friends died in the church near our hotel that collapsed (Church on the Rock) and that he was in class studying in Bible School to be a pastor. I couldn't hold my anger back and told God that I thought that was the wrong person to take. Who am I to question Him and His ways, but my tears of injustice and mourning would not stop from spilling out, and I had to stay in the truck for a while to compose myself. I'm sure the two of us will continue our conversation tonight before I go to sleep.

We prepared for our outreach tomorrow for the children who used to attend elementary school here in the mission (they are unable to now because of the building that collapsed). They will attend a one-day VBS and receive a bag of food as they leave. I am excited to do some kids ministry and am putting on my puppeteer hat in the morning. FUN FUN!

More love from Haiti!