I was up fairly early this morning, as I still had some packing to figure out. I needed to get a smaller suitcase to fit into a larger suitcase and still fit the things I needed to bring to Cap Haitien. This all needed to weigh under 70lb. The limit for Tortug Air (a french commuter plane). I did the best I could and went to eat breakfast with Pastor Steve. Again, very good food!
We left for Pastor Absalons house about 8:30am. Pastor Absalon and his wife live in a very crowded and poor area of PAP. He had worked as a Math teacher and as the Pastor of Grace Worship Center up until the earthquake which destroyed his school and killed several students. After the earthquake, he spent countless hours helping people find food, shelter, medical care, act as a mediary with aide organizations and just be there to comfort the grieving families. (The area has been highly affected by the earthquake and the clean up is next to impossible due to the narrow winding roads.) He was married last winter and his wife is expecting a baby girl in October. She is a sweet, caring young women who has been through alot over the past few months. Together they make a powerful ministry team. We met in their rented flat which is simple but sturdy. The Pastors and I went over to the new Church building to check on the progress. The last time I was there it had people living in tents in the court yard, this time most of the tents were gone, but now there was a high school meeting outside on benches with black boards attached to trees and walls. Since Pastor Absalons school was destroyed, he offered to let the classes continue in the court yard so the students could graduate to the next grade. While not ideal, it was certainly appreciated by the students and their families. One of the young girls about 12, had lost her leg in the earthquake, but was now back at school studying. Life is especially difficult for those with disabilities in Haiti, little resources and little opportunity. Getting a good education is one of the only ways this young girl will have to give her a future so she is not doomed to a life of abject poverty.
Also at the church was Elizabeth! I was so happy to see her!!! For those of you who have seen my pictures, Elizabeth is the most talented childrens leader I have ever seen. She can hold their attention, get the "wiggles" out and engage them in learning like few I have ever known. Pray for Elizabeth as she faces many cultural challenges being a single women in Haiti. Her love for God and the children is evident. She is an inspiration.
After the visit, we headed back to Absalons house to discuss the planned school opening in the fall and to have lunch together. A meaningful occurance in Haiti where food is limited and expensive. I won't go into all the details except to say that there is a hope to open a K-3 primary school in the fall if funds can be raised. As I've said in prior blogs, education is hugely important to the futures of kids here. The children in the neighborhood where the church is located have few if any opportunities to attend school because of the cost, so Grace would like to open that possibility to students in the area by offering a very low cost or no cost program. There are many things to consider, but if God wants it to happen this fall, the support will come in. The Church is also growing tremendously. There were 325 people at the last service on Sunday. God is really working here! So...after a very productive morning, ( and a few other stops) we headed to the airport and they dropped me at the commuter area.
It was a wonderful, challenging, insightful and blessed trip which I thank God that I was able to be a part of. Haiti is a facinating country with a rich cultural heritage. It was valuable in so many ways to be able to reach into that culture even alittle deeper to understand these people whose lives are so difficult but whose faith is so boundless.
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