Haiti - Day 3 (Tuesday)

Tuesday was Flag Day in Haiti, a national holiday celebrating the creation of the Haitian flag.  Some of our translators brought us kites they had crafted and decorated with streamers and brightly colored paper, with the phrase "Hope For Haiti" across the front.  We spent the entire morning in the village of Titanyen finishing shelters and visiting with families.  As we worked, someone from the market brought us mangos to enjoy.  Everyone was in a great mood and it made the morning go by quickly in spite of the heat.  Rick and I climbed to the top of the hill overlooking the village and met an older lady who lives in a tin shack with nine family members.   The youngest of which happened to be a 1 month old baby we had the honor to meet.  So the living was cramped, but the view was amazing.  You can see what it looked liked, along with all the photos from Tuesday, RIGHT HERE.

Before we left for lunch, Dave had the chance to speak with a man who received one of the shelters and told him about Jesus; he explained why God sent His son into this world.  The Holy Spirit was at work in the man's heart because he prayed with Dave, through a translator, and asked God to forgive him for the sin in his life, accepting that Jesus paid the price for it when He died on the cross.  The people running the show down here have been amazing in allowing us the freedom to decide when to work, and when to speak, because both are necessary.  Our actions open the doorway to a conversation that is so important that is has eternal consequences.

Since most of the people hired to pre-fabricate the pieces for the shelters were off for the holiday, we assembled everything that was available in the morning, and decided we would take the afternoon to drive into town, see what the festivities looked like, and try to find soccer balls or some other type of fun gifts we could offer the kids in the village where we've been working.  Unfortunately, there wasn't anyone selling that sort of thing so we didn't stay, but it was great to drive through the area and see what a national holiday looks like in Haiti.  From there we went straight back to the village and spent the afternoon visiting and praying with families.  

Below, you'll see some photos of Rick having a backyard (hillside) Bible study for a group of kids.  Proving again that God's word can reach anyone at any time, Lionel, a 19 year old man in the back of the group spoke up and told Rick he wanted to accept Jesus.  Most of the people in the village are Christian; I guess Lionel just never had the will or the opportunity to accept Christ.  Rick prayed with him through a wonderful translator and everyone celebrated when they were done.  Rick is also working with some of the folks here, teaching them how to disciple new believers and how to show them what it means to live according to Jesus' example.  Overall, and amazing day and I'm thankful God provided me with the chance to be a part of rebuilding Haiti.  In Creole, "refonde Ayiti."