Day 2

Hi, Cambri again.

We just had our evening devotional. Some are still worshipping, some have moved on to getting ready for bed... and some are blogging.

This evening's devo was led by Ms. Tracy Buchanan who shared with us the first of a series of noted her mom wrote for her to read on the trip. She wrote about how we will be seeing many things that we have never seen before. She compares it with a thought form the book "Crazy Love" in which the writer talks about all the different kinds of laughter. "What a cool reminder," Tracy's mom writes, "of how creative God is!"

Indeed, we have seen many beautiful things. Here are some of the favorites of the team:

1. Everyone here laughs. In spite of the language barrier, our team has used the universal languages of laughter and play to connect with this community. A moment Garth shared with us that he says says blessed his heart was when we were playing with the kids from the nutrition center in the worship center. Some were running around with their balloons, some were tossing beach balls around, but all 30 children were laughing.

2. Today, one of the projects we helped with was the building of a house of one of the men who built Zouel's (the former witch doctor's) house. Again, only two of the men were being paid to work, but about seven gathered to volunteer their time. We shared some laughs with them as well :)

3. When serving the children in the nutrition center, there was absolutely no shoving, pushing, or bickering for who went first. Indeed many of the kids helped pass out the bowls and plates. We sat with them and watched them interact- for instance, one girl helped her small brother eat his meal, blowing of the steam so that it wouldn't be too hot for him. Many took a few bites and packed the rest away to share with their families.

As we shared these stories and others with one another, Kristi shared with us a thought that makes these so much more precious. She told us about how once in this area, one could always hear the chanting, singing, and drum beating of voodoo rituals. Haitians would say that nothing good came out of this area. Praise God for the work He is doing here that such love and joy, evidenced in the constant laughter of the community, is alive!

As a close to the evening, Zouel shared with us his testimony. It was such a blessing to hear about how Christ's love changed his life. Before shaking everyone's hand (and receiving a few hugs) we asked how we might pray for him, and he asks that his six children don't remember what he used to be like. Please keeps him and his family in your prayers.

Tracy's mom shared Isaiah 30:17 with us: "Your eyes will see the king in all his splendor, and you will see a land that stretchs into the distance."

We have truly seen God's greatness and as we sang tonight "greater things have yet to come and are still to be done in this city." Praise God!

5 comments

Paula on July 17, 2009 at 9:24 PM  

Thanks for taking the time to write about your day. I love hearing what you all are up to.
Godspeed,
Paula (Elise's mom)


Karen on July 17, 2009 at 10:48 PM  

I'm really happy that my notes for Tracy were meaningful! I prayed a lot that God would direct my words and make each note just what was needed for the day it was read. Tracy, I love you and miss you! I know you're having an amazing time! Soooo coool to have this blog to keep up on what's happening!


Tim Buchanan on July 17, 2009 at 11:31 PM  

I'm so proud of my sister! Serve God and be safe guys!


Unknown on July 18, 2009 at 2:19 PM  

Hi Child! I had to shush your mom and aunts as they kept talking over the youtube narriative we were trying to watch. They all say hi, and they love you ("Excuse me! We did not say that!" - Aunt Neety). Great, now I have them all talking in my ear telling me what to type. What a family. I love you too! Aaron and I are praying for you, though we've had to do so seperately for the last two nights because we've hardly seen each other between aunts and weddings. We love you sooooooo much, as much as the whole world! Thank you for sharing your day, I love hearing the joy in your 'voice' at all you're experienceing! Don't step in any guano!


Trina Merry on July 21, 2009 at 10:13 AM  

"Pray that Zouel's kids don't remember what he used to be like..."

Today my devotional was about the beatitude "Blessed are the poor in spirit". Christ promises that this is the beginning point for his kingdom- something very evident in both Zouel and Pwice's (the former witch doctors) lives.

I am still impressed, upon returning to the states, by the theme this year of redemption and new birth. I got to worship alongside Zouel, see his new house go up, watch him dance for the Lord after the "Come as You Are" service with Pwice... If God can redeem his life, he can CERTAINLY redeem mine and yours.

"Thy kindgom come, thy will be done."