Day two in Haiti has been wonderful. We got up early and had a delicious casserole and grits for breakfast (we're being spoiled beyond belief). We headed out to Pastor Cenar's church around 7:30. At first I didn't recognize his name or the church, but then Jim reminded me that Pastor Cenar is the one who used to run the rooftop church we went to in 2009. They used to have this great rooftop on the side of a huge mountain where they could use the loud speakers and everyone on the mountainside could hear the service. It was a really cool experience and such a great witnessing tool. Unfortunately, that property can't be used since the earthquake, but they have a great location close by.
Haiti churches are always fun to attend. They worship and sing for over two hours before the message is even brought. This isn't your traditional hymns, stand around and sing quietly church. This is a scream, shout, dance, clap, get on your knees, or whatever the Lord puts on your heart kind of church. They worship in ways you've probably never seen in an American church. I may not have been able to understand much of the words they sang, but I worshipped right along with them! Randall got to preach, and it was a great message.
After the service, Pastor Cenar took us around to see the school he's just built on the church property. While we were in there, he explained the story of three women he had previously asked Randall to pray for during the service. These women unfortunately are in the difficult and desperate situation of prostitution. This is not a lifestyle they want or wanted to choose, but it has come down to either selling themselves to feed their family, or having no food. This story really challenged all of us today. It puts into perspective how beyond spoiled we are in America. We may not have the newest phone, car, or nicest clothes, but I'm pretty sure none of you have ever been forced to decide between starving to death or selling your body. It's a heart-breaking story. These women want out so bad. They know their actions are wrong, but what choice do they have? One woman is basically a slave to the guy paying for her. If she were to leave him she would be forced to completely uproot her family to a different location in fear of him killing her. I can’t even imagine being in such a desperate, heart wrenching, painful, and difficult situation. Pastor Cenar pleaded with us to lift these ladies up in prayer. He said I have “tears in my heart for them.” I’m pleading the same thing to you tonight. They want out, but need God to provide a way. Randall preached today that there is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and there is nothing you can do to make Him love you less. He loves us all just as we are with a love so strong we can’t explain it. He said that God loves you no matter what you’ve done. I think the ladies really needed to hear that message today, and I’m hoping they found some hope through it. Please keep these ladies in your prayers. Pray for their safety, guidance, and for a safe way out. Please also keep the guys they are with in your prayers. They need to find the Lord just as much as these ladies. A change in their hearts would do wonders. It breaks my heart, and while I wish I could do more, we were all reminded today that prayer is such a powerful and wonderful tool that we all have.
The rest of our afternoon was spent pretty much relaxing here at the house. We had a great lunch (leftovers from last night), most of the team got a nap, and we had time to recuperate and get ready for our bible study at the Phillipino UN.
Jim & Debbie over the last few months have been hosting a weekly bible study with some of the soldiers in at the Phillipino UN. The soldiers just recently switched out, so everyone there tonight was new. It was an exciting time to see another area of ministry here in Haiti. As these men and women get to know Jim more over the next few weeks, this ministry will grow and grow. We also got a good laugh while at the UN because all the soldiers wanted pictures with “just the ladies.” At one point Amanda, Cassie, and I were trying to get a picture of the three of us and all the men asked to get their picture taken individually with us. We got a good laugh out of it; It was like we were celebrities. So if you see 50 new pictures of us on Facebook tagged by a bunch of random guys, you’ll know where they came from! Ha!
It’s been a really good day. We had a great dinner, played some bananagrams, phase 10, and have been blessed with power all day! That’s such a blessing! I am BEYOND excited to see Dorothy and the kids tomorrow. So excited, I hope I can sleep tonight! I hope you are all having a fabulous week, but I’m sure it simply can’t compare to ours!
More to come tomorrow after I see all my babies and hug their necks!! Have I mentioned I love this place?
Goodnight!
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