Sunday Happenings in Haiti

After a great nights rest we were up and having our first Haitian breakfast.  We stayed in a guest house on the mission and had our own kitchen and everything!  Pastor Bakers wife was generous and had brought over some Cheerios and fresh bread and jelly.  It was very surreal to be having breakfast just the two of us in a home in Haiti.

Right:  Here is the kitchen where we stayed.  It was crazy to have a kitchen table and a view that overlooked the mountain side!  On the mission dinner is provided Monday - Friday at the cafeteria for workers.


Below is a picture of our bedroom and of what a typical guest room would look like for any visitors who may want to venture over to Haiti :)

Left:  That window above the bed was only covered by a screen and some bars.  We heard everything from chickens, to crickets, to frogs, to some kind of night chirping bird when falling asleep each night.


The mission has 4 guards who are on duty throughout the night and 2 during the day.  There are a total of 70 Haitians who work on the mission throughout the day.


At 8:30 a.m. we drove about 15 minutes down the mountain for church.  There were several "special guests" that attended the service.  These were women's groups from surrounding churches who came and sang special music throughout the service.

Left:  This is one of the ladies groups singing in front of the church.  This is a large church in Haiti.  The Lieb family joined this church when there were only 15 children, there are now over 100.


God is truly at work in the heart of his people.   Please pray that the Haitians do not love the idea of church and having an activity to attend as more important that having a relationship with Jesus.  This is not simply a struggle in Haiti, it is a concern in the states as well.

Right:  Men and women listening to the service on Sunday morning.  The children were outside for "childrens church" singing songs and playing in the courtyard.  


We do not speak any Creole but had some translation provided by the Lieb family.  It was incredible to know that although we do not understand we serve a God who hears the prayers of his people and is never confused by the praise of his people.


The service lasted a little more than two hours due to all the special music.  We were definitely feeling the impact of the wooden benches after our previous day riding around in the back of the truck.  After the service ended we were treated to a pretty big adventure.  I piled in the back of an alteraine vehicle holding on tight with Hannah and Bri (10 & 16 I think) while Trey and Chris took us on a crazzzy dirt road ride up the mountain.  It proved to be a little difficult to hold on to a bar in the back of the vehicle because we were in skirts so I was getting to hold on with one hand and hold my skirt down with the other.  

Above:  I tried to do a little video while we were driving but I do not know if it is able to play on this screen.


We drove on this dirt road for about 30 minutes.  To say that by the time we stopped I was relieved would be an understatement.  It was a great ride but I was definitely "white knuckling" according to Trey.

Right:  The man in the hat and overalls is a pastor of a church we reached at the top of the mountain, he is 79 years old.  They were out moving rocks after their church service and placing them along the side of the building to prevent erosion.


It was amazing to see the dedication of this congregation.  He was truly leading his flock by example.

Left:  There were several kids hanging around while the work was being done.  A future youth group for this church?  I think so. :)  They were not so sure about the camera but I finally managed to get a good picture.  I'm not sure the girl in the pink knows what to think.  She was surprised and laughed a lot when I showed her the screen of the camera and she saw herself.

Right:  I could not get over these boys!  I pray they learn to love the Lord and truly impact the nation of Haiti.


We loved our time in the mountains.  As we looked out over the surroundings it was honestly breathtaking.  

  Above: All the way up at the top of the mountain and we still had private restrooms.  The kids really got a kick out of watching us pose for this picture.  I must say though, mine was recently used...nothing like the sweet smell of...well...you know.


After our tour up the mountain it was back down the mountain for lunch.  Pastor Baker and his wife prepared lasagna for lunch for us!  To say we were spoiled while we were there would be an understatement.  We had a great time getting to be with family all the way in Haiti.  It was truly a wonderful Sunday afternoon.

Our Sunday concluded by singing Hymns and listening to a message from Pastor Baker with the missionaries and volunteers at the mission.  Kelly Lieb (Chris's wife) played the piano and we all searched through the hymnal to name our favorite hymns to sing together.  It was a wonderful time of praising God for his faithfulness.


Trey's favorite hymn is "Wherever He Leads I'll Go"  He suggested we sing this song and I almost cried like a baby.  We were overwhelmed at the opportunity to worship with that night.  It is our prayer and we pray the same for you, that wherever the Lord leads us, we would ALWAYS be willing to go.