We are half way through another work week here at Haiti Arise. Building projects are on the go, the elementary is in session, and the computer classes seem to be happening all the time (yesterday there was 3 different classes).
A new team arrived on Tuesday and they are busy putting in work in various places. They are from CrossRoads Church in Red Deer Alberta. Yesterday we were busy sifting sand and helping some guys who were parging the walls of an almost finished home. Others were helping prepare lumber for building forms for the roof of another home. Rebecca was teaching some English to the elementary students and getting them all hyped by blowing bubbles at recess. In the afternoon I met with a few young men from the church and helped them with their conversational English. It is a great time of fellowship and getting to know each other more.
This afternoon we will heading out to visit people in their homes and pray with them. And then we will have our Thursday night prayer service. So never a dull moment here at Haiti Arise.
We were encouraged by Jim from Father's House Church in California (I forget the city), to blog more often and just share our thoughts and lives more. Thanks for that encouragement, God willing we will blog a little more. And by 'we' I mean me because Rebecca is great at writing where I usually never do.
As I return to the various jobs going on here, I just want people to know that God is using Haiti Arise to make a difference. People are being strengthened in the church and growing stronger through Sunday school classes that are just starting. Houses are being built for those who lost them in the earthquake. Many young children are receiving an education here. The technical school will soon start to be rebuilt, providing useful education for people in the surrounding areas. They can learn skills that can create/or help them get jobs. The medical clinic is almost ready for the roof to be poured and many other things are going on. I just want people to know that despite what they hear on the news and despite the lack of government. Changes are being made, people are moving forward and God's kingdom continues to expand and be strengthened here!
God Bless.
I better head back to it all.
Please continue to keep this ministry and us in your prayers.
Chris.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
A week of good times~
Bonswa from Haiti Arise~ I just finished teaching my Saturday morning English class and thought it would be good to take some time to write a blog. We had a really great and busy week with a team from California. They were great group, very willing to serve in any way or area that we suggested or needed attention.
My favorite part of the week was the VBS program they had for the kids in the afternoons. The first day was organized chaos but after each day we met and discussed what we could improve on and how we could keep better control. So if any of you reading my blog are planning on working with the kids or having a VBS program at Haiti Arise I am yours to plan and prep with. :) We did crafts, snack time and a puppet show with lots of singing. The kids really love to sing and can get really into songs with actions. A lot of the children's songs we sing in Canada the kids know in Creole. We also did face painting one day and they loved it. All the boys wanted beards and mustaches. The girls enjoyed flowers and hearts.
I really enjoy working with the children. I am especially getting to know the elementary school kids since I've started teaching English in each class once a week for 30 minutes. They don't know any English, most can't even say hello properly. So I get to start at the beginning and teach ABC. Marc is really keen on having me teach because he wants the children to learn to not say "you, you" or "blanc, blanc" when they see a white person/foreigner, but rather hello.
We had a lot of opportunities to walk about in the community to pray and share Christ with different families. We met a lady dying of a heart condition and the team went almost everyday to pray for her. She did pass away Thursday night but went home to be with our Lord. We met a 17 year old girl with a baby who wanted to be converted and who now is coming to church and I have a had the privilege of praying with her and encouraging her. So please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and Grand Goave as Christ is working here and touching lives. We need Him everyday and every hour.
Chris had to opportunity to preach in church again last Sunday. It was well received and really timely as the message was on quiet time seeking God in prayer by following Christ's example. Christians in Haiti really need to seek God in prayer especially with the elections coming again in a month or so. Chris really enjoys the opportunities he gets to preach and the Bible study through Genesis that he faithfully teaches each Friday night.
Construction and building projects are going forward. The technical school foundation was dug out this past week by a crew of 20 Haitian guys with Chris and Dave jumping in the odd afternoon. The bob cat wasn't working for a few weeks but one of the guys on the team was able to fix it so the building of the wall around the childrens village property got started again. Also the homes for people in the community are being built. There is lots of progress. This morning the guys poured the roof on Madanm Luc's new home. There are 3 homes being built at the moment and it's going really well. We are excited to see all the projects going and thank God for what He's doing through Haiti Arise and all the supporters.
Wow that was a lot of information. I am pretty sure you are all caught up though.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.
Rebecca
My favorite part of the week was the VBS program they had for the kids in the afternoons. The first day was organized chaos but after each day we met and discussed what we could improve on and how we could keep better control. So if any of you reading my blog are planning on working with the kids or having a VBS program at Haiti Arise I am yours to plan and prep with. :) We did crafts, snack time and a puppet show with lots of singing. The kids really love to sing and can get really into songs with actions. A lot of the children's songs we sing in Canada the kids know in Creole. We also did face painting one day and they loved it. All the boys wanted beards and mustaches. The girls enjoyed flowers and hearts.
I really enjoy working with the children. I am especially getting to know the elementary school kids since I've started teaching English in each class once a week for 30 minutes. They don't know any English, most can't even say hello properly. So I get to start at the beginning and teach ABC. Marc is really keen on having me teach because he wants the children to learn to not say "you, you" or "blanc, blanc" when they see a white person/foreigner, but rather hello.
We had a lot of opportunities to walk about in the community to pray and share Christ with different families. We met a lady dying of a heart condition and the team went almost everyday to pray for her. She did pass away Thursday night but went home to be with our Lord. We met a 17 year old girl with a baby who wanted to be converted and who now is coming to church and I have a had the privilege of praying with her and encouraging her. So please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and Grand Goave as Christ is working here and touching lives. We need Him everyday and every hour.
Chris had to opportunity to preach in church again last Sunday. It was well received and really timely as the message was on quiet time seeking God in prayer by following Christ's example. Christians in Haiti really need to seek God in prayer especially with the elections coming again in a month or so. Chris really enjoys the opportunities he gets to preach and the Bible study through Genesis that he faithfully teaches each Friday night.
Construction and building projects are going forward. The technical school foundation was dug out this past week by a crew of 20 Haitian guys with Chris and Dave jumping in the odd afternoon. The bob cat wasn't working for a few weeks but one of the guys on the team was able to fix it so the building of the wall around the childrens village property got started again. Also the homes for people in the community are being built. There is lots of progress. This morning the guys poured the roof on Madanm Luc's new home. There are 3 homes being built at the moment and it's going really well. We are excited to see all the projects going and thank God for what He's doing through Haiti Arise and all the supporters.
Wow that was a lot of information. I am pretty sure you are all caught up though.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.
Rebecca
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A year later in Grand Goave
Greetings from Haiti. Well it's going to be hard to put into words what has happened here in the last week. It's been a really good and busy time.
Last Wed to Sun we had crusades in the evenings. They took place downtown by the park (if your familiar with the town).
Chris had went to the same area in early October for the celebration of Grand Goave's birthday. The atmosphere at that time was a big party, drinking and dancing. So this last week it was a blessing to see over a few thousand people singing praises and dancing for the Lord. And then we very encouraged by the preaching that took place as well. There were pastors from Canada (Pastor Ed,Leduc and Pastor Russ, Saskatoon), and many from the surrounding area of Grand Goave. So each day we did our various tasks and jobs around the compound and then went to the crusades at night. Haitians know how to worship God, it's really neat to experience and be a part of it.
The picture on the blog is from the Sunday March around the town. It was a cool experience marching for Christ. :) The other picture is of the girls who helped serve for all the meals during the seminars. From Mon to Wed (today) we had the leaders of Grand Goave and churches in the area come together for the seminars. Topics from how earthquakes happen, basic health care, spiritual leadership and building were all addressed. Pastor Marc says it was a big success and the people were really appreciative.
I was also so encouraged to see all the people from church come and serve by cooking, hosting, leading worship and taking care of technical details. Everyone serving with their gifting.
There was a memorial service in the park at 2:30 today and they laid flowers, had a minute of silence, and lots of prayer. I think it's really good for the people to get some more closure from what happened last year and to continue moving on.
Tomorrow we have our first team of 2011 coming from California. As for what they will be up to I will have to let you know that next week.
I am so thankful to be in Haiti at this time. It's been a huge blessing for us and I can only hope and pray God is using Chris and I to be a blessing too.
I hope that shows you what's been happening in a nut shell. If there are any question please post them in the comments below.
Thanks for reading~ Rebecca and Chris
Last Wed to Sun we had crusades in the evenings. They took place downtown by the park (if your familiar with the town).
Chris had went to the same area in early October for the celebration of Grand Goave's birthday. The atmosphere at that time was a big party, drinking and dancing. So this last week it was a blessing to see over a few thousand people singing praises and dancing for the Lord. And then we very encouraged by the preaching that took place as well. There were pastors from Canada (Pastor Ed,Leduc and Pastor Russ, Saskatoon), and many from the surrounding area of Grand Goave. So each day we did our various tasks and jobs around the compound and then went to the crusades at night. Haitians know how to worship God, it's really neat to experience and be a part of it.
The picture on the blog is from the Sunday March around the town. It was a cool experience marching for Christ. :) The other picture is of the girls who helped serve for all the meals during the seminars. From Mon to Wed (today) we had the leaders of Grand Goave and churches in the area come together for the seminars. Topics from how earthquakes happen, basic health care, spiritual leadership and building were all addressed. Pastor Marc says it was a big success and the people were really appreciative.
I was also so encouraged to see all the people from church come and serve by cooking, hosting, leading worship and taking care of technical details. Everyone serving with their gifting.
There was a memorial service in the park at 2:30 today and they laid flowers, had a minute of silence, and lots of prayer. I think it's really good for the people to get some more closure from what happened last year and to continue moving on.
Tomorrow we have our first team of 2011 coming from California. As for what they will be up to I will have to let you know that next week.
I am so thankful to be in Haiti at this time. It's been a huge blessing for us and I can only hope and pray God is using Chris and I to be a blessing too.
I hope that shows you what's been happening in a nut shell. If there are any question please post them in the comments below.
Thanks for reading~ Rebecca and Chris
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Back in Haiti~
Well here we are back home. That is what it seems like to us since presently this is actually our home. It's good to be back. Happy New Year by the way. We definitely had a great New Years party here on the compound lots of good food, praising the Lord and bringing in the New Year with hugs and prayer. We've had a quiet week up until now just getting back into the swing of things with meetings and planning. There is lots happening in this new year. David and Beth from Moose Jaw are here with us helping out for 3 months. It's good to have them here for a longer time and Chris and I are excited to be serving with them.
We are in the middle some exciting times in preparation for the anniversary of the earthquake on January 12th. For the next 3 days there will be crusade meetings at the park in Grand Goave and prayer meetings in the morning. Next Monday and Tuesday there will be seminars held for church and community leaders about why earth quakes happen. (geologist is coming to speak) Also on health care, construction and sharing of the gospel. Then on Wednesday there will be a memorial service to remember those who lost their lives in the earthquake and help bring closure for those who are still grieving.
So there is lots to plan and prepare for. Then next week Wednesday we will have our first team of the year. They are coming from California.
Miesha, Asher and Jasmine have started going to school here at Haiti Arise. It's neat to see them playing with the other kids and in class.
Well I think we are off to the first crusade in a few minutes. Pray for the people of Haiti and Grand Goave that God would touch them and save many during this week.
God Bless
Rebecca
We are in the middle some exciting times in preparation for the anniversary of the earthquake on January 12th. For the next 3 days there will be crusade meetings at the park in Grand Goave and prayer meetings in the morning. Next Monday and Tuesday there will be seminars held for church and community leaders about why earth quakes happen. (geologist is coming to speak) Also on health care, construction and sharing of the gospel. Then on Wednesday there will be a memorial service to remember those who lost their lives in the earthquake and help bring closure for those who are still grieving.
So there is lots to plan and prepare for. Then next week Wednesday we will have our first team of the year. They are coming from California.
Miesha, Asher and Jasmine have started going to school here at Haiti Arise. It's neat to see them playing with the other kids and in class.
Well I think we are off to the first crusade in a few minutes. Pray for the people of Haiti and Grand Goave that God would touch them and save many during this week.
God Bless
Rebecca
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