Yesterday, we began the morning with a concert of prayer. Each interactive prayer station gave the opportunity to offer up praise, thanksgiving, confession, and supplication to God. We has some uncertainties about how the Haitian people would adapt to this way of worship that is foreign to their culture, but in the end we were blown away! While at first they were hesitant to come forward and participate in each station, as time progressed all of us enjoyed being in God's presence together. One activity the Haitian people particularly enjoyed was writing various names of God on the paper that we taped on their church walls. They did not want to stop! All of us enjoyed praising God together through song as well. Both English and Creole rang simultaneously in the church that morning! It was an amazing experience.
Yesterday also marked the second day of our youth conference. Though it has been a struggle to teach youth of a completely different culture, all of the translators further elaborated on our ideas and enabled the students to understand the relevancy of the material in a way we never could have. Nearly all of the translators have completed Open Door's school of youth ministry training and we were very appreciative of their partnership with us. We had the opportunity to see the heart that God has given them for this ministry. We were united by a common purpose in doing this conference... to equip the students to be disciples of Christ who make disciples who make disciples.
This morning we rose early and hiked to a small prayer chapel in the mountains. This was a wonderful way to spend some time in worship and reflection as a team. As we prayed, so did several other Haitians who were there to be in the presence of the Father. We ended our journey with a trip to the tourist market and then headed to the airport. Tomorrow we will depart for Minneapolis and will arrive home. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to reflect on the work God has done in us and through us this week. You are a blessing to us all!
Ps. 16:3,11 "The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."
ReplyDelete-Well done, good and faithful team! You are the godly ones who have brought and taught the Way of Life to Haiti, and it sounds like you have done the work of true heroes. The Spirit of God has helped you to bridge the culture gap to raise up disciples of the Lord Jesus. Just think of the impact for eternity--Soli Deo Gloria!
This has been so much fun to read along as you experienced God in a different culture. I'm so grateful to each of you for taking time to post updates about this mission trip! I'll be praying for safe travels today! It'll be great to have you all back! Can't wait for the presentation on Sunday!
ReplyDeleteJenny C.