Miss Marise is one of 2 nurses that run a clinic for a partner organization, Mission E4.  Several months ago I had the opportunity to teach her how to suture using fruit.  Since then I have gone through several small teachings with her on diagnosing and treating common illnesses that are seen in Haiti.  This week, she excitedly told me that she did a suture training with the new nurse in the clinic and has made her copies of all the lessons we have gone through together.  They are now actively caring for and treating people with simple wounds that need suturing.  Miss Marise is a woman who deeply loves Jesus and freely gives away what she learns.  We are praying that God would lead us to many more like her! ~ Kate, PA

Thirty volunteers from over ten different communities in Leogane came together week of inspiration and training. Each one came with great energy and expectancy,  full of hope and ready to proactively engage the issues they see all around them; excited to learn how to positively impact their communities both spiritually and physically. We were honored to host three very skilled and well-seasoned Master Trainers from Medical Ambassadors International in the north of Haiti, graciously facilitated the training. The volunteers, chosen by their pastor, have already shown great initiative, character, and leadership potential, and have committed to sacrifice time and energy to mobilize and inspire communities to join God in becoming agents of their own transformation. It was so much fun to watch as the volunteers got so into whatever was going on, whether it was a lively discussion, a prayer time, a dramatic skit, or a fun dancing game, they did it all with their whole heart.  Throughout the week we found ourselves looking at each other, smiling and shaking our heads in wonder at what the Lord is doing.  We are so encouraged and humbled by this incredible group of people He has given us, and can’t wait to see the breakthroughs, progress, and transformation that awaits each of their communities . We look forward to coming along side and encouraging them in the coming months as they bloom and blossom into all the Lord has created them to be. It is such a privilege to be here and to get to partner with people who love God and are hungry to make a real difference in their communities and ultimately their nation!

To kick off our Integrated Community Health Initiative we invited about 45 pastors and local leaders from near by areas to a one day Vision Seminar that introduced the concept of community-led holistic health and development. Our desire was to see them stirred with excitement and vision for their own communities. We were thrilled with the turnout!!  Every attendee thought it a “tre bel” experience…meaning “so beautiful” and was filled with hope and vision for their communities. Our visiting trainers from Cap Haitien were two fiery women who offered incredible perspective for our upcoming initiative.  

Gina chooses Jesus ((One quick story))

During introductions people were paired up to get to know each other by matching papers they had been given by a trainer.  A friend of ours from Laferoney had the word “pot” which means door.  The pastor she was paired with had the word for “key”.  When it was their turn to introduce one another, she took the opportunity to share with the entire group of leaders that she had been wanting to start following Jesus but didn’t know how…could they pray for her to follow him?  All 40 people stood up surrounded her and prayed for grace and strength and Madame Bazille a good friend of ours prayed with her to receive Jesus.

The day before the seminar, Kate, Melaney and I were praying that even as we talked about community development and prevention that God would draw those that didn’t know Him into a greater understanding of who He is. Thanks for praying with us…God was Himself, His body in Haiti was lovely and we can all celebrate together.

Beyond the introductions, the whole day was great! We talked about what Christian community looks like, what diseases are preventable with community education, how churches and leaders can build strong committees that actually serve their population, what is holistic development, and how to choose trainers for our upcoming training in December.

Many houses that were destroyed in the earthquake have remained untouched in this community and many others in Haiti for over 18 months a constant reminder of the destruction and loss of life and a danger to children who might think they are fun to play in. Praise God!! Samaritan’s Purse agreed to use their big machinery to finish clearing away these houses. What’s even better is that they used the resulting rubble to build up the road that is constantly flooding and making it nearly impossible for children to get to school, women to the market, vendors to their shops etc. We had been praying for someone to partner with us in this area for quite a while and it’s so encouraging to look around the village and see such progress!  I know it’s also very encouraging for the members of the community to have a sense that they are really moving forward.  One can simply look around and see that the community looks very different now, than when our teams first arrived after the earthquake.  What a testimony to the Lord’s faithfulness, to the diligence of the community leaders and work crews, and to the many people who have prayed and given to see this community restored!

During the summer of 2011, we hosted an 6-week Evangelism and Discipleship Training program in partnership with 2 churches in Leogane, one of which was a plant from the other.  We met three days a week in each location with 30 leaders from these churches.  Haitians from the training program led over 20 people to Jesus and began to catch the vision for changing a nation through reproducing life-on-life discipleship.

A few quotes from that experience:

One of our National Partners, Pastor Roldolphe, after doing a devotional life discipleship lesson said, “I feel like I have a wonderful new way to worship the Lord!”

One of our team leaders recently observed one of our national partners (Jean Roody) leading a discipleship group. He has bought into the vision of 2 Tim. 2:2.  When asked about his group Jean Roody said, “We have to be like Paul, who found Timothy to be a serious (faithful) person and taught him to teach other serious (faithful) people who could teach others.”

Another National Partner, Madame Bazile, believes she will see the kingdom of God come to Leogane! She said, “These people (in our discipleship groups) are going to change Leogane and it will be how God wants it, like the garden of Eden!”

This summer we had the privilege of hosting 3 teams and a few individual visitors from our church network.  Each team came ready and willing to joyfully serve, giving themselves to whatever we put before them.  They had such desire to learn and catch a greater vision for how followers of Jesus can view poverty and respond to our call to be ministers of reconciliation (II Cor 5:17), while exploring what it might take to see sustainable transformation our city. While here the teams assisted with our Discipleship Training Program, received training from our team and some of our national partners,  and participated in service project and intercession tours around the city. Our team was enormously blessed and refreshed by our visitors!! Each team brought  unique gifts, humor and encouragement which beautifully represented the greater Body of Christ and left us feeling full.  Thank you all for sweating and serving with us humbly and without complaint!!