Hello America! It is our last day here in the Mole and to keep up with tradition it is pouring down rain right now…were kinda getting used to it 🙂 I don’t want to leave this place. The country is sooo beautiful and the people are all very happy and nice. The kids love to play and the adults actually say hello back and wave and smile instead of ignoring us like in America. A lot of kids have learned my name and it’s so great to hear them yell my name and wave when we walk by.
This past week has been so life changing. I feel like I’ve learned so much just by being in a different culture. I learned that Haiti has no driving laws, your feet can actually be so dirty that even after showering and scrubbing you still have a layer of dirt on your feet, God moves no matter how our plans fall apart, and this country has many people who are wanting to hear God’s word. Today was spent getting all the supplies that we are leaving here separated and getting the tents put down and kinda dried out. A couple of us got our hair braided, Mikela, Rosie, and Malaya (Jody and Jose’s daughter’s) told me I looked like Willow Smith.
I then went to the Women’s VBS with the other girls and helped paint nails and designs. Thanks mom for teaching me how 🙂 I’m excited to get home and even more excited to get to take a warm shower and eat real american food. I’m so excited to get home and share all that we have learned with all of you! I’m even more excited to come back and be able to share more and strengthen my relationships with these people. See you all soon 🙂
Mikayla Clubine
p.s. It appears that Chipolte is on everyone’s “Things to do as soon as I get back” list. (Jacob Sullivan)
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Today things didn’t exactly go as we had planned as the excessive rain we’ve been getting prevented us from going to Preskul as a large team to dedicate the water cistern. I know this was disappointing to many of us but we were still able to touch the lives of the people of Preskul today. We got to make a cross mosaic with colored glass pieces that we had planned on making when we taught the village about redemption here in the Mole. We also were able to construct a block with a verse in Creole, John 4:13-14, which tells what Jesus said to the woman at the well about how God was the only way to be truly satisfied with life. My hope is that even though we weren’t able to physically be there with the people of Preskul today and tell them our hopes for their lives, that they will know that God’s spirit will always be with them. I hope that the solar-powered lanterns we passed out to the village yesterday will remind them that Jesus is the light of the world and can easily overcome the darkness of the world and give them hope. And I hope that the cistern with the cross and verse remind them that though they might face physical struggles in this life that Jesus is the only living water and in His hands they will always be taken care of. This week I have felt so many emotions – anxiety, excitement, frustration, despair, peace, and hope – and I have learned so much about myself, my spiritual walk, and the people of Haiti. I have seen God at work this week and I have seen things that have broke my heart. I just want to thank God for this amazing opportunity to come to Haiti and though I will be sad to leave I must say I can’t wait to be back home, fully appreciating all that I have.
Emily Spring
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Great Glorious Days Fly By in Mole, St. Nicholas. The constantly changing and amazing work of the most creative Creator ever known continued to astound and amaze some of the oldest on this journey. The teaching team started unplanned teaching early Saturday, again Sunday afternoon, all day Monday, Tuesday, and today. The Pastor’s conference began Monday and the early tone was one of “challenge”, Tuesday was a day of visible transition, and today ended in spirit filled prayer for our brothers whose names and stories we have just learned. What began with cordial introductions and somewhat stiff greetings ended with warm embraces between every pastor and each of the teaching team. The stories are ever-changing, but not the faithfulness of our Redeemer.
The “no water” showers, mosquitos, no electricity, humidity, flees, flys, rain, nauseating bus rides, will all be forgotten but Terrific Pastor Tim, Animal Joey, newly found brother separated since birth Chip, and 12 incredibly faithful Haitian Pastors are indelibly etched in my mind waiting our reuniting on the day we all get HOME.
Mark Layton (PV Abilene, TX campus)
