Momentum and Pleasant Valley – Tuesday

From Pleasant Valley –

It’s an unusual experience for Americans to wake at 5 AM to the sound of a church singing and praying. I have to admit that, at first, I was a little irritated. But once I figured out where all of the commotion was coming from I was very moved. No offense to my American church friends, but I can’t imagine a full-blown worship service beginning that early.

This morning we spent some time walking around one of the neighborhoods…passing out stickers, painting fingernails for the girls and talking with the great folks we met. They asked a lot of questions about why we were there and we had opportunities to share with them and pray. Our hearts were broken by at least one encounter. We met young girl (maybe 5 or so) hauling water to her house. We asked if we could carry the water and she led us quite a way up the road and then up a pretty steep hill to her house. We can’t even begin to relate to this kind of situation in affluent America. At the same time, it’s hard to believe the openness. That’s also not found in most places in America.

This afternoon, the guys went back to the fishing village at Preskul. Yesterday we challenged the men to find something to do to show love to their kids. They reported that, last night, they got together as a village and threw a party for the kids. They gathered under the lone light and turned on some music and danced with their children. That’s responding to a challenge! Today Jeff shared the story of Ruth and Boaz and talked about being a godly husband. We challenged the men to find a non-sexual way to show love to their wives tonight.

While we were there we also had an opportunity to see some handmade lobster traps made out of bamboo. Very cool stuff. Rick didn’t do so well playing Haitian dominoes today and wound up wearing a whole bunch of clothespins up and down his arms. It’s all a part of fitting in with the guys there.

Karen shared today during the women’s conference. She talked about choosing God and the kinds of resolve that takes. She got a good response from the ladies in attendance.

Today we also took delivery of four goats and we’re expecting to see a couple of donkeys arrive tomorrow.

God continues to do amazing things and I know that it’s not over yet.
Rick

****

From Momentum –

Today was our fourth day. My main man Sergio and I (Peyton) are the bloggers tonight, oh yeah! The team went up to Marouge! That was definitely a once in a life time experience to say the least! The medical team helped soooo many patients today. Then Sergio, Allyson, Scott, Gabby and myself were having a ball with all the kids. We brought them soccer balls to play with, Gabby and I did a puppet show for all our patients that were waiting.

Big news for Moxie today, Josh would be so proud! Gabby and I showed a bunch of Haitian kids the Moxie Swag dance, that’s right, we’re going global baby! Allyson and Gabs painted all the little girls nails and it was a complete success! Scott did awesome with the kids! He taught on the Wordless Book, which tells the gospel message through colors. We passed out bracelets with all the colors to the children that were tuned in. It was great seeing their faces so intrigued by the story of God.

While all of this was happening, the medical team was all over the place, being creative at all times, improvising the Pharmacy, the exam tables, I.V. stations, etc. Flash lights were essential since the place we were in had no electricity.

Jill, Nick and Gabby headed the pharmacy while Loren, Allan, Andrew, Mike, Rob, Brandy and Jenn performed all the procedures attending a whooping 35 patients. Everything ranged from simple vitamin shots to extracting a big cyst from someone’s skull.

That pretty much summed up the day in Marouge. The transition back to the Mole is another story in itself. We brought home three goats that sounded like a bunch of crying babies the whole way back, it could be because they were hog-tied though… Anyways, we also had a blowout on the truck. A tire got ripped up on the rocky path back from the mountains. That’s when we had to get the Haitian pit crew out there to change the tire, very impressive I must say!

We arrived at 6pm and have just a little time to eat and go to the revival. The crowd is the largest one yet and they are having the time of their lives! The lead lady is just awesome! Although we cannot understand a word she says, we are all sharing the joy and dancing with the locals as she sings her songs.

Sergio did his lesson tonight! I have to say it was the bomb! He shared his testimony and trials of his life. How God showed love to him to get him through it and that God loves us all. Kim this is for you! Even though I wasn’t here I know you did a bang up job with the women’s conference! You have gotten a spark lit under these women in this town.

By the way they were singing at the revival “We’re not gonna take it,” which refers to the men not treating them how they should! Great stuff.

Okay, Sergio and Peyton out!