Meridian Day 4

Today was the beginning of the rest of my life. Today I had the honor and privilege of being baptized in the ocean. It was by far one of the highlights of my week so far. I’m so glad I was able to share this life changing experience with the amazing team that traveled here with me. They have been so kind and loving and I’ve really come to know and love them as a family. I’m especially glad I got the honor of being baptized next to Austin Faulds. It was his idea and I couldn’t possibly be more glad to share this glorious day with someone like Austin. I’m so glad God has given me the opportunity to come and be part of this life-changing week.

Ben Hampton

Two very vital members of our team got baptized today. It was incredible. A beautiful sunset, the salt of the Caribbean lapping around their newly born bodies, and the sound of victory rising from the crowd and the angels above. I can’t even explain how proud I am of Ben Hampton and Austin Faulds. On second thought, I can’t explain how proud I am of everyone on this trip. It’s definitely at least a little out of our comfort zones, and yet, we couldn’t be happier to be a part of this mission and God’s work in the Mole. We get to spend every day in this beautiful, rough, trying, extensively stretching country and we can physically see God’s work and His light being spread through NWHCM. We wake up everyday to the sound of roosters crowing, goats bleating, and children singing. We have been able to connect to not only the citizens of this work of art country, but also the people working to connect to them alongside us. It is a blessing to even be able to come on this trip and be a family and bring the light of God to people’s homes. We did our first Hut-to-Hut expedition today, and I was amazed at how the children at the homes clung to us as Americans, just amazed that we would come to them from so far away just to talk to them about Jesus. I was also stunned that the kids that came to VBS were so excited just to be able to take home a puppet and that they climbed all over our laps and were just . . . so excited for us to be there. They’re all so eager to hold our hands as we walk and to teach us a little about themselves and their language. All of the kids. Our little orphan friends AND our new friends in the villages. Their smiles are the best gifts I have ever received. I can’t help but feel so full and so fortunate to be a part of this. The baptism of my baby brother and a man I have come to consider a very good friend just topped the day off, and even though I am exhausted, achy and ready for a nice cold shower and my cot (as I’m sure the majority of us are), I’m really glad to be here and I’m so excited to wake up tomorrow and start it all over again. Thank you for your prayers and support, from all of us in Haiti.

Abby Hampton

As Abby mentioned, we added Hut-to-Hut to our VBS adventure today. We visited Marouge this morning, bright and early. As happens often in Haiti, plans change, and instead of using two of the mission’s trucks, we traveled via a government bus. So, instead of leaving at 6:30 AM, we departed a little later. We didn’t have a lot of time for Hut-to-Hut, but 5 groups walked to different homes and shared with several families about Jesus. After lunch, dance camp met for the second time. The girls are loving their time with Katie, Emma, Paige, and Erin and learning a dance to the song, “Holy is the Lord.” After dance camp, we had two ministries happening at the same time. Part of the group went into town to play soccer and basketball, and the rest of us stayed on campus for our Women’s Bible Study. We had a great time playing a silly game, digging into the story of Zaccheus, breaking into groups for prayer, and working on some beautiful bracelets. I’m so excited that we’re meeting two more times with these precious ladies. This evening, we had devotions on the beach and spent time affirming one another…encouraging words at the end of a long day. And, to top off the day, we had two baptisms! We’ve had a wonderful trip so far. We’re seeing God’s presence here in a big way. Can’t wait to see what He has in store for us tomorrow.

Bethany Ritter