Mary and I just returned from exhausting but successful trip to Haiti. We were there from Wednesday, April 3, to Sunday, April 7. On this trip, we had five checked bags containing the new sound system. We prayed all five suitcases would arrive with nothing missing. God answered our prayer--not a single item was missing, which is a miracle in Haiti.
On this 5 day 4 night visit we were able to see the church building project up close and personal. The project is about 85-90% complete. What we accomplished this week:
l Delivered the sound system, installed and tested it.
l Successfully wired the new electrical line into the new breaker box
l Installed several 110 outlets on the interior walls
l Installed 9 ceiling fans
l Sanded and painted the interior walls.
l Had wifi installed in the hall
The Church held their first Sabbath service in the building last Sabbath, April 13. Some additional brackets and building ties were to be installed last week as we prepare for hurricane season in the Caribbean. The steel doors have been installed and we are having the handrails for the stairway finished this week.
The much needed assembly hall comes at a time of pressing need. Our Bible Study on Friday, April 6 was overflowing our 58 seat capacity as we had over 70 in attendance. The next morning for services there were 85 plus in attendance. We had a wonderful interactive service as the Haitian brethren took part in proving the history of Passover thru the many scriptures in both the New and Old Testaments. There is a zeal and passion for God's Ways in this financially crippled country. We had 5 baptisms this trip with most having no COG background.
On Sabbath afternoon, deacon Joseph Jean took Mary and me to a couple of the huts behind his home. Two different ladies in our congregation inhabit these huts, and both of them are in dire need of repair. When it rains, the rain pours inside. One of the ladies owns a small plot of land where we hope to build her a 12x12 block house with a roof to keep out the rain. This same lady just buried her 3 year old grandchild at the back of this plot of land. The child was born handicapped and had just passed away. The funeral was held on Sabbath morning. We hope we can help both these ladies so they and their families can stay dry when it rains.
The highlight of the trip on Sabbath morning--five people were added to the body of Christ in a baptism ceremony at the Wozo Hotel.
It was a tiring but worthwhile trip. Our goal is to have everything 100% completed on our next trip. We thank everyone for your prayers and your support of this great work being done in Haiti. The Mirebalais congregation will keep the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread for the first time. They are excited and eager to learn more by keeping God's Holy Days and learning God's plan of salvation for not only them, but for the entire world. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel down "The Road To Eternal Life!
BUILDING EXTERIOR
BUILDING INTERIOR
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| Finishing the trusses |
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| Tired puppy |
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| Painting |
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| Looking toward the front, where the podium will be |
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| Milot doing a little painting |
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| One of the four speakers installed around the room |
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| Electrical completed! |
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| Standing in front, looking toward the back of the building |
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| Steel entrance door |
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| Walando, an excellent carpenter |
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| Back entrance |
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| Outlets along one of the walls |
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| L to R: Joseph Jean, deacom from COG 7th Day, Chuck, Pastor Michelet from COG 7th Day, Milot (Joseph Jean's assistant) |
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| Testing the sound system |
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| Part of the sound system |
BRETHREN
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| Newly baptized members |
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| One of the newly baptized members, washing dishes outside the Jean home |
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Friday Night Bible Study
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| The twins, riding to Church |
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| Lively singing during services |
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| Elderly lady on her plot of land. Her grandchild's grave is right behind her. |
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| The home we hope to repair |
