Preaching, Teaching, and Little Learning Adventures

The early part of the week was again full for Barry with lots of running and taking care of necesary paperwork. The simple task of getting insurance to drive is not so simple here. There are so many people to go through and so many people wanting a slice of the pie, it took seven trips in six days to Saint-Marc, talking to an estimated 50 people, and a bit of a headache to finally get the job done. One thing Haiti will certainly teach us is patience. That's one of our first lessons about this country; everything takes longer here than in the U.S. Expect it and be prepared for it.

Last Thursday evening, we welcomed Katie Yoder from Remnant Christian Fellowship in Utica, Ohio. We are blessed to have her with us, Lord willing, for about two months. I can see her heart for the poeple of Haiti already, and her zeal for the gospel. She'll do well here as she isn't afraid to get her hands a little dirty.

Katie's brother, Rueben flew down with her, and they experienced their own set of difficulties with their journey. They flew out of Columbus early Thursday morning, but shortly after takeoff it was announced that they were turning around to go back to Columbus due to complications with the plane. After some reconfiguring and switching flights, they made it to Port-au-Prince around seven o'clock, but it was without their luggage. So, Friday morning, Barry and Rueben returned to the airport to get them as they came off the expected flight. Reuben got a full dose of Haiti as he and Barry drove around Port-Au-Prince for several hours trying to find a certain store to do some buisness. They also saw a man that had been run over, laying dead on the road. It quickly reminded them how short this life really is! As for the luggage, the Lord seemed to bless their efforts as they had to go "backwards" through customs and were able to pull them directly off of the baggage claim. Rueben's flight home was scheduled for Saturday morning, so back to the airport they went.

We are pleased to finally be wrapping up some of the running to and fro for business and getting on to the real mission. Friday afternoon, Mart, Nate, Dennis, Cory, and Barry, as well as our translator Aneuse, and a few others, went to Arcahaie during the busy market time to witness and preach to the crowds. It was quite different from what often occurs at home in the U.S., as people stopped to listen and many were interested in taking gospel tracts. They returned to the market on Saturday around lunch time with similar results.

A door was opened for Barry to preach at a fairly large church nearby on Sunday morning. A young lady from the area, Rodeline, had shared a recording of Barry's sermon from the previous Sunday with the pastor, and he asked Barry to come share with his congregation as well. The service was led off by a time of loud, amplified singing, complete with drums and keyboard. Unfortunately we could not understand what was shared after the singing to help offer discernment about the state of the church, but Barry's fiery salvation message seemed to be well received. After the service, the pastor asked if Barry could conduct a Bible study on Friday evening with them.

It's a blessing that the Lord is opening doors for Barry to share in various places with various groups. Yesterday evening, we walked a short distance down the road and ended up at a prayer meeting in the front yard of our neighbors. Nearly 40 people were gathered to pray for a young lady who is having kidney problems and is scheduled for surgery on Friday. It was an opportunity to express the need for one's heart to be right with God when we ask for healing.

Today we answered a call to go to an orphanage that is experiencing some management and financial issues. It seems as though the place, in dire need of many things, will probably have to shut down unless the Lord has someone step in and make drastic changes. There are nearly 80 children who would be taken and relocated by social services. Although the children at this orphanage may not have the best living conditions, they are hearing the gospel and receiving some love and Bible teaching while they are there. The places they end up are likely to be just as bad as, or worse, physically as where they are now, but without any biblical teaching. There are a group of men and women who have a great burden for this orphanage. Pray for them as they seek answers in how to handle the situation.

The coming weekend holds more "adventures" and open doors for ministry. Saturday we plan to head out on a boat for a small island, stay the night, and Barry will preach there Sunday morning. Pray that the Spirit will lead and God's will may be done as he shares with a new, unfamiliar group.

Meanwhile, we're starting to enjoy cold showers, learning to check our rice a little more closely,  and we've begun the language lessons in high gear. Aneuse spends time with Barry each day teaching him Creole. It's been a struggle for him, and the rest of us are trying hard to catch on as well. What a blessing if we can break down the walls that a language barrier creates!

We are continually thankful for your support and prayers. Remember, we love to hear from you!