Thinking Outside the Box

The work of Baptist Haiti Mission is a group effort.  It is a gift to see the unique and oh so creative way God has designed the body of believers.  He has given each of us different gifts, passions, talents, etc.  Every facet of our life has been orchestrated by our creator.  The missionary staff of BHM are encouraged on a regular basis by the variety of people the Lord connects with BHM.  Last week BHM was privileged to work alongside a team from The Peoples Church, in Toronto Canada.

Mark, Geoffrey, Warwick, Brian, Ted, Tony, Christine, Uli and Kai arrived in Haiti with the task of building two houses.  While their days would be full of physical labor, their hearts were open to engaging and discovering the culture of Haiti.  The team was able to interact with the people in the area around their building projects each day.  They were able to share the love of Christ in a practical way by meeting the physical needs of two families.

Some of the team members had served alongside BHM before, and for others this was their first time in Haiti.  At the end of the week the team had successfully completed the two houses.

Each team held a "House Dedication" service for the family and community when the house was completed.  They sang a few songs together and spent some time in the Word.  The impact of the physical labor of this ordinary team from Toronto will remain.  However, there is more to the story...

The hearts of many of the team members were greatly impacted by their days spent in Haiti.  They were exposed to many aspects of a culture quite different than their own.  Throughout the week while building the houses the team began brainstorming about how they were going to stay connected with the Lord's work in Haiti once they returned to Canada.  What had the Lord given them a passion for that they could use to continue to assist the people of Haiti.

Mark Tenaglia, team leader, has traveled to Haiti a number of times and worked alongside us here at BHM.  He is a gifted photographer.  He has captured a variety of amazing pictures during his visits to Haiti.  Mark has been able to sell some of these pictures and donate the money to BHM!  He has also designed several graphics and brochures for BHM, absolutely free.

Ted, owns several restaurants in Toronto.  One of his restaurants is home to the "Haiti Burger."  When someone orders one of these burgers in his restaurant, some of the money is donated to Haiti.  Many people know about the "Haiti Burger," some people give money to Haiti at his restaurant even when they do not order the burger.

From this team of 9, this is only two specific stories of those who are taking the impact of Haiti back home.  There are many more stories where this came from.  Rumor has it, the team is brainstorming about a variety of ways they can raise the funds to return to Haiti and build a school in the North.  This is no small task.  The team is definitely going to be doing a lot of "thinking outside the box," to develop ways to raise the funds for this endeavor.  We are excited to see where the Lord takes this desire. 

What about you?  Have you served alongside BHM and are now using something your passionate about to share about God's work in Haiti?  Are you currently communicating the impact Haiti made on you with those in your hometown?  If so, we would love to hear what you are doing.  Tell us about it on Facebook, "Baptist Haiti Mission."

Annual Church Conference

After months, weeks, and days of preparation we are currently in full-swing with the Association of Conservative Baptist Churches Annual Church Conference.  The mission property is a very popular place to be this week as we have eagerly welcomed over 300 Pastors, lay preachers, church committee members, and youth leaders.

Sleeping arrangements have been made available for those who are here.  Our conference center which comfortably sleeps around 150 people has been adapted for this special week.  Classrooms in our conference center have been re-arranged into bedrooms for many of this weeks participants.

The conference is scheduled to last until Sunday afternoon.  Meals are provided for the participants throughout the week.  The conference center kitchen is full of a variety of ladies from local churches.  The ASEBACH Office (Association of Conservative Baptist Churches in Haiti) has been in charge of the many details to make this event possible.

Each day is composed of different group sessions focusing on a variety of topics.  They are designed to encourage the churches, as well as, to challenge the leaders.  There are also special guest speakers who will be sharing throughout the week.

Pastor Jim Lacy from Michigan has traveled in to speak for a few different sessions about "Honoring God for His Faithfulness".  Pastor Solect Jean Baptiste, Superintendent of Education - MBCH, spoke on "The Pastor as an Agent for Social Transformation".  Dr. Lesly Jules, a local Haitian leader, spoke on "Good Administration of the Local Church".  

Engineer Jean Marie Claude Germain will be introducing the "Role of the Church in the Reconstruction of Haiti".  Rev. Edouard Poultre will touching on the "Prophetic Role of the Church in Haiti".  Dr. Warwick Cooper from Canada will be speaking on "The Counseling Ministry in the Local Church and Dr. Lomega Jean, a local medical doctor, will be addressing the assembly about health needs and topics.  Each evening is concluded with a worship service with various singing groups and special preachers.

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Pray for all of those who are a part of this event.  Pray for the participants as they are receiving A LOT of information this week.  Pray they will be attentive and responsive to the Word of God.  Pray for BHM as we continually seek for the best ways to come alongside and assist the churches of Haiti.  We are so encouraged by these faithful men of God who are seeking to lead the local church.  Praise be to God for the work He is doing among His people. 

The Weekend is Here!

It is Friday afternoon, the end of the week has finally arrived.  School dismisses, and it is the weekend!  For many students this means rushing home and not thinking about studying for at least 2 days.  However, if you walk past the Education Office on a Friday afternoon on the Mission, the previous description would not be accurate.

You will notice kids in school uniforms standing outside the door of the office.  Some children are quickly reading over pieces of paper.  Others are filling in answers on their worksheets.  What is all this study for on a Friday afternoon you may ask?  It is scripture memory and Bible lesson check-in day!

At the start of the 2010 school year BHM missionary Darlene Winn shared with a few students she went to church with that she would be starting a Bible lesson and scripture memory time for students on Friday afternoon if they would be interested.  Two years later, through students sharing with their friends, there are more than 40 children who WILLINGLY come to the Education Office each Friday afternoon with a completed lesson and memory verse ready to present.

The Education Office is far from quiet for about 1.5 hours as the students file in and present their work.  After the completion of a lesson the child is given a lesson and verse to work on through the week and return again next Friday.  These are evangelistic lessons that teach about who God is, why we need Jesus, and how one can go to heaven.  The lessons are typically 4 pages long and have questions to answer and a scripture verse to memorize.

"There are always fun things that happen when meeting with the students on Fridays," said Darlene.  "One week a question from the lesson asked the students to write down the name of their enemy.  The correct response was Satan.  One little girl presented me her paper and had written the name of one of the girls from her school in the blank."

You never know with students what their responses may be.  Darlene tries to ask many questions to each student about their work on Fridays.  It is important to ensure the children are not just repeating, but learning biblical truths.

There are 2 different courses of work for the children to do.  The first course is 10 lessons long, and the second course is 7 lessons.  There are many students who have completed each course.  Even after completing all the work they have asked if they could start over from lesson 1.  Darlene allows this, after all, it never hurts to review what you learned before!

Pray for the excitement of the students as they dig into God's word and come every Friday afternoon.  Pray that they would learn and apply the truth's they are being exposed to.  Thank God today for children who are being educated to read and write and are able to understand first hand the Word of God!

"Raised to Walk in Newness of Life..."

Matthew 3:16-17

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

I cannot wrap my head around what it must have been like to have been at the baptism of Christ.  I am sure it was a sight the people in the crowd that day talked about and never forgot!  Over the past several weekends, Rob Baker, Field Director for BHM has had the opportunity to travel to a variety of different locations and preach.  Each service was unique in location but consistent in the proclamation of the gospel message.

Two of the church gatherings also included baptisms.  The streams and rivers of Haiti grew great crowds as communities and family members gathered to witness the public display of complete life change in their loved ones! 

Lives that were once walking in darkness have now entered the light!  A line was formed along the side of the river as people eagerly anticipated their opportunity to proclaim their love for Christ.

Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

The name of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed among the people of Haiti.  Pray for the pastors of Haiti that they may faithfully shepherd the church.  Pray for the lives of several individuals over the past few weekends who have made public their decision to follow Christ.  Pray that believers in Haiti would see the importance of walking alongside other believers in discipleship and growing in the likeness of Christ.

Making a House a Home

You may be familiar with the phrase, "Home is where the heart is."  For several families in Haiti, the word "home" does not describe a building with walls and windows.  Security and longevity are not phrases one would associate with the structure of a home.  The definition for "home" changed drastically for two families last week thanks to the work of a construction team associated with MFI (Missionary Flights International).

The team of 9 arrived in Haiti Thursday February 9.  The team was composed of people from a variety of locations, Florida, Maine, Canada, just to name a few.  After a long day of travel, attempting to adjust to a new environment, and an early morning breakfast the team hit the ground running Friday morning.  The team set out to build two houses during their one week stay.  We are pleased to announce their goal was achieved.  Sweat was shed, skin was sunburned, and roofs were put in place.  The work on these houses was not a one man, or even a one team task.

 Children and families from the surrounding areas were eager and willing to help out wherever there was a need.  Several hours a day were spent shoveling and sifting.

 

 The walls for the two homes came up quickly.  The homes are two room structures with concrete floors.  They will be able to withstand a variety of weather conditions, provide security for the families, as well as keep out unwanted critters.

Wednesday morning the team celebrated their work by having a house dedication ceremony.  During this time Scripture was read and a devotion was given for the families and community.  Songs were sung and smiles and hugs were shared.  The joy and appreciation from the families was evident throughout the morning. 

 

Thank you MFI team for all of your hard work.  You have made a lasting impact in the lives of many.  We appreciate your work and anticipate serving with you in the future!  If you would be interested in bringing a team to Haiti to help build houses please visit our website, www.bhm.org, and contact us.

Demolition Derby

Bring out the sledgehammers and the crowbars.  Not what you expected to hear in a country that is booming with construction from the earthquake?  Sometimes you have to break-down....so you can build it back better.  
We have been blessed to have a team here in Haiti for two weeks from Canada, led by Martin Durksen, the Chairman of the Canadian board of directors. 

 The house where Rob and Patti Baker, BHM's Field Director, were living was damaged during the earthquake.  Since they moved out late last year, it has been used as a storage facility.  Waiting until the right time to start tearing it down, so that construction could begin again.

Instead of building the house back just like it was, the decision has been made to create it into two apartments, for other missionaries and guests.    

During the quake, the outer walls remained in-tact and structurally sound.  However, the inner load-bearing walls were another story.  They have removed the roof and most of the inner walls.

 

New walls have begun to be constructed already.  

Make sure you check-out Facebook, as more pictures are coming soon.  Praise God that there are men and women who are willing to take their own time and help us here at BHM, as the ministry continues to go on. 

**There are a number of spiritual analogies throughout the above story.  Christ rebuilds our lives like we are re-building this home.  Before construction takes place...we have to recognize the cracks in the walls and the sin in our own heart.  Once this realization (confession) is made, the Lord will quickly begin rebuilding us into the image of himself...better than it was before.  This work does not start on the outside, but from the inside out.

Special Deliveries

As BHM seeks to assist local churches and schools of Haiti we greatly depend on donations and outside support.  Last Friday we told you about the special school supplies ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International), helped collect and send to BHM.  Throughout this week these 750 boxes began to be delivered.  The delivery of these special bags brought forth smiles, excited chatter, and quite a few very surprised students and teachers.

The students were thrilled to receive these special gifts.  As each student received their package others became incredibly curious to see what everyone was getting.

The students spent a great deal of time exploring and seeing all that was in their bags.  Cheers echoed throughout the classrooms as students discovered their very own pack of stickers or brand new markers.  Upon pulling out a package of glue sticks a little boy asked if it was candy.  He was quickly informed it was not for eating.  He nodded his head in understanding and then asked if it was to put on his lips.  Hopefully these "little details" are resolved before using too many of the items in the bag.

 

The bags were given to students of all shapes and sizes.  For some it was a struggle to even close their bags after opening and examining all of their new supplies.

BHM is incredibly thankful for the generous donations of Project Hope for Haiti.  The time and money spent organizing and collecting items for teachers and students was definitely noticed and appreciated.  The facial expression of the student below says it all, WOW, thank you for the school supplies!