Rachel

I talked to Dixie during their Chicago layover and she said things had gone just fine. No issues traveling or catching flights, just a long day for everyone. Pray for them on this final long stretch home!

Praise the Lord for the work He has done this past week!!
Continue to pray for the work He began in the lives of those that went, and in the lives of those they ministered to. May He receive the glory for all that has been accomplished!

Thank you for traveling to and from Haiti with us…. in your thoughts… especially in your prayers… in your investment in Hope in Haiti and the members of the team… in following and reading these updates. We are so blessed by your personal participation and investment and praise the Lord for such wonderful friends! This journey is nearly complete, but there are many more to come! I invite and encourage you to continue to travel the road ahead with us and watch and be blessed by the wonderful things the Lord has in store… 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us; to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, amen
- Eph 3:20-21

Grace, on behalf of the Hope in Haiti Board

It was a long trip but uneventful with no problems or setbacks. The ride was a little different than usual as the group picked up from the orphanage in Dessalines, 2 1/2 week-old, sweet twin boys weighing no more than 5lbs. They brought them along with them to an orphanage in Port au Prince where they will live. Pray for those little boys that they will receive the nurture and care they need as they grow. Pray for God’s hand on their lives… for a purpose and a future. Pray for a family to find them, love them, raise them. 

The team will be heading to the airport early in the morning. A long day of airports, customs and flying lies ahead for them. Continue to keep them in your prayers as the make the trip home!!!

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us; to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, amen - Eph 3:20-21

Grace, on behalf of the Hope in Haiti Board

The team completed the painting of the main room of the Upper Room. The new, light-colored paint has significantly brightened the room which becomes ‘home’ to all who travel to Haiti with Hope in Haiti. Lukman, a close friend, helped so much with all the work… VBS and painting and more.
After the work of the day was complete, the team took a hike up to an old fort overlooking the town of Dessalines and the outlying valley. The view is spectacular, especially at sunset, and I’m sure the team found themselves refreshed and encouraged as they looked out above the sights, smells and heat of the day and drank in the beauty of this area.

The group heads back to Port au Prince tomorrow and then flies home Wednesday.

Pray for safe travel back to Port au Prince tomorrow. The road can be grueling, and you never know what you might run into : )
Pray for each member of the team as they meditate on the past week…. all that they have seen, heard, been involved in…. pray for a lasting work to have been done in each heart.
Pray for the communities of Dessalines and Nan wo, for the children that attended the VBS. Pray for lasting fruit to come from all that they heard and learned.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us; to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, amen - Eph 3:20-21

Not seeming to mind the heat, people gather from all over the valley, many of them hailing moto-taxis to keep their Sunday-best clothes from getting soiled on the dirt roads. They pack in close together in Eglise Evangelique Bethel de Haut Marchand and begin singing praises to God with ferver. Only after everyone has broken a sweat in enthusiastic worship does the pastor stand up and deliver the message. This morning, Aaron Day of Crosswater Community Church in Sultan, Washington was the guest speaker. Dixie didn’t share the content of today’s sermon, but she wrote that his message was good, and brief (which is a bonus for the sweating Americans sitting up front). Afterward, the congregation stuck around and enjoyed a meal together provided by the church. The team from Hope In Haiti rested all day, thankful for the Lord’s faithfulness.

Please be praying for the spiritual growth of the people of Nan Wo. The leadership of Pastor Louinet has been a great help, but the people need to take ownership of their faith and have personal understanding of God’s Word to go on to maturity. Pray for God’s work in the whole nation of Haiti–pastors, church leaders, missionaries,and heads of families especially. 
Also, pray for safe travel back to Port au Prince tomorrow. The road can be grueling, and you never know what you might run into : )

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us; to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, amen - Eph 3:20-21

Dixie wrote that the team went into the Dessalines market in search of shoes and machetes. Shoes and sandals are frequently needed in the middle of team trips, because inevitably, someone neglects to pack comfortable footwear or shoes appropriate for church. Why machetes? In Haiti, a machete is an all-purpose tool that is good for gardening, home repairs, and even protecting the family. Thus, they are sold everywhere and sometimes at good prices. In recent trips, teammates have sought out these machetes as gifts and souvenirs that double as useful tools.

The other part of the day’s activities has been visiting with long-time friends of Dixie’s and Pastor Louinet’s. The team went to various homes and met with some folks to check on them and encourage them. This is part of the continual blessing we try to be as an organization working in this community.

Finally, the team returned to a dinner of rice and beans. This Haitian staple is a welcome sight after a long day in the tropics, let me tell you!

Please keep praying for the high spirits and bond of unity in the team. Pray that they will rely on the Lord for their strength. Tomorrow is Sunday and taking a day to worship the Lord is always a great change of pace, but sometimes the cultural differences can still leave new team members feeling overwhelmed. Pray that their hearts would stay focused on the Lord and the He would be greatly glorified on this Lord’s Day.

Your response to these daily updates has been so encouraging to us! We cannot afford to be without prayer support… thank you for stepping up!

Brandon,  on behalf of the Hope in Haiti Board

Apparently VBS ended with a dance off of all things and Aaron Day pulling out all his moves! For those of you who know him, you can especially appreciate this. His legend shall continue to spread…

After VBS finished up for the day, the team spent time painting the main room of our ‘guest house’, or the “Upper Room” as we call it. Another step closer to completion!

Pastor Louinet is holding a pastor’s conference which will be starting tomorrow. Pray for the men and women that will be traveling from near and far for this. For listening ears… hungry hearts… truth taught, and learned. There will be church services late every night as this goes on.

Dixie specifically mentioned that there are NO rats in the Upper Room this trip. This is truly a huge praise and a serious relief to those on the team who are returning! Praise the Lord for ceilings and tiled walls and floors!!!

I ask that you continue to pray for the members of the team as they minister. Pray for joy in their exhaustion, peace in their rest, hearts that search for what the Lord might have for each of them on this trip. 
Pray that the Lord would be working in them… through them. That Christ’s light would shine through their attitudes and service. 
Pray for:
Health. Sleep. Energy. Safety. Unity. Relationships.

Remember that our role as prayer warriors on behalf the team is a privilege we hold! Let us embrace it and stand back in wonder as God responds…

She said the teachers of the school assisted A LOT. This helped things stay much more orderly and calm than in the past.
She said there weren’t quite as many kids as usual either, which I’m sure, removed some of the stress for the team.

After VBS finished for the day, kids hung around with the team and played “Poul, Poul, Cock” (duck, duck, goose – but actually “chicken, chicken, rooster” in Creole ).
The orphanage sent over some fresh baked bread which was VERY welcomed by the team.

Dixie asked for continued prayers for health and energy. 

Remember that our role as prayer warriors on behalf the team is a privilege we hold! Let us embrace it and stand back in wonder as God responds…

Grace, on behalf of the Hope in Haiti Board

“Rice and beans were great,” she said. No doubt, Madame Pastor made a delicious meal as she always does to welcome them!

I encourage you to check out this link. We have a few videos posted on youtube that will give you a great sense of where the team is and the conditions they are living in this week!

I am sure they will go to bed hot and tired tonight, praying for no rats in the rooms, a breeze to cool the air down, and looking forward to what the morning holds.

As we pray for the team, I wanted to share the meditation and prayer of another board member, Tony Robinson, who emailed me today. I felt it excellent and worth sharing. May our prayers for the team, echo his…

My prayers today were indeed for safe travels and as Pastor Louinet taught me last trip I prayed for every part of the day’s journey: the roads, the sun, the truck, the driver, the other drivers, water, safety, itchy bug bites, heat, any missing supplies, some sort of comfort in the back of the crammed truck, health with the food, team unity, no rats, lots of water in the cistern on the roof, a night time breeze, no bugs, that the smiles of the children would bring a sustaining joy to the entire team, and for God to take over the mission of the team and bless it and sustain it.

For those who return I pray for a deeper understanding of our mission to serve. I pray for a joy in returning to serve again. I pray for a comfort in returning to something familiar yet so far from our every day.
I pray for God to meet them in a new place, speak into their lives, and sustain them by His powerful word.