After Haiti

     We have been back home for one week.  I can't seem to get rested.  It was different this year.  Harder. 
      Looking back at my pictures (there are lots and lots of them on my FB page) I become even more aware of the ways God used us and blessed us.  Three years after The Earthquake, the front wall of the church in Dano is finally back up.  Assuming, that is, that the men in Haiti were able to finish what we didn't get done.  We ran out of supplies but they were still working when we left.  The Pastor's Conference led by our own Pastor Sterling was intense and full of great fellowship.  My third time teaching the women of Haiti was the best time I have had so far.

In Dano we were told there wouldn't be any women to come for the conference.  Thirteen women showed up!  We had a wonderful, very close time of sitting together and sharing from God's word.  My friend, Lucien, translates for me, and he is always encouraging and fun to be with.  When we got back to the city we spoke to over 100 men and women at the church on Thursday night.  That was the night that I knew without doubt that I was exactly where God planned for me to be, doing exactly what God planned for me to be doing, and enjoying doing it more than I ever have before. 

     It was a very emotional and heavy trip for me this time.  I don't know why.  Before I left here there was some medical drama here at home.  Maybe that sent me off with a buried burden.  As I went, I knew in the depths of my soul that there would be a test for me.  And there was. But God got me through.  When I was talking to my daughter last week and said, "That would almost cause me to not go again," her response was, "Really?"
(Insert sarcastic tone of voice.)  And again, "Really?"  No.  Not really. 
I will go.  I look forward to next July and can't wait to get back! 
     What was different this time?  We had church every night while in the village.  On Monday night, two young men accepted Christ.  On Tuesday night, our pastor prayed for healing for two women with ailments.  They were back the next night healed!  There were over a dozen children express a desire to accept Christ at the children's service on Wednesday.  After church Wednesday night another lady prayed to accept Christ.  Jesus was busy this trip!  Before we have just gone to do work.  This time souls were saved and lives were changed. 
      On Tuesday night after our team had finished dinner, we had a lot of food left.  I was alone in the dining room.  My friend Nahum, who is Haitian, came in and said, "Vicki, are we finished?  Will anyone want more?  If not, they have told me there are two boys here who are hungry.  Could we give them this?"  I said sure and that I would be happy to serve them.  When he returned, Nahum had a look of surprise on his face.  He said to me, "I didn't know who it was."  That night I had the extreme honor of serving left-over rice and whatever else we had, I honestly can't remember, to the two young men who had accepted Jesus the night before.  They had on the same clothes as the night before, but they were clean.  They had looks of appreciation on their faces, and even though we couldn't communicate through language, the love of Jesus leapt all boundaries as I offered them all that the Americans had left.  They ate it all.  It was a lot.  Then they came to church and sang and worshiped with abandon. 

As you remember this story, will you pray for Joshua and Jonah?  Here is a picture to help you remember.  Can you see the glow on their faces?                                             Life after Haiti?  Forever changed.  They are.  I am.  Praise the Lord!