Davidson, a fifteen year old Haitian, is drawing pictures and writing words on a chalkboard. Not being able to speak each other’s language Davidson and I (Chris) spend a large part of an afternoon communicating through pictures. We learn about each other’s families, and about interests and hobbies. We draw pictures of the Cross and each happily find out that Jesus lives within the other. Then Davidson writes a sentence on the board that I don’t understand. Eventually I have him write it on a piece of paper and I take the paper to someone who can translate. It read, “I want to go to your country with you.” Sadly I had to go back and tell him no.
My time with Davidson pretty much sums up the five days I spent in Haiti. I experienced much joy playing and interacting with the Haitian kids, learning Creole and teaching English with the nursing students at FSIL, and building relationships with church leaders at a small Baptist church in Leogane. Though experiencing much joy I was also filled with sadness because of the many needs I saw there. The people of Haiti have so little. We would give the children bubbles to play with but they would only want to pocket them — hanging onto whatever they were given like it was the only thing they had. The church we visited needed vast repairs and improvements to the building, and the people need (and asked for) solid Bible teaching.
Here’s a quick run down of the trip. We arrived in Haiti a day later than expected after storms stranded us in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for a night. The first day in Haiti we hung out with students at the nursing school in Leogane, and I taught English for an hour. Saturday, day two, we put on a health clinic at a nearby church. The nurses and doctors that volunteered saw one hundred and twenty patients. I, not being allowed to operate on anyone, spent the day passing out tracts, praying with people, and playing with kids. Sunday and Monday were mostly spent at a different local church. We experienced and were a part of their Sunday morning worship, took part in their Youth Group, and spent an afternoon inspecting the building and brainstorming with the church leaders about what we could do to serve each other. The last day in Haiti we visited an orphanage in the morning and I taught some English again in the afternoon. We arrived back in Minneapolis safe and sound and on time Wednesday night.
Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for us and for the people of Haiti. We have five more weeks in Minnesota before heading back to Missouri, (August 14th). Maggie is due in four weeks, (August 6th). We’re doing well and enjoying our summer among friends and family. Drop us a note letting us know what’s new with you. Thank you and may God bless you.