Pase bon journe (good afternoon)from Haiti!
Wow, what a day so far...let's begin with this morning. Janice led the group in devotional for upper room. She talked about our salvation and how important it is to understand when you are truly saved. She spoke about the fact that we change uniforms when we are saved, we are transformed and put on a common 'spiritual' uniform. It has been said that we will be the only Bible some people will ever read. We discussed the verses Psalm 27; Romans 10:4; James 1:21; Titus 2:12; and Romans 3:23. After devotional and breakfast we headed in three teams to chuches for VBS. Two of our teams went to new churches we hadn't been to before and Pastor Kevin and Sam went back to a church we had been to the previous two days. There were some challenges with one team as the four of us in the team found ourselves in a chuch with 140+ children, and for a period of time, no one that could speak English. We attempted to pass out materials in small groups and have 'centers' with different things for the kids to do. However, as soon as the chldren started realizing we were making bracelets everyone wanted one and things quickly got out of hand. We realized some important lessons today about differences in our cultures. We are all born with an instinct for survival. Some of us have a heightened since of this instinct. Our group was not prepared for the reaction that the 140+ children had when faced with the realization that we had brought 'gifts' for them. They were each determined that they would get their bracelet, and to do so meant they had to get ahead and get past the others and be the most aggressive. This may sound bad, and you may read this and think - oh goodness - but let me tell you about the humanity in the madness. I was walking across the front of the room and a bag of white beads came open in my hands and spilled over the floor. You would have thought I had spilled food on the floor. The children dove to the floor on their knees and faces grabbing the beads. I made the assumption that they would stick them in their pockets and keep them. Instead, they fell over one another trying to give me the beads back. How wrong was I?...inherent in these children, though sometimes out of hand, is a spirit of such longing and hope. They may look different than us, and their behaviors may be different but much of our differences come from our circumstances. Inside we are all equally equipped with the love of our Father and the ability to show it to others.
I would like to tell you about what happened at one of the other churches our teams were at this morning...Pastor Kevin and Sam went back to a church we had been to for the past two days, even though the pastors here had made arrangements for us to go in two teams to two new churches. Pastor Kevin and Arnie both felt like we needed to continue working with the children at Black Mountain since we had already been there two days this week. And once again we were reminded there is a reason for everything. Though men had created a schedule, God had other plans and our team was receptive to where God was leading. The children had gotten to know our team at Black Mountain and were getting comfortable with them. Today while Kevin and Sam were at Black Mountain spending day 3 with the children, they were able to lead 21 children to Christ in prayer!!!! How awesome is that!!!!!!!
We were originally going back to the children's home/school today, but our ride didn't show up (you never know what is going to happen around here). So, we are hanging out here for a bit until time to clean up for dinner and church. Spirits are good however! Some of us are sitting here in the living room-like area hanging out. Everyone has been talking and cutting up. Sam brought out a guitar, Ryan found an empty water jug to use as a drum, and they played a song with made-up, goofy lyrics that had everyone laughing and having a good time. I believe God knew our team needed some rest today and He has provided us with a couple of hours to unwind and relax before round 2 tonight.
I will try to provide another update tonight once we are back from the revivals. We pray you have a blessed evening! Much love....TEAM UBC!!!!
Patricia
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