Well. Today sure had a different feel! The kids in the town we hyped up today! There was lots of yelling, and even more than the usual pushing and shoving. It’s hard to describe the feeling of there constantly being hands all over you, pushing you, pulling you, yelling at you, asking you for a dollar or for you to “botum” – pick them up. 🙂 There was a desperate tension in the air. We learned that as it was the last day, they were anticipating presents! Fortunately we brought lots of extra beanie babies, balls, candies, matchbox cars, chalk, and bubbles. The Amazing Amanda (Amanda Claus?) had us package them up in little brown bags and then she distributed them as the kids from the town left the building after eating.
We also gave away 2 basketballs and 1 soccer ball, which in Haiti seemed similar to giving away $1 million dollars. :-). This caused quite a stir!
We then had to say our goodbyes to all the kids that had wiggled their way into our hearts for the last 5 days. Needless to say, that was tough. Some even wrote us letters!
We are thankful that we have given them solid Biblical truth this week. I challenged them this morning from John 6 picking up where John V left off on Monday. In the narrative, many couldn’t bring themselves to trust or believe that Jesus was who he said he was, and that he was truly God in flesh, The Messiah. The one who will satisfy all of our needs, believe it or not more important than food, drink, shelter, money. Is this different than today? I remember God calling me back to him years ago, and I remember not wanting to trust him with everything in my life.
In the passage, many turned away from Jesus at this teaching. He asked the disciples if they would turn away as well. I love Peter’s response –
So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:67-69 ESV)
I think of the many martyrs who gave their lives for their faith like the disciples themselves, some later is missions work and in translating the Bible. How else could they willingly endure all of it? They believed that what God offers in the Gospel is far more satisfying.
Our prayer for Haiti is that they find Jesus for who he is – all satisfying life. We were blessed by the people here, next week I’ll begin compiling all the pictures and videos we took – be on the lookout for the summary slide show!
Thank you all for your prayers. We leave tomorrow AM for the Dominican the we fly back to JFK. Please keep praying!
Mike Ruel 
Continue to pray and think of the team often. Psalm 142 is the psalm David penned when all seemed to be falling apart this is when he was in the forest of Hereth (1 Samuel 23) but his faith in God was not failing.
With my voice I cry out to the Lord;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.
3 When my spirit faints within me,
you know my way!
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see:
there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul.
5 I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!
7 Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.
Hopefully the new believers in Haiti will grow in their faith in Christ like David and cry out to God in their distresses.
Thank you all for serving our Lord and Saviour
Rob