Haiti VBS 3.0

Welp…this trip has been unique in the sense that we did some sightseeing, tourism, and team building early…buuuuutttt that ended today.   Today…we WORKED! 

We started off the day with songs…as usual, I exhausted my knowledge of Creole songs in about 8 minutes, but the kids didn’t seem to mind much.  I had another chance to preach this morning, along with our theme of the day today which was creation.  This week, we are going thru the main storyline of the Bible – creation, fall, redemption, and restoration – and always pointing back to the gospel.  This morning I talked about Genesis 1:1 how God created all thing perfect, including all humans made in his image so that EVERYONE has value and worth. Then we talked about John 1:1-5 how Jesus is the one who creates light and life through faith – and darkness can never overcome the light…no matter how dark. As I’m sure you can well imagine, things in Haiti can be pretty dark.

We then did our regular Vacation Bible School with the kids – a time of crafts, games, and more teaching.  One of the highlights was a soccer game turned varsity keep away with about 5 of us and 40 Haitian kids.  We schooled them…but of course we may have had the height advantage.  As Marc put it “That was chaos, but the coolest chaos ever!”  This also included the ever popular Haitian kid game of “Steal the bald white guy’s hat and sunglasses, pose, and make him take 30 pictures of us…” 

We then fed as many kids as we could with 3 giant pots of rice and beans.  We took some of the last plates deep into the neighborhood behind the school, over raw sewage and past the neighborhood bathroom [which is actually just a pile of sand] to people who had houses deep into nooks and crannies.  Still there were met with smiles and a warm “merci” as we handed out food to people who probably weren’t sure where their food would be coming from.  

We then spent some time teaching English to the neighborhood kids, always a fulfilling…and fun time.  

There were also many good conversations with some of the adults who were milling about the square.  Many young men came looking for “Mister John” and were happy to reconnect with him.  He picked right up where he left, holding a Bible study with anyone who was interested. 

It’s always a blessing to see Haiti thru they eyes of the folks here for the first time.  To see such poverty and yet see the joy in the kids eyes is a unique and powerful juxtaposition.  [Another Marc Bray word] 

We are looking forward to the rest of the week with the children.  Please pray for stamina for the team as it is absolutely exhausting in the heat, and most of all for hearts to receive the light of the gospel of Christ. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God.All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.In him was life, and the life was the light of men.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  (John 1:1–5 ESV)