We had passed too many frustrating days interacting with some official processes within the realm of Haitian government. Our patience was depeleted well before our business at hand was finished. We know things don't go as we want them to in these situations but the pain of wasting preciouse time and even more so, precious resources, was intense. Returning home on two occasions with nothing to show for our effort was discouraging to say the least.
Psalm 61 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the shelter of your wings. For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! So I will ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.
Quite possibly, to put into perspective these times in the 'desert', God offered a taste of His sweet goodness in the most unexpected ways through some very dear friends that you may have 'met' before.
During a short road trip we found ourselves at Kaky's house in a nearby community called Bohoc. We were welcomed into the yard with an offer of a place to sit in the shade. We accepted even though we were not planning to stay. After passing some time together with Elisia, Kaky's mom, we wished her a good day. Elisia regretted she had nothing to give us. We said that her welcoming hospitality was a beautiful gift in itself.
Keeping an appointment to go to Joslin's house about two miles away to pick up two handmande chairs provided another experience of unexpected blessing. Joslin and his elderly father, Dieucel, each have a disability and have recieved PET carts from MH PET Distribution program.
Even with their limited physical mobility, they both make chairs to sell as a source of income. The two men are never without an amazlingly positive attitude despite such daily challenges.
They had managed to put up a small roof on wooden poles where they cook. Beans were boiling in a small pot over a fire for a very modest meal they were about to eat.
We couldn't resist purchasing not two, but four handmade chairs. All four chairs needed to be tied on to the moto just so, to be able to pass through the narrow path to get back to the bigger path to finally reach the main road. Joslin provided this service with confidence.
A week ago Sunday after church, a teeny, little old woman stopped us to say she would like to talk together. We offered that we could talk with her the next Sunday. SO, following the worship service this Sunday morning, we greeted her and confirmed her desire to talk together. She sounded a little Haitian exclamation, "Atchye!", then turned to her friend saying with enthusiasm, "oh! li pat bliye'm" "oh! they didn't forget me". "I was praying they wouldn't forget me."
She needed to share the hardship she faces in life with a house that is falling down, with grandchildren in her care, and in general, being without food. With the promise from us that we would be praying for God to provide what she and her family need, she was already showing hope and confidence that God would indeed come through for her.
Just one half hour later we encountered our dear, elderly friend, Mizou, walking on the street in town. We had not seen her for quite sometime. It is difficult to communicate with her. For one, she has no teeth and second, she can barely hear but we certainly understood her joy as she greeted us with kisses. She struggles as she walks with a cane but even if she can't do anything else, she walks at least one and one half miles to church EACH Sunday.
As we talked, Mizou again expressed how long it had been since we had seen each other and she shared in detail that she and her daughter, maybe in her late forties, had both been sick. Mizou was describing how her heart would beat SO fast. And that her daughter had been in the local hospital, she was so sick that she could not walk. The daughter was better now but it had been such a time of hardship.
With the offer to give her a ride the one and one half miles to her house, came another occasion to greeted with joy qs we arrived at her home, this time by the daughter and Mizou's two great grandsons. Arms waving in the air indicating thanksgiving for the encountered visit on that Sunday afternoon, there was a filling up of our souls as we were feeling 'blessed to be a blessing'.
Back into town to finally find some Sunday lunch for ourselves, yet another opportunity came before us. A local homeless man who wanders the streets begged for a little money to buy some food. As our usual MH policy was stated that we could not give him money, we said we could follow him and buy some lunch. Just that quick, HE hopped on the back of the moto and off we went following the directions of where we could find him some food. Accepting his sincere expression of thanksgiving we wished him a good day.
So many blessings had been given and received already. God had one more in store on this day. A local man, Jean Gary, who is an accomplished seamster had requested a meeting to discuss some upcoming work he would be doing for MH. In December MH will be hosting two wedding ceremonies, double from last December. Jean Gary will be making the necessary alterations on the wedding gowns for the brides and the suits for the grooms. We sat outside in his yard while he made a few alterations using his treadle sewing machine.
Again, with joy, he showed such willingness to offer his services in whatever way we could use him. Behind us was the house, still under construction, that he is building for his family. Beside us was the motorcycle he recently had managed to purchase. Yet another expression of deep gratitude came as he gave credit to the work of MH for these blessings he had realized in his life at this time. He said everything he has right now is all because of the ministry of MH. We gave a response clarifying that those blessings came out of God's goodness but also out of the man's dedication and God-given talent in providing service to MH.
We receive such encouragement as we hear about the lives of some of the people we have interacted with over time.
You have 'met' Tibens in the past. He is a mason who works alongside MH. Recently he was the Boss for a new home build project MH did through a generous donation from a MH supporter. After he had paid all his workers he shared detail on exactly how the money was distributed including the amount he had for himself. He continued by telling how his money had been used which included the purchase of 2 goats. Just yesterday, he was very proud to report that one of the goats had given birth to 2 kids and after sometime, he was able to sell the two grown kids and that money was used to pay for school for two of his children. AND he still has the initial goats he had purchased. We give thanks to God for this provision.
Maxino relies on his Mobility Cart each day. The independence he has is life changing for him. With some help with dress pants and shoes that he could wear to church, he came and worshipped together with people in his community. He went forward to give an offering. Small as it may have been, it gives strength to his faith to be able to share the gifts God has given him. We give thianks for Maxino.
As we cry out, "Hear our cry, O God!" God hears and reveals his love in so many ways. We give thanks for ALL the Lord has done and will do. In Jesus Name!
