AT WORK IN HAITI

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AT WORK IN HAITI

On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated the small Caribbean country of Haiti. That summer, First Baptist Church sent a team to join the international disaster relief effort by clearing debris and building semi-permanent shelters provided by Samaritan’s Purse. In so doing, we became connected with the Joy House in Gressier, and have been going back every summer since to work with this amazing ministry.

Over the years, our trip activities have varied to best meet the needs identified by our ministry partners in Haiti — everything from construction to language classes. Two years ago, we had the opportunity to use street evangelism to help plant a new church in Jacmel, on the southern coast. Then last summer, we returned to Jacmel to meet the church that God established there following our visit, worship with our new brothers and sisters in Christ, and expand their efforts to reach their community through evangelism, kids’ camps, and worship services on the beach.

About the same time as we were working in Jacmel last year, the Joy House church in Gressier sent their very first team of local, Haitian church members out on a short-term mission trip. This team went to Lazil (also L’Asile), toward the western end of the island, and came back with inspiring stories of how God moved during their trip in addition to a heartfelt burden for this community.

This summer marks our eighth trip (and that’s not counting all of the previous trips from FBCTLH to support the music camp in northern Haiti), and we’ve been asked to go back to Lazil and further the Lord’s work there. Our team of 12 traveled down on Saturday, July 22 and should return on Saturday, July 29. Once again, we’re serving alongside local pastors and churches to reach their communities and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We expect our work to primarily involve home-to-home evangelism, kids’ camps (simply called “VBS”), construction on a church building in Lazil, and evening revival-type worship services. But we’ve long ago learned to be flexible and ready to do whatever we’re called to as plans and opportunities often change.

As has been our tradition every year, our team will share a mission trip report this Sunday, July 30, at 10:00AM in the Fellowship Hall (during the Sunday Morning Bible Study hour). Everyone interested is invited to come hear stories of how God worked throughout the week — both in Haiti and in the lives of our team members.

It’s such a blessing to be a part of a church that actively supports local and global missions through our praying, our giving, and our going. And it’s even more amazing to see how God uses what we humbly offer to Him.

Thanks,
Josh