These photos and videos go in order from bottom up
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There is nothing like seeing a group of God's people seeking Him. God bless these pastors. |
After many hours of hard work I was starting to see and taste some amazing food. And they do this all without refrigeration.
These pictures are all about behind the scenes in the kitchen. This benediction had a least 2000 people, but I would guess 2500 or more, and these ladies got it done. The cooking in these pictures were for both sautrday night and sunday pastors dinners and general population dinners. Ladies were cooking 24 hours all weekend. It was really neat to see the camaraderie and the many hands working together for the blessing to others and the glory of God.
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The atmosphere when 200+ pastors gather to pray, worship and study is powerful. |
The first night of the benediksyon starts off with a pastors meeting. Quite of few pastors come to this but most of them come on saturday. These meetings often go until at least midnight and Pastor Regaillard continually meets with his pastors like this throughout Haiti.
Look at these cuties helping.
The two with the bucket came to the church to get water.
God knows how far they had to walk.
Decorating the church for the pastors meetings.
The benediksyon is three days. The first two days focus on pastor training sessions and a lot of cooking.
This food was donated by the church members/attenders of Petit Goave for the benedikyson they hosted in September 2018,
When you look at these pictures of food, remember that in Haiti, eating is a luxury. Collecting this amount of food means many people sacrificed more than I can imagine, to bless others.
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In the recent weeks, Haiti had been under horrific distress. Riots, killings, fires, vandalism and other forms of destruction had caused the country to shut down.
There was very little travel and no commerce in most of the country. Pastor was able to find some individuals in different locations to take the back streets and find a vendor willing to sell some food. He then was able to distribute food to those in need. Here are some pictures of the food he purchased and a video of ladies making individual bags for families. These bags consist of rice, spaghetti, oil and some spices. The pop bottles are filled with the oil. |
Soccer (foutbol) is very popular in Haiti but the terrain is so rough the balls don't last long. I was a little surprised to learn this ball had a hole in it and wouldn't hold air. This ball will continue to be used until there is a blow-out.
Haiti's electricity is scarce and where there may be some, it is not constant. When it is turned on, it's not always a continuous flow which is very hard on electronics. Problem solving in Haiti looks a lot different than problem solving in America.
LAUNDRY DAY
It takes a long time to do laundry in Haiti but I have to say, my clothes have never been cleaner. This little cutie gave me some good advice on the proper way to do it, and she was very helpful. Of course, observation and practice is important.
Sometimes I see children like this little boy set aside from other children. They aren't playing with the others or involved in things going on around them. I believed they were just tired but then found out in most cases, when there are lethargic like that, it's because they are hungry. A hunger like, "I haven't eaten for three days" kind of hungry.
This is a riverbed on the edge of Petit Goave that runs from the mountain to the sea. It almost always is empty of water or perhaps there may be a trickle of water. When the hurricane in 2016 hit Haiti, the water was so high and forceful, it knocked the bridge out.
I have used a lot of different things to wash dishes in Haiti. Anything from a ripped piece of fabric from clothing, a piece of weaved plastic from a rice bag, and this red and white bag which is commonly used for small purchases.
Once I asked a friend for something to use to clean a bathroom, she gave me stuffing from a couch. The couch was in the living room still being used.
Once I asked a friend for something to use to clean a bathroom, she gave me stuffing from a couch. The couch was in the living room still being used.
Some of the young adults organized a big party for the youth in the church. They played games, ate a meal, and had time to perform. |
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I want to say THANK YOU to all of our donors and prayer supporters. At the end of the year we were able to send some food home with the students for their families. God bless you! |
Sometimes I bring my daughter to Haiti. She does different crafts and art with the children, and when she was there last she found some of the adults like to craft and art too.
This man, brother Eddy is one of my friends. He walks many miles one way to get to the church and he is faithful to come everyday there is service, which is almost every day. He is quick to work and be helpful, and is one that has very little, yet never asks for anything. One day he brought me a bag of sugar to bless me, I know he went without in order to give me that precious gift. That simple act of kindness reminds me of the parable of the Widow"s offering. I pray God blesses him in abundance, for that was a very expensive and sacrificial gift.
One of the things I like to do in Haiti is work with anyone who wants to learn to sew. When uniforms are given to the students, it's actually material the children get. Their parents have to either sew them or hire someone else to make them. If you can learn a skill in Haiti, you have a better chance of earning money.
Many Haitians of all ages walk for miles just to get water.
These are four different spiders, all decided to reside in my home, fortunately I have a daughter, aka the killer, who took care of such things...except one. The top two are tarantulas and the bottom two are some other caribbean spider. I can't remember what I was told, and I'm not sure if the top two are even trantulas. Whatever they are, they are amazing. In a creepy kind of way! |
How brilliant! Simple, effective and anyone can do it.
It may be hard to see but the kite is flying.
This sweet lady owns a boutik, which is a small streetside shop and most boutiks are an extension of the home. These hats and purse are made up of plastic bags. The blue and clear or white hat and purse are made of the little water bags (I posted a picture of one last week), and bigger blue bags that the little water bags come in. The black hat is made with a common bag like our plastic grocery bags. I am impressed with how they use garbage to make something sale able.
*Water can be hard to find in Haiti and when you do come across a well, it doesn't mean the water is clean to drink. These little bags of water are sold all over Haiti and just about everybody drinks them. *The picture above shows how this young boy gets a five gallon bucket of water home. *The pictures below are pretty self explanatory. I asked a number of woman if carrying things on their head hurts, one said no. |
Tony came into church one day with his homemade shoulder bag. He was very proud, as he should be. I was very impressed with his sewing. His stitches were string and the material was cardboard.
Life along the Caribbean, what a glorious place to be.
It's very hot in Haiti so it's important to have places to get out of the sun.
It's very hot in Haiti so it's important to have places to get out of the sun.
These pictures show the beautiful countryside of Haiti. Many of the trees have been cut down for charcoal. Charcoal is the main source of heat used for cooking and is very expensive. Everything is expensive in Haiti.
I have traveled a little bit through the country and have been to sandy beaches, rocky beaches, beaches alongside cliffs, they are all worthy to visit.
I have traveled a little bit through the country and have been to sandy beaches, rocky beaches, beaches alongside cliffs, they are all worthy to visit.
A favorite past time in Haiti is Soccer (foutbÒl) and it seems the boys are born with the ability to play. Here are some school boys playing a casual game in the schoolyard.
There are many people in Haiti but most don't have a vehicle. Public transportation is popular, walking is common as well. Many will walk for hours to get to church or clinic and if they can the tap tap is one form of transportation. The drivers work for the vehicle owner and at the end of the day makes a couple of dollars.
Another amazing aspect of Haiti is their kitchens. I love kitchens and like to spend my spare time in them, I find the Haitian kitchens are no exception. I also find that primitive living encourages fellowship and camaraderie, along with the understanding of "many hands make light work". It certainly is a blessing if one is able to get some kind of table or shelf to work on.
This young man, Claudy, is an orphan and my family wanted to adopt him. Because of his age and the inability to prove he is actually an orphan, we were unable to pursue our desires.
The concern Pastor had regarding taking him under his care was medical. Claudy has asthma and in Haiti, medical treatment is very expensive. Pastor relies solely on donations and questioned his ability to provide for him if an asthma attack happened.
Last week during church, he had an asthma attack and became unconscious. He was taken to the hospital and after a few scary days he started improving. I was told last night that he continues to improve but I believe he is still in the hospital.
Claudy is about 16 now and lives at the church in Desarmes. He wakes up early and starts working on keeping the property picked up and swept. He's a leader among his peers and absolutely loves the Lord. He is studying the Word and I will not be surprised if he becomes a Pastor.
Please keep Claudy (and Haiti) in your prayers.
The concern Pastor had regarding taking him under his care was medical. Claudy has asthma and in Haiti, medical treatment is very expensive. Pastor relies solely on donations and questioned his ability to provide for him if an asthma attack happened.
Last week during church, he had an asthma attack and became unconscious. He was taken to the hospital and after a few scary days he started improving. I was told last night that he continues to improve but I believe he is still in the hospital.
Claudy is about 16 now and lives at the church in Desarmes. He wakes up early and starts working on keeping the property picked up and swept. He's a leader among his peers and absolutely loves the Lord. He is studying the Word and I will not be surprised if he becomes a Pastor.
Please keep Claudy (and Haiti) in your prayers.
These are pictures of a small fishing village after Hurricane Matthew hit it. The first picture has sand packed in the windows from the force of the wind.
Pastor Yves' churches become shelters during times of trouble and devastation, and by the provision of the Lord, he is able to feed some of the people too. Hurricane Matthew destroyed many communities and so many people lost what little they had. Fortunately, Pastor was able to distribute food at a few of his churches to those communities who were hit the hardest.
October 3, 2016
!WARNING! This video is disturbing to watch, peoples lives are changed and destroyed, houses are being washed away. The devastation is absolutely heartbreaking. |
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These two little ones were hauling dirt in the wheelbarrow and sometimes the girl could catch a ride back to the dirt pile.
This is the typical way to wash dishes and clothes in Haiti.
These ladies are cooking for the missionaries in Petit Goave when the church roof and electricity were completed. (See pictures below for the church building project)
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When Pastor Yves is led to start a church, he spends time in prayer in the area he's considering. He talks to the locals and assesses the spiritual needs of the area. The video to the left starts out in creole but Pastor switches to English. When the decision is made to plant a church, Pastor will often provide a clinic or some other community outreach to gather the locals and minister to them however he is able to. |
This is Pastor Yves' school in Petit Goave, and Petit Goave is where his mother church is. He lost his first church building in the earthquake 2010 and there are pictures farther down this page that follow the rebuild.
These pictures are of the Principle, his office, the schoolyard and classrooms. And my friend Madanm Saint Preux!
In Haiti, students have to pay for public education so there are many uneducated people. The members of Pastor Yves' churches can attend his church schools for free. With that, the students get uniforms and school supplies and, when funds are available, a meal of rice and beans as well. Any leftovers can be brought home so the parents and other members of family can eat too.
These pictures are of the Principle, his office, the schoolyard and classrooms. And my friend Madanm Saint Preux!
In Haiti, students have to pay for public education so there are many uneducated people. The members of Pastor Yves' churches can attend his church schools for free. With that, the students get uniforms and school supplies and, when funds are available, a meal of rice and beans as well. Any leftovers can be brought home so the parents and other members of family can eat too.
There are a few different types of brooms used but this style I believe is my favorite. It is made of plastic pop bottles.
The center of the platform and the stairs were finished as well as the front steps. What a wonderful experience, not only to watch the house of God be built but it was such an honor to help build God's house. Although the church at this point is beautiful, there is still a lot to do. Bathrooms, the balcony, windows, stucco and tile for the floor. These projects will happen as funds come in and it always happens in Gods timing.
While Pastor was waiting for more funds to come in to finish the platform, the men built the stairs in the front of the church. I am astounded as I observe how Pastor walks in faith and waits on the Lord. He plans in faith and watches how God sends the means and it is simply amazing to see. I am not talking about an event or situation here and there, I am talking about everyday and in everything.
As the sides of the platform were being built, I wondered why they didn't finish the wall. A couple of days later it all became clear.
A load of fill came to start work building the platform. and a pretty platform it will be. While they were laying the brick for the platform, they started laying the brick for the wall too.
The Nehemiah Men is a leadership program where a group of young men in Pastor Yves' churches commit to studing the Word and to take care of the property and the church. They learn to be servants by example and then by practice. Most of this church was built by the men of the church and these young men. They work very hard and they work for nothing other than to glorify the Lord.
These pictures are of the building project in Petit Goave, a coastal city in southwest Haiti
Petit Goave is the home of Pastor Yves first church in Haiti. In 2010 an earthquake destroyed much of Haiti including his church. 8 years later God gave Pastor the money to start rebuilding His house.
With a little fundraising and a lot of faith, the process began in the spring of 2017. The site prep started, the columns built and the makeshift shelter used for church moved aside. When the money ran out, God provided more and the construction continued.
There were 11 people from Pennsylvania and West Virginia that told Pastor they would provide the roof if the walls could be finished by mid February. Six men came to help with the roof while 5 ladies came and held a health clinic.
With a little fundraising and a lot of faith, the process began in the spring of 2017. The site prep started, the columns built and the makeshift shelter used for church moved aside. When the money ran out, God provided more and the construction continued.
There were 11 people from Pennsylvania and West Virginia that told Pastor they would provide the roof if the walls could be finished by mid February. Six men came to help with the roof while 5 ladies came and held a health clinic.
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When the last piece of sheet metal was placed, some of the saints of the church gathered to celebrate. This celebration went on for at least 45 minutes. The joy that flowed in the house of the Lord that day was of incredible. The celebration wasn't so much for the completed roof, it was to recognize and glorify how good our God is. |
Church service in Petit Goave
a coastal city in southwest Haiti
a coastal city in southwest Haiti