“From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15
Ask a North American mother what qualities she hopes her child will have when they are grown and many will undoubtably list attributes like independence, free-thinking, individualism, leadership and somebody who doesn't go along with the crowd. And today, a mom might say that she just wants her kids to be back in school…in person. Ask a Haitian mother the same question and you will probably get a different answer. Many Haitian moms will say they would hope that their child would get an education, a job and have a better life than they have had…and have food.
If you have ever been to Haiti and have been in their homes, you would have witnessed the moms preparing meals or tending to their small gardens and you would better understand those differences. If you have visited life in rural Haiti you can see firsthand what life might have been like here in the mid to late 1800’s as time seems to have stood still. The rest of the industrial world has not visited the small hamlets except for the gasoline powered vehicle.
Haitian people are for the most part very patient and orderly as they stand in line waiting for the arrival of a taptap; wait in line hoping for a day of work, waiting to get some water or food. What do you want for your child? A better life than what I have endured and for them to know Jesus. That is what the parent living in Ouanaminthe wants for their son attending the Lutheran school in the attached photo.
Christians want their children to grow up knowing and walking with Jesus. One of the greatest needs of the Haitian parent is to realize how important it is for their child to know Jesus as many of them only rely upon the vodou priest and bring up their children without faith in the Savior. The vodou priest brings them fear and leaves them hopeless. Perhaps ninety percent of the schools in Haiti are Christian schools and the rest run by the government; the next generation in Haiti will have HOPE in their Savior. At the present time, there are over 42,500 children attending over 200 Christian schools in Haiti who are learning about their Savior and receiving a meal from Trinity HOPE. Thank you for helping the parents in Haiti to make a better life for their child, and also for answering the call of our Savior to seek and save the lost.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay