This was my main focus during the trip. I had worked to prepare it and the first day had not gone as well as I had hoped for. But, we knew God had a plan and the show must go on. Candice and I re-grouped and re-organized for the next day. This day Lophane, Enoch, and Sophanie would be staying with us. We were excited to get started!
We arrived earlier than yesterday but there were still about 40 kids already there and ready! As we got set up, the translators helped get named tags on. It is very helpful to us if they have name tags. We can pronounce most of them by the way they are spelled. (in English) Candice had everything ready to go for crafts! They would be doing hand prints today. The verse on the paper for that was John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave is only Son, that whoever shall believe in Him shall have eternal life. Lophane , Enoch, and Sophanie got started with music. Candice and I jumped in with movements and singing along when we could. He led the kids with excitement and joy! They sang Father Abraham-it has lots of movement and fun, Read your Bible pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow. This song has them reaching high as they are growing in Jesus, Jesus Loves Me, and Lord I Lift Your Name on High. We said a prayer and split into 2 groups. We did the same schedule as before. Enoch helped me with the story. It takes a special translator to translate a story. You need someone that can pass on the excitement and emotion you use to tell a story. Enoch has that special gift. (He is in school for education!!) Anyway, today's story was about God's family. I printed the title in Creole on the story board along with pictures. I explained we are all part of God's family and that is how he intended it to be. Then sin came in to our world. The children and I agreed that sin is anything that displeases the Lord and it would be unfair to let sin go unpunished. We talked about how Jesus came to take on our sin, to take the punishment of death for our sin. Then he conquered death through his Resurrection and believing in him and what he has done makes us a part of God's family. We talked about the riches that God says are ours. It is somewhat tricky to talk about riches to children that don't have much. When Americans come it seems they have more "riches" than they do. But, we talked about the riches that are not tangible. Where stealing is something that happens more often than not, we talked about riches no one can steal. No one can steal your joy, love, salvation, and faith. What a relief!! We do have riches in common! We concluded the story and then switched. Once we were done the translators helped to get everyone seated and released them one row at a time for there snack. We were prepared this time and had plenty to share. Instead of watching their reactions in panic of running out, we were able to enjoy their grateful faces. It was a good time had by all.
The next two days we were doing vacation bible school in Jubilee. Because of the large number of children we would be doing only one day for one group and then we would come back the next and do one day with the remaining children. We stuck with the story of God's family, the first day the children decorated crosses and the second day a different set of kids did hand prints. Jubilee was run a little different. We told them we only had enough to do 100 kids at a time. The pastors did a great job of keeping track of how many we had and cutting it off at 100. The kids waiting outside the first day would have there chance at vbs the next day. Just because there are a 100 kids does not make the church any bigger. So, we told the story first and then did the craft. The craft was stationed at the front of the inside of the church. This way the kids could do their craft and receive their snack without being mobbed at the door. The Pastors helped to usher the kids to the craft table and out of the door. The kids their were so desperate. The ones that did not make it inside the first day stood peering in through the holes of the walls of the church. They would reach in and gently tug at our ankles. It is hard not to give in. But, you have to be strong and confident that they will get their turn the next day. And when we are out, we are out. It sounds hard and it but that is just the way it is. Candice made a wonderful point. We can tell our kids in America sometimes things just aren't fair-deal with it. But for one day, she felt it was important for things to be fair at least one day for those kids that we served in Haiti. I absolutely agree. We tried to do just that, we just had to be careful that no one snuck in to get seconds.
Both days in Jubilee were exciting and fun! The kids had a great time and so did the grown ups. It was crazy to know that God was protecting us. He gave us this space, this time to enjoy praising His name, even when the enemy was staring right at us. We were making a statement in a Voodoo community. For all who were enjoying praising God in the name of Jesus Christ, we are also in this bubble of protection. Never have I ever seen the Holy Spirit in action presently protecting us as we served Him humbly!!! It was an experience I will never forget. Those kids had so much fun and nothing to fear, in a community that is held captive through fear. And, like all things in Haiti, when it is time to go....pack up and leave fast. All leftovers were later given to the pastors to do as they wish. As we were leaving, a woman sat across the street from the church. She sat on her porch holding a baby that was crying so loud. She was not worrying over that baby, she was busy staring at us with evil I have never seen before. She was mumbling curses at us as we loaded up. For a tiny second I was worried. I asked Helen, "should we be worried?" She said no because we are protected by Christ. WHEW!!!!!
What a day. What an experience. So many things to look back at and remember forever. I will remember that it doesn't matter what language a child speaks, what social status they come from, or even what religion. All children love to sing, dance, hear stories, do a craft, and of course receive at treat. We got to do it in the NAME OF JESUS!
As always in Christ Jesus,
Amy
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