Haiti: Day 12

I am amazed with Jesus and His Word.  I can, as much or more than ever, relate to what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:3.  “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.”  This has been the emotions and sense that I experience every day here in Haiti.  For the last several days I have just prayed the words following verse 3, that there would be a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”  I am still as nervous before class every day, not knowing how God will come through that day, but He is answering this prayer and doing something that is beyond me and I just want to thank Him for that.  It is hard to believe but today’s class was even greater than yesterday.  It may sound overly positive, but it is not.  

Lunch in the EBS cafeteria

There was a sense of the power of the Holy Spirit in the room today as we again opened the Word and did a further “walk-through” in the Word as an example for the students.  They not only grasp the process, but their hearts are being gripped by Jesus Christ.  What took place in the room today reminded me of what is stated at times in the book of Acts to report the victories in the early church:  “So the Word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed (Acts 19:20).”  This is the best way I can describe to you what is happening here in class.  Student after student is sharing with me what the truth has meant to them.  Stacey Ayars was told by someone today, “This is just what our first-year students need!” 

I have to confess that the days are full and I am weary in every aspect of humanity.  But the days are rich!  After class, chapel, and lunch, Simeon and I spent a couple of hours grading papers before I went to the missionary prayer meeting.  The other OMS missionaries and guest came over from the other campus for their joint weekly Bible study and prayer time.  It was a blessing as my fellow visiting professor, Larry Lain, shared from Ephesians chapter 4.  It was powerful truth.  It was right from there to dinner, after which I am sitting down to write now before some fellowship time and a then later a video chat with my family!  The time here is winding down as we only have two days of classes left before I come home on Saturday.  I thought I would take minute here to share about my host family here, the Heckmans.  They have been so gracious and made everything like home for Larry and me as we are staying with them.  I appreciate their ministry here on the campus as full-time OMS missionaries, with Phil as the director of operations , overseeing grounds and maintenance staff (you should see the beautiful grounds!), and Emily serving through hospitality for visiting teams (a BIG part of what they do here), teaching, and helping lead worship in chapel.  

Their children, Ethan and Haylie, are a big part of the ministry.  It has been fun to visit with them this week as they have made me feel at home.  They use much of the same homeschool curriculum as my own children have, and they also love Tim Hawkins in the same way we do (it’s been fun to exchange Tim Hawkins quotes).  I cannot thank them enough for all they have done for us, not to mention also the Ayars family next door.  These ladies have provided wonderful “American” type meals for us every evening.  :)  You can visit their blogs to learn more about them at http://2haiti4him.blogspot.com/  or http://www.mshaiti.blogspot.com/

Thank you for your continued prayer.  God is doing more than we can ask or imagine!  

In Christ,

John

With Ethan, Haylie, Emily, and Phil