Day 5

Welcome to day number 5! I apologize if these messages have poor grammar. I’ve been writing them late, and not proofreading. Today was the craziest day yet. It literally felt like 2 different days. This morning our devotions were led by Dustin, who also played guitar last night at church. He’s a full time missionary here with New Missions, who also leads a surf ministry as well.

We then headed off to “The Tent” where we had VBS for a different group of kids. There weren’t any fights to my knowledge, but these kids were a little unruly and disruptive. This week comparing all of the kids, yesterday’s were the best behaved and most respectable. This is a testament to their teacher, who was there and had trained most of these kids throughout their schooling. It’s awesome.

Today was a big day during Bible Time. We were trying to relay to the kids how one achieves Salvation. We taught them 1. Admit (your sin) 2. Believe (That Christ died for their sins) 3. Confess (That Christ has forgiven them and is their Salvation). I was dreading doing it for the youngest group because it’s some heavy stuff for 5 and under. Turns out, they were the best behaved group. The really followed what we were saying and answered a bunch of our questions. If one kid took everything seriously and accepted Christ today, it was all worth it. Actually, at the wrap up I was very encouraged, because I had them all repeat the 3 points several time. They all did. No matter what now, these kids know how to accept Christ and why.

This afternoon we went Redemption Village . There are no words to describe the poverty we witnessed. Run down shacks for houses, dirt floors, naked kids running around, and so much more. We were kind of expecting these things, but what we weren’t expecting was the swarm of kids. When we got off the truck, about 100 kids came running and swarmed us. They wanted to ride on our shoulders, take our hands, braid our hair (obviously not mine), and ask us for money or whatever we could give them. The whole scene was incredibly overwhelming. The streets had garbage and other wastes in them and the majority of kids ran around without shoes.

I was very proud of our team. They jumped right in. Without missing a beat Mike threw a kid right up on his shoulders and put his sunglasses on him. Jess had kids in her arms and girls braiding her hair. Austin was lifting kids up to hang on the basketball hoop. Kevin took pictures of kids as they posed. Alex played soccer. Jen organized jump rope. Gail even got her hair braided. We were able to personally deliver the clothes that we had donated to the Lucien family (The Haitian Pastor), that has something like 7 or 9 kids. Pastor met them and prayed over Pastor Lucien and his wife. Pastor and I went into the home of the Dominican Pastor and prayed for his family and ministry.

Like I said it was very overwhelming and it’s going to take a while to process. We all had a lot to share tonight during our team devotions, but I’d like to share something that Jessica told us. While she was playing with the kids, a bunch of girls started attacking 1 girl and they all were grabbing her hair and pushing her around. They got it broken up, but the little girl was left alone and the other kids just laughed at her. She was pushed off to the side and everyone, including adults went back to what they were doing as if nothing happened. The little girl was by herself crying and upset. Jessica went over with another little girl who was holding her hand, and tried to console her. At first she didn’t want to be talked to but Jessica continued to touch her arm and tell her it was going to be ok. Finally, the little girl calmed down. When the other little girls around Jess saw her being nice to the little girl, they started to go over to her and console her. They all ended up playing again.

Jess showed the love of Christ to this shunned, broken little girl, and it spread to those around her. What a testimony and lesson. Today we saw the poorest of the poor, the outcasts if you will. Appreciate what you have. Love the unlovable. Pray for Redemption Village .

Dave