Early One Morning

Greetings all!

Just wanted to let you know that the Lord is helping us in Haiti! Yesterday was a grand day at the Women’s Conference attended by about 400 Haitian women and some of the pastors, other men and children. Madam Gabriel, the National WMI President is an elegant, refined, gracious, spiritual lady who I’d like to spend more time with. She speaks very fast Creole and very fast English and wore a beautiful 2 piece white, brocade suite. She addressed the ladies using Proverbs 31 to teach them what kind of a person a godly woman should be. Various women sang and led the women in joyfully singing and times of prayer; they had a great time throughout the day, worshiping, fellowshiping and eating together. The women wore white tops and black skirts, many wore head coverings; they were beautiful as they marched in with their church group, singing as they carried their National WMI (Women’s Ministry International) Haiti, custom-made banner.

They draped several flags across the front including a USA flag, an African flag and a Haitian flag. They thanked me for coming and warmly welcomed me; Madam Gabriel invited me to the front of the auditorium, held my hand for pictures, pinned a corsage on me, hugged me and whispered a blessing in my ear. I just loved her right away.

Madam Gabriel had chosen a sweet lady to be my interpreter but she was so nervous she got sick. I was sorry she got sick but thankful that she was not going to be in the uncomfortable position of trying to translate…she could not understand my English…and I could not understand her Creole-English. So the mission director, Jeanne Munos, asked her college translator, Pastor Mark, to translate for me and he did a fabulous job. God helped me ‘connect’ with the women and they were very responsive, I had a wonderful time inter-acting with them and they seemed to enjoy it as well. One of the pastors who was there said the women were very receptive and it was a much needed message for them. Madam Gabriel and 3 of her leaders came to Jeanne’s home and visited with us a bit, after the conference. I took some pictures and will try to get them emailed.

Today we drove down the streets in Port au Prince which was teaming with people selling all sorts of things on the sidewalks, trying to make a living. The people are so VERY, VERY poor, there are many beggars in the streets, begging for food or money. UN soldiers armed with machine guns are plentiful, standing on the street corners. The Munos’ said that Haiti would be in riots if the soldiers were not there. We had planned to go up the mountain to see the beautiful fields and sights there but the vehicle got hot and the clutch began slipping so we had to turn around; we coasted down the hill almost all the way back to the FOHO (Friends of Haiti Organization) house. They desperately need a mechanic to spend some time here and work on their vehicles…or get at least one new one.

The medical team went to Dessillines Thurs and returned Fri evening and totally understood why Dr. Dan is so overwhelmed; the hospital needs about $200,000 worth of renovating then there’s the issue of personnel and salaries. We’re praying that God will give him wisdom to know what God wants in this area then supply the people and funds to go forward. The area needs the hospital desperately. The med team, Dr. Dan and Jack Munos drove 4 hours over deep wash-board roads to get there and were so glad that I did not try to go; Cheri said it was absolutely THE roughest roads they had EVER been on, ANYWHERE, including Nicaragua, and the roads up the mountains were TERRIBLE there (I went.) They saw some patients who were in pretty desperate conditions. Dr Enrique has also seen patients who have come to the FOHO guest house.

Sunday will be a full day for us beginning very early with Rex preaching in one of the churches, then a communion service in the afternoon at another church.

The Munos’ are wonderful missionaries, doing an incredible job that they love; they want to live here until they go to heaven.

We’re believing God for protection in every area and for fruitful ministry while here. We’re actually getting some rest, going to bed decently early and getting up early. We played a card game in their open air patio on the 2nd floor after dinner last night. Enrique was the winner, I was 2nd and poor Rex brought up the caboose. He announced to us at lunch today that before we left Haiti he was going to win at 3/13

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I love you and am praying for you,

LaWanda

Financial gifts are tax deductible, should be made payable to WMI, marked ‘WMI Mission Trips’ and mailed to:

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002