It all began when I arrived to work too early this morning. My typical routine is to unpack in my office around 8:25 and be in the class for devotional by 8:30. This morning I made it into work by 8, so I sat at my desk and began working on English lessons to pass the time. About that time, an older American gentleman entered the office who I had never met before. I introduced myself, and, curious as to his intentions, politely asked why he was there. I found out that he was helping one of the satellite schools start up and was in need of a working sewing machine, because the one they had previously received were missing parts. While waiting for Esther to arrive to approve the 2nd machine, we got to talking about the organization and he invited me to go along to see it. After approval from Esther, I grabbed my water bottle, and we were off on a trip to Boval about an hour west of Les Cayes.
Bill has been affiliated with Haiti for the past 25 years and his daughter's family are currently missionaries in Les Cayes (I met his wife and daughter last week at the ladies tea and quickly made the connection). Bill met Balade, the gentleman working in Boval, about 15 years ago, and his church in Ohio has taken Balade's ministry under their wing to help it grow. I learned about Balade's passion for sharing the Gospel and how he has planted 5 churches in the town where he grew up. He is currently building a trade school to educate men, women, and children in the community and has added a sewing ministry with the help of some graduates from Centre Lumiere. They were about to receive their first sewing machine today!
We made the drive through the countryside of Haiti; the first 10 miles was on a paved road, the last 10 through dirt and gravel. We arrived to a courtyard full of children dressed in uniform who were having recess from school. They have over 350 students attend and the school has been open for just 2 years! Only 3 of the classrooms were “finished” (walls and a roof), so the other students were meeting where church is held on a cement slab with tarps for walls. Multiple classes and students were squeezed into such small places that it's hard to imagine how any can focus and pay attention amidst the noise. Yet, everyone seemed so grateful to be receiving an education.
Because of the lack of a sewing machine, the economics school began this year teaching hand sewing and embroidery. Their embroidery samplers (fabric to practice on) are very impressive! After touring the grounds, Bill and I unloaded the sewing machine and set it up at the Orphan House on the grounds to get it running. We also installed the missing piece on the first machine to see if it would work. After correctly getting it threaded (those old Singers are a challenge), we found out that the belt on the treadle sewing machine was too dry-rotted and could not withstand the stress from the tension. But, fortunately, the newer machine worked like a charm!
We ended up staying much longer than intended as is always the case in Haiti. Pastor Juene's wife cooked us lunch and we enjoyed chicken, rice, beans, and fried plantains for lunch. I hung around with the orphan girls as they ate before their afternoon nap. Even with the language barrier, we were all giggling before I left. I also helped Bill conquer the copy machine mystery of only copying a half page. Pastor Juene and Balade were close by copying the instructions down in Creole in case the problem arose again. We also took a look at the garden that is part of the farming program in the trade school. They are experimenting to see what conditions are best to grow corn, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and chives in the Haitian soil and climate. Much has been accomplished, even in just 2 short years of being in existence.
It was such an encouragement to see so much work going on in a Haitian run organization. Quite often Americans hear in the news media how little that has been accomplished since the earthquake. Yet, I am coming to find out through experiences just how motivated these men and women are to educate their children and change their society for the better. Please pray for Balade and his ministry in Boval. As it continues to grow, they are in need of building supplies and classroom materials to keep up with the expansion. If you feel led to contribute, please contact me! By the way, Balade has planted 4 more churches since August. He is a man with a goal and no one will stop him!
Bill has been affiliated with Haiti for the past 25 years and his daughter's family are currently missionaries in Les Cayes (I met his wife and daughter last week at the ladies tea and quickly made the connection). Bill met Balade, the gentleman working in Boval, about 15 years ago, and his church in Ohio has taken Balade's ministry under their wing to help it grow. I learned about Balade's passion for sharing the Gospel and how he has planted 5 churches in the town where he grew up. He is currently building a trade school to educate men, women, and children in the community and has added a sewing ministry with the help of some graduates from Centre Lumiere. They were about to receive their first sewing machine today!
We made the drive through the countryside of Haiti; the first 10 miles was on a paved road, the last 10 through dirt and gravel. We arrived to a courtyard full of children dressed in uniform who were having recess from school. They have over 350 students attend and the school has been open for just 2 years! Only 3 of the classrooms were “finished” (walls and a roof), so the other students were meeting where church is held on a cement slab with tarps for walls. Multiple classes and students were squeezed into such small places that it's hard to imagine how any can focus and pay attention amidst the noise. Yet, everyone seemed so grateful to be receiving an education.
Because of the lack of a sewing machine, the economics school began this year teaching hand sewing and embroidery. Their embroidery samplers (fabric to practice on) are very impressive! After touring the grounds, Bill and I unloaded the sewing machine and set it up at the Orphan House on the grounds to get it running. We also installed the missing piece on the first machine to see if it would work. After correctly getting it threaded (those old Singers are a challenge), we found out that the belt on the treadle sewing machine was too dry-rotted and could not withstand the stress from the tension. But, fortunately, the newer machine worked like a charm!
We ended up staying much longer than intended as is always the case in Haiti. Pastor Juene's wife cooked us lunch and we enjoyed chicken, rice, beans, and fried plantains for lunch. I hung around with the orphan girls as they ate before their afternoon nap. Even with the language barrier, we were all giggling before I left. I also helped Bill conquer the copy machine mystery of only copying a half page. Pastor Juene and Balade were close by copying the instructions down in Creole in case the problem arose again. We also took a look at the garden that is part of the farming program in the trade school. They are experimenting to see what conditions are best to grow corn, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and chives in the Haitian soil and climate. Much has been accomplished, even in just 2 short years of being in existence.
It was such an encouragement to see so much work going on in a Haitian run organization. Quite often Americans hear in the news media how little that has been accomplished since the earthquake. Yet, I am coming to find out through experiences just how motivated these men and women are to educate their children and change their society for the better. Please pray for Balade and his ministry in Boval. As it continues to grow, they are in need of building supplies and classroom materials to keep up with the expansion. If you feel led to contribute, please contact me! By the way, Balade has planted 4 more churches since August. He is a man with a goal and no one will stop him!