CHRISTMAS IN HAITI 2012: Days 4 & 5

Day 4

The party at Lamentin was truly a historic event. The Lamentin compound is where we're staying. On the compound is a Girls' Home, a school, a clinic, and a hospital which is currently under construction. Pastor Stan, Sr. surprised Bishop and Madame Jeune at the party. Pastor Stan, Sr. is the senior pastor from Word of Life church in Miami, Florida. Word of Life helps to fund and assist with the Christmas parties here in Haiti. They have been working with the Jeune's for many years including the Christmas parties that began 17 years ago. It was a blessing to witness this event. We served around 5000 children at today's party and as always, the children offered their gratitude.

Vicki ~ “You really felt God moving with the kids as the message was given, and so many children stood up to receive Jesus Christ.

Day 5
What an eventful day! The team split up today to accomplish a few tasks and came back together to take a tour of the Boys' Home at Waney.

Luis and Vicki went to the Sunshine Home (a small orphanage of 45 children), a few team members stayed behind to finish packing, and the remainder of the team went to the detention center to host a party.

Luis and Vicki had an amazing time at the Sunshine Home. It is being run by Madame Jeune’s mother and is assisted by Paulette and Ingrid from Miami.

Luis ~ “It’s amazing to see these children so happy and well taken care of. They were so appreciative."

Luis’ highlight of the event was meeting a little boy named King King who had only been in the orphanage for three months. And a highlight of the day for Rachel was seeing a young girl who remembered her from her first trip to Haiti in 2009.

The remainder of the team traveled to the detention center where they hosted a party for 700 boys.

Todd from Forward Edge ~ “Every gift from the gospel presentation, to the food, to the Christmas gifts they received was a gift from from the Lord because every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord."

Lastly, we all went to the Boys' Home which is also run by the Jeune's. We spent time with the boys and gave them their gift bags. During our visit, we were given a tour. We were able to see where the boys stay, the house Bishop and Madame used to reside in, the former and current church, as well as, the Widows' Home. The former sanctuary was damaged by the earthquake and church is now held under a tent outside. The widows' home is for women who are widowed and have nowhere to go. Some of these women also help with the boys at the boys' home.

The Jeune’s are doing exactly what we are asked to do - care for the orphans and widows.