'The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his
steps.'
Proverbs 16:9
 |
| Krishelle, Fednel, Pastor Josh, and Pastor Mike at lunch |
I was blessed last week to spend part of it traveling with
three pastors from Life Church in Rome, GA.
http://lcrome.com/home They had a
desire to see the area in Northwest Haiti where we work, and specifically, the
food program.
After realizing that I wasn't able to use the trucks in
country, I turned my attention to getting a rental vehicle. After 3 hours spent
dealing with various rental car companies, I ended up with a little Suzuki 4
door. Not exactly the best vehicle to take to the northwest, but that was the
only option at that time. I was to meet three pastors very early the next
morning and needed to get up to the area where they were staying yet that
evening. It took nearly 2 hours just to get from the airport to the outskirts
of Port au Prince. It was now 8 in the evening, not exactly the best time to be
traveling. Plus, once outside of Port, I quickly learned that this remnant of a
car didn't run so good. But Fednel (interpreter) and I drove on.
 |
From left to right. Lemuel's Administrator, Pastor Josh, Fednel,
local citizen, Lemuel employee, and Chuck at a village where
they have cleared the thorns from their village and received food |
The next morning I met up with the 3 Pastors, Jason, Josh, and Mike. Given the car
situation, we discussed whether we would attempt a trip up north or stay closer
to Port au Prince. With Jason not feeling well, and not able to travel, the
rest of us decided to take the journey north. Josh and Mike wanted to go, so to
the northwest we went.
Once we got off the good road and onto the dirt paths, we
stopped at an area where we would like to come along side with a work for food
program. They dig rocks out of the hillside for a living. They have no gardens
due to the desert like conditions. We met with the wife and children of the
local pastor. When asked what her greatest needs were, she answered 'food and
water'. I pray that we can establish a continued relationship with this area.
One prayer request we have is that others will see this need and come along
side us and help support this area.
 |
Another project for food is a holding pond fed from this hand
dug trench. It runs from the river (when there is water) to the
pond which they also dug by hand. |
We arrived at our destination of Lemuel Ministries where
there was a lunch waiting. We then took advantage of some down time before
looking at the food program. Around mid afternoon, people from Lemuel gave Josh
and I a tour of the area and some of the work for food programs that are ongoing.
The need for food and water is very evident. Watching a man dip a bowl into a
green, bug invested pond of stagnant water was painful.
That evening, pastors Mike and Josh wanted to rest. It was a
long, emotional, and spiritually filled day. I didn't blame them a bit. That
evening, Fednel and I headed over to one of our favorite little churches which
we call Philadelphia. I realized that with the pastors needing some 'down'
time, I would be the one called on to give a message this evening. Oh boy..... I quickly thought of Mosses and how he told
God that God had sent the wrong man to do the job! Rather than arguing with God
to send someone else, I asked that he give me the words he wanted spoken.
 |
| Man getting drinking water from this pond. |
When we arrived, the church was packed with people singing
praises to the Lord! It's a beautiful sight to see and listen to. After the
singing and a short message from the church's pastor, I was up to bat. The Lord
gave me every word. I had nothing to say, but He did! I spoke for about 20
minutes. I thank God for His words!
The next morning we started our trip back to Port au Prince.
We sounded much like a tank seeing as the pipe leading into the muffler broke.
It just needed to be welded back in place. And wouldn't you know, we had the joy
of getting a flat tire before getting to Gonaives. Oh, and the spare was flat
of course! We flagged down a moto and he took the tire and Fednel to get it
repaired. We were back on our way within 40 minutes or so! Thank you Lord!
 |
| Inside the church at Philadelphia during the service |
We picked up Pastor Jason at the hotel he was staying at and
we made it to Port au Prince by about 3:00pm. I dropped the pastors off at the
hotel and took the car back to the rental company. I had to pay a little for
one broken hubcap and another hubcap that somehow didn't make the trip back
with us. I didn't mention the muffler. You could tell where it had been welded
before and it broke in the same spot. I'm sure they had no problem with
re-welding it. Thank you Lord.
Friday we all flew back to the States. The lines at the
airport were incredibly long. People were starting to get out ahead of the hurricane.
I was on the American Airlines side while the pastors were on the Delta side. I
can't speak for them, but the AA side was a total mess! By the grace of God, I
still caught the flight out and made it home by 11:00pm that same day. Thank
you Jesus.
 |
The man to my left wanted to thank everyone that has helped
him to be able to have food. Beside him is the church's
pastor and elders. |
I want to thank Pastors Jason, Josh, and Mike for their
willingness to take this journey. Their desire to 'go' and to 'see' was a great
encouragement to me. I pray our paths will cross again in the future! Thank you
guys.
I also want to thank those that prayed for our safe trip.
Your prayers were heard! And thanks to those that financially support this
ministry. Without you, we could do nothing. And please believe me when I say
there is a lot to do in Northwest Haiti. We give thanks to the Lord for all of you!
In His Service,
Chuck & Gail
Contact Information
Chuck & Gail
Guerber
% Grace Hill
Ministries
P.O. Box 171
Ironwood, MI
49938
USA: 906.285.2500
Haiti:
509.4753.0270
www.nwhaiti.blogspot.com
Grace Hill Ministries is a 501(c)3 non profit organization.
