‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6
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| Edleen and her new baby! |
As we move forward from the Christmas season, we can
remember the passage from Isaiah 9:6 ‘For to us a child is born…’ It was the foretelling
of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is a beautiful verse of scripture. I would like
to share with you about when another child was born.
It was a few weeks ago on a Saturday that I, Chuck, got a
call from Pastor Etienne in Port au Prince. He said that there was a woman in a
nearby village that was having serious problems with giving birth to her first
child.
The village didn’t know how to get a hold of me, so they called him to
see if there was any way I could help. I quickly recapped my resume which
confirmed that I didn’t have any medical knowledge or experience! Oh oh. What
could I do? Ah, but I was the only person that had a car. Even though I was
told that the license plates had expired, (which I found out later they were
good for a couple more weeks) I needed to get this lady and take here to
medical help.
Upon arrival to her hut, I was met by what seemed like half the village.
Edleen (the lady in serious labor) had a mid-wife, but he (yes, he) had done
all he knew and Edleen was still having serious troubles. So we got her into
the car along with 5 others that ‘had’ to come along. So there was a total of 7
people and an unborn baby in our little Suzuki Sidekick. As we drove to a clinic
in Ans Rouge, about 50 minutes away, I was successful in hitting every major
pothole in the road! I don’t think there was one I missed. That poor lady in
the back was not handling this well, and quite frankly, I don’t blame her. By
the grace of God, we made it to the clinic. It took all three of the nurses,
which is the entire staff, to help. A couple of us left after waiting 5 hours
to no signs of a baby. We got a call about 6:30 the next morning that she had a
baby girl and both were doing great! Praise God! So, a few of us went back to
Ans Rouge to get her and her new baby. The baby’s father, which has no relationship
anymore with the baby’s mother, carried the baby out to the car. Probably the
last time he will see her. A couple minutes later, Edleen came walking out the
front door. Ok, on a side note, I know now why when leaving a hospital in the
States, they put you in a wheel chair and stroll you out. Poor Edleen was
walking out smiling when she started to get ahead of herself and low and behold
she did a face plant on the concrete right in front of the clinic. Ouch, that’s
all that poor lady needed after what she had been through. I quickly went over
and helped her up. A couple scratches but nothing major. She continued on and
got in the car and we all left to go back to her village. When we got to her
hut, there were about a half dozen of the older village ladies waiting for her.
They were there to help. It was heartwarming to see how the people take care of
each other.
A church in the village of Nan
Mabwadom
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| Where the church meets in Nan Mabwadom, Haiti |
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| Listening to the Word of God from the 'Proclaimer' on the table |
On a Sunday morning a couple weeks ago, I visited a church
about 45 minutes away. I was told it was a gathering of new Christians. I picked up the pastor we know in the village of Bia de
Henne and took him along. Not having been there before, I wasn’t sure of what
the roads would be like, so we took the ATV.
Good thing too, because the roads were, ah, really bad.
Upon arriving, we noticed a few people inside a palm branch hut that were being
taught by an enthusiastic teacher. As the morning went on, more people would
come in for worship. They don’t have a ‘pastor’ but the church is run by a
board of about 8 people. They have a couple elders and one person that is
considered the leader, but not pastor. It was a joy to see people asking
questions about Christ and scripture. Most can’t read, so I didn’t see many
bibles. I brought along a ‘Proclaimer’, which is a radio looking device with
the New Testament in the Haitian Creole language on it. It was donated by an
organization called ‘Faith Comes By Hearing’. It is solar and battery operated
which is great for places like this that don’t have electricity. I presented it
to the leader of the group. They all were thrilled to hear it! It will be well
used. Thank you Jesus!
Gail Visits New Life Children’s Home
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
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| Relaxing in the shade at New Life Children's Home |
The intention for me, Gail, was to leave the northwest on December
28th to head back to the states to visit family. Pastor Etienne who
was my ride to Port au Prince had other plans – leaving at 5:00AM on Christmas
morning. We are reliant on others for transportation so added days on trips is
expected. My flight to the states was scheduled for Dec. 29th.
Blessings do come through what we often think as
disappointments… Like not spending Christmas with loved ones; to spending
Christmas with children at “New Life Children’s Home” in Port au Prince…. It
was such a rewarding experience to just be a part of the day to day operations
and care for these children. Assisting with feeding and bathing the handicap
children and young adults, then just being accessible to assist where there was
a need. We did have one girl who was in the final stages of this life, so
making her comfortable was one of my main objectives. Sitting with her while
rubbing her back to quiet her spirit and praying without ceasing was the
mission. Many of these children are physically and mentally handicapped,
actually abandoned, or left for dead by family. The government has even brought
children from other orphanages that they have closed down. These children are
the truest definition of “the secret of being content in any and every
situation, whether living in plenty or in want”. These children were never
without smiles – they smiled with their hearts!!
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| Louna enjoying her picture taken! |
Through the love and compassion of Miriam Frederick and her
mission, “World Harvest Missions Outreach, Inc.” these children are given hope
in a future, beginning with the knowledge of knowing Jesus Christ. They are
either given a loving, stable home for life because of their disabilities or
are restored to an optimal level of health and returned to their families or
villages.
To put this ministry in perspective, to a mission that is
accomplishing much and a need that is ever present, is the annual budgeted cost
for diapers for the children which is approximately $ 34,000.00. They are totally relying on
the provisions that God supplies and God is Faithful.
Please take a moment and check out Miriam’s website @ www.newlife4kids.org and if the Lord
impresses upon your heart to help this ministry and children this is an
incredible opportunity to watch the Lord do amazing things.
We thank all of you for your prayers and support. May our
Lord Jesus Christ bless you and your families!
In His Service,
Chuck & Gail
Ti Lagon, Northwest Haiti
