Feb 24 – March 4
I am writing this summary of Amherst Bible Church (ABC)’s 2015 mission trip to let you know the amazing things God has done with willing hearts. Also, as a thank you to all of those who went.
We had two major agendas and also a few minor agendas. The first major agenda was home visits to Voice of Compassion Sponsored Students. Early mornings we broke into 4 groups to do home visits. To many team members this was their favorite time in Haiti. It was a chance to see people’s homes and how people lived. We were blessed to visit 27 homes of the 32 children sponsored. We shared the gospel using the wordless bead bracelets, brought gifts for the families and also a bunch of smiles and hugs. We were all so humbled and blessed by the visits.
The Second major agenda was a VBS in the afternoon for the 56 children in the orphanage. We used the Rhode school building for this purpose. We did puppets, songs, Bible memory verses, crafts, story time, game time and snack time (one of the biggest hits). We had 4 groups going at one time, every 30 to 40 minutes we would rotate the groups. We signaled the changing of the groups with a whistle. I loved blowing that whistle. The children seemed to enjoy VBS immensely. The hardest part of VBS was having 100 plus children hanging at the door and windows wanting to be a part of this. We were not able to handle more than the children in the orphanage. Story time was the only time there was room for extras (which we had many). I believe GOD blessed this time for all of us, workers and children. After VBS we hung out with the children and adults. Sometimes it was dark when we returned home.
Our first minor agenda was a secret spaghetti dinner Sunday night (not so secret). Our dinner for 40 was really dinner for 80. I should have known. Margie (my sister) was the main cook along with Ellen. They did a wonderful job under stressful conditions. Margie and Ellen were not stressed. I was stressed. The thought – what were you thinking – sent me into a panic attack. Not to worry GOD multiplied the spaghetti like He did with the loaves and the fishes. Everyone was fed (AMEN to that). Great job Sis and Ellen.
Our second minor agenda was Sunday morning worship. The team under Pat Huber’s leading sang 5 worship songs and two specials. One special was by the youth in the group and the other by the four who were very gifted in music (not me).
Our third minor agenda was goat buying. No trip is complete without a trip to the animal market. We left 8 goats at the orphanage.
Things not planned but true blessings. “The school cement project.” This was not on our agenda but on Gods. The team pooled money and with this money plus some Lavuad already had, we were able to see a floor being poured, the first at the Rhode School. After working all week on the dirt and rocky floor, to see this floor being poured was another highlight for all of us. We were so blessed to be a part of it.
Our second unplanned blessing was language class. No matter where you are or who you are with the Haitians are trying to teach you the Creole language. They in return want to learn English. I think a whole trip could be devoted to this cultural exchange.
They are so many stories I am unable to tell, this is only a glimpse of what went on that week. I believe God handpicked the 15 people on this team. God used all of us to fill gaps we didn’t know we’d have to fill. We all felt the presence of the Lord. We are all so thankful with that I would like to thank every person on this team…
Ellen Eckhardt – Thank you for your servant’s heart and for a willing spirit to do whatever needed to be done. I count you as a new friend. You are a real trooper.
Margie Vander Heiden (Sister) – How do I ever thank you for all the hard work you did… from cooking, baking, dishes and just loving on so many people. You inspire me. Thanks for teaching me how to do my laundry. P.S. I wonder what Lavaud’s sisters will think of all the spiders you left in my netting. (Haha) Love you sister.
Pat Huber – Thanks for being a hard worker and the spark for this trip. Blessings to you for all the work you did for the music and VBS. I could see your joy in finally making it to Haiti. We could have never done this trip without you.
Pastor Derek Nett – Thank you for your willing heart to lead this group. For all the time you put in even before we left. Thank you for your heart to share Christ in Haiti and for the stimulating conversion of the word of God. You are a great leader.
Darrie Nelson – Thank you for your gentle and loving spirit to serve all. I know you have made many new friends in Haiti. Thanks for all the pictures and video you took. I pray this will be a start of something new for you and Riverside Bible Camp.
Jed Lehnert – Thank you Jed for coming with us. Thanks for being on my team when we did the home visits. You have a heart to share Christ with everyone. I loved watching you with your daughter Jerusha. Blessings
Brian Powell – Thank you for your willingness to serve all and stepping up when we needed you. I think someday you will be leading a team to Haiti on your own. Keep on working on your creole you’re getting better.
Tina Moen (My second daughter in Haiti) – Thanks for letting me see Haiti again through new eyes. Thanks so much for your joy, hard work. I think Haiti will be blessed to see you again.
Tracy Guzman (My first daughter in Haiti) – Thanks for all the hard work you put into this trip. You were my right hand lady for all of this trip. You gave me so much comfort in Haiti just by your presence. I love you so much. Well done my daughter.
Becky Heiser – Thanks for your love of the children of Haiti. I saw how much they touched your heart. Thanks for serving. Were you able to steal one of those little ones for home? I love listening to you sing.
Jerusha Lehnert – Thank you for such a sweet spirit and your love for the Haitian children. Thanks for your time and effort you put in to learn the children’s creole songs. I enjoyed doing home visits with you and your tenderness with your father, Jed. Your love for the Lord is obvious to all.
Courtney Moen – Thanks for your passion for life. May it become a passion for God. Thanks for your joy in Haiti, I could always hear you laugh. Thank you for serving and for your love of the Haitian children.
Shaylana Nelson – Thanks for letting your light shine, how the children loved you. You are a real team player. We were blessed with your presence.
Megan Guzman (Minnie) – My first grandchild going to Haiti, a dream come true. Thanks for taking this trip at such an early age (13). I loved watching you with the little ones, watching you come out of your shell and giving your all to Haiti. Your truly blessed my heart. I love you for you. P.S. Although you were the first, I pray you are not the only or last. I challenge all my grandchildren to go to Haiti.
Pastor Lavaud Cheristen (Haiti Missionary & Founder of HCMC (Haiti Christian Ministry Center) – Thank you my friend for allowing us be a part of God’s work in Haiti. We have been so blessed. May many people enter into God’s kingdom because of the ministry God has given to you. Love to you in Haiti always.
My biggest thank you is to GOD – Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve in Haiti, it is pure privilege. I felt your presence throughout all this trip, we can never thank you enough… Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Amber
Psalm 127:1
Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it.
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