Rice

Day 5 June 20 2012

Mission Haiti. 

Let me apologise for not sending the Wednesday blog. As I lay on my cot last night thinking about the experiences of the day and how to best convert thoughts to words, I was so at peace with the work of the day and the great devotion by Charlotte that I fell asleep. 

Well let's talk about Wednesday. It really began Tuesday night. We had purchased twenty 55 pound bags of rice to hand out at the church in Cipress and that was good. But as we talked that night we began discussing the village we had walked to Sunday afternoon (Nawash).  This is rural Guitton and several miles off the main road. A new church/school is under construction and one of the more impoverished areas we have seen. We felt led to do something and before you know it our team had donated $320.00 and Jeff kicked in another $180.00 so we were able to buy 20 additional bags of rice and 2 bags of beans  for the village at Nawash. We had no idea how far this would go. 

When we arrived a large crowd had gathered and there was some commotion as food here is precious and there is never enough to go around.  The rice is broken down from the 55 pound bag to 7 cups in a small bag so each family would get 7 coups of rice.  This village was laid out in a random, haphazard fashion so that many of us were out of sight of each other most of the time.  Each small group had a Haitian with them.  When we reached the end of the village, we had 4 or 5 small bags of rice remaining.  So like Jesus beside the water with the loaves and fishes, God made certain that we had enough for the families of Nawash.  

The afternoon food handout in Cipress was very organized.  We went to the church/school where we have been working.  The pastor had organized the church family under the tent and we were able to hand out the food down the rows of chairs.  Again it was special to see. We would hand a bag at the end of the row and ask them to pass it down. To see them do this, to take food in their hands and then pass it on not knowing if there would be enough for all, was incredible.  As always when we trust Him and believe, God provided.

I am so proud of how this team has come together.  There are bonds of friendship being formed that will never be severed.  All have pulled a huge load this week.  Doug, Erica, LaChanda, Charlotte, Brooke, Ed, David, Fred, Emily, Kasi, Angelia, Christi and Sandy - this is a team that I am certain God brought together.  

Needless to say, it was a great day.  We spent a lot of time loving on the Haitians and ministering and witnessing to them because this is the main reason that we are here.  Oh, yes, we did work on the roofs too. 

Again, all is well, all are healthy and all are tired but renewed in our spirits.  Thank you for all the prayers.  

Jim Clark