I know it may be risky and not politically correct to say “Mission Accomplished!” But that’s how I feel so I’ll say it: “HAITI MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Thank you for praying” The Mission was to give training in Hermeneutics (interpreting Scripture) and Homiletics (Preaching/Teaching Scripture) to lay leaders and pastors who are already in a position to teach but haven’t had any formal training. Fifty were registered and 45 completed the 4-day course. Sixteen were from Cap Haitian and the others came from four smaller town in the North. Eight churches were represented. . Most were young people who were starting but there were a few experienced pastors and theological students interested in honing their skills.



Pastor Art and I each taught two days. It was a blessing to work with him since he is doing his doctorate with Haddon Robinson – a master preacher – on how to teach others how to preach. I enjoyed the teamwork and fellowship. At the end of the course the students did a practice session applying the principles. I was proud of them! And they were so grateful they sent two students leaders forward to formally thank me and give me an official “brotherly kiss” of gratitude. To my surprise most of the students lined up to give me a hug, kiss or handshake. I told them: “If you keep it up I’ll have to come back next year!” What a joy to work with such grateful and hardworking learners.

In the evening we went to two towns (Grande-Rivière du Nord and Limonade) where two of the mature pastors taking the course preached night after night for a week. At both places it was held outside on the main public square where a stage had been set up for the occasion. It was an awesome experience seeing people stream out of their homes at the sound of the festive music. Over 1,000 came out most evenings. One night it started pouring down rain during the concert. Some ran for cover but many just stayed, dancing in the rain to songs of praise with a Caribbean beat. In Grand-Riviere du Nord the pastor estimated 20 came forward for Christ and several times that number responded in Limonade.

Of course there were challenges: Heat, intense heat, with no relief and no air conditioning. There was a fan at night that helped but 3 nights the electricity went out so I woke up in a sweat. Travel is complicated in Haiti. On my way there two porters were fighting over the “privilege” of carrying my suitcase filled with Bibles and resource books. They dropped it and it burst open. Then they both wanted a tip. J To navigate the roads you need a lunar rover and a strong stomach. One night in a packed bus with standing room only, we came to an abrupt stop on the way to the crusade. I later found out that two police on motorcycles stopped the driver and took him in handcuffs to jail because he didn’t have his driver’s license. They went to the pastor’s house and harassed his wife wanting a payoff to let the man out of jail. Fortunately there was another driver on the bus and we got to the crusade. The pastor called the chief of police and got his driver out of jail. The policemen’s plot backfired and they called every five minutes to say it was all a misunderstanding.

The weekend was a highlight for me. Saturday I helped Pastor Henoc move speakers and a generator from the crusade and we had a good time sharing. Although I would feel overwhelmed with 3 churches, a K-13 school, and many compassion ministries, Henoc dreams of starting a university, planting more churches and helping to transform communities. We also planned for Mario Moreno’s arrival and missionary work there. Sunday I preached on the occasion of “Harvest Sunday.” People brought in baskets of every imaginable fruit, several I had never seen, and decorated the walls with sugar cane branches. Sugar cane was the reason the French dragged them from Africa; now sugar cane is no longer a symbol of exploitation but a instrument to praise God. After the service we headed to the river were a dozen young people were baptized. I wish you could see it. Well you can!

I arrived the day after one hurricane and left the day before hurricane Gustav. Please pray for the people there who have so little margin in their lives.
Pastor Art will be returning in February. He will be able to follow up and encourage the students in their preaching and teaching. They were very happy with the course but saddened they we didn’t have a certificate to give them. It is very important culturally to recognize achievements. I’m be printing certificates. And doing it with a smile. Thank you for making this trip possible through your giving and prayers. Besides giving each student a a course notebook and Homiletics manual in French or Creole (their choice), we were able to give each church represented 2 sets of 3 research tools (picture): a study Bible that has a concordance, atlas and indexes, a Basic Theology Book by Thiessen, and a New Testament Bible Knowledge Commentary.

All for now.


Gene
Dr. Gene Wilson
Church Planting Coach Latin America
Church Planting Director

gene.wilson@efca.org
www.geneandlindawilson.blogspot.com
http://www.churchplanternetwork.org/
H: 954-915-8085