Serving, Sweating, and Impacting Haiti

May 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Saturday, March 31st, 80 students and adult leaders left the comforts of their homes in the U.S. and stepped off of a plane into the hot and crowded streets of Port-a-Prince.  For the past several days this group has worked tirelessly alongside the camp ministry of BHM.  Tomorrow morning as they board the plane to return to the U.S. it is safe to say, the hearts and lives of those returning will never be the same.

Over the summer of 2011 Crossings Ministries, a camp and retreat organization in Kentucky, announced to its participants that they were taking their passion for camp to Haiti.  After more than a year of planning and working, Crossings sent their first team down this week to serve alongside BHM.

Missionaries, Chris & Kelli Lieb live on the BHM camp property in Montrouis.  They are training Haitian staff to run and operate camp for Haitian students.  The team from Crossings came to help strengthen this ministry, as well as work in the surrounding communities.  Each day was full of its own unique twists and turns.  The mornings began with students spending time in the Word to prepare for the many tasks of the day.  After breakfast it was off to work!

Don’t miss the rock flying through the air!

The team worked tirelessly on the property with the desire to provide a wonderful facility for Haitian students when the summer arrives.  Students worked the shoreline scooping up sea urchins and other unwelcome creatures.  Others built a much needed retaining wall on the property.  They also spent hours sifting sand and preparing a volleyball court for future students.  It took hours of moving rock and preparing the grounds for the court.  It gave the students a true picture of why Haiti means mountains, there are plenty of rocks!

Students were able to enjoy the fruits of their labor on this brand new volleyball court.

In the afternoon the team traveled to churches associated with BHM to lead Vacation Bible Schools.  Over 100 kids were in attendance each afternoon.  The team was able to clearly present the gospel each day to the kids in attendance.  We praise the Lord for the power of His Word and its ability to change lives.  Several children in attendance at VBS gave their hearts to the Lord and  “crossed over from death to life,” John 5:24.

Each day VBS was filled with love and laughter as those in attendance were shown the love of God in a real and practical way.  The team members loved all the smiles and hugs from the children.  In spite of high temperatures and language barriers, the energy level was extreme and it was a wonderful experience for everyone.
In the late afternoon the team returned to the camp property from VBS ready for a cool shower and dinner!  An evening worship service was held every night after dinner.  Haitian staff taught the team familiar worship songs in Creole.  Brent Gambrell, youth evangelist, who serves in Haiti on a regular basis, delivered the message each night.  Students were encouraged and challenged each evening in the worship service.
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness over this past week.  The lives of many have been forever changed!  Pray for safe travels home tomorrow morning for all of the team members.  Pray the Lord will continue to work in their lives and increase their passion for the nations.  We here at BHM are thankful for the work of this team and look forward to serving alongside another Crossings team soon!
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