Dear Friends,
This past trip to Les Cayes, Haiti was amazing and we want to share a few of the highlights with you!
One year ago we made the trip to Les Cayes to lay out the groundwork for the chapel to be built on the site at the hospital. After much work and many generous donations, the chapel is complete, and we had the privilege of attending worship services and watch the building come alive for the glory of God!
On September 14, 2014 a man showed up at the hospital with a blackened and rotting foot, which could not be saved. His leg was amputated. This man was invited to the chapel to hear a message given by Dr. William. After hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ, he responded by repenting of his sin and he became a new creation in Christ – his life changed. We had the blessing to watch this change. We found a pair of crutches for him, so he could return home and share his new-found faith. To our knowledge this is the first of what we pray are many salvation stories in this chapel.
On September 28, after bringing along several patients with wheelchairs, crutches and family members, we prepared to have a worship service in the chapel. This service made all the effort, sweat and maybe tears worth the sacrifice of being a part of the construction of this wonderful building! One lady, who had to be lifted out of her bed and into a wheelchair, was frustrated. Duane could not understand what she wanted until her bony old hand stretched out reaching for the most tattered, worn Bible we have seen in a long time. What a memory for this carpenter! We were humbled and felt privileged to be a small part of this project.
We do have a need for the chapel yet. If anyone has a good used keyboard, the chapel is desperately in need of one. The keyboard that is being used right now is small/child-sized. Or we will take donations toward the purchase of one. If you can help with the keyboard, please give us a call at 616-299-3454. Please let us know by the end of next week, as a container is being loaded and then shipped on October 29.
That same afternoon we welcomed Dr. Bill, Mike, Josh, Bill, Sue and Jenny to the hospital. This team was excited not only to work, but to share Christ by handing out tracts and talking to the Haitians through a translator. One young man, whose name is Joseph, accepted Christ on Friday of that week during the morning chapel time. Josh Langdon personally befriended and prayed for him throughout the week.
Thank you for your support of the people of Haiti! The Lord bless you, as you also continue for Him!
Duane and Ruth
Isaiah 44: 6 – “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.”