Bethesda Evangelical Mission

Before the 2010 earthquake I knew almost nothing about Haiti. In fact I only read that if you drive too far out of the Dominican Republic you will be in Haiti, and that could be dangerous. After the earthquake I saw the devastation on TV. My heart went out to these people. I thought that those towns on the news looked like they did as a result of the earthquake. To my astonishment Port Au Prince still looks the same. The only difference is now I am seeing it with my own eyes . I haven’t seen all of Haiti of course, but what I have seen is mile after mile of twisted roads in every type of condition in the city. My best description would be a post apocalyptic world. As you drive through the towns there is mile after mile of huts, tents, and dilapidated buildings.

At the round about it is like an ant farm with people crisscrossing and going every which way. I saw people walking, standing, and driving. I saw cars, motorcycles, taptaps, buses, lines of people stitching rides on the backs of trucks with roller-blades, and people everywhere. I saw garbage fires burning, filth in the streets, and the same desperate conditions down every street, everywhere you looked. The only thing that was different were the untouched parts of the green mountains above all this chaos. The first question that comes to mind is how can people live like this. How can they be anything but miserable? Yet as we drove on further we encountered some celebrations, loud music, people dancing, and parading in the streets. I could see they were not crushed in spirit.

I said to Pastor Lubin that, “this is hard” before I wrote this . He asked, “In what sense did I mean hard?” I was speaking physically, because the first day we were all completely exhausted from our travel adventures. Then I got to experience some of the un-pleasantries of Haiti in regards to toileting, showering, and hygiene. At first you tell yourself it is only going to be a short period of time, then we can go back to our flush toilets, and hot showers. Then with each passing day you see more and more people for whom this is their existence, and you become accustomed to it.

There can be other physical complications as I had with my health. Perhaps some of the foods although delicious, did not agree with my system, which can lead to worse conditions, but through prayer modern medicine, and determination you can also overcome that.

Once I got over the culture shock, the lack of luxury, and illness my spirit began to sore. The team I am with was so supportive about everything I tried to do. At first I felt so inadequate that I felt I should have done a better job, but they let me know that my efforts were making a difference. Once I had the other junk behind me I said it is all about you Jesus. I asked you to use me and now I am yours. I was eager to get to the next clinic to share the love of God, to be his healing instrument, to be a blessing to his children. I also went from thinking how could anyone want to continue to do this to planning things to do in preparation for another trip next year. Missionary work is hard on so many levels yet it is the moments that touch your heart with the Haitian people, and children. The camaraderie’s with your team. The time spent within yourself growing that transforms you and far outweighs the bad in a mission trip.

Gordon Wall

It is an incredible blessing to be here in Haiti for the very first time! As a first timer, I felt slightly nervous about traveling here with a group of virtual strangers. However, God has truly united us in our mission to serve the Haitian people. All week we have been talking about the body of Christ, and how each part of the body has a special purpose. “But now indeed there are many members, but one body … And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:20,26

Every member of the team is truly living this out. I have been so impressed with how each member of our team (body) is concerned for everyone else. Whether our bus is breaking down on the side of the road, or we have to pack a ton of medicine and supplies for the next day’s clinic, or one of our members is sick – each and every person puts the needs of the team before their own. “For these light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17) Those small issues I mentioned are absolutely nothing compared to the joy and laughter that our team shares every day. They are nothing compared with the smiles of the patients we see as we minister to their physical needs and attempt to minister to their spiritual needs as well. They are nothing compared to the knowledge that we are MAKING A DIFFERENCE in Haiti! Although I have nothing to boast about in my own strength, I boast in the power of God’s Holy Spirit working through our team as a whole, as a body. Praise God! I am so grateful for our team and for everyone who contributes to BEM with prayers and financial support. God willing, I plan to be back here next January and for years to come, and I hope prayerfully some of you will join us as well.

Diane Krause,
Store Manager

By Sandy Lambert RN

This is my second mission trip to Haiti. Tonight as I was gazing at the beautiful stars from the roof top of the mission house, the realization came to me that God is in control and He has a plan. A couple of years ago, the Lord put it upon my heart to go and serve. That was frightening prospect. I’ve always felt I was in control of my own destiny, but when I gave myself to the Lord and accepted Jesus as my Savior, my life truly changed for the better. I realized that God gave us free will to make our own choices, but He did not put us in control. He has a plan for all of us, psalm 103: 13,14. “ The Lord knows my limitations and isn’t expecting me to perform what is beyond my abilities” He gives me strength thru his love, were you lead I will follow, and spread the love that Jesus has given me.

The people of Haiti are loving, and when we share the word of God they bless us. The Haitians have faith, love, and hope that is amazing to serve them is to serve God. “Praise Jesus”. I give thanks to Him every day for putting the need to serve His children on my heart. So no matter how hot, tired or sweaty I am, the Holy Spirit fills my soul and I find strength I didn’t know I had and I carry on in the name of the Lord. As for me the call has been fulfilled since I made it here after all God is in control. May this also be the subject of your meditation.

“...Freely you have received; freely give”
(Matthew 10:8, NIV)

You’ve make our Christmas trip a great success” Thank you”!
The Christmas team went to Haiti with one mission and only one mission, that’s to show God’s love to those in need. The team did not look at the state of the economy in the U.S., nor their personal finances for them to make a strong decision to go and actually show what successful people do. We fed 2000 children, oh what a mega blessing. I’m aware that the Christian success is not define by how much you have, but rather what we do when someone else need your help. For us it was 2000 children that was going to bed without food for Christmas, but thank God it was provided.

There are a lot of people who are successful in this world. They’ve accomplished their goals in the public eye. But being successful isn’t just about what you make happen for yourself, it’s about what you make happen for others. It’s when you realize, “God has blessed me not to just sit on my throne and let everybody see my accomplishments; God has blessed me to be a blessing to others. God has helped me to win so I can help somebody else win.” or, it’s when you realize, “God helped me overcome this addiction, now I’m going to go find somebody and help them overcome.” Or, “God has blessed me with a happy family. I’m going to go find a family that’s struggling and help them get back on track.” That’s what being successful is really all about.

As 2011 is closing, make it your mission in 2012, to be as contagious as you can be to make a difference in the lives of others that the Lord will send your way. Glorify the Lord with your success by helping someone else, by doing so you will be forever blessed and highly favored in more ways than one. A special thanks to all of you who prayed for us, gave money to help with food, transportation, and other needed materials that makes our Christmas trip truly a great success. May God bless you all as you will continue be a success in 2012.

Pastor Lubin