I'm jealous... Brian's in Haiti now and he's getting to spend some time with some great people that I miss so much. He and the group with him, from Indiana, are spending the week in the community of Belloc. The people of Belloc have endured quite a bit in last few years. I am so excited that there are so many groups of people wanting to form relationships with these crazy-beautiful people.
Belloc |
The community of Belloc used to be the main place Pastor Nicholas took people who came to Haiti on mission trips. The people of Belloc became used to people coming and getting the things they brought with them. Just like we do here in the U.S. they started to expect it. After Pastor Nicholas became sick and people stopped sending money to his ministry the boy's orphanage had to close it's doors and people stopped coming like they had before. Tensions grew and a pastor left the church. The beauty of this is that the people grew in this time and remembered that God is their provider, not a pastor or a group of blancs. Leaders have risen up in the church and they are working to care for each other. This time as people start coming in and helping it's different. The goal is relationship, long-term. Through relationships spiritual growth can happen. Through relationships skills can be taught for self sufficiency. Through relationships there is change, in us and in them. This is beautiful.
So excited that this week the people of Belloc are breaking ground on a new church along with some partners from Indiana. The church was destroyed in the earthquake and they have been worshipping in a tent since that time. The faith of these people is amazing and we have much to learn from them.
Church |
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