Sunday, July 7th (continued)

Paul

While the full outline of our day has already been laid out above, my favorite part was by far the worship service this morning. While there played a few songs that I recognized, there are several others that I had never heard before. Listening to praises being sung with no idea or understanding of what is being sung was difficult at first, but when they would transition to the next verse and sing it is English it would all become clear.

Singing the praises of God in Haitian reminded me of first hearing the Gospel. I heard the message, I heard of our Savior’s love for us and that He died for us because of that love, but until the Holy Spirit reveals the Good News to my heart (like translating the songs into English) I didn’t understand it. Without the Holy Spirit, we may try to sing the songs and say the “right thing” at church without understanding the meaning, but it is just putting on a show.

April

This morning was wonderful. I woke up and witnessed a beautiful sunrise on the rooftop of our living quarters. It was breath taking. When we went to the church on the Mission of Hope’s site I didn’t really know what to expect.

I had gone on a mission trip in 2006 in Atlanta and had worked with an International church. When in Atlanta my team then and I had worked and played with children from all over the world, and the worship was in several different languages. This morning’s church worship was very similar to what I had experienced in Atlanta 7 years ago.

Though the Haitians sang in Creol mostly, there was English sung occasionally, and when sung in English it brought the words we were hearing in perspective and more meaning. Some of the words that stuck out to me was: Depoze which means lay it down. The song at the time was about laying everything down before the Lord and doing what one is called to do. Another one of my favorites was M’ tande chen k’ap tonbe which means I hear the chains falling. This particular song stuck out to me of how gracious God truly is.

Listening and worshiping with the Haitians was an experience I will never forget. I hope to return here, and help continue the vision that Mission of Hope has for Haiti. Time for bed, good night to all. Psalm 103