Thank Goodness It's Saturday!

Saturday is definitely the day of rest around here. After an exhausting week, I am so glad that there is nothing on the schedule today. I have been able to finally relax, get a total tour of the grounds, have some quality time with Jesus and other friends here at Canaan, do a creole lesson (creole is the Haitian language), and end the night by watching a movie with the kids.

The thing that motivates me most is the children here. They have so much potential and are blessed in so many ways. They are also very affectionate - holding hands and cuddling is normal. There is a family of 5 kids that I want to bring home with me (Joel, Marcelyn, Gerson, Linda and Tamara). They are so bright, sweet and beautiful. All the kids are really.

School is going very well. I am like the school teaching resource - helping people understand English constantly (students and other teachers alike). I actually feel quite useful in this role! Oh, and I found out yesterday that even teachers have trouble staying awake in school. I nearly dozed off several times…gravity and the 95 degree day really killed me.

This morning two young ladies, Yolane and Fabiola, were baptized. I understand they just decided to follow Jesus during group devotions a few days ago. I have included some pictures from the special occasion. Enjoy! Mark

1st week in Haiti

I’ve been at Canaan now for 4 days and 3 nights. I arrived Sunday evening and we started the first day of school on Monday (kinda crazy!). I am very encouraged by the children and the staff at the school. The learning is more individualized in this school, which allows each child to work at their own level. The children here are a constant source of encouragement to me. Most of the school day, I spend one-on-one with students, listening to them read, reviewing their work, or helping them understand their work. They are very sweet kids and I think they catch on to concepts quickly. Though the school is in English, Creole is their 1st language, so I am often amazed at how quickly they understand their work.

Yesterday the rain began. Although I know it’s part of a category 1 hurricane and I worry the danger it imposes on many in Haiti, I have enjoyed the break from the heat. We usually live all day in our sweat - but you get used to that pretty quick, so it’s not a great discouragement.

The greatest blessings thus far? Ear plugs and no diarrhea! The dogs and pigs can make quite a ruckus at night, so I have been able to avoid that and still manage to hear the morning bells with some nice Kroger Earplugs. And thanks to my step-mom, I haven’t had the runs! She gave me some vitamins which have worked like a charm. Thanks to sister Debi (for buying my earplugs) and Nan (for giving me the vitamins).

I do not feel entirely useful here to be perfectly honest. But that is okay. As I learn more and more and grow in knowledge, I trust I will be more useful (or maybe not). Usefulness and efficiency is not always God’s plan. A Canadian leader that is visiting Canaan asked me today what it would take for me to get upset and leave Canaan. I told him I am a stubbornly committed type. God has brought me here for a reason and even if I feel useless, tired or empty, I will wait for him. He’ll show.

The people here at Canaan seem to live and breathe God. (How arrogant or ignorant are a people that do not?) I am challenged by their dependence on Him and their frequent times of devotion and worship. It is not a burden to carry but a blessing to enjoy here. That is probably the real greatest blessing.

Love to all. Peace to all. Laughter too. Mark

i do not feel called to Haiti...but i am moving there.

Some people spend time wondering if God might call them to the mission field.  They spend time praying and waiting for that mystical feeling that the Lord wants them to leave the comforts of their home (and possibly their family) to share Christ's love with the poor, hurting and needy.  While I think that the Spirit works in this direct way with some people, I believe it should be the exception rather than the rule.  

I think as believers, we should ask what the Lord desires from us?  I think there are several answers to that question.  But here are the basics....to love Him and to love others.  To go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of our triune God.  

So I might as well say it...I do not feel called to Haiti.  That does not mean that I don't love Haiti or the people there....actually, just the opposite.  When I visited Haiti, I saw a tremendous need.  I saw children that I can teach and people that I can love.  What I saw was an ability to make an impact for God's kingdom.  

So, I propose these new formula for the "missionary calling..."

Is there a need?

Am I willing and able?

Then I will GO.

some pictures

Jefta and me

Wesh and me

The Caribbean Ocean

Sister Gladys, Pastor Henri, Steve Mossburg

About Canaan Christian Community

Canaan Christian Community was established in 1991 as a community of Christians that welcome people who need a place to belong.  Most of the 110 residents are children who either do not have parents or whose parents are unable to provide for them for various reasons.  The leaders of the community strive to provide a safe haven for all who live or visit here.  God has blessed us with land and facilities to provide a comfortable home for both those who live at Canaan as well as those who come to visit.  

The community is located near the town of Montrouis, which is about 1 1/2 hour drive north of the haitian capitol of Port-Au-Prince.  Located on National Highway 1, CCC overlooks the beautiful Caribbean ocean and the surrounding terrain is a rocky, dry, hilly landscape.  God has blessed the tree-planting efforts and CCC has become the only tree shaded community in the immediate area.  The buildings on campus consist of boys and girls dorms, a chapel, school, kitchen, dining hall, administrative building, staff homes, a guesthouse, clinic and a shop building.  

The government provides electricity 2-3 days a week, usually on weekends.  At other times, we have a generator that runs from about 6 pm to 11 pm.  Water for washing, cooking and bathing comes from a deep well on the property and drinking water is run through a purification system for added safety.