Planting Seeds

Much of the work of missions is planting seeds.  We built relationships that allow us to speak truth into people's lives.  Through preaching we sow the seed of the gospel far and wide, praying for God to give the increase.  We help folks plant physical seeds so they might provide for their families.  We are always planting seeds.

In Haiti we are now at the end of the dry season.  It has been an especially challenging time on Lagonav where they have had almost no rain for 7 months.  The rains stopped in early October and have just returned in the past couple weeks.  And with the spring rains everyone is ready to plant their crops.  They plant with the hope of receiving a harvest in the coming months.

We are always looking for new and helpful ways to provide help to the congregations of Lagonav.  We do not want to create dependency among the people but also want to show the love of Christ through the diaconal ministry of the church.  On a recent weekend trip Pastor Lexene of the Doglace church asked whether I might be able to provide corn seed for planting to church members.

Everyone is planting but not everyone has the money on hand to buy seed.  I thought it a worthy plan so we bought the seed from an agronomist in Anse-a-Galets and transported it in the Mule to the church.  Since we wanted to ensure the church members benefited, we did the distribution following the morning service.  All those present that Sunday received enough seed to plant their fields.

And at the same time we bring seed for planting in the field, we also bring the Word of God.  The people at Doglace are always attentive to the preaching of the Word and it is encouraging to see it bear fruit in their lives.  We sow the seed, others water but God gives the increase.  Pastor Lexene (left) preaches each Sunday, helping saints like 79-year old Marcel (right) to grow in grace.  We believe this is our mission as we labor to see the church grow and prosper.  Our prayer is that one day this church might even send out its own missionaries around the world to sow the seed of the Gospel.