Training Men

One of the most enjoyable parts of the ministry here in Haiti is the training of men for ministry.  I like to teach and interact with the men as their learn more of the Scriptures.  While there is lots of instruction that happens in an informal setting, every couple months we host a training seminar for church leaders on Lagonav.  This past week I was once again on the island of Lagonav with two OPC pastors teaching the men.  But who are these men?

The older man in this picture is Josue (Joshua in English).  He is a long-time leader at the church in Nan Kafe, up in the mountains of Lagonav.  Josue along with a couple other men stepped into the gap when Pastor Eliton died a couple years ago.  As you can tell Josue is older and is finding it increasingly difficult to get around.  But we are very grateful that he makes the effort to make the journey to Ansagale to join us for the teaching.  It is a blessing to the church to have the godly example of these older saints and leaders.

Another of the church leaders who has consistently attended the training seminars is Rochel.  He and his family live in the mountain valley of Plenn Mapou.  This community is a fertile farming area with distinctive red clay soils.  It is a journey of about 1 1/2 hours over very rough roads.  Rochel is pictured here with his wife and five children.  Their newest addition is a little baby girl.  Rochel is a wood worker who provides for his family by making furniture and coffins.  Since the church meets on a property right next to his home, you often see coffins stacked right beside the children learning their Sunday School lessons!

The visits to Lagonav also give other opportunities for ministry and training.  Maxime is the leader of the church in Nan Mangot.  During the week he is a cleaner at the Wesleyan Hospital in Ansagale.  He wanted to take our visitors on a tour of the hospital so on Saturday after the seminar was finished we went down to the hospital.  One area we toured was the cholera clinic.  It is located in the backyard of the grounds in a large white tent.  There were five patients receiving IV fluids, lying on cots in the tent.  We had the privilege of praying for each of them and Lord willing, encouraging them in their hour of need.  Cholera is still present in Haiti, so continue to pray.