“Bondye Pap Janm Kite Ou”

“God will never leave you”.

Its one of the truths the Summit team shared with the Kids at the Cote de Fer church during Vacation Bible School last week. With over 200 kids in attendance, over three days the team presented truths from God’s word using skits, songs, and memory verses set to actions to help the kids remember. They also had the kids break up into small groups and review the lessons. And then a mass exodus led the kids outside to games which were designed to reinforce the theme for each lesson as well. They enlisted some of the young folks from the Cote de Fer church to help with the program and lead the small groups and games. The kids had a blast!

The team singing with the kids during VBS.

Playing Duck Duck Goose out in the street

The mass exodus of children during game time.

Singing with the kids

(Left: The kids playing a game to “untangle themselves from one another. Right: Potiphar, His wife and Joseph.)
(Below: Pastor and His future bride pretending to be Newlyweds)

During the week, the team enjoyed getting to know Pastor Roben and his soon to be wife Joslen. Joslen worked with the ladies to cook for the team and take care of us in every way possible. The team fell in love with her and commented many times on what a beautiful woman of God she was and how evident it was that she was created for the role of Madame Pastor. She tirelessly served the team, working with the ladies in the kitchen to prepare meals for the team; she directed the program for the Ladies tea and she helped lead the Vacation Bible School program for the kids. She was up early and to bed late and by the end of the week she was exhausted but the team was so grateful for her contribution and loved the opportunity to get to know her. When the team returns she and Pastor Roben will have gotten married and will be starting their life together.

In addition to the VBS, the team also participated in the more traditional RMI Sister Church Partnership activities such as the Open Air Service, Ladies Tea and the Deacons Meeting. Sunday afternoon, the young people on the team got a chance to sit down with some of the youth in Cote de Fer just to ‘chat among friends’. They talked about life in the US, life in Haiti and asked questions to one another about their lives. Sunday night at the Open Air Service the team sang for the community, Michael preached a gospel message and seven children responded to the invitation and gave their lives to Christ. Monday afternoon the team met with the Deacons and got a chance to learn more about the history of the Cote de Fer church and how things have been after the school and church were both damaged beyond repair in the earthquake in January 2010. They shared successes, struggles, goals and prayer requests and spent some time praying for one other. Tuesday afternoon they had the Ladies Tea where they sang together, laughed together, ate together and enjoyed one another’s company, celebrating their role as women. they gave each of the women in attendance a card with a bible verse as well as a small decorative jewel to remind them how much God treasures them. Wednesday after lunch, the team gathered in the church for one last time. They stood hand in hand, prayed for one another, hugged and said tearful goodbyes.

The farewell circle.

It was a great week working with the kids, getting to know the Pastor and Joslen, fellowshipping with the Deacons and the ladies who served the team. The children were taught how much God loves them, the congregation was encouraged and blessed by the team’s presence and contributions, the church was edified and above all God was glorified.

All the pics from the week can be seen here.