As the team from Kimball Evangelical Free Church, (Nebraska) arrived at the church, they saw construction was going on at the church’s school. This was their first official visit as a Sister Church for the Dagout Baptist Church and their purpose on this visit was to get to know their church on a deeper level (they’d visited before, but not as an official Sister Church). The community was participating in any way possible. They saw women carrying water to the barrel that would be used to make cement. But what really moved their hearts was one young woman who was wearing a t-shirt and skirt with leggings under it and a hard hat. One of the team members sprung into action and helped her with her job. Other team members picked up shovels to help stir up some cement. It was a spontaneous time of working shoulder to shoulder (Zephaniah 3:9) with the community.
On Sunday they were able to worship with the Dagout church. Their sanctuary was heavily damaged in the August 2021 earthquake so they’ve built a temporary wood and tin structure to meet under. Kimball presented the church with 2 banners. One was filled with the outlines of hands and signatures. This was their gift to the church. It was hands and signatures of Kimball church members. The other banner was empty. Later in the week, Dagout church members were able to outline their hands and sign their names. This banner is now hanging in the Kimball church to remind them to pray for their brothers and sisters in the Dagout church.
The team also met with the pastor and deacons of the church. It was a sweet time together. Meeting in the temporary structure just brought home some of what the church has been through and what their future looks like as they try to rebuild.
The Dagout church has land on which they are trying to establish a fruit orchard for the benefit of the church and the community. The team was able to plant coconut, mango, and other fruit trees alongside the church members who are in charge of that project. It will take time to reap the benefits from this endeavor, but the results will be sweet (pun intended)!
Handing out boxes of food and praying for some of the church’s shut-ins extended the team outside of their comfort zones. This pastor was overjoyed with the gift of several boxes of food to distribute to some of the neediest of the needy in his congregation. The team was able to experience carrying the boxes the old-fashioned way to get to some really out-of-the-way homes. One home was the parents of one of the deacons. They are elderly and not in good health. While being dedicated Christians, they cannot get to services. After visiting with the team, they were given a box of food, and Anderson, an RMI staff member, prayed for them. What an encouragement it was! Even though it rained and they got back soaking wet, they loved every moment of being out there, visiting with the Haitian people in their homes and being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Last but not least was the open-air service. This was held in an open market area in the village, located at a crossroad. Another “out of their comfort zone” experience. But the angels are rejoicing from new believers that made decisions after the service. The whole team was able to pray with this gentleman as he asked the Lord to be the Lord of his life.
All in all, it was a great trip. We are so happy that most teams are able to return to Haiti! Don’t delay getting your church on the team calendar!
