Church in Haiti

We held Vacation Bible School in 3 different churches. They were the churches that were in charge of the three feeding centers that the mission runs. They have a big stake in feeding the children of their community. The only thing that outsiders do is provide the money to purchase the rice, beans and cabbage. After that, the churches take over. There were strict standards as to who got fed. Children were weighed and measured and they had to be weaned and not over 10 years old. These kids were brought to the centers by their mothers or older siblings. It was here, at these churches that we did the VBS programs. The contrast was interesting. The first church was pretty nice by Haitian standards: painted and roofed, with a sound system even, and pews. The second was nothing more than an open air pole barn. The kind we might keep an animal in. With some benches. The third was between two rows of trees. Rope was strung up and some sheets were put up. There were a few benches. The first two had "bells". A tire rim that could be beaten to signal the beginning of church. None the less, I was impressed with the pastors and their enthusiasm and excitement about being able to do this kind of ministry. We showed up just in time to pass out a few things, but mostly we were just observers. The real work was already being done.