12 Oct 2021
A brief word from Manis...
As we shared with you in the last few e-mails, the realities of life in Haiti have only become worse and worse. I was listening to the news stories about the Haitian migrants being deported by the plane-full from the US border back to Haiti. Some of them had walked through the jungle in Panama and had actually seen other people in their party be eaten by wild animals. I heard them saying, “I would rather be eaten by wild animals than go back to live in the hell that is Haiti.” This hit me deeply. It causes me to ask myself, “If Jesus were in my place, what would he do?”
It encourages me to work harder to help my people--especially the youth, who are becoming more and more hopeless and disillusioned. We cannot do anything about the insecurity in Port-au-Prince, but we can try to do something out here on the Plateau where we live. We can work hard to encourage my people by making education available to them; by seeking ways that they can earn their livelihood through agriculture, animal husbandry, and small business; and by working with them to develop their community into a place in which they want to stay and live.
Thank you to all of you who give,
because without you we would not have the resources we need to work.
Thank you to all of you who pray, because without you we would not have the wisdom to know what to do.
Thank you to all of you who write notes to us,
because you remind us we are not alone.
Without your help, we could not move a step forward.
I would like to end with a special word of encouragement. Some of you have faithfully supported us from the beginning in 1996. Some of you have joined along the way. Over all these years, you have participated with us in investing in people. Do you know that today these very people are the leadership within Lemuel? Almaïs directs the school. Williamso directs the development department. Djeffson is in charge of the micro-credit program. Mezou is a young leader with influence who is also beginning his own business to make an impact in his community. Josiane monitors the daily finance reporting and procedures, as well as being responsible for the Lemuel campus and hospitality. These same leaders also have responsibility in the Chapel and reach out in personal ways to invest in those around them. This is the aim of investing in people—that one day those people grow and mature to the point of carrying the torch forward. In the words of Paul to Timothy, “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." (2 Tim 2:2) This is what we see happening! It greatly encourages my heart, and I hope that it greatly encourages yours too. I pray that you can feel blessed and proud to be a part of it.
As I repeatedly tell my staff, we do not work for our own glory or to make ourselves appear great. We work to advance the Kingdom of God and to glorify His name.
All the glory goes to God.
May He richly bless you,
Manis
Up next in an e-mail to follow soon: Investing in People--Our youth and kids
Read this update in its original format here: https://mailchi.mp/471d1448d4f9/a-brief-word-from-manis