April 2017

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ

After a flat tire, some rain and slick conditions we arrived at our home on the mountain after 11 hours.  Praise the Lord, it was dry and flat where we had the flat tire.  Terry has taught Peter and Rousier very well, they changed the tire in 35 minutes.

We also came back hearing good news:  Rousier has accepted the call to pastor and start a house church in his home.  They started 3 weeks ago and already have had 19 in attendance.  He wants to have it like the New Testament church in Acts and being led by the Holy Spirit instead of do it like everyone else does.  He also said he wants to use the teachings Terry has been using for the pastors the past three years, which he has interpreted for, especially not wanting the false doctrines and traditions that do not agree with the Word of God.

There are many of the false doctrines and traditions in the culture here in the church that do not agree with the Word of God.  Some of the pastors are beginning to see and agree they need to go because the Holy Spirit opening their eyes through the teachings and Terry showing them in the Word of God how they are false.

All the pastor groups did very well while we were gone.  We are so encouraged how all the ministries have continued to go so well.  This is what it is all about, disciples making disciples and proving to themselves that with the help of the Holy Spirit, they can continue the ministries without us, at least for awhile.  There is still a lot of discipling to be done and we will continue to be by their side and encourage others to come and help as long as God makes a way for us to be here and as long as He says to stay.

The false doctrines have been taught for so long, they are engrained in their mind;  and because of the illiteracy; it is so important to reach the pastors and leaders with the truth through study materials, the Bible, workshops and one on one.

The Gold group, 12 in number, have come much farther because they are here more and Terry is working with them more, pouring his heart and the Word of God into them even more.  They are working on getting past the false teachings with the truth and teaching the truth to their congregations.

A false teaching we recently became aware of, because one of the gold pastors told us in a lot of churches the Christians could not take communion on Sunday unless they came to the business meeting on Saturday (the day before) and if they tried to take communion without coming to the meeting on Saturday, they would try to shame them.

Pastor Tim Smith came last November to do some teachings for the pastors.  He also mentioned there is still a lot of teaching/discipling to do.  Pastor Tim continues to Skype with them once or twice a month and just recently he had a long discussion with them about the above false teaching.  

Some of them are hard to explain but we will try to add one to each of our updates.

Thanks to Pastor Tim Smith and Pastor Greg Bunn for skyping with the pastors and leaders while we were in the States.  The pastors and leaders want to thank you also.

Below is a picture of the activity we did with the pastors on our Good Friday service with them.  They wrote some things on paper they felt the Holy Spirit was telling them they needed to get rid of and something they felt was keeping them from totally surrendering to His will for their lives or their church.

Report from last year that did not get in the December update:

Pastors market ministry 2016

1. Shared the gospel with around 600
2. 9 received Christ
3. 6 recommitted to follow Christ

Prayer and giving needs:

• Efez, Pastor Pauls son, across the road, is very sick.  He is around 30 years old but is not able to function to live on his own.  We have grown to love him so please pray for his healing.
• Need to purchase 4 tires in May for the truck which will be around $800.  
• House church Rousier started.
• Our printer/copier bit the dust so we need to purchase one.  We do a lot of copies when we translate materials for the pastors and leaders  so they can have a copy to study on their own.
• The pastors eyes to be opened to the truth and rid the false teachings from their churches and disciple others to do the same.
• Need RAIN

Blessings

Terry and Carolyn Routon Haiti Ministry

Psalm 133 Ministry

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord

Jan/Feb 2017 (year end letter for 2016 and expectation in 2017)

God continues to expand our territory.  We want to give you an opportunity to join us or continue to do so in this great adventure of evangelizing and discipling and also meet some physical needs of the poorest of the poor in the country of Haiti.

2016 was another incredible but also devastating year:  

• More pastor groups started
• 3 Intercessory prayer groups started from the pastor groups after prompting from the Holy Spirit with one of our workers
• Young mens group started that meets weekly with our 2 workers
• Ladies film that is making a difference in the lives of some of the ladies 
• Many salvations and recommitments from the market booth and VBS'
• First annual Sword Drill with the children and youth
• Gold group of pastors going out to help Terry by meeting, teaching, encouraging and building relationships with the other groups
• More schools added where we teach saving sex till marriage and why. Our workers also get to share the gospel
• Break throughs in the teachings with the pastors and leaders especially against the false teachings in their culture

The devastating part was Hurricane Matthew, but thanks to many of you, we were able to show God's love in many ways as you will see below.

Projected monthly budget 2017:

• Rent for our house in Haiti: $250
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• Personal for Terry and Carolyn salary: January 2017 start $500.  June 2017 $700.  Dec 2017 $900. Jan 2018 $1000. (We have not received a salary since we went to Haiti in January 2004 when we sold everything and went.  We are putting this in the budget now because we have been blessed with a house in Warsaw to stay in when we are back in the states and to store Haiti stuff, plus we need to purchase a van to take us back and forth from Missouri to Florida where we fly with our mail service, MFI, so we can take more supplies which is less expensive than commercial flights.)
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• $70 internet and phone, $250 food, $80 gas propane etc
• $200 schools, $300 travel, $100 vehicle exp, $410 salaries, $200 misc
• $200 help in community medical, house repair, $500 regular ministry exp activities, pastors, leaders, children, libraries, workshops, crusades, films, market took, snacks
• $240 for Haitian pastors that help Terry go out to the other 6 groups

Total: $3300 through May. June through Nov $3500.  December $3700.

 

Needs if budget allows or if money given specific for the following for 2017:

• VBS and market ministry to help build unity among the pastors $1000  7 groups now
• Would like to build 10 houses for those destroyed in the hurricane.  They will be a one room 10x12ft. approx. $2000 each.
• Van(used) stateside to use as we visit churches, schools and individuals that support us to stay in Haiti and drive to Florida with supplies that are donated or we can't get in Haiti.
• Tires and brakes for our truck in Haiti; approximately $800

2016 spent from special donations, some donations were received in 2015:

• $3000 goats and sheep
• $1500 on bibles and new testaments
• $4000 on library supplies: evangelism and discipleship/equipping and unity materials and workshops
• $4000 building houses
• $1000 benches for several churches

2016 hurricane Matthew

• $350 on bibles and other personal items lost/destroyed
• $2500 on renting or repairing houses/church buildings
• $1500 restoring businesses that were lost
• $2000 replacing animals died

Other expenses from 2016 are as the budget for 2017.  If you have questions or need more detailed information, please let us know.

If you need a record of your 2016 giving, call the church at 660-885-5277 and ask Cindy to send you a copy.

Remember:

• God is always at work
• He is always pursuing a love relationship with us
• He speaks through the Holy Spirit in our circumstances, our church, prayer
• He invites us to join Him
• We have to have a crises of belief
• Then we have to show that belief by making adjustments to do what He wants to do through you
• Then trust Him to accomplish what He said He would do

What are you going to do?  Trust Him and do what He says or run (get swallowed by a whale) and hope He forgets He asked you.

We are enclosing 2 cards.  If you don't have one, keep one for yourself and give one to a friend that wants to join in on what God is doing.  If you have one, then you can give two.

Pray and see how the Holy Spirit leads you to join Him and serve by praying, giving and maybe going in 2017.

Please pray for the different ministries listed above and that churches and individuals will give to meet the monetary needs above to bless the Haitian people and it also makes a way for us to be able to minister there.

God is so amazing.  He does so much more than we could ever imagine.

blessings,

Terry and Carolyn

Psalm 133 Haiti Mission

US phone 913-701-8977

 

December 2016

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

 

VBS Report:  65 salvations:  671 attended:  several churches were involved.

The Market Ministry has been going really well.  Several have come to Christ and others have recommitted their lives to serve Him and get back in church.

 

Many of you have been such a blessing to us and the Haitian people to pray and give during the year and after such devastation from hurricane Matthew.  Thank you! Those you have helped have also asked that we tell you thank you. Here is what we were able to do because you gave:

2016 spent from special donations (some donations were received in 2015):

• $3000 goats and sheep
• $1500 bibles and new testaments
• $4000 library supplies: evangelism and discipleship/equipping and unity materials and workshops
• $4000 building houses
• $1000 benches for the several churches

2016 hurricane Matthew

• $350 bibles and other personal items lost/destroyed
• $4000 renting or repairing houses/church buildings
• $2000 restoring businesses that were lost
• $2500 replacing animals that died

2017

We would like to build 10 houses for those that we helped to rent a place for one year.  More information to come.

 

We get questions like: What do we do all day?  The best way to see that is to come for a visit, but here are a few things:

Some days are filled with studying to making lesson/teaching plans then work with Rousier to translate them.  I have never done that before, but God is faithful to equip us for what He calls us to do.  I do enjoy making and teaching the lessons.

Other days we are putting screens up for doors and/or windows to help keep bugs out.  A couple of times I have walked into a room and there's a tarantula.

One day a week is filled with laundry and cooking for those helping.

One day a week is filled with walking to market or sending someone then preparing the food when you return.

Each day we have to prepare water for drinking, washing hands and dishes and showering plus preparing food is so different in Haiti.

Three afternoons a week we are teaching and other times we do one on one teaching or counseling.

Almost everyday visitors come by to visit and usually asking for something.  

We trust God for discernment and direction because we can't meet every need that comes.

 

Example of one of the false teachings/traditions/man made rules we are up against:  This is one of many; The church has a meeting the Saturday before they are going to have the Lord's Supper on Sunday.  If you don't show up for the meeting you cannot partake of the Lord's Supper.  If you try to partake they will humiliate you in front of the church. 

We continue to be encouraged though when we hear false teachings like the one above, that now because of the teachings we have been doing and how God's Word is coming to life and causing them to see the truth, the changes the pastors are making in their lives and churches and going against the false teachings with truth.  Also some of them are helping Terry go out to the other groups that have started and doing some teaching and encouraging and building relationships to help build the unity.

 

Pastor Tim Smith from FBC Hughesville was here Nov 6-15 teaching and encouraging the Pastors.  He was such a blessing for us and the pastors.  The pastors enjoyed him and learned a lot in those few days.  Many of them are like a sponge and they are so hungry for more.  Note from Pastor Tim: "I spent a lot of my time teaching and getting to know the pastors one on one.  As I was walking one day with the translator Rousier I found Haitian money on the ground. Rousier said that Haitians, even though they are poor, will not pick money up off the ground because it might have a voodoo curse on it.  

Also as we were walking I had an idea to help the pastors and their congregations earn money and supply food for their families.  Some of the idea was based on the answers the pastors were giving to the questions I asked during our one on one meetings.  The idea is to give six goats to 2 pastors.  They will keep two of the goats and give one goat each to a third pastor.  This will establish a pattern of giving to help others while growing a herd of goats.  As they have baby goats they will then give to the next pastors and continue till all receive 2 goats.  After they get their herds built up they will then start the giving process with their congregations."  

After Pastor Tim left we began the process and the pastors have formed a committee to help make this work.  They are very excited about this idea and believe it can work.  Please pray the pastors and their congregation will be blessed through this ministry.

 

We will be in the states early December to see our new grandson in Sedalia then off to Bejing, China (Dec 21 - Jan 19 to see our oldest daughter and her family).  We are excited for the opportunity to go, not only to see our family at Christmas time but to see what God has in store while we are there.  We desire to be vessels He can use anywhere we go.  Then we will be in the states February and March visiting churches and preparing for our youngest daughter's wedding the end of March.  When we are in the states our phone number is 913-701-8977 or you can call the church and leave a message.

 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Terry and Carolyn

Missionaries in Haiti

 

Giving information: 

Northeast Baptist Church Haiti Mission

619 E Lincoln

Clinton MO  64735

Reading glasses for the pastors

 

 

 

 

 

Pics from Hurrican Matthew 2016 October some road conditions. stuck for over a week

November 3, 2016

 

GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

The trip up the mountain:   

PRAISE THE LORD!!!! Safe in our home on the mountain. Thanks so much to everyone for your prayers. A long 2 days. 12 hours of it driving through mud and water. But, the rivers we needed to cross subsided today, so they were shallow enough to pass through with some young Haitian guys walking in front of the truck to make sure there no bad holes that we couldn't see. They were excited when we paid them a few dollars to do that. 

First Sunday back: I was so speechless after worship yesterday. It was awesome, but I had to wipe away the many tears that streamed down my cheeks. This church building had half the tin gone and it was raining hard. We were all squeezed on a few benches. They were praising Godas though it was a normal Sunday and all was well. They even thanked Him for the rain. I have had many humbling experiences here, but I think this was the most. Oh how we take so much for granted and get upset with
God for not giving us more.

As you probably know, they don't have a government or any organization to help when disasters hit up here, partly because we are so remote and hard to get to, organizations don't make it up here.

We finally have been able to assess the losses of just the pastors in our 6 groups here in NW Haiti:

• 9 churches completely destroyed, but they were not made of block
• 15 churches need a roof
• 12 churches block walls were damaged
• 1665 animals died
• 212 houses destroyed
• Most gardens destroyed
• 2 people lost their lives
• Also,one of the churches had a block oven and made bread for the community to sell and make a little money and it was destroyed.

Hurricane Matthew was so devastating here in the NW.  Losing their animals is like losing the money in your bank account with nothing to show for it.

What we have done with the money sent for hurricane so far:

• Gardens: Most of the gardens were destroyed so the food note below was a huge blessing.  Most will replant now in March.
• Houses: have not built any yet.  But have been helping some families rent for at least a year while they rebuild
• Clothing etc: Have been able to help with clothing for some families that lost everything
• Animals:  Have not replaced any animals yet.
• Household stuff: Have been able to help with blankets for the cooler weather because of the rain and time of year.
• Food:  We had an organization donate food.  It was such a blessing.  We just had to pay motorcycles to get it to the pastors homes so they could give out to those most in need.  Plus have purchased some food too.

Praise:

The truck is working again.

One of the routes opened up so Terry can go to Port to pick up a pastor coming to help for 10 days.

We were able to bring New Testaments back with us.  Such a need here to get in the hands of those who can read.

Prayers: 

1. The route that opened up is really rough, not traveled as much very rocky and more mountains and takes longer. 
2. Wisdom and endurance for the long drive.  He has only traveled it one time and then not all the way.
3. Need to get new rear brakes for the truck.  Pray we can get a fair price.    
   
   
4. For Terry's trip to and from Port and driving around Port too.  He leaves at 5:00 Thursday morning and return Sunday late afternoon.
5. That God will return all the enemy has stolen from His people.
6. The God's people will continue to help this area rebuild.
7. The truth of God's Word will penetrate the hearts and they will see the false teachings for what they are, sin.

Many thanks for all your prayers and giving to help the Haitian people both spiritually and physically.

Terry and Carolyn

Giving:

Northeast Baptist Church Haiti Mission Fund

619 E Lincoln

Clinton MO  64735