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

 Benches for churches

Haitian lady sitting in her house

Devastation in our area from Hurricane Matthew

October 14, 2016

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

As we send this out today our hearts are heavy for the Haitian people, especially those in the area God has planted us. We will be back in Haiti in a few days and will be able to assess the devastation first hand and hope to be able to report to you. We know there is more devastation that what is reported below. The internet will be the key to how well we can keep in touch and possibly send pictures too.

We want to urge you to not pass on this opportunity to bless others. Many of you have given already to help with the many needs there and as you continue to do so, God will bless and multiply your giving. Even if you can't give now, give when you can. This will be a rebuilding time. Not only physically but it will also test their faith in God. Most of them live each day in survival mode each day and so for their means of survival now destroyed it will be an even greater challenge.

Please pray God will use many to help with the many needs. Will YOU help them rebuild?

See picture below.

The below message is from Rousier, our interpreter and we want to share it with you: "After talking to most of the pastors in Mare-rouge, and the other 6 pastor groups that we disciple and minister to: this is what I found so far: Churches destroyed or need repairs; 24 Houses: destroyed or in need of repair 101 Animals perished:tc 500 (goats, pigs, donkey and mule) School buildings: 20 Gardens and trees destroyed: a lot The people would need food, water, clothes, shoes, hygiene products and love. As a group it is God's will to have a heart to those that are in need. The government won't really do much for those people, but instead they would make more money when stuff like that happened. So God is asking His people to help in every way they can. It it time to turn love into ACTION. Because we believe that Action speaks louder than words. This is just for some in our groups, if I would give an account for the commune (Mole Saint Nicolas) it would be a lot. God is not a little god; He IS a Big God. If He's asking you or telling to give or help those that are in need, He will show you. But you should never forget that “It is more blessing to give than to recieve”

Prayers are very important. Please keep praying for Haiti and the USA also in this time of re-elections.

Pray for our return and that we can get back up the mountain without any problems.

Blessings to All

Terry and Carolyn Routon

Northeast Baptist Church Haiti mission Fund

619 E Lincoln

Clinton MO 64735

Ps: is you want to collect some items to send to us or for us to take back next time we are back in the states, please talk with us about what you would like to collect and when. Also we ask that you help with the fees of shipping and customs which is $1.60 per pound.

also due to the hurricane, MFI, asked us to change our flight to October 20. You can reach us at 913-701-8977 through the 19th. We do not always have internet when traveling to Florida so phone is the best way if you need to reach us.

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

October 5, 2016

2 Cor. 9:6 Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful give.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in eery good work.

Gal. 6:10  Therefore as we have opportunity let us do good to all,especially to those who are of the household of faith.

We are still in the USA from Terry's mom passing  but will be driving to Florida and  returning Oct 18 if the airlines will take us in, which should be ok by then to enter.  ALSO MANY ROADS HAVE BEEN WASHED OUT, so pray we can get into Haiti and up to the mountain.

THIS IS A DIFFERENT UPDATE THAN WE USUALLY SEND OUT.  BUT WE AND THE HAITIAN PEOPLE, MANY OF THEM CHRISTIANS, NEED YOUR HELP!

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY ASKING THE HOLY SPIRIT HOW YOU SHOULD HELP!

This update is coming to you right after hurricane Matthew and as you will see be the message we received from our worker in Haiti BELOW:   

October 4, Rousier sent this message during hurricane Matthew: "We need y'all prayer: the storm is destroying houses, animals, trees and a lot more. the wind is really hard and heavy rain."

The "lot more" will be like food and clothing destroyed, money lost and some will have lost their business items and school items.  The immediate need will be food and then roofs put back on and some complete houses.

October 5th reported by Rousier: " most of the pastors in our Friday group have lost their house, or church building or both.  Have not heard from the other 6 groups yet."

We have not seen THE DEVASTATION with our own eyes YET but know from years spent in Haiti,  there will be many needs and we will not be able to meet them all but we are asking you to please consider helping financially.  IF YOU CAN PLEASE SEND IT TO US BEFORE WE LEAVE TO RETURN THAT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL.  BUT IF YOU CAN'T HELP TILL AFTER THAT PLEASE SEND IT ANYWAY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT WHILE IN HAITI.

Northeast Baptist Church Haiti Mission Fund

619 E Lincoln

Clinton MO  64735

mark check "hurrican relief" or if you want to be more specific.

PS: we have also been given 3,000 New Testaments we are taking back with us which will help with that need because many of the bibles they had in their homes will be destroyed.

NO GIFT IS TO SMALL.  THANK YOU FOR GIVING!!

blessings

Terry and Carolyn

His servants in Haiti