Banana Leaves

Today I spent the whole day at the new property in Bersi with two teams. Working at Bersi is one of my favorite parts of being here because it is so beautiful and holds so much hope. The 55 acre plot of land is right on the ocean and some of the plans for the property include an agriculture school, farmland, a conference center to train Haitian teachers and pastors, an elementary school, an orphanage, a church, and a home for the elderly. The Bersi property was given to Mission of Hope by the Haitian government so that Mission of Hope would not turn the Grace House in Cabaret into a permanent home for the elderly. Instead, Mission of Hope will build the Grace House at Bersi so that the elderly can help take care of the orphans, and the orphans can bring the elderly joy. As Christians we have a special calling to take care of orphans and widows, and Mission of Hope is also having them take care of each other.

Today, we spent the morning in the village, singing songs, telling Bible stories, and showing lots of love to the children and people of the village. The second half of the day, we began our work. There were three jobs to be done. The first was building the tin roof on one of the school buildings. The second was clearing the land with machetes, and the third was collecting dead banana leaves that will be turned into a mulch for the farmland. Tiny is the man directing the projects, and he is always seeking ways in which the people can use what God has already placed on the land in order to improve farming.

I was blessed with heading the ladies in banana leaf gathering. We carried armloads of banana leaves from the groves to a large pile on the open land. Some Haitians came to help, and it was such a blessing to work alongside each other. My friend Kristela, a teenager from the village, stayed with me the entire time. We sang together and talked a little and found ways to show how much we cared about one another without words. It is simple work, but little by little the property will be transformed into fertile farmland that will create many jobs and provide food for the people. We are given the opportunity to work together in Jesus' name so that we all understand that it is God who blesses this place, and it is God who is providing for these people. I am so grateful that God has brought me to Haiti, and although I am unworthy of the task, He is giving me a part to play in His great plan.