Why am I in Haiti on Christmas Day? The short answer is, I’m here for the reason we celebrate this day: The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14). The longer answer is: Praying and working with our Haitian team, we identified four good times each year to train church leaders here. The last two weeks of December are one of those times. Carnival (Mardi Gras) week, Easter holidays and July are the other three times. As in the U.S., schools are closed here and most people take time away from work so these are good time for many church leaders to attend our PPI courses. Also, most Haitians don’t celebrate the holidays the way we do in the United States (more on that below) so they’re available – and eager! – to take part in our training.
We had a good first week of training in Cap Haitien. Thank you for praying for us! A total of 44 pastors studied and discussed the mission and strategy of Jesus’ church in Course 3, and 112 church leaders learned to use the Thompson Bible as a foundational tool for their ministries in Course 1. A group of six church leaders (pictured) came together from Hinche (pronounced like Ensh), the chief city of the Centre Department and a several hours’ ride to Cap Haitien over rough and sometimes dangerous roads. During our ceremony/recognition time yesterday, one pastor from the group stood up to thank us for coming. He said, “We heard about PPI training and came when another pastor invited us. Many pastors in Hinch need this training. We are praying that the Lord will bring you to Hinch soon.”
We’re now in Ouanaminthe, where we’ll lead Course 3 with 130 church leaders before I head back to the U.S. on Thursday to celebrate New Year’s with my family.
This Christmas morning, I’ll speak at Pastor Isaiah’s church on Poukisa Jezi te Vini (“Why Jesus Came”). Afterward we’ll enjoy Christmas lunch together. Haitians do Christmas differently. For starters, Haitian church leaders point out that Christmas has become more about greed than about God. Besides we’re not sure when Jesus was born, but probably not on December 25. Add to that the economic realities of Haiti and you understand why you won’t see Christmas trees, gifts, lavish decorations and big Christmas dinners in homes here.
Christians in Haiti have a simpler focus. They enjoy a simple dinner with their families, talk, possibly sing and pray together. Then before the new year, they rearrange a room or buy something new for a room in their house. That’s probably closer to the way believers through history have celebrated the coming of our Savior. But I did see a neon Joyeaux Noelle (Merry Christmas!) sign in a store in Cap Haitien and also heard “Jingle Bells” (in Creole) on the radio.
All the best to you and your family today as you worship the Son of God and remember that He came to give us forgiveness, joy and purpose in our lives. Enjoy the pictures below.
Because God so loved the world,
Ken
Hi Ken,
Our sincere and hearty best wishes to you and your fellow Haitian participants for a wonderful and blessed Christmas season. We know you must be missing your family at this time of the year so your dedication to doing His work when it most pleases Him is an example to us all.
God bless you, Rena and the family.