Lespwa

I am so glad that we are to fully set our hope on the grace of Jesus.  We cannot do anything on our own, it is Jesus working through us to accomplish His tasks.  Sometimes I think that there are a lot of things I need to do to be productive but what I really need to do is stop making to do lists :)  I've been going on a lot of what I like to call "community hikes" lately.  I call them community hikes because I'm with people that I live in community with, out in the community where we live, and even though we're typically walking along "roads" it's more like a hiking trail than a road (which I love!)

Last Saturday, five of us set out to go to the other side of Bellevue Mountain to walk around the community there.  I've been over there before, but we took some different paths this time.  It was incredibly beautiful!  It rained most of the time which was a welcome blessing because then it was nice and cool!

Using banana leaves as umbrellas :)

We came upon a soccer field (basically a clearing with a couple of sticks in the ground for goals) where we took some photos and waved across the valley to some kids who were super excited to see us.

Adam, Jake, Megan & Sharon

After leaving the soccer field we walked through an area that had several houses.  There were voodoo symbols everywhere and drawings on the ground where we were passing through.  Although I know that voodoo is a common practice here, this was my first actual encounter with it.  Honestly it was a little surreal.  We greeted the people who lived around there and they were all very friendly, but there was just a feeling of darkness that is hard to describe.  I just prayed for those people and prayed for the Holy Spirit to come flood this place.  Our hope is in Jesus alone.  Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and for the Lord to push back darkness in this place.  

Tree just beyond where we saw the voodoo symbols.  There was a place at the bottom of this tree where they burn things as a part of their rituals/ceremonies

We're planning to go on another hike today, starting where we ended last time so I'm sure I'll have more photos to share next week.  

For now, I'll leave you with a few photos from a walk we took last night around the area where we live.  I love just being out in the community to greet people and give them a smile or encouraging word.  God is so amazing and I am in awe at the beauty of His creation.

Psalm 28:6-7  Blessed be the Lord!  For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.  The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.