Break Every Chain

God does not judge by what he sees on the outside. This verse literally blew my English students minds today. There are so many people here who are in physical bondage, but there are also many here who are bound by legalism in the church. Culturally in Haiti, you must dress a certain way to go to church. Not only will you be looked down upon if you are not dressed properly, you will likely be kicked out of church or never allowed to enter at all.  In essence, if you don't have money to buy proper church clothes (most people don't) then you aren't allowed to worship God within the church. There is something very wrong with this.  Jesus didn't die on a cross just for people who have enough money to buy a certain kind of clothing for church, he died on the cross for EVERYONE.  As we discussed this passage of Galatians today with Pastor Mark my students had so many questions and it was easy to see that they were beginning to grasp this truth. The chains are breaking.  Praise Jesus!

M'ap li ak ke kontan! (aka I'm reading with joy!)

On the second day of school Amanda and I were under the tree taking photos of some students who don't have sponsors when Rita walks up on the phone.  She seems to be talking about something very serious and then says, "Well I'll have Stephanie go talk to her, she's sitting outside the classroom crying".  Of course my initial thought is "Oh no, what has happened?!" which is quickly followed by "Whatever it is my creole isn't good enough!".  Rita hangs up the phone and with tears in her eyes explains what has happened.  Loulou has been kicked out of 3rd grade because she can't read.  She's been through 3rd grade twice already and now she is going to have to go back to 2nd grade because she can't read.  As I walked over to talk to her I just prayed that the Lord would give me the words to say to her.  I hugged her and talked to her about it and told her that we would help her.  I asked her if she wanted to be able to read and she said yes, she just needed help.  I sat with her for awhile and silently prayed for her and about how we could help her.

Reading is an issue that we as a staff have discussed so many times because we know that it is a huge problem.  Children grow up speaking Creole and then suddenly when they go to school everything is taught in French.  How are they supposed to learn when they can't even understand what is being said?  Not only that, but they are never really taught to read, they are just expected to do it.  A few weeks ago in my English class we read an article and discussed the education system in Haiti and this was one of the many issues we discussed.  All of my students were very passionate that the education system in Haiti needs change.  And then it hit me.....a Saturday reading program with my English students as the volunteers!!  I presented the idea to my class the next day and asked them if they were able to come on Saturday to volunteer an hour of their time to help some children who can't read.  

I was quite nervous the first Saturday.....what if none of my volunteers show up?!  But, to my pleasant surprise I had 6 volunteers show up!!  Only 3 kids, but 6 VOLUNTEERS!  

    
And then this Saturday.....13 kids and 6 volunteers!  

It is such an awesome thing to see the students from my class who I have grown so close to really living out the gospel.  They are an inspiration to me and definite agents for change in a country that is so broken.  Please pray for these kids as they learn a skill that will literally change their lives and for these volunteers who are so generously giving of their time to serve others.

James 3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.