HAITI - 2011

After last year's devastating earthquake, Terry went down to Haiti to see what Mantle Ministies could do to help. We returned to Haiti this April with a small team to minister in three of Pastor Lamartine's churches. Here we are, back in a very familiar spot up in the mountains of Haiti.
In 45 seconds, this terrible earthquake did so much damage, not only physically but emotionally and spiritually. Here is Josiah, one of our team members, inspecting the staircase of one of the buildings that had been devastated.


In contrast to all that God was doing, we were in Haiti during the Rah Rah Season. Voodoo priests dress elaborately and are joined by fast drummers and bongas, a long tube-like instrument, filling the streets with dancing, singing and chanting. They travel around the country for numerous days and nights without sleep. We saw and heard them often, one time chanting right outside our house for a half hour at 2am. It brought a sobering reality of the great need for the gospel to be preached in this country where so many follow a false religion in fear and tradition. Some of the most moving times on this trip were the altar calls. Hundreds gave their hearts and lives to the Lord, and were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Working in all these churches was so rewarding as we know the leaders we met will follow up our work with pure dedication. They were all so grateful that we came.
Restoration in Haiti is very slow. We found so many that needed prayer, hope and encouragement.


We discussed with Pastor the possibility of returning next year with another team. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to follow God's will for this ministry.

Haiti Report

Last month Terry traveled to Haiti to reunite with pastors and leaders we support. It was also to see what the Lord would have Mantle Ministries do there at this time. From the mountains, the country looks beautiful, but up close is the devastating poverty and brokenness of the people.
Some things have changed and some have not. The earthquake caused a great deal of devastation in an already impoverished country.

Below is the devastation of the parliament building.
Relief organizations from around the world brought many tents and much more. Below is a tent city. This was built in a park and for many may be a nicer home than they ever experienced.
Truck loads of clothes were delivered to the churches and neighborhoods. Below is brother Benny from Alpha Ministries in India, very familiar with developing countries, serving the Haitian people.
A trip to the port brought many more donations. Below is brother John who was delighted to serve the Haitians once again.
With the donations of the generous people we bought rice and oil to deliver to the hungry in the churches and neighborhoods. We are so grateful for those who in difficult times, reached out to be a blessing to those more unfortunate than they are.

Passing out the food and clothing is always a challenge in Haiti.
Below is the church in Artis. An earlier hurricane blew most of the church's roof away and the back wall was detached from the foundation. So they have rebuilt it wider and added a second story. But what has not changed, is that the people still walk hours to attend church in the best outfit they own with a hunger to know Jesus.
Inside the church.
Twenty years ago, we went every summer to deliver a VBS up in the mountains. It was so exciting to meet some of the now adults, remember coming to our VBS as children and now members of the church. Seeing fruit years later is a wonderful experience.

As Jesus said in Mk. 14.7 "..you always have the poor with you and whenever you can, do good to them..."

HAITI - EAST MEETS WEST

This little country, almost hidden in the vast ocean, is not hidden from the heart of God



Next Week Terry will be traveling to Haiti and reuniting with this country and the ministers we have worked with in the past. John Puleo, who has experience with work teams will we joining him. John has helped build churches and schools in this nation in the past. Terry has ministered and helped start churches. Joining them on this trip is our dear friend Benny Mathews, who has an established ministry in India.

It is very exciting to help the East meet the West and see what the future holds.


Please keep these men in your prayers. They will be leaving Wednesday, April 21 and returning a week later. We are excited to see what the future holds.

HAITI- THEN AND NOW

Twenty years ago, Terry and I cut our teeth in missions in the impoverished country of Haiti. We would take a ministry team down there almost every summer. For years our home church has sponsored missionaries and children in this country. Due to the latest earth quake disaster, Terry felt impressed to take a trip in April to assess the situation and see what the Lord would have Mantle Ministries due in the near future, whether it is work teams, ministry teams or both. Below is a picture of the VBS where children would walk for hours to attend. They would wait for us to come and teach them about Jesus.


We would travel up in the mountains and all around the remote villages. In this village we did an evangelistic service where many gave their lives to God. That ministry team also left the fiances to establish a church.
We adopted these children in our hearts and it was always difficult to leave them. The children in these pictures are now adults.


The children are walking to the area where we held the village VBS. They would scream with delight as we drove into their area. These pictures from 20 years ago bring back such heartfelt memories.

We would like to thank all of you who made donations to Haiti. Terry will personally bring down the finances ear marked for Haiti to insure that it gets used by those in the most need . Haiti will always be dear to our hearts.