February 12, 2012

    I really should make more of an effort to write on a more regular basis instead of waiting for almost a full week of thoughts and emotions to erupt all in one cataclysmic event. All I have thus far is praises to sing about how good, and faithful, God is. Although I must admit that my real intentions for coming down here were primarily self centered (some of you know about this), I thank God for  providing me thus far with all I have needed in the fulfillment of that purpose. From the very beginning up until this exact moment, I have been blessed by the presence of God which has manifested its self in so many ways; primarily through people I have met. This place is very real and highly functional (although to a different standard than what one young privileged American man may have expected). The bliss that is felt from a weeks missionary journey is now over and this “blanc” is still here. Over the last week I have bucked the feeling of spiritual euphoria that paralyzes so many in the mission field into being utterly useless and have adapted the “be real and get with the program thought process.” In the edited, mild version of what one of my American collegues said, “Its Haiti, shit ain’t perfect, get over it.” Its time we see things for what they are. We can only do what we can, when we can and with what we have. I say, with the knowledge of God’s blessings not only in my life, but in many that I am so grateful to share this glorious faith with, there is the ability to make that needed difference from the greatest to the least of these.

   Teaching here has been awesome thus far! There is an age group that ranges from about 18-25 with a couple of older folks thrown in the mix as well. It is a very energetic, hormonal and enthusiastically rich group of students. The difference between American style education and the Haitian system is quite large; but, I would rather focus  on the brighter side and tell about what great promise lies ahead with some of these students. I enjoy so much picking their brains and being unrelenting in my pursuit of them to expand their thought patterns. The past week & this coming week, our main subject of education, besides English, has been advertising in a global market. It has been a great joy to see them reach further into the corners of their minds and pick out ( sometimes pulled out involuntarily by me) a larger dynamic system of evaluating different variables that go into the marketing process. Its been fun to say the least and I’ve got to admit at time I think about applying these lessons the importation of Haitian coffee to the US market. Just a thought. I can’t say enough about how excited I am to challenge & be challenged by this wonderful group of men and women. With God’s love and grace, I pray that we may continue in the making of a good relationship. 

   There has also been a team from New York working at the Torbeck church this weekend. They arrived on Friday and I spent Saturday working with them. I also enjoyed fellowship and the beach with them today. I hope to be able to join them once or twice this week out there before I have to teach classes in the afternoon. Good group of guys. Hard workers. Best time I’ve had with a bunch of yanks. 

  I have also had the privilege of meeting the new dean of the Agro-Forestry program here at the school. He is young, very well educated, Haitian man that actually lives here in the guest house with Earl and I. I look forward to talking more about him with you all. On Friday, I visited and then worked for half the day out at one of his “gardens”. This place is huge and it is just outside of town. It is his goal to make it an educational/event venue for the purpose of teaching people about the importance of agro-forestry and agro-business (there is also a large nursery there) in Haiti. Many of you know that this one issue has one of, if not the largest impact on Haiti’s social, economic and political culture. I look forward to working and learning from him (Professor William Cinea) over the next few months.

   I close this entry with a prayer. I can’t possibly go through the list; but, Bret Winston you and your family are in my prayers everyday. I can’t imagine the disappointment and pain this set back brings to you and your family. I pray though that you may be comforted by the presence of God through our prayers for you. I pray that in His own divine way, He may work His healings on you. I pray also for your wife Danielle and two boys. That this situation may be a time for prayer and growth among your relationship with each other. I know that this is much easier said/prayed than done; but, in God I place ALL my trust. Because of His son’s name I know Him and I pray for you in that name. The name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Sean