Just before the earthquake in January, we’d  begun a Bible study based on the film Amazing Grace.  It’s a powerful movie, and the study examines many principles from William Wilberforce’s life.  After Karen’s return to Haiti in April, the study was resumed.  Each of the youth in our small group were challenged to be a “World-Changer”.  After studying how God can use each of them to do so, we wanted to find a special way to equip them.  Due to churches and families back in Tennessee and Virginia, we were able to come up with a creative way to minister to those who are truly in need.  We gave each youth $20, with the guidelines that they couldn’t use it for themselves or their own families... they had to reach out to a stranger.  This experience was both challenging, but has also been a tremendous blessing for them.  We asked them to write down their experiences so we can share them with you.  Please continue to lift these teens up as they are Haiti’s future.  Here are those stories...

Christian:

As I was walking home from school on the 18/06/10, I saw a woman sitting in a step begging for money to feed her three children, also sitting next to her.  Slowly I approached her, I introduced myself and she introduced her and her family.  Her name is Diesella  and her three kids were Maxo, Christla, and the third Boss.  She told me her story of how her husband died in the quake and now she is left without money to feed her family.  I then asked her if I can buy them food.  She said yes.  I bought them three plates of spaghetti and three Tampico.  She was so happy, giving me hugs, but I kept on telling her that it’s not from me, it’s from God.  With the rest of the money I sent someone to buy stuff like rice, beans, oil, and I brought it to her on Saturday.  Again she tried to thank me but I just keep telling her thank God, not me.  And that is how I spent the $20.

Benita:

Dear helpers,

Thank you for caring enough to want to give us the opportunity to reach out to others.  Thank you for your help which has helped us in our turn to help others.  It has been an amazing experience.

On Monday while going to school, I met this girl who was also going to school.  She lives in my neighborhood but we’ve never really talked.  Her family doesn’t have much money and I could feel that she was going to school on foot, so I talked to her and asked how she was, etc.  then I said casually, “isn’t your school far?”  she’s like, “yes.”  I asked her, “you’re not going to be late?”  She’s like, “yes…”  I asked her again “would it be alright if I gave you some money to pay a tap tap?” When she agreed, I gave her 10 goudes just in case.  She was so happy.

On Tuesday I was coming from school alone and I decided to walk.  As I was walking I kept asking God to send someone I could help.  When I got near Epidore I saw this man asking for 5 goudes.  When I got close t him, he said, “can I have goudes please, miss?”  And something just said, “Go for it.”  I looked in my bag and found 50 goudes, handed it to him and said, “here sir, God Bless you.”  He’s like, “Thank you my sweet little miss.  God bless you.”  And said, “no, the thanks belongs to God.”

A little farther, I saw a boy about 9 or 10 years sitting on the sidewalk.  He had a rag in his hand and was about to fall asleep.  When he saw me, he kept looking at me, his eyes asking for help silently.  I said, “Could you please come here?”  I started talking to him.  I learned that his name is Jerry, his mom is dead, and his father is alive but he doesn’t live with him.  He sleeps on the streets or anywhere he can find shelter and in the day he wipes cars.  He is not a Christian, but he goes to church sometimes.  I asked him, “do you know Jesus loves you?”  he’s like, “yes.”  I said, “he can change your life.”  Then I asked him if he want something to eat and he says, “Yes.”  I bought him something to drink and other things to eat.  He said, “Thank you very much.”  And I answered, “no, thank God.”

On Thursday I had some money left and I decided to help a woman who I knew was sick.  She’s been accused of witchcraft and people sometimes treat her badly.  I used to see her on the streets, but then I never saw her again.  I thought she was dead but a few weeks earlier I asked my mom is she was dead and she said, “no, she’s alive.”  I decided to buy some rice, beans, oil, and other food items.  I didn’t know where she lived so I asked my mom to go with me.  We asked around for her house and some people who knew her showed us where she lived.  When we got to her house she was sitting on a chair and when she saw us she recognized my mom and told her to come in.  We gave her the things then talked to her.   She said she was feeling better.  I learned that she was a Christian.  When we got up to leave, she said, “Thank you very much.”  And I answered, “God Provides.”

Vanessa:

The day I got the money I was thinking about what I was going to do with it.  I prayed and thought about a lady who always sits and asked for food and money.  Her name is Marie.  I bought all kinds of food that Haitian people love to eat and sat with her for two minutes.  Even if all the kids were calling me crazy lady, I was not discouraged in what I was doing that day.  The next ting I did was a woman by my house that had a baby and her husband is in prison..  She just lives by what people give to her.  So I brought her baby things like milk and diapers and bottles.  I gave it to my little cousin so she could give it to her and wrote a hope letter and tell that God provided the things she got.  So, that’s what I did with my money.  Thank you very much for your support.

Bendy:

It was so wonderful for me, but so hard at the same time.  Because I pray on  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I didn’t find any answer.  But on Friday, I realized that God was the only answer.  I met my first brother in Christ.  I talk to him.  I start by asking him if he is a Christian.  The answer was yes.  His parents and him are Christian.  So I bought him a sandal cause he was barefoot.  So met another guy.  It was almost the same thing.   I bought him sandals too.  In the same day, I saw a poor lady asking for money.  I met her at Delmas 65.  I was in a hurry going to my father’s house, so I gave her $5 (Haitian).  I was walking going to Petionville.  I saw another poor woman on Delmas 75.  I gave her $5 (Haitian) too.  She was saying “May God bless you.  May his angels sing for you in the heavens.”  So I tell her it comes from God, not me.  Thank God.”  I met a barefoot girl on the way.  I bought her sandals too.  At night I saw a guy shitting by himself.  I think that hie is hungry, so I go to him and ask if he is a Christian and his parents.  He said used to go to church and his dad, but not his mom.  I ask him if he converted, if his mom would not give him problems for that.  He said, “not really.”  I tell him, “you should accept Christ now.”  He said he will try, so I share some Scripture with him:  Matthew 24:6, 9, 8; Hebrews 19:20 and Romans 14:4.  I shared it with my classmate too, and they were kind of scared.  I bought that guy a sandwich and something we call “socice” and I gave him the change.

As I was going to yough, I bought some snacks to share with the kinds and encourage them.  As I was walking by Quisqueya Chapel I saw some kids sharing one little cup of juice. So I was drinking one too.  They asked if I’d share it with them.  I just buy each one cup.  On Saturday night I saw a foreign woman asking a guy to buy her the thing we call cocice, cause sometimes the baby make them have ? for something.  So, I buy her two and gave her the change.  That’s all.

Atony (Anthony):

My name is Atony but my friends call me Anthony.  I have a little problem why my name is in two different ways.  I have 16 years old and will be 17 this year.  I was very sick in my spiritual life in Christ, but when I started going to Michael’s house, and in the youth, I learned more about God and my life has changed completely.  I love God so much now and I am ready to do anything so I can be with Him always, and to inherit the kingdom of God. 

My first experience trying to change someone’s world appear to me so difficult, but now since I’ve experienced it, it looks so easy.  Before going walking I prayed.  While I went on walking I met a first man.  We get acquainted.  What’s boring is I didn’t even get his name while talking to him.  We talked about God – he is a Christian, and we finally separate.  So I met another man.  He was asking for money.  I offered him some food, he said, “no, I want money.”  Then I said, “Sorry, I have no change to give you a goude” cause he was asking for a goude.  I went away and then when I returned he was still asking so I gave him two dollars (Haitian).  While walking again I met three guys playing poker.  In Haiti whoever plays poker in the streets are bad guys.  I ask them if they know Jesus.  They said they heard about Him, but they don’t see Him.  I told them that God loves them and cares for them.  I said, “Are you guys hungry?”  They said, “Yes.” So they ask me for the food.  There was no food for sale, so I gave them $20 (Haitian).  They were surprised, saying, “Thank you.”  I said, “God gave you it and you should thank him.  He loves you.”  Then I went away.  Then I met the last man that was sleeping in the street.  I was afraid to go and talk to him.  I did the same things that I did for the three guys, but the difference was that he looked more hungry and he was more thankful.  Again I said, “it’s from God, what I gave you, not from me.  Tell him thank you and not me.”  He said he would still say “thank you. “

Sherlie:

Before I got the money I was asking God to use me.  I wanted Him to use me as if He was a writer and I’m the pen or pencil using me to form each of the letters.  I wanted Him to use me in His work, no matter what it’s to do.

So on Sunday in the small group, Michael gave each one of us $20.  So I started thinking and saying, “Oh my God, You’re answering my prayer!”  I was so excited.  I already knew the family that I would help to change their world, maybe not totally, but in a way.

I spent almost the whole week praying cause I did not really know what I would tell them.  I also did not want them to think that I gave it to them or give it with my own strength.  So, I prayed everyday that He would lead me.

On Saturday I usually have practice (music) at the church, so I woke up early and went downtown with my mother at 6:30.  I bought rice, spaghetti, oil, beans, corn meal, and other spices and things I think they would be needing.  When I got home, it was 10:00 and I’m already late for practice.  So I had to change.  I went to their house and talked to them even though I was late.  I told them that my mother will give them something.  I didn’t even tell them what It was but they said “Thank you.”  And the man said, “Respect”.

Dieula:

Dear Leaders,

I am very thankful to write you this letter.  I am very happy that both of you have been doing a great job, and I really like it.  I have been learning many things from your Bible study.  I have learned how to develop my relationship with God and how to be a world changer.  I just want to say for happiness and sorry that I will love you with all my heart and I pray that God keep His blessing upon your families and protect you wherever you go.

I am very happy to tell you how I gave the money.  The first thing I did was, I spent all the week praying about it.  I told God if His will for me to be a world-changer, let it be, and I told God to show me the person that I would change his or her life.  On Friday a met a girl named Manise.  She didn’t have clothes or underwear to wear.  I preach her about the Bible and gave her a little Bible.  On the same day, we went to Delmas so I could buy some clothes for her.  I buy some underwear and clothes for her, she was so happy.  She was saying now I have clothes to wear and underwear to put on.  I glad to see her happy.  While we were on the road a woman came to me and told me if I could give her some money to pay tap-tap, so I gave her 10 dollars (Haitian).  That was very great to give to others who don’t have.  In the name of Jesus I am a world changer.  Thank you Lord.

Jessica:

My first experience in helping those in need and sharing God’s Word with them.  I prayed.  Monday morning while going to school with one of my classmates, I was telling her about the money.  She asked me what I wanted to do with the money.  I told her I wanted to help people in need.  As I was standing, waiting for a car, I saw a little boy called David.  I called him and asked him why he was begging.  He told me that it is because his mother died.  I asked him for his dad, and he said he wasn’t living with him.  I asked, “Do you know there’s someone who really loves you?”  He answered, “No, how?”  I said, “Jesus does.”  He asked me, “What do you mean?”  I answered, “Jesus loves you and he accepted to die on the cross for your sins?”  Then for some reason, he asked me if I didn’t have a Bible.  I had my little Bible in my bag, so I gave it to him after reading John 3:16 to him.  He thanked me and asked if I didn’t have any money.  I didn’t have any change in the $20, but I had my lunch money and I gave it to him.  I told him Jesus loves him.  Monday afternoon, I went to buys some deodorants, sandals, and soaps… 

(Jessica didn’t have all this written out, but I remember the story, I believe.  It went on like this…)  Jessica put the items in her bag, and carried them with her to school each day.  Some of the kids bugged her, asking me why she was carrying all this in her bag, and she told them she was waiting for God to show her who to give them to.  She passed by some kids on Thursday (three kids, the same number that she had soaps and deodorants).  They were playing in the street and went back and forth playing and aggravating Jessica.  She eventually gave them the items.  Later, while walking on Delmas, she came across two little girls who were barefoot .  She gave them the sandals.

Kattiana:

After coming from small group, I was praying to God by asking Him to help me find the person I need to help with that money.  And I went to school on Monday and Tuesday but didn’t find anyone.  On Wednesday, I was coming from school with Benita and she was telling to look so I would find someone.  We arrived on a crazy lady and she was wiping a car and I was really afraid to go talk with her cause I usually see her talking to herself.  So we went on without talking to her.  When I got home that day, I had to go to repetition at 5:00.  So, I remember that Jessica told me that I go walk in the street so I could find people.  So I put clothes on and I went to Delmas 65 cause I usually see a woman asking there.  But when I got there, I didn’t see her.  So I went back.   While returning, I saw an old woman sitting in a corridor in front of her house.  While passing by I said, “Good Afternoon, Manmi,” and stopped to talk to her.  I said, “how are you doing?”  And she said she was fine.  I said, “What are you doing sitting here?” and she was just sitting.  I said, “Don’t you go to church?”  She said that she used to go, but now she can’t really walk and her son’s wife don’t want to take her to church and she doesn’t treat her well.  I told her that even so, she needed to keep on praying to God, cause He loves her still.  I looked on top and saw they were selling and I asked her if I could offer her something to eat and she said yes.  So, I went and bought two big marmits of rice, a bottle of oil, two little marmits of beans, some butter, etc. and gave her $10 (Haitian) so she could buy charcoal and water.  She told me, “Thank you very much,” and I said, “May God bless you.”

On Thursday while coming from school by myself I met a little girl, barefooted.  I asked her, “What are you doing barefooted?” and she told me that her mother doesn’t have money to buy one for her.  I asked for her father, and she told me he’s dead.  I asked her if she goes to church and she said “no” and I told her she needed to ask her mother to take her to church every Sunday because Jesus loves her.  I asked her where was she going and she told me to her aunt’s house for her mother.  I told her that I would buy a sandal for her.  I walked a little bit and found a marchan of sandals and bought one for her.  She was really happy and said “Thank you.”  I told her that it was a gift from God.  I felt really good because I hurt to see her little feet on the ground walking in the sun.  On that same day, while almost arriving at my house, I saw a little boy going up and I was going down.  I didn’t have any difficulties to talk to him cause he was a small kid.  I said, “hi.  How are you doing?”  He said, “fine.”  I asked him where was he going.  He said, “Up there.”  I asked him if he goes to church and he said, “Yes.”  I asked him, “Do you love Jesus?” and he said, “Yes.”  I told him that Jesus loves him too.  I said, “Can I give you something to eat?”  He said, “You can give me the money.”  I said, “I’d rather give you the thing to eat.”  I returned and bought him a tampico and two cookies and a chico.  He said, “Thank you” and smiled.  His name was Frisnore.

On Friday while it was time for recreation, I went outside and bought a pate and a Fresco and went back to class.  While eating I saw a girl in my class sitting by herself.  I saw that she was really hungry.  I said to myself, “I need to give her something” so I went back outside and bought her a pate and Tampico.  I told her, “Here” and she said, “Thank you very much.”  I started talking to her.  She told me that she was a servant of God.  I told her that she needs to always love God, even though there might be difficulties in life.  And she said that this morning she came to school without eating cause she only had two dollars (Haitian) and had to pay tap tap, but the driver took the two dollars.  So, I gave her two dollars so she can return home later.

That same day coming back from school, I met a little boy again.  His name was Robinson.  I asked him where was he going and he told me to Pastor Michael’s house.  I know that children go there to eat and to be taught about God.  I told him that he needs to always go there cause God has a plan for each and every kid on earth, cause He loves you very much.  I told him that I will buy you something to drink after he’s done eating from where he was going.  I also gave him two cookies.  He said, “Thank you,” and I said, “Jesus loves you.”