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January 4, 2023
Dear Daniel,
The Gospel Comes First
We write a lot about the medical clinic in these newsletters, but we're interested in the whole person, not just the physical person. After all, what good does it to do to heal the body is the soul is still sick? Since the very beginning, Haiti Cheri has been about the Gospel. I've had the privilege to serve with Pastor Oris Guillaume, our organization's founder and visionary, for more than 20 years. Pastor Oris truly has a gift for evangelism. I've never met anyone else who has a greater passion to share the good news in a compelling way.
I remember all the way back in 2002 being in a little village which at the time was about five hours from Cap-Haitien. We were walking down the street in this village, just visiting and talking with people. The culture is very open to talk about spiritual matters and so we do. Pastor Oris spoke to a man who understood the Gospel, the good news that Jesus paid the price for our sins so we can be assured of our eternity. He wasn't ready to accept the gift yet, though. With a little discussion, he let us know that he was praying to other spirits to be given the winning numbers to the lottery. Once he won the lottery, then he would be ready to accept the gift that would secure his soul! The present was more important than eternity for this man.
More recently, we walked up a mountain to The Citadel, a giant fort that was started in the year 1805 just after Haiti's independence. It is a popular destination for people to visit as it's significant to the country's history and culture. The day we were there was chilly due to the elevation, but many people were walking about. Pastor Oris took the opportunity to speak to a group of young men shown in the picture. All of them accepted Jesus as Savior. This was one of several groups of people Pastor Oris spoke to that day and many others accepted Jesus as Savior.
This has been the pattern with all of our trips to Haiti. Pastor Oris leads by example and is eager to let people know about the good news that awaits them. Whether speaking to an individual or a group, many lives have been turned around through his obedience to take the Gospel to the nations. A simple walk down the street with casual conversations have given many people eternal assurance.
It's Not Just Haiti!
In addition to mission work in Haiti, Pastor Oris is also pastoring Connection Church in Roswell, Georgia. Many people have come to know Jesus through his ministry there and elsewhere. In a most recent example, the church held a New Year's Eve service. More than 200 people were there. In the midst of preaching the sermon he had prepared, Pastor Oris felt compelled to stop and ask a question. He just interrupted his sermon and asked if anyone was unsure of their eternal destination. Several people raised their hands to indicate to say they were unsure whether or not they would go to Heaven.
The service turned on a dime. The prepared sermon went out the window. Pastor Oris was able to explain that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins that would otherwise condemn us. He answered questions, and prayed with those who were ready to receive the gift that is freely offered, if only we will accept it. By the end of the service, 14 people received the gift that changed their lives forever.
I truly admire Pastor Oris for the way he is always listening to the Lord and watching for an opportunity to bring real, eternal healing to others. May we who know the Lord be so bold. For those who may be unsure themselves, please reach out to us at the email address at the bottom of this newsletter and we will be happy to help!
X-Ray System Update
Getting back to physical healing for a moment, we're about ready to purchase a system. We've identified the unit we want to buy, and hope to have the purchase complete this month. The next step will be to take delivery of the system, and then find some one to travel to Haiti with us to do training for staff. We don't know who that person is yet, but God does. Maybe it is you!
Thank you so much for your faithful giving and prayers. We appreciate you more than you can imagine.
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