"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people.
Philemon 1:7
Friday, May 1, 2020
Hello,
Tonight, Friday, May 1st at 6:00 we want to be living out Philemon 1:7 "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people." We will be live streaming our annual fundraiser. This will be available for everyone to connect to, no matter where you live. We would very much appreciate you joining us and holding the ministry and Haitian people up in prayer. It is not necessarily how we would choose to raise funds to help the people of Haiti, but God says in Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" So we are moving forward and trusting in Him. Mike will be sharing a short story, some updates and there will be a short video from Pastor Nathan and the children in the Children's Village.
We will also be receiving calls from those of you who need prayer, please be praying for wisdom, as we reach out.
We are using Zoom. Here is the link and information again.
Please join us to hear an update from Mike May 1, 2020 at 6:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81780751370?pwd=WUJhbUxZOW50UWt2MWROcFJYOVpLUT09
Alternatively join the meeting on Facebook via Mike Leland timeline https://www.facebook.com/mike.leland.71
Alternatively join via zoom.us "Join a meeting button"
Webinar ID: 817 8075 1370
Password: 98264
or call in via phone US: +1 253 215 8782
We hope you will be with us.
Tonight, Friday, May 1st at 6:00 we want to be living out Philemon 1:7 "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people." We will be live streaming our annual fundraiser. This will be available for everyone to connect to, no matter where you live. We would very much appreciate you joining us and holding the ministry and Haitian people up in prayer. It is not necessarily how we would choose to raise funds to help the people of Haiti, but God says in Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" So we are moving forward and trusting in Him. Mike will be sharing a short story, some updates and there will be a short video from Pastor Nathan and the children in the Children's Village.
We will also be receiving calls from those of you who need prayer, please be praying for wisdom, as we reach out.
We are using Zoom. Here is the link and information again.
Please join us to hear an update from Mike May 1, 2020 at 6:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81780751370?pwd=WUJhbUxZOW50UWt2MWROcFJYOVpLUT09
Alternatively join the meeting on Facebook via Mike Leland timeline https://www.facebook.com/mike.leland.71
Alternatively join via zoom.us "Join a meeting button"
Webinar ID: 817 8075 1370
Password: 98264
or call in via phone US: +1 253 215 8782
We hope you will be with us.
April 25,2020
Hello,
We really wanted to connect with you, and let you know that we have been praying for you and your families physical and financial health, and for your jobs and your businesses.
Also, we want to announce to all of you, that our annual fundraiser, planned for May 1st at 6:00 PM, is going full speed ahead, as a Live Stream Event.
This event is critical to the ongoing financial support of the amazing work that you, our prayer partners are doing right now in Haiti. Please read the announcement below for all the information you need to join us. Looking forward to sharing with you.
Blessings, Mike and Chris
We really wanted to connect with you, and let you know that we have been praying for you and your families physical and financial health, and for your jobs and your businesses.
Also, we want to announce to all of you, that our annual fundraiser, planned for May 1st at 6:00 PM, is going full speed ahead, as a Live Stream Event.
This event is critical to the ongoing financial support of the amazing work that you, our prayer partners are doing right now in Haiti. Please read the announcement below for all the information you need to join us. Looking forward to sharing with you.
Blessings, Mike and Chris
Sunday, March 29, 2020
We are with you!
Good afternoon Prayer Partners,
I just wanted to let you know how much we love you and are praying for you, as well as our brothers and sisters in need in Haiti. For God did not call us only to minister His love and provision in Haiti, but also to our local brothers in the Lord and even to the ends of the earth.
This is a very hard and challenging time that we are facing right now and we are all facing it in some way or another. Here in the Northwest, across the United States, and over most of the world. Some are minimally effected and many severely effected by this virus and the many ramifications of it. Health, jobs, family, finances, isolation, are just some of the many challenges we are facing because of this. Sometimes the biggest challenges are what comes out of us during hard and challenging times. Things like fear, anxiety, stress and greed.
This is not a time to shut off our emotions. These are hard times and this is real. But God knew that we would face these hard times and He wants us to be honest with Him and bring them to Him. "When we draw near to Him, He will indeed draw near to us." I was struck with the revelation of His peace this morning as I was praying for all of you. (Yes, I pray for all of you, your relationships, your families, and your businesses, that you would be blessed because you have been such a rich blessing to us and the people of Haiti.)
Philippians 4:4-7 encourages us to "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all, for the Lord is near to us. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
In John 14: 27 Jesus tells us personally; "Peace I leave with you; my own peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. So do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Jesus wants us to have His peace! His peace is His presence. He says "not as the world gives." In the world, peace is the absence of something. The absence of fear, anxiety, or doubt. That's all fine. But in the Kingdom of God, peace is the presence of something. Peace is the presence of Jesus, "The Prince of Peace." If we are a child in our room and are scared of the unknown, we can convince ourselves to have peace because its not likely that something would really happen. But how much more peace comes from our Father coming into the room with us, to reassure us of His provision and protection in our time of need. In Revelations 3, Jesus says; "Here I am, I stand at your room door and knock, if you will hear me and open the door, I will come in to your room and bring my peace to you." (Paraphrased by Mike)
It is in these hard and challenging times that bring us closer to God and proves to us that Jesus really is who He says He is! We are then able to be a light to the world. Because we, in Jesus, cannot be shaken. Though the things of this world can, and indeed will be shaken. We, in Jesus, will not be shaken.........Amen
Please let us know how we might be more specific in our prayers for you. If you would like to join with me, I will be fasting and praying for the condition of the world, all day Monday. Please feel free to respond, call or text me, to let me know................. Bless you, in Jesus, this next week. We love you and are with you in this.........Mike
Please, if you have a prayer request during this time, feel encouraged to share it with us. We would consider it a privilege to lift you up in prayer.
Many Blessings, Chris and Mike
--
I just wanted to let you know how much we love you and are praying for you, as well as our brothers and sisters in need in Haiti. For God did not call us only to minister His love and provision in Haiti, but also to our local brothers in the Lord and even to the ends of the earth.
This is a very hard and challenging time that we are facing right now and we are all facing it in some way or another. Here in the Northwest, across the United States, and over most of the world. Some are minimally effected and many severely effected by this virus and the many ramifications of it. Health, jobs, family, finances, isolation, are just some of the many challenges we are facing because of this. Sometimes the biggest challenges are what comes out of us during hard and challenging times. Things like fear, anxiety, stress and greed.
This is not a time to shut off our emotions. These are hard times and this is real. But God knew that we would face these hard times and He wants us to be honest with Him and bring them to Him. "When we draw near to Him, He will indeed draw near to us." I was struck with the revelation of His peace this morning as I was praying for all of you. (Yes, I pray for all of you, your relationships, your families, and your businesses, that you would be blessed because you have been such a rich blessing to us and the people of Haiti.)
Philippians 4:4-7 encourages us to "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all, for the Lord is near to us. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
In John 14: 27 Jesus tells us personally; "Peace I leave with you; my own peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. So do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Jesus wants us to have His peace! His peace is His presence. He says "not as the world gives." In the world, peace is the absence of something. The absence of fear, anxiety, or doubt. That's all fine. But in the Kingdom of God, peace is the presence of something. Peace is the presence of Jesus, "The Prince of Peace." If we are a child in our room and are scared of the unknown, we can convince ourselves to have peace because its not likely that something would really happen. But how much more peace comes from our Father coming into the room with us, to reassure us of His provision and protection in our time of need. In Revelations 3, Jesus says; "Here I am, I stand at your room door and knock, if you will hear me and open the door, I will come in to your room and bring my peace to you." (Paraphrased by Mike)
It is in these hard and challenging times that bring us closer to God and proves to us that Jesus really is who He says He is! We are then able to be a light to the world. Because we, in Jesus, cannot be shaken. Though the things of this world can, and indeed will be shaken. We, in Jesus, will not be shaken.........Amen
Please let us know how we might be more specific in our prayers for you. If you would like to join with me, I will be fasting and praying for the condition of the world, all day Monday. Please feel free to respond, call or text me, to let me know................. Bless you, in Jesus, this next week. We love you and are with you in this.........Mike
Please, if you have a prayer request during this time, feel encouraged to share it with us. We would consider it a privilege to lift you up in prayer.
Many Blessings, Chris and Mike
--
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Good afternoon good friends; This is a very important time to be, and have, good friends. Good friends are our life-line connection to love and encouragement. Good friends keep us balanced and encouraged in "Crisis Times" like this.
It is in times like this, that it is so important that "we remain in Him, and His word remains in us", and He says that "whatever we ask, it will be done for us." God loves us, and He loves it when our crisis times draw us close to Him. He empowers us, as His beloved children to minister hope and peace and help to one-another, in their time of need. And it is, in our compassionate ministering and encouraging others, that God meets all our needs, in Jesus. "For All of God's promises for us, are YES, and Amen", in Jesus.
As the up-dates on the Corona Virus come to us daily, and sometimes hourly, we can easily get discouraged and become fearful, and with good reason, this is real! But, God did not give us a Spirit of fear. For crisis times like this, God gave us a spirit of power, and of love, and a sound mind." This promise brings me great encouragement to put my concerns in His loving, powerful, hands, and put my attention to encouraging others. God gave His children the keys to His Kingdom. God gave us power in our prayers for one another. God gave us love for one another. And God gave us a sound mind, anchored "in Jesus" to stabilize us from the panic of the world we live in.
I have been staying in close contact with Pastor Nathan and the ministry in Haiti. They are, like us, under strict government recommendations to stay in their homes until this passes. "And this too shall pass." It is very hard for the Haitian people to understand what are good healthy recommendations, or just more corrupt government mandates being forced upon them. There are currently only 2 reported cases of the virus in Haiti. Neither are Haitians. Pray that this is it..... All of our church congregations are being asked to stay home and pray. Pray for their neighbors and their nation. They are also praying for us and our nation. They are praying for you! The orphanage is doing well, so far, and everyone is healthy. They have put into place good health practices. "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."
We are very thankful to have so many good friends in this ministry like you. We are encouraged, and we know, that even in these times of crisis, as we remain in Him, we will be able to continue to support the vulnerable people of Haiti through their times of crisis. Please keep them in your prayers as they have been keeping you in theirs.
Please prayerfully consider how you can extend your love to them, as God extends His love to you...……
We are still hopeful that we will have our New Generation Ministries, Annual Fundraiser Dinner and Auction, on May 1st. But if, like so many other gathering events, it is cancelled, and we are not able to meet together in person, we are already working on plans to offer an on-line alternative event for you. This is our only main fundraising event of the year. We depend heavily on this event to keep this ministry doing what God has called it to do. We are not fearful. We are loved. And we are encouraged that God knows what we, and you need. And God will meet all of our needs in Jesus.
If any of you have specific prayer needs, or something that I could help you with, please let me know. It is my pleasure to serve you, as you have served me...…….Bless you in the place of His presence...……..Mike
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
We are so excited to share with you that Pastor Nathan and his wife will be coming to visit this spring!
Mike will be going to Haiti again around the 10th of April. Pastor Nathan and his wife will be traveling back to the Pacific Northwest with Mike April 29th. They will be here for our annual spring fundraiser on Friday, May 1st. So save the date and come and meet Pastor Nathan and his wife.
We are looking forward to seeing you there. Blessings, Mike and Chris
Mike will be going to Haiti again around the 10th of April. Pastor Nathan and his wife will be traveling back to the Pacific Northwest with Mike April 29th. They will be here for our annual spring fundraiser on Friday, May 1st. So save the date and come and meet Pastor Nathan and his wife.
We are looking forward to seeing you there. Blessings, Mike and Chris
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Hello,
I Just returned last Thursday from Haiti.
I want to personally thank all of you for your prayers. I could literally feel them with me for the first several days that we were in Haiti. I was able to move about the city of Port-Au-Prince as if protected by angels. The things that I had hoped to accomplish, were done easier than I could have ever hoped or imagined.
Chris sent out some very well written prayer partners, describing our experiences. I'm so proud of her. She is gifted. If you haven't had the chance to read them yet, please do. I could not have done them nearly as well myself, so I won't be repeating them.
This trip was partially for connecting again with the people I love and long to see healthy, happy, and whole in the Lord. Also, it was partially to communicate to them the things that God has been speaking to me about the growth and direction of the ministry in Haiti. Also, it was to test the climate, if you will, of the safety of the city, to determine if it would be safe and productive to bring teams in the near future. I was amazed at the clear and positive response I felt to all these objectives.
This trip was one of the most gratifying trips I have taken in resent years. The ministry is going so well and so strong. The leaders are stepping up to a much higher level of spiritual maturity then I have ever seen. God is moving so powerfully by His Holy Spirit, and the Haitian leadership is cooperating with Him. I'm so proud of them. The real benefit of their obedience is going to all the people and children in the 10 villages that we are currently serving.
Pastor Nathan is spreading out the leadership of the ministry to those with the appropriate gifts that God has given them for the job. WOW.
This now sets the stage for exponential growth in many areas of ministry in Haiti. Reaching out to new villages with the Life-Giving message of Jesus. Educating more children and youth to rise up out of poverty and oppression. Developing small communities to a spiritual and practical place of unity and prosperity that will remain sustainable.
"Please sir, give me this spring of living water, so that I won't get thirsty again and need to keep asking for more." (John 4:15)
Thank you again for your compassionate prayers and support for this ministry and the miraculous work that God is doing for the children of Haiti, that He loves so much............Mike
Mike and Chris Leland
I Just returned last Thursday from Haiti.
I want to personally thank all of you for your prayers. I could literally feel them with me for the first several days that we were in Haiti. I was able to move about the city of Port-Au-Prince as if protected by angels. The things that I had hoped to accomplish, were done easier than I could have ever hoped or imagined.
Chris sent out some very well written prayer partners, describing our experiences. I'm so proud of her. She is gifted. If you haven't had the chance to read them yet, please do. I could not have done them nearly as well myself, so I won't be repeating them.
This trip was partially for connecting again with the people I love and long to see healthy, happy, and whole in the Lord. Also, it was partially to communicate to them the things that God has been speaking to me about the growth and direction of the ministry in Haiti. Also, it was to test the climate, if you will, of the safety of the city, to determine if it would be safe and productive to bring teams in the near future. I was amazed at the clear and positive response I felt to all these objectives.
This trip was one of the most gratifying trips I have taken in resent years. The ministry is going so well and so strong. The leaders are stepping up to a much higher level of spiritual maturity then I have ever seen. God is moving so powerfully by His Holy Spirit, and the Haitian leadership is cooperating with Him. I'm so proud of them. The real benefit of their obedience is going to all the people and children in the 10 villages that we are currently serving.
Pastor Nathan is spreading out the leadership of the ministry to those with the appropriate gifts that God has given them for the job. WOW.
This now sets the stage for exponential growth in many areas of ministry in Haiti. Reaching out to new villages with the Life-Giving message of Jesus. Educating more children and youth to rise up out of poverty and oppression. Developing small communities to a spiritual and practical place of unity and prosperity that will remain sustainable.
"Please sir, give me this spring of living water, so that I won't get thirsty again and need to keep asking for more." (John 4:15)
Thank you again for your compassionate prayers and support for this ministry and the miraculous work that God is doing for the children of Haiti, that He loves so much............Mike
Mike and Chris Leland
Some of our kids!
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Breaking the chains of slavery
Hello,
I want to share with you about the Pastor's conference and thought I would start by quoting what Mike sent me later that evening.
"Sitting out on the deck.
Cool and breezy tonight.
No people walking.
No dogs barking.
No music playing.
Sometimes I really love this place."
"Just got home from finishing the pastors conference. It was very powerful. It really made an impact on them and how they will do church. God gave me a prophetic word that parallels 1st Samuel. The high priest Eli had let corruption into the church and so God was cutting the old church off and starting a new move of His Spirit with Samuel. Samuel could hear Gods voice and obey. Eli could no longer hear Gods voice. The Life-Giving church can hear Gods voice. The religious, traditional church can no longer hear Gods voice."
Jesus laid his self as a smooth building surface. We are warned to not set stuff that gets in the way of building the church, Mike felt like God was saying Haiti stacks stumbling blocks in the way of God building His church, like shoes, clothing, and religious traditions that keep the people from getting to God. But God says in His word that if you prevent the children from coming to him, it would be better for you to have a millstone tied around your neck and be thrown into the sea. That's how serious this is to God. After this there was a very powerful time of ministry with many repenting and weeping for what the church had become. For what they had not done and for shutting the Holy Spirit out of the church, like many churches have done in North America, in the name of being relevant and seeker friendly, We NEED BOTH the WORD OF GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT.
Mike then said,
"All of the pastors pledged to turn away from religion and tradition, and hear Gods voice and obey. And they pledged to become Life-Giving training centers, to equip the saints for ministry."
Nathan said afterwards he received over twenty phone calls from Pastor's whose hearts and eyes had been opened asking to meet again.
Haitian's have many proverbs their culture passes on, one of them is pretty powerful when you really think about it.
In Creole it is "Chen lan kase nan ponyet men li rete nan lespri."
In English it is "No longer chains on my wrist but still have chains in my mind."
Basically it is talking about being freed from bondage, chains and shackles, but still having a mind that is enslaved, thinking from a slaves perspective, whether you can see the chains or not.
I know I have been guilty of having a mind that is enslaved, enslaved to listening to the lies satan whispers, enslaved by culture perspective on how things should be done, and enslaved by satan telling me what Christ did on the cross wasn't good enough for me, I am not worthy. I believe God is on the move He wants His church and He is breaking off the chains, He is causing us to see, REALLY see, He is calling us back to Him.
Thank you for your very faithful prayers. The Holy Spirit is moving in Haiti. I can not express enough how much your prayers are doing.
Many Blessings, Chris
I want to share with you about the Pastor's conference and thought I would start by quoting what Mike sent me later that evening.
"Sitting out on the deck.
Cool and breezy tonight.
No people walking.
No dogs barking.
No music playing.
Sometimes I really love this place."
"Just got home from finishing the pastors conference. It was very powerful. It really made an impact on them and how they will do church. God gave me a prophetic word that parallels 1st Samuel. The high priest Eli had let corruption into the church and so God was cutting the old church off and starting a new move of His Spirit with Samuel. Samuel could hear Gods voice and obey. Eli could no longer hear Gods voice. The Life-Giving church can hear Gods voice. The religious, traditional church can no longer hear Gods voice."
Jesus laid his self as a smooth building surface. We are warned to not set stuff that gets in the way of building the church, Mike felt like God was saying Haiti stacks stumbling blocks in the way of God building His church, like shoes, clothing, and religious traditions that keep the people from getting to God. But God says in His word that if you prevent the children from coming to him, it would be better for you to have a millstone tied around your neck and be thrown into the sea. That's how serious this is to God. After this there was a very powerful time of ministry with many repenting and weeping for what the church had become. For what they had not done and for shutting the Holy Spirit out of the church, like many churches have done in North America, in the name of being relevant and seeker friendly, We NEED BOTH the WORD OF GOD and the HOLY SPIRIT.
Mike then said,
"All of the pastors pledged to turn away from religion and tradition, and hear Gods voice and obey. And they pledged to become Life-Giving training centers, to equip the saints for ministry."
Nathan said afterwards he received over twenty phone calls from Pastor's whose hearts and eyes had been opened asking to meet again.
Haitian's have many proverbs their culture passes on, one of them is pretty powerful when you really think about it.
In Creole it is "Chen lan kase nan ponyet men li rete nan lespri."
In English it is "No longer chains on my wrist but still have chains in my mind."
Basically it is talking about being freed from bondage, chains and shackles, but still having a mind that is enslaved, thinking from a slaves perspective, whether you can see the chains or not.
I know I have been guilty of having a mind that is enslaved, enslaved to listening to the lies satan whispers, enslaved by culture perspective on how things should be done, and enslaved by satan telling me what Christ did on the cross wasn't good enough for me, I am not worthy. I believe God is on the move He wants His church and He is breaking off the chains, He is causing us to see, REALLY see, He is calling us back to Him.
Thank you for your very faithful prayers. The Holy Spirit is moving in Haiti. I can not express enough how much your prayers are doing.
Many Blessings, Chris
Friday, January 31, 2020
Hello,
I talked with Mike earlier, he and Greg are doing well. Today they visited our new/old school in Denonville. It's actually a pretty cool story. We had a school in the outskirts of Gonaives, in an area called Marotte. The circumstances were that we were renting and every time the relatives of the property owner, who does not live in the area, needed money they threatened to sell the property out from under us, usually in the middle of the school year, then they would settle if we paid the following year's rent ahead of time, which of course was higher each time. It came to the point where we didn't feel comfortable being paid any further out, and the cost of rent was no longer a fair price. Last year they came to us again saying they needed more money or they were going to sell the land. Mike decided to call their bluff and told them to go ahead and sell it, believing it would take a while as they were asking US/Canadian prices for land in Haiti, well out of reach for our ministry. Nathan said we just needed to buy it, because we had both a school and church there. Mike felt like it would not be a wise financial choice. He said if God wanted us in that area then He would provide a reasonable rent or property for sale. The crazy God part was about a mile away in an area outside of Gonaives, called Denonville, Nathan's Father had property, which Nathan was unaware of and which he had inherited from Nathan's Grandfather, who passed away two years ago, the property had originally been passed down from Nathan's Great Grandfather, and like Myan, Nathan's Grandfather wanted the land to be used for God's purpose's. Long story short, within a week Nathan's father heard about the situation and said we could have the property for free for the school and church to move too. So the above photos are the beginnings of a church and school being built. And it's being used for God's purposes. It's quite a large piece of property and a blessing to the church and school in Marotte, which will now be called Denonville.
Tomorrow morning or this morning (Saturday) depending on when you read this, Mike and Greg will be meeting with the Pastors to share with them and encourage them. They would appreciate your prayers. In the afternoon they will be attending a funeral and possibly preaching during it.
Another cool God story I want to share with you is, a man named Les shared with me at church, that during prayer he saw Mike protected in a sort of glass cloche while in Haiti. I talked with Mike today about trying to get to the bank in Gonaives, he said that there are huge steel barricades all over the roads and he could not drive to the market or bank, but obviously it would not be safe seen leaving the bank and walking a couple of miles home. He and Eric, a Haitian friend who works for us prayed and found back alleys and clear areas of sidewalks, which they drove on in order to get to the bank, Mike walked the last little bit to the bank and the security guard recognized him and walked out of the bank with Mike after his transaction until he could get back to the truck and Eric. Along the way Mike kept meeting Haitians that he knew, God totally had him and Eric in a glass cloche, or bubble as Mike put it.
On that note prayer covering is needed Saturday, as the police were going to move all of the steel barricades to help traffic because things have begun to settle down a bit politically. The only highway going north and south in the country goes through Gonaives. But a gang named La Boto said they would shoot anyone trying to remove the barricades. So the police announced on the radio that the La Boto gang was preventing them from clearing the streets and allowing traffic to move and commerce to happen.They then asked the community to show up and create a mass of people, showing the gang that they are out numbered. So there will be a huge potential for either peace or violence. Please pray for the people, police and the city of Gonaives. God is a God of Peace and He is ultimately in control. Again, thank you for your faithful prayers, they make a huge difference.
Blessings, Chris
I talked with Mike earlier, he and Greg are doing well. Today they visited our new/old school in Denonville. It's actually a pretty cool story. We had a school in the outskirts of Gonaives, in an area called Marotte. The circumstances were that we were renting and every time the relatives of the property owner, who does not live in the area, needed money they threatened to sell the property out from under us, usually in the middle of the school year, then they would settle if we paid the following year's rent ahead of time, which of course was higher each time. It came to the point where we didn't feel comfortable being paid any further out, and the cost of rent was no longer a fair price. Last year they came to us again saying they needed more money or they were going to sell the land. Mike decided to call their bluff and told them to go ahead and sell it, believing it would take a while as they were asking US/Canadian prices for land in Haiti, well out of reach for our ministry. Nathan said we just needed to buy it, because we had both a school and church there. Mike felt like it would not be a wise financial choice. He said if God wanted us in that area then He would provide a reasonable rent or property for sale. The crazy God part was about a mile away in an area outside of Gonaives, called Denonville, Nathan's Father had property, which Nathan was unaware of and which he had inherited from Nathan's Grandfather, who passed away two years ago, the property had originally been passed down from Nathan's Great Grandfather, and like Myan, Nathan's Grandfather wanted the land to be used for God's purpose's. Long story short, within a week Nathan's father heard about the situation and said we could have the property for free for the school and church to move too. So the above photos are the beginnings of a church and school being built. And it's being used for God's purposes. It's quite a large piece of property and a blessing to the church and school in Marotte, which will now be called Denonville.
Tomorrow morning or this morning (Saturday) depending on when you read this, Mike and Greg will be meeting with the Pastors to share with them and encourage them. They would appreciate your prayers. In the afternoon they will be attending a funeral and possibly preaching during it.
Another cool God story I want to share with you is, a man named Les shared with me at church, that during prayer he saw Mike protected in a sort of glass cloche while in Haiti. I talked with Mike today about trying to get to the bank in Gonaives, he said that there are huge steel barricades all over the roads and he could not drive to the market or bank, but obviously it would not be safe seen leaving the bank and walking a couple of miles home. He and Eric, a Haitian friend who works for us prayed and found back alleys and clear areas of sidewalks, which they drove on in order to get to the bank, Mike walked the last little bit to the bank and the security guard recognized him and walked out of the bank with Mike after his transaction until he could get back to the truck and Eric. Along the way Mike kept meeting Haitians that he knew, God totally had him and Eric in a glass cloche, or bubble as Mike put it.
On that note prayer covering is needed Saturday, as the police were going to move all of the steel barricades to help traffic because things have begun to settle down a bit politically. The only highway going north and south in the country goes through Gonaives. But a gang named La Boto said they would shoot anyone trying to remove the barricades. So the police announced on the radio that the La Boto gang was preventing them from clearing the streets and allowing traffic to move and commerce to happen.They then asked the community to show up and create a mass of people, showing the gang that they are out numbered. So there will be a huge potential for either peace or violence. Please pray for the people, police and the city of Gonaives. God is a God of Peace and He is ultimately in control. Again, thank you for your faithful prayers, they make a huge difference.
Blessings, Chris
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