Gary Moen

We have been working on a construction project of providing a bathroom for a community Haitian church, which has been an experience of learning to communicate with the local Haitian workers through interpreters and much pointing with thumbs up and smiles. Doing a project the “Haitian” way with at times minimal tools can be challenging but at the same time rewarding to connect in a common cause to provide proper bathroom facilities to a community in great need. 

There was additional time to visit two community residences near the church. Three of us and an interpreter first went to visit Florence. We asked questions and discussed life here in this community. As  we were holding hands and praying, I held her hand tight…. She held my hand tighter ... .God is in this moment! 

Florence told us we needed to visit Suzanne's home nearby. Suzanne shared with us her family members and her situation here. Suzanne had not heard from her husband for the past 30 days and had no idea if he was dead, alive, or in jail. Suzanne told us she had a hard time sleeping and eating, feeling very down. At the end of our time we each prayed for her needs and especially her husband's safety and for Suzanne to get information of what his current situation is. As the interpreter finished praying Suzanne's daughter came from inside the house to scream “IT'S DAD!” on the phone. Suzanne raised her hands and shouted PRAISE GOD, neighbors came from all sides. God was in this moment…..Praise God! My sweating face from a hard day's work soon turned to joyful tears!