We had an amazing visit with Pastor Duval here in Pennsylvania- the first of MANY I hope. He arrived on Monday March 7th and left yesterday- March 15th to return to Miami (and then he will head back to Haiti on March 20th). During his time here we did some typical "tourist" attractions (Hershey Chocolate World, visiting Middle Creek Wildlife refuge where the snow geese congregate as they migrate from south to north, driving around Lancaser County to see the Amish, etc..). We also had some fun meeting some of the people who have supported the ministry so far. We had dinner with some of them, lunch with others, we attended a Haitian church service near our home and we went to a Christian concert at a local church. Pastor Duval went to work many days with my husband Ron and had fun learning to run the skid loader we have for Ron's business, cut trees with the chain saw, etc...
There was a translator who went with Ron to meet Pastor Duval at the airport when he arrived in Pennsylvania and that same man also helped translate for a pastor luncheon during the week. He is a missionary who lived for 17 years in Haiti so his knowledge of the culture and language are amazing. We also had another translator for dinner Saturday evening with some friends and then the same man (and his wife/daughter) all day Sunday- translating for church, lunch and again for the presentation. He is Haitian and moved to America about 9 years ago. His English is very very good and his personality was a perfect match for us- he was very fun and made everyone feel very comfortable. We couldn't believe how God picked the perfect translators for us to use when we needed them. Both were "found" through people we know but we never met either until we used them to translate- a real step of faith and God did not let us down (He never does!) since both were perfect for the role we needed them to fill. Hooray!
The language difference at home was a challenge at times, but overall it was no problem. We felt all your prayers as we laughed, used google translator and tried to communicate with lots of patience and gestures. It was like one giant week of charades! Hahahahaha But we were blessed that we really felt we understood what he was trying to let us know and that he understood us as well. Our last night was spent crying and praying- in English and Creole and French... it was a beautiful time and we were all blessed and though we didn't understand every word each other way praying, God knew and there's something so beautiful in that!
Sunday we had a presentation at my church to talk about the ministry in Chaveneau, about our partnership and to let people know how they can come alongside this ministry. Many were interested and lots of wonderful questions were posed to both Pastor Duval and myself. We pray that this will be the first of many chances to present the ministry to people and we pray that God will work in their lives and make it clear to those who are meant to partner with us. We hope many will be prompted to become prayer partners with our ministry to Chaveneau and maybe some will even decide to partner with us financially and/or come on a trip to Chaveneau or Carrefour this summer. It is such a blessing to serve talk to people about the work God is doing in Haiti (especially through Pastor Duval's ministry) and then see others become excited too.
We took lots of photos during the week so we can show his family when I go back to Haiti March 25th but I only posted a few of them here. Thank you so much for your prayers for this visit and we ask that you pray for the group coming to Haiti on March 27th and also for Pastor Duval as he returns on the 20th. God bless you for caring about this ministry! :-) -Crystal Funk
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