HIS NAME IN HAITI: day three
Thank each of you for your notes! It was such a joy to return from day one of the conference this afternoon and read those. We told the Haitian ladies that you were praying for them this week, and your prayers have deeply blessed us and the women we met today.
The beginning of the conference was both overwhelming and amazing. To compress the past ten hours is almost impossible, because we are still processing all that has happened. The Spirit moved today in a powerful way, and we are humbled and incredibly grateful for it.
As we walked into the open air sanctuary this morning, it was our privilege to hug the beautiful women dressed in their Sunday best. Outside the sanctuary were palm trees and mountains and people singing below. Inside were pink and white balloons and two giant fans working hard to cool almost two hundred ladies and a host of translators.
When Diane began speaking, the connection between her and these ladies was immediate and clearly inspired by God. Through the translation of Madam Jeune, Diane thanked the ladies for pouring their lives out for so many. And she explained that it was our turn to pour into them.
(Ann and the women)
“You and I are an essential part of God’s kingdom,” Diane told them. “God calls each of us by name.”
(Jodi and the women)
Amens resounded around the room as she began to encourage them through the story of God meeting Moses at the burning bush. Each lady received a packet of the names of God as Diane spoke, each Bible verse written in both French and Creole. Then they all received one name—a name that has been prayed over for months. A name we hoped would speak specifically to them.
The ladies began to share the names of God they received along with their stories.
A lady with diabetes received the name Physician.
The lady who received Child lost her children during the earthquake.
Almighty was given to the woman whose son had been kidnapped, held for ransom, and then returned six days later to the glory of God.
A lady who had a dream about the Prince of Peace before the conference received a card with that name.
God With Us was given to a woman whose twelve children had been rescued from the earthquake.
A young woman, heartbroken that her three-year-old daughter is not yet talking, received The God Who Sees Me.
And the stories about the Lord’s names continued as we broke into small groups and shared together.
Jenna Silva spoke to the ladies next about El Roi—The God Who Sees Me. She shared her story of growing up as the daughter of a pastor, of her rebellion and then of her reconciliation with God and her family. The ladies were overwhelmed with emotion. Perhaps some of them have children who have walked away from God. Others may even be drifting away from God themselves. We may never know all of these ladies’ stories, but Jenna’s words met them in a deep place that crossed cultural boundaries and spoke to the heart of their struggles and joys and the desire for their families to know God.
(Diane and Jenna)
We have many more stories to share in the days and even weeks to come. Please don’t stop praying for us and our new Haitian friends. We desperately need the Spirit to carry us through this week.
(Beth holding a baby at the conference)
Diane’s father inspired her to go on this incredible journey to Haiti. We miss having you with us, Jack, but you are part of the team in our hearts. Blessings to you.
With Joy,
Melanie
P.S. Kelle Belle—Your sweet mama gives a shout out back to you. She loves you and misses you.
P.P.S. So far there have been no spider sightings in Carrefour. Don’t tell Diane, but Ann M. has a little surprise, just for her.
Hi All, and Annie M, The pictures tell the whole story, smiles, grace, a keen focused listening ear, what a spirit filled environment, I am further driven into prayer for you all, love you Annie, Doug Doug
Prayers from IL for Jodi Stilp from the Pittman Clan. What an amazing adventure you’re all on- how awesome to hear of the names received by the women. The Lord of Glory, the God of Peace, and Our Savior King are so proud of the work you’re doing. Praying for your kiddos while the CEO is serving in Haiti. Praying for your hubby- filling a big role. Praying for your brain to capture it all and share in terrific blog entries to come! Love and miss you. Thanks for sharing the updates!
Resa
The day 2 post made me cry. Wish I could see the delight in the eyes of the Haitian women as they receive the beautiful gifts and clothes you’ve all prepared, and hear your anointed words as you speak for Jesus. Oh, thank you Lord, for those who have already been touched by the names of God, the speakers and the physical touch from the Solid Rock women.
Hugs and kisses to Jodi “Pea Sweet” Stilp and Mel, who are particularly in my prayers these days.
The day 2 post made me cry. Wish I could see the delight in the eyes of the Haitian women as they receive the beautiful gifts and clothes you’ve all prepared, and hear your anointed words as you speak for Jesus. Oh, thank you Lord, for those who have already been touched by the names of God, the speakers and the physical touch from the Solid Rock women. Hugs and kisses to Jodi “Pea Sweet” Stilp and Mel, who are particularly in my prayers these days.
Hi Jodi Stilp!
We are praying for you and your team in Haiti!
We are SO excited at what The Lord is doing and will continue to do through your willingness to serve Him. Sarah has called us daily and reports that the kids are doing awesome! Alli is especially doing well and we are both praying for her specifically every day. Sarah has even more respect and admiration for you and all that you do in a day Jodi! We told Sarah to tell everyone at your house that they are all part of “The Haiti Team”! Blessings & Hugs to you Jodi!
Jodi we love and miss you! We are praying for you! All the kids are doing great and we are all sending you our love. So fun to see you in a picture!
Love,
Curt, Grant, Katie, Alli, Paige and Sarah
Thanks for blogging and letting us see pictures of what God is doing through you. The blog makes it so fun to pray and feel like we are part of it with you from home. I’m so excited about how God is answering prayers!!!
P.S. I thought you said you ladies wouldn’t be able to do your hair and wear make-up. You all look beautiful to me!
I’m SO proud of you Mom! You are an inspiration to me and it is so amazing to watch you answer God’s call and see what He has in store. I’m also proud of you for going to a place with bugs and less then clean showers… the inner girly girl in me is praying for you.
Love you tons and can’t wait to walk when you get back! Duke loves all the pictures of his “Amma” and prays for you at breakfast every morning.
Praying for all of you!! LOVE the pictures and stories on the blog. Great job Melanie! It is obvious that God is already at work!! Zebby, I love the photo of you ministering to the women…you are in my prayers. And Diane, thank you for answering the call to GO and to take these awesome women with you! I wake up praying for all of you and KNOW that God is using every one of you to touch, encourage and love on these precious women of God! By the way, you all look great! Can’t wait to see if there are still pictures posted by the end of your stay there, hahaha! Be encouraged and know that there is a TEAM of people praying for you back home! Love you all!!
Mel thank you for writing so beautifully about your amazing two days and sharing with all of us! Love to you Mel!
To my dear friend Jodi,
It is amazing to see your face there! Praying for you and your family BY NAME everyday.
I love you,
Kelly
Liz, my dear, lifting you up as you lead the little children to the feet of our Heavenly Father. May they see His love in your open arms!!!
Tears are flooding to my eyes as I read story after story about how the names of God are touching these women’s lives, how the Spirit moves here and there at the same time. We are praying for each of you constantly with great joy. I am so excited to hear story after story from every women, to read blogs and to see each and everyone of your lives changed because of the time you are having. Thank you all for answering the call to GO.
Amanda, Penny and Ann, I love you each so so much and miss you more each day. Penny sitting next to an empty chair is not the same as having you by my side. Amanda I know the lord is using you up there and while I swear I saw you at Seven tonight I know that you are exactly right where you are supposed to be. Miss Ann, I bet you are being a mentor to every single women on the trip and that your wisdom is just pouring out!
I have loved seeing the photos from the trip so far—both here on the blog, and on Forward Edge’s Facebook page! I have been praying for you all the last couple days, and especially that the Lord would guide the translators in expressing the message he is sending through you to deeply impact the women you are ministering to. That the message would transcend language barriers.
P.S. Allie: Love you, and miss you already a ton!
Mom or Mary Kay,
I must get going but just wanted to say I love you very much.
I love you very much and I am praying for you while you are in Haiti. I hope you fall in love with the country and know why I always want to go back. It’s the smiles on their faces, looks in their eyes and their love of Jesus. I hope you got the dresses I snuck into your red bag. I talked to Jeff and said you are a wonderful woman and I agree. I told Chris to say hi to you and he said he knew who you are
Ps- Dad, Me, and all 3 dogs are doing great!
Praying and thinking about all of you yesterday. We woke up early and the first thing we did was open up the day 2 blog. What a blessing we received. I wish we could have sat in on your evening share time. Melanie, thanks for describing the teams experience so beautifully.
just seeing the looks on the faces of the women you all are ministering to tells me there is a Mighty work in progress. God is good all the time and it is such a blessing to see His goodness being received with such joy!
Reading the daily updates from your trip have been the highlight of my day! You are all being prayed for, and it’s amazing to see these prayers come to fruition before our very eyes. Please tell my lovely wife that she is missed dearly, and she is in my thoughts and prayers constantly.
Praying for the team every single day! It is so exciting to see pictures and read the updates. Jenna Silva…… We know that you were used in a mighty way as you spoke truth to those precious women. We are SO PROUD of you and wish we could have been there to listen too. Also, just in case you didn’t get Grace’s e-mail yet, you are going to be an auntie to a beautiful baby GIRL!!!
Cant wait to hear your voice and scream together in excitement when you get back to the states! We love you so so so much! Xxxxooxox
So jealous that you are holding those beautiful babies, Mom! (Beth Viducich) We are praying for you throughout the days! Laura, Mary and I miss you like crazy and have called each other a bunch of times complaining (kinda, not really, kinda) that you’re gone when we need to talk with you.
You are loved!