Join us in celebrating the incredible journey of our staff in Haiti! Discover how the Lead Like Jesus Level 2 Class is building a resolute community, transforming lives, and equipping leaders like Wana and Deliyon to be ‘burning coals’ for Christ—steadfast in their work and trust in God’s promises. Read their inspiring stories of faith in action, written by Mark Kauk.
M’ap travay pou Jezi. I am working for Jesus.
M’ap travay pou Jèzi nan vwayaj mwen,
M’ap travay nenpòt kòman mwen ye,
Pawòl li se lasirans mwen genyen,
nan travay la ma toujou rete
Click to Watch Maliaret Staff Singing at our Lead Like Jesus Graduation for Level 2 Class.
I am working for Jesus on my journey,
I am working no matter how I am,
His word is my assurance,
in the work I will always remain.
This song reflects the determination of the staff of the First Thousand Day program to continue on despite the challenges they face each day. Our recent Celebrations of Learning for Lead Like Jesus classes were highlighted by singing and testimony to this journey.
One of the benefits of these classes that are held weekly over 5 months is the COMMUNITY that is reinforced as all learn together regardless of position or responsibility, whether they can read or write, or what stage of their journey with Jesus they are on. We see from the song that they are steadfast in their work, trusting in God’s promises from his Word no matter what may come. This is the faith walk we see each day!
people working together in groups at the Jean Boule class
We are excited that nearly 100 of our staff have completed the Level 2 Class now which emphasizes their role as leaders in helping those they work with move from a capacity of novice to apprentice to independent worker to master teacher in some area of competence.
Pictured Above: 3 classes that graduated. Mè Bèl Mè, Jean Boule, and Maliaret.
An analogy that resonates in the lessons with the students is one that is familiar to them in everyday life as they cook their meals. When one piece of charcoal representing themselves is on fire for Christ and faithfully leading like Jesus, the other pieces of charcoal in the pile will gradually experience the influence of that one individual until the whole pile is on fire! Each person in the class has an opportunity to be that burning coal to influence the thinking, behavior, and development of one or more people around them!
Pictured Above: A charcoal pile and a single piece of charcoal.
Wana Benoit is one of these people whose contagious spirit influences those around her. She is a cook at our Mè Bèl Mè center who recently went through the Lead Like Jesus Level 2 Class. She is passionate about sharing her faith as displayed in this video below. We learned recently that before she worked for Many Hands she was not a Christian. However the Lord was working in her heart, where she prayed that if God would somehow give her a job, she would become a Christian. In God’s timing, Many Hands hired her as one of 3 cooks to serve the mamas and babies!
Wana Benoit praising God and encouraging others to accept the Lord
Action plans to practice leadership skills have now been planned to engage family members, neighbors, workers at Many Hands, and people in their church and community.
In Jean Boule, we have the unique opportunity of 2 generations working together. Solanie, a widowed mother, supports the staff with cleaning at the center, and Ginsly, her son, is the security guard for the center. Both have action plans to teach the youth in their community how to plant seeds and grow cabbage, spinach, peppers, and okra in a garden. Both have the competence to pass onto a 3rd generation what they know.
Pictured Above: Solanie (left front) and Ginsly (right front) in the three wheeler returning with other staff to their homes
Deliyon, one of our nurses at the Mè Bèl Mè center and Maliaret center, decided as his action plan to share his competence of hygiene care for Typhoid fever with six different families in his neighborhood. They were grateful to implement strategies to prevent, recognize, and get medical help for Typhoid fever. Shown below is Deiiyon on the right with a 3 generation family.
Pictured Above: Deliyon and one of his neighboring families
For these most recent classes, we have been blessed with two very capable teachers, Micul Pierre, the director of the School of Light and Jocethène Decius, our 6th grade teacher. Their experience and passion for teaching the material has been joy to see in action. Together, they have taught many level 1 and level 2 leadership classes.
Pictured Above: Micul and Jocethène
Finally, our beloved Evenie and Betris are great examples of servant leadership as they prepared a delicious meal each day as part of each of the three Celebrations of Learning.
Each staff member also brought a guest to share in the accomplishments of that day.
Pictured Above: Evenie and Betris
As we teach people how to Lead Like Jesus, a COMMUNITY forms that is resolute in singing: M’ap travay pou Jezi nan vwayaj mwen.
I am working for Jesus on my journey,
I am working no matter how I am,
His word is my assurance,
in the work I will always remain.
