In November 1990, as a single missionary nurse in Haiti, I (Judy) wrote: “They must have thought I was crazy as they stared at me through the pouring rain from the shelter of their porches. There I was… sliding at an angle down the road in the thick, black mud on a 4-wheel ATV; totally soaked; grinning from ear-to-ear; singing praise songs; and pausing every so often to ask, Is this the road to Foison? With a wonderful sense of exhilaration, I was embarking on one of my community health adventures—visiting a rural clinic run by the wife of a Haitian pastor.”
That night in Foison I had a simple supper of bread and hot tea with the pastor and his family. I remember taking a bite of the bread and looking with surprise at the wriggling legs of a June bug embedded in the piece still in my hand. I pulled it free and flicked it off the table before my hosts could see it. I spent the night in a dark, windowless room behind the clinic—with a bucket of water to wash with and an empty bucket for “other needs”.
The next day I helped the pastor’s wife in the clinic. It was encouraging to see their dedication and willingness to serve and raise their family in such a rural area. The youngest member of the family at that time must have been Stanley, less than a year old. Stanley was the future—only I didn’t know it at the time.
My next newsletter from Haiti was written in January 1991. In it I announced my engagement to a fellow missionary, Bob Kay. (Maybe that’s why I was in such a good mood in November!) This May, Bob and I celebrate our 21st anniversary. Although we have since changed countries and cultures, we still have opportunities to minister to Haitians in Santiago, especially students who come here to attend university. Bob preaches in Creole once or twice a month at a Haitian worship service. Normally, there are more than 100 people attending the service.
A few years ago Bob worked to help train the Haitian leaders of this service. However, when those leaders moved on after finishing their studies, it seemed that those who remained were not interested in receiving training. Then Stanley showed up. He came to study industrial engineering. His dad told him to call Bob as soon as he arrived in Santiago. Since that first phone call, Bob and Stanley have met weekly to study the Bible. Each time Bob returns from their meetings, he is encouraged by Stanley’s heart for God and intelligent questions.
So the future is here. Stanley’s presence has been a catalyst for continued involvement in the Haitian ministry. At the same time we continue to help our local Dominican pastors train leaders for their churches. Our hope is that we can ignite in them an increasing desire and ability to express their faith in love.
Thank you for your prayers.
