The Maceno Family 2 Levanjil Status 10/13/2012
Map of Haiti
Map of Surrounding Areas
Statistics Population:10 Million Area: 10,714 square miles), Slightly smaller than Maryland Natural resources: bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower Export: ¾ of apparel sector 1/10 of GDP Money: officially Gourde, but the market uses a virtual dollar (5 gourdes) = 12 cents (used to be $1USD) Ethnic Groups: 95% Black, 5% mulatto & white Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% Roughly half of the population practices voodoo Languages: French, Creole
The Plan Tonight Haiti and the Haitian Church Our partners in Haiti Accomplishments Tomorrow Discipling in Love Discipling in Faith Discipling in Hope
When you hear about Haiti, what comes to mind? Earthquake Voodoo Caribbean Island Duvalier or Papa Doc The Heat POVERTY
Haiti used to be in History Books Did you know that Haiti is the only contemporary black colony that fought for and won its independence from a major world power? Did you know that Haiti used to be called The Pearl of the Caribbean, the first exporter of coffee and sugar? Did you know that this is where Christopher Columbus landed in 1492? Did you know that this is the country where the famous John James Audobon, the namesake of the Audobon Society grew up in and was inspired by? 8 Levanjil Status 10/13/2012
What Haiti is not Haiti is not known for her spiritual decline as England. She has not been ravaged by communism like Russia and China She is not part of the 10/40 window region notwithstanding her great poverty, low quality of life, and lack of access to Christian resources. There is not a major religion or political system within Haiti that is overtly opposed to Christianity like India or Iran. 9 Levanjil Status 10/13/2012
Haiti is known to be very poor It is a country on life support It has been reported that there are over 10,000 foreign organizations working in different capacities within Haiti. \ Concurrently, remittance from Haitians abroad accounts for 20% of the GDP and more than twice the earnings from exports. The great majority of those travelling to Haiti pack in their suitcase food items, school supplies, toys, toothpaste, well pumps, etc. Everyone has their own agenda and solution for poverty. 10 Levanjil Status 10/13/2012
Only a few organizations, if any, Independence Organizations, Corruption, Entitlement, Poverty, Voodoo Care about long-term sustaining help. Understand the forces that are aligned against the economic independence of the Haitian people. Would invest in tools, equipment, and training. Trust in the power of the Gospel to transform lives. 11 Levanjil Status 10/13/2012
While these are noble mission efforts They fall short because they do not address the root cause of the problems in Haiti which is: A narrow definition and a limited application of the Gospel of Jesus-Christ. Consequently, They are a hindrance to the Haitian economic development. They have a very negative effect on the Haitian churches, families, and communities. 12 Levanjil Status 10/13/2012
If you were Paul, What would you write to the Haitian churches in Haiti? Would you write about the righteousness of God, sin, grace, the law, faith, justification, and election as Paul did to the Romans? Would you write about spiritual depravity, division in the church, marriage and divorce, spiritual gifts, the resurrection as Paul did in 1 Corinthians? What affection would you have for them? Would you be collecting money for them or from them? Would you write about the Gospel in the head, heart, and hands as he did to the Galatians?
The Spirituality of the Haitian Church The Gospel is seen as simply a ticket to Heaven. The Gospel or being Christian is like having a good luck charm against voodoo spirits. Another religion - Another form of superstition Another way to obtain the favor of God. Legalism Jesus is seen as the giver of a better life now, not for who He truly is. Haitians have also developed a sense of impotence and independence, and a lack of responsibility for their actions.
Levanjil is similar to reading the 1 st letter to the Corinthians or Galatians to the churches in Haiti We are addressing a wellidentified problem within the Haitians churches By opposing the common beliefs in the Haitian society which influence the churches With an emphasis on the functional centrality of the Gospel of Jesus- Christ Calling the Haitian Christians to live like Christians 15 Levanjil Status 10/13/2012
Levanjil is about discipiling the Haitian Churches We are partnering with MEBSH 489 Churches organized in 13 administrative regions and 56 pastoral districts 1 Theological Seminary 285 primary schools of more than of 50000 students 25 High Schools, 5 Professional Colleges, and 1 University 30 other institutions in the following sectors Health (Hospitals, clinics) Communication (Radio stations, TV, Publishing House) Education Community Development They hold two major annual events The General Assembly in December gathers about 600 pastors The Annual Convention in April gathers about 15000 people
Pastors Conference 2011 17 Levanjil 2015-02-08
Pastors Conference MEBSH/CMBH 2012
Marriage Conference August 2013 19 Levanjil 2015-02-08
Men s Conference / Caleb August 2013 20 Levanjil 2015-02-08
Women s Conference August 2013 21 Levanjil 2015-02-08
Goal setting / Planning - March 2014
Simeon s Trust 2014 Dear Pierre, Sherri and Teren, How are you doing? It was a privilege and a blessing for Regine and I to attend the Simeon's Trust. We thank you very much for giving us such a great opportunity. We learned a lot and we promise to put to good use what's been entrusted to us. I have met with Past Jean Admettre and I gave him a report. He is excited about the possibility of taking the classes online, he will share with Lusson also. I am sharing with everyone the lesson I have learned, even in my Economy class at school I shared last night with the teacher: text - application = legalism, text - context - application = intellectualism. I can't keep my mouth shut, I tell everyone we have to go to the cross. With much love, Marie Lucie
Three synergistic streams of change Leaders Train leaders on the functional centrality of the Gospel Families Train men and women on biblical manhood and womanhood Which will tackle the unhealthy family ecosystem within the Haitian families Communities Equip church communities through various training, with tools and equipment 24 Levanjil Status 10/13/2012
Making Disciple is a command 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. (Titus 2:2-8) A serious command from God A pattern to follow. Here is the where our missionaries seriously failed: There is a very low expectation from the people that they are serving. There is a very low expectation from the God that they are serving.
Discipling in Love (1 John 3:11-24, 4:7-10, 5:1-3) Reflecting God s love for us as our model of love toward others Loving sacrificially as Christ loves us Jesus gave His life for us. Jesus was abandoned by His Father for our sake Jesus suffered the shame for us. This is more than a hand-out. This is more than reaching-out. This is more than sending money anonymously and be detached from the people in need. This is laying down our lives to the point of losing it.
Discipling in Love (1 John 3:16-19) How do you love a Haitian brother or sister? By giving out of what you have (2 Cor. 8:12-15) By giving beyond reason (Mark 12:41-44) By doing everything you can to help them spiritually and physically. By seeking their good and not ours (Phi 2:1-5). By teaching and expecting them to do the same for others. They can and should give our of what they have. (2 Cor. 8:1-5) They can and also should give beyond reason. (2 Cor. 8:3) They can and should be doing everything they can to help. o Work with their hands o Exploit and utilize their local resources
Discipiling in Love God does not want men and women to be envious and steal. Let the thief no longer steal...(ephesians 4:28) God wants men and women to work with their hands and to provide for their own. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands...(ephesians 4:28) And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you (1 Thessalonians 4:11) God wants men and women to work so that they can give to others who are in need. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.(ephesians 4:28) There is more blessing in giving than in receiving. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts. 20:35)
Discipiling in Love But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.(1 Timothy 5.8) Isn t it more dignifying for a man to stand than begging for his bread? Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29) Isn t it good for a man to know what God has blessed him with? Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds (Proverbs 27:23) They need to eat the fruit of their labor. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) They need to be content with what they have. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)
The Total Christian Man Roadmap Work with your hands To provide for your family and To help others Stop asking and 31 Levanjil Status 10/13/2012
Tomorrow Discipiling in Love (1 John 3:11-24, 4:7-10, 5:1-3) Discipiling in Faith (1 Samuel 8, Habakkuk) Discipiling in Hope (1 John 3:1-3)
What does the Bible say about: Helping others and the poor? Christian living in a poor country? Those that Have and those that Have not?
Discipiling in Faith(1 Samuel 8) Believing that God is faithful to keep His promises Know God s promises to His people. Trust that God will keep His promises toward His people. Do not take matters into our own hands even when things do not look good. God is calling a people to himself. God is perfecting a people according to his Son. God will bless our obedience. Trust God to transform His people by His word.
Discipiling in Faith How do you disciple a Haitian brother or sister in faith? If you are called to sow the seed of the Gospel, do so in faith. If God puts in your heart to give a little, trust that He can multiply it. If God said that He will supply for all their needs, trust that He will do so according to the riches of his grace. If Jesus is God s gift to mankind, we must believe that He is sufficient for them. By teaching them to live by faith God is asking them to live by faith even if they are in abject poverty. God is calling them to believe even if a wave calls another wave (Psalm x); even if after the earthquake, comes a flood, after the flood comes Chikungunya (Habakkuk 3). By teaching them to be content in all circumstances (Phil. 4:11-13).
Discipiling in Hope What they will be is not yet manifested (1 John) Learn to see our brothers and sisters not just in their current earthly situation but in the light of eternity.
Prayerfully consider Mission as an individual, a family, and church In your areas of giftedness, In the context of your life right now. Mission, not only to preach the Gospel unto conversion but also unto sanctification (discipleship) with glorification in mind. A mission trip to Haiti.