Haitian Culture

A Heart for the Nations

I went with a team from the US one day to visit the children at the Regency Home. Dr. Jarvis, one of our faithful volunteers, brought them a jump rope, and the games began. It was hot, and many were inside, but they trickled out to see us. It was fun watching Alan, a member of the team who speaks French, converse with some of the kids, especially the older ones. The children learn French, English, and Spanish in school, but will be most fluent in French and Creole as there are many in their country [...]

2023-04-06T19:50:02-07:00April 8th, 2022|Categories: Ministry Outreach|Tags: , , , , , |
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Cultures Collide

One thing I am constantly learning is that Haitian culture is very relational. A sense of space or sequence is not the main thing, and that became evident on a recent flight to Haiti. Americans tend to board a plane in the order in which they are asked to board—Haitians board all at once, which takes much longer as those sitting in the front and bump into those heading toward the back. Once I got seated, I was fascinated by observing this process. As I watched, I noticed the Haitians had brought lots of carry-on luggage [...]

2023-04-06T19:51:21-07:00April 1st, 2022|Categories: Ministry Outreach|Tags: , |
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A Shared Calling

I have learned many things from ministry over the years, but one thing I come back to repeatedly is that the tasks to accomplish must never overshadow relationships with people. This applies even more so in Haitian culture. Haiti is a very relationally-driven society, so the interpersonal element is crucial for gospel ministry. Fortunately, on this trip I have been able to do both. Poyis came by at breakfast and told me that the Mercy Network pastors would arrive between 9:00–9:30am, and that Jimmy would translate for the morning’s meeting (Poyis wouldn’t be joining us). As [...]

2023-04-06T19:53:21-07:00March 18th, 2022|Categories: Ministry Outreach|Tags: , , |
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Pastor Testimony—Elberis Joseph

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” —Romans 8:31 Pastor Elberis Joseph Pastor Elberis Joseph was a young man when God took hold of His life. He had been living for himself previously, but from the moment he was saved, he had a powerful desire to serve the Lord and honor Him with his life. He began attending a church near where he lived, and continued faithfully in ministry there for many years. He served as a Sunday school teacher before deciding to leave [...]

2023-04-06T19:54:22-07:00March 11th, 2022|Categories: Testimonies|Tags: , , , , |
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Pastor Testimony—Louissiant Delice

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16 Pastor Louissiant Delice Pastor Louissiant Delice was raised in a Christian home, and he has been thankful for the legacy of a believing family his whole life. His parents taught him to love the Word of God, and from a young age, he has desired to serve God first above everything else. Pastor Delice was blessed to attend a Bible-teaching church, and as a young man, the leadership [...]

2023-04-06T19:59:48-07:00February 11th, 2022|Categories: Testimonies|Tags: , , , |
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A Morning Drive

I went with Poyis one morning to pick up a van which had been donated to Connect 2 Ministries. The dealership is located a short car ride from the compound, and it was a fascinating experience to travel through the suburbs of Port-au-Prince. If you have ever taken a car ride in a third-world country, you know there are really no traffic laws—no traffic lights, stop signs, speed limits, or right of way. The rule of the road is to drive offensively and watch out for other cars. Fortunately, because of all the cars on the [...]

2023-04-06T20:01:49-07:00February 4th, 2022|Categories: Ministry Outreach|Tags: , |
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God’s Work in His People

As an American, I often have questions about Haitian culture, and Poyis is always a great help when they come up. For example, he recently explained that in Haiti, people see pastors as having a role of authority. Many pastors are drawn to the role because they want to be in charge, and you see it when visiting some of the churches. The pastor sits up front, and there is a physical fence that separates the pulpit from the people. The pastor doesn’t go out and see the people, but if the people want something, then [...]

2023-04-07T08:28:55-07:00January 28th, 2022|Categories: Ministry Outreach|Tags: , , , |
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Protests & Peace

One morning in Haiti, Poyis texted and asked if I wanted to come with him to pick up a new van. I said yes, and he arrived at the compound about half an hour later. When he arrived, he told me there was protesting going on in various parts of the country, a demonstration was happening near where the car was, and he wasn’t sure if we would go. Maybe tomorrow. As the day progressed, I discovered that one of the protests in a different area had turned violent. I receive updates from the US [...]

2023-04-07T08:28:33-07:00January 21st, 2022|Categories: Ministry Outreach|Tags: , , |
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Pastor Testimony—Marc Jean Louis Maitre

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” —1 Corinthians 1:10 Pastor Marc Jean Louis Maitre Pastor Marc Jean Louis Maitre was raised in a Catholic family. Until recently, Catholicism didn’t permit people to read Scripture for themselves—so the family went to church regularly, but they didn’t have a Bible. In 1991, Pastor Louis Maitre’s family moved from Port-au-Prince to the countryside, because it [...]

2023-04-07T08:26:22-07:00January 14th, 2022|Categories: Testimonies|Tags: , , , |
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United by the Gospel

I’ve traveled to Haiti many times, but Haitian culture still makes an impression on me. On a typical Sunday, the church service starts at 6:30 AM with praying and singing, but people continue to arrive until after 7:00—some travel a long way and take public transportation (motorcycle or tap tap) to get here. Haiti is an extremely poor country, but everyone who attends church dresses up for the occasion. The ladies wear dresses and the men wear nice, collared shirts; some even wear ties. According to Poyis, Sunday is a big day for Haitian Christians; [...]

2023-04-07T08:27:04-07:00January 7th, 2022|Categories: Ministry Outreach|Tags: , , |
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