all just people and "Of the Mangoes"

There might be a LOT of cultural differences here in Haiti, but grading assignments this past week, I was reminded that we are ALL just people with the same struggles and desires. In the words of my students, in the seminary and on Saturday's in Sakanville...

"My life plan is the future of my children. I do not like that my four children are motherless, by the earthquake. I want that they become useful children, and my only life plan ins the well being of my four children. I working hard especially for them cause I don't want them to reproach me as father. I want not my children to become wreck persons."

"I want a beautiful woman who I love her and her love me so much. I want to have three children, god children who respect everybody, without me having to talk to them about that."

"I do not want to die before my children are old."

"I would dislike many children because I am afraid of childbirth and life is really difficult. I would like so much to have work every day. I would like to have a family exemplary and live in peace."

"I do not want to become a prostitute girl to take care my children. I don't want to become a girl thief to take care my children. I want to become a girl of God."

"I want Haiti to have a swimming pool for swim, and I don't want to misuse nobody, because I think everyone in the world is like a cousin, and I want to go to heaven one day to see my father."

"It is my dream to take care of my family every day. EVERY day. This year, I ask God to give me the possibility to help some homeless children."

"I want to work so hard this year to win some money so next year my son can go to the school."

"I don't want to go to hell, and I don't want to have too many children. I don't want to be a bad father."

"I dislike floods, because each flood we have, many people die."

"I would like to live in a country where there is a state of right. Unfortunately, our leaders have no vision, and they have harden their heart for not being sensitive to the suffering of the people. I don't want rulers to not hear peoples cry."

"I don't want to be slave of nobody, and I want to be a music man."

"I dislike religion and church but I like God."

"I am sorry, because I married too early."

"I would like going to heaven because the world is not my home. I dislike sin because God hate sin so, when I sin, I have punishment."

On another note, there is a village called "Of the Mangoes" that we continue to hear about as a place where their are no churches, no Christians, and many who have not heard the Word of God. It is about an hour from here, and the guys have been anxious to get there and make Him known. "Why not this weekend?" someone finally said.

So, tomorrow morning, Matt, Belony, and any students that want to go, are heading to "Of the Mangoes" and going throughout the village until every home has heard the saving and transforming message of Jesus Christ. PLEASE be praying for them, as this area has a very dark reputation...pray for their boldness, that Christ would go before Him, and that this beautiful message would fall on hearts He's been preparing for harvest!