The above words from 2nd Chronicles 7:14, were the theme for both the Pastor's Conference and the Annual Grand Convention. For three days the following key words/phrases resounded in the ears of all the BEM Pastors,: My people, My Name, humble, Pray, seek my face, turn, I will hear, forgive sins and heal. Church members as well as approximately 9 million listeners for three days seven sermons were broadcasted via Radio Lumiere (the most popular Christian station in Haiti) and a local TV station Channel 6.
This trip was B.E.M.'s fifth mission trip to the impoverish island since the January 12 devastating earthquake. We quickly realized that the Haitian people are in need of the gospel as much as they need of food, the infrastructure, the wells, medical care and all of the other significant services that we provides in the time of need.
The resounding word at the Pastors conference was: RESTORATION. Pastors Huegel, Angerosa from Wallingford and Strosahl from Maine were at their highest point to bring a solid biblical teaching focused on churches, economics, community, as well as spiritual restoration. The pastors came from very far to attend the seminar, however at the end of the three days of spiritual renewal even though they were tired, these pastors were encouraged and ready to face the tasks ahead with much dedication to help with the restoration of their churches, communities, and the country of Haiti we love so very much.
One thing that I will not easily forget is when one of the Pastors fainted due to long travel and a lack of food. While one of the conference speakers was teaching, one of the Haitian nurses was hard at work trying to bring back this pastor. We thank God for the provision He has made through many of you who donate financially. We were able to feed the Pastors not just lunch but breakfast as well. We believe it prevents more of this sad occasion to happen again.
Seating in the third floor of the school while a gentle breeze blowing, you can see in the faces of the Pastors the joy for being there. They mentioned it over and over again by expressing their gratitude for such a Biblical centered teaching.
THE GRAND CONVENTION.
At the other hand, the Grand Convention is what we referred to as the spiritual highlight of the year. Just imagine thirty-five congregations coming together: they all sleep everywhere, from the school to other people's home and any other place in between, choirs with different uniforms, sometimes 10, 25, 50 or even 75 people, they were all singing the theme of restoration.
The Grand Convention started officially Thursday evening and as usual Pastor Huegel gave the powerful opening message that gave the delegates the red meat needed glorify the rest of the week. Among the speakers this year was a first timer, Pastor Christopher King of Waterbury, CT. He had the opportunity to preach at a 5:00 am prayer service with at least three hundred in attendance. The atmosphere that early in the morning with so many people singing joyously and intensely praying truly transported you in the presence of the Lord.
The services continued from 9:00 to 11:00am then 2:00pm youth services follow by a 6:00pm that conclude the night only to start it all over again the next morning at 5:00am. The same panel of teachers from the Pastors Conference was also preaching in the Grand Convention. All the messages were words of encouragements, exhortations, and proclamation. In one of our services, we received a call from a listener from Jamaica saying how glad he and his family was for the many blessings coming from the convention directly from Les Cayes, Haiti. There were many other calls from all over Haiti, expressing their gratitude for the work the Lord was doing during that week of spiritual uplifting in Haiti.
This year once again the convention song was another great source of spiritual uplifting. The music was wonderful and the entire event was a tremendous success. It is nearly impossible to know how many people came to the Lord, but we believe many were blessed.
Another addition we had this year was the use of the solar system. Brother Vincent Celino from the United Methodist Church of Meriden was the man for that part of our mission. He installed solar panels on the roof of the mission house; him along with pastor Bill had provided cardboard made solar cookers for some of our delegates to start using. This project has been a dream of Pastor Bill for a long time. His vision is to help with the problem of deterioration and deforestation to provide a solar cooker to each Haitian family as a way to use the sun instead of wood and save the trees of this beautiful island.
The Devil was in the details
After landing at JFK Airport, the devil was in the details. We get into our van, our driver slowed down for a pedestrian, the driver behind us rear-ended us, left me and my mother with pain in our back and neck. The next morning my wife had a doctor's appointment (she was using the same vehicle) and took our niece and nephew and all of a sudden one of the tires left the axle while she was driving at 50 miles per hour on I-691 near I-84, the tire fell of the side of I-84 bellow. Thanks be to God no one was in their way. Above all I thank God for sparing my wife's life and the children that were in the car that day.
With all that, I will still call on His Name with humbleness in prayer. I will still seek His face and continue to turn from my wicked ways so He can still hear my prayers from His throne in heaven forgive my sins and heal my land.
A special word of gratitude to you all who prayed for us and financially supported this trip. You helped us make a tremendous difference in serving these pastors who are serving the Lord in so many difficult moments in Haiti.
In the spirit of Restoration,
Pastor Lubin
