March 2011
The unfolding aftermath of the tragic events in Japan have captured the world’s attention, it seems unimaginable that a nation can recover from such a catastrophe. But where the presence of the Lord is, there is always a reason to rejoice and be glad. Already, we are receiving wonderful stories of hope and of God’s mercy and grace to his people.
First and foremost, we are rejoicing and giving thanks that everyone within the congregations of all 42 of our Foursquare churches, as well as all of our missionaries serving those churches, were unharmed.
Renee Williams, FMI Missionary in Hirosaki City, is thanking God for protecting the children in her church against being traumatized by the earthquake. Renee, who always completes scripture lessons and crafts for the children several weeks in advance, had no idea just how appropriate and pertinent the lessons she pre-planned weeks before the earthquake would be. The scripture she had planned for the children to learn the Sunday after the quake was, “The children of Zion will not be shaken” (Psalm 125:1). The following week, the scripture was, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Psalm 56:3). Through God’s prompting, Renee was able to impart God’s comfort to the children through His word by giving them just what they needed to hear at that time! The church became a safe haven for many of the children and their families, who found peace in gathering together for meals, prayer and intercession. Renee was also touched to hear that one of the youth in her church slept with his Bible pressed to his chest all night.
Our missionaries have shared that the Japanese people, most of whom are not Christians, (Christians make up only .5% of the population), are experiencing fear and hopelessness like never before in their history. Renee is praying that “the spiritual ground will be broken up and softened just as the physical ground has been broken up.” It is her hope and belief that as the Japanese people witness the Christians at peace in the midst of this difficult time, she will have many opportunities to share the love and peace found through Jesus Christ.
July 2010
It was an incredible blessing for the Grace Covenant and Lakeshore team to serve the Foursquare Church in Haiti. We came with a heart to strengthen the hands of the church leaders. The prior team from the Northeast had just finished places trusses on Pastor Rossenell’s church, but didn’t have time to finish the roof. To our pleasant surprise, we had the opportunity to finish his roof which will now allow Pastor Rossenell to once again offer Bible studies in his home. Being the only home with a new roof in his community, one of the neighbor’s walked by and said, “God surely does bless those who bless Him.” Another neighbor came by a bit stirred with jealousy for he wanted a roof as well. We could watch his heart towards Pastor Rossenell soften as we shared that this roof was a product of the US Foursquare church supporting a Haitian Foursquare church and that when you are part of a church family you help one another and that he too could experience God’s love as expressed through family by coming to church with Pastor Rossenell.
The project that gave us great joy, was building bunk beds for the children’s home being launched by Pastor Ballende. As we were completing the beds, we wrote scriptures on all the mattress platforms and our hearts were bursting with the vision of these children growing up to love, know and serve God. Their Heavenly Father is preparing a wonderful refuge for these little lambs and an amazing life awaits them. To see all the beds made with mosquito nets tented over them, was a visual reminder that the Lord is covering His people in Haiti with His grace and even though times are still challenging, they are in the shelter of His love.
As we delivered hygiene kits to those living in a tent city, weariness was evident in the eyes of the people. But as we would pray for them and encourage them with the Word of God, we could see life and hope reviving within them. We were freshly reminded that the recovery and rebuilding of this nation will be a multi-year season and that concerted prayer needs to be an abiding foundation upholding all throughout this lengthy process.
We realized that the nation of Haiti, logistically and politically the nation is moving forward slowing while the rebuilding of The Church is moving forward at a solid pace. Physically debris and devastation still paint the landscape of the land, but The Church, the Body of Christ continues to grow as a beacon of hope.
Michelle Hoverson
Associate Pastor of Missions & Outreach
Grace Covenant Church
Cornelius, NC
May 2010
On May 6th and 7th pastors and leaders from the eight Foursquare Haitian churches gathered together for a time of worship and celebration in Haiti. Several leaders from Foursquare Missions International were also in attendance including, Jonathan Hall, FMI Director, Dan Lucero, Regional Rep for the Francophone Nations,and Dave Stone, Regional Rep for the Carribean. Members from the Rock Church in Anaheim came to worship alongside the Haitian church members.
The celebration lasted two days and culminated with a worship service on Saturday night for the community! More than 50 leaders attended the 2 day celebration and more than 200 joined together for the Saturday night celebration!
One of the highlights of the event was a gift of 8 new motorcycles, one for each of the 8 Foursquare senior pastors in Haiti. The gift was given from the Lighthouse Church in Newbury Park, California and was a great blessings and surprise to the pastors when they were presented on Friday afternoon! Transportation is difficult in Haiti and the gift of these motorcycles will enable these pastors to more easily go and visit those that they are ministering to in their communities.
It was a fantastic time of joy and celebration as everyone came together with thankful hearts and much joy and hope for the future of the Foursquare Church in Haiti.