Meet Bénél (Part II)

Upon hearing Bénél's story, the team was deeply moved.  Greg Shepherd (founder of RTS Missions) asked Pastor Eric, very specifically, to watch closely over Bénél.  He made sure that Pastor Eric had money to get a uniform and school supplies for Bénél.  He asked if the team could possibly meet this special young man's family.   A few fifty pound bags of rice were purchased and, on Thursday after VBS, we set out to Bénél's house.

Bénél was able to ride in the van with the mission team, and he seemed to be bursting with pride.   Despite the language barrier at times, he could feel our love for him and he seemed excited to show us where he lived.  The ride was, easily, a couple of miles; he walks it to school every day.  We turned off the paved road and began to drive down a rocky path.  It came to an end and we emerged from the van in one of the most picturesque valleys I've seen.  A small trail led around a little hill and we came upon Bénél's home...

Even by Haiti's norms, this house was quite primitive.  Sticks were woven together to create walls and the roof was made of thatched branches.   It didn't go unnoticed, though, that it was immaculately maintained.  The ground around it was freshly swept and tidy,  clean laundry was hung in a separate cleaning area, and  banana trees seemed to have been strategically planted to help shelter the hut from the elements.  Bénél's family didn't have much, but they clearly took pride in their little home.  His parents stood, smiling, outside the front door, eager to greet us and offer their hospitality.  They didn't seem shocked or offended that 12 Americans showed up that day.  They smiled as Pastor Greg spoke to them through a translator.

"We see how well you have raised your son," he said.  Bénél's mother smiled with tears in her eyes and pointed up to heaven.  She was giving God the glory for her son's exceptional character.  After some time outside, they invited us into their home to pray.   We humbly entered the 150 square foot (max) home (which houses a family of seven).  Our time of prayer was intimate and can't adequately be described in words.  Needless to say, many tears were shed.  As strange as it may seem, the tears didn't seem to fall out of sadness for their poverty... the tears were acknowledging how truly rich this family is in the LORD. 

We left them with the large bags of rice and some treats for Bénél's younger siblings.  They smiled, hugged us and waved as we left.  It was later noted by Pastor Eric that Bénél's family had been without food for quite some time.  It was also conveyed to us that they would not keep this desperately needed sustenance for themselves; they would share with the other needy families who lived in their area.  

On the last day of VBS, parents came to meet us and watch a variety show that the children had prepared.   Bénél's parents attended - dressed in their very best clothes, smiling with (what I believe was) a combination of joy, humility and gratitude.  I think they know what we know: Bénél has the potential to do great and mighty things for the Kingdom.   

Please join us in praying for Bénél and his family.

Meet Bénél (Part I)

Our most recent trip to Haiti was spent at Pastor Eric's Church, holding a Vacation Bible School for about 70 children.  The kids were so excited to learn about the Fruit of the Spirit (our VBS theme for the week).  They were also thrilled to play games, make crafts and receive some special treats.   The mission team was touched by each and every one of the precious children.  But one young man stood out.

Bénél is a 15-year-old boy who, at first glance, appears to be the same as all the other teen boys attending school at Sanctify Baptist Church.  But as we watched his eyes light up when he listened to the Bible stories, as we observed him showing compassion toward the younger children (when the other big boys would bully them) and as we listened to him eagerly recite the Fruit of the Spirit from memory - - we knew he was different.  Special.


When asked for more information about this cheerful and bright young man, Pastor Eric told us a story we would have never expected.  Bénél's family has virtually nothing.  He has four younger siblings and his parents simply could not feed them all.  In an attempt to offer him a better life, they sent him to Port au Prince to live as a "restavek." In Haiti, it is acceptable for parents to send children to live with distant relatives in urban areas, with the promise of food, shelter and possibly and education in exchange for housework.  The reality is that most restavek situations amount to child slavery - many children are severely abused (click here to learn more about the plight of restaveks).  This concept is foreign and quite troubling to us here in the US; we could never imagine a young child being forced to wash laundry by hand, cook meals over a hot fire or walk miles to fetch water and food.  But it is the harsh reality for many Haitian children and one that Bénél experienced firsthand.


After a while, Bénél's parents learned that his host family was mistreating him, so they brought him home.  This was an act of faith on their part, because they simply did not have the resources to provide for all of their children.  His mother made a plea to Pastor Eric, "Please allow my son to attend your school and receive and education."  His parents could not afford to pay for a uniform or for tuition (required by most schools in Haiti) but Pastor Eric's heart is for the the poorest of the poor in his village, and he allowed Bénél to attend.


So this is how we came to meet Bénél.  But the story does not end here...