The university at the United Christians International (UCI) site is quite beautiful and is a microcosm of university life any where in the world. A testament to how God is using JeanJean's and Kristie's ministry in Caïman, Haiti. The students attend classes, gather in groups to chat or study, eat, play, and relax. There are strict rules about male / female interactions. They are meant to stay separated unless they are in class or in a common area. This is to help the students comply with a no dating policy, that is based on Haitian culture and custom as well as helps students focus on studies which can often cost families a large percent of their income.
While walking the campus I had the opportunity to meet and talk with several students including "Middleson Peter". I am not sure that is how his name is actually spelled and I resisted asking him if he was actually the middle child. Middleson is studying agriculture and hopes to return to his home village of Heche when his education is complete so that he can start a farm on his family's land, teach his brothers what he has learned, and, of course, "be the boss".
I also met JeanJean's nephew, Fredenson, who is studying to become a pastor, as well as other students that were studying economics, biology, and chemistry. As I said, pretty much like any campus anywhere.
Once thing that struct me about JeanJean's and Kristie's ministry at UCI is the sense of community. There are no boundaries between them and everything that happens at UCI and in the surrounding village. It is not a "day job"; they are simply intertwined with and part of the community in Caïman.
Let me try to put that in context to ministry and mission in Port-au-Prince as well as short term missions trips. There are several medium and long term missionaries in Port-au-Prince that I have met. Some live in the hills above Port-au-Prince about 30 to 45 minutes by car from their primary mission site. They drive to the mission site in the morning, serve, and then drive home in the evening. This is by no means meant to imply they love those they serve less or their work is any less important or valuable. But, I do think that it means that they are not as tightly bound to the community in which they serve as they do not suffer along with those they serve when there are dangers in the night, food shortages, etc. I think this is an important distinction and I think this "returning to home" is a trait some medium and long term missionaries share with short term missionaries. They come to those they serve and then return to their place of safety. In contrast, JeanJean, Kristie, and their daughters (Tana and Kerri) are simply part of the community.
I take back my previous statement. To be brutally honest as I sit here and think about it, I do think JeanJean, Kristie, Tana, and Kerri are serving how God intended, "to become one with those you serve". To truly honor and understand the day to day, the night to night, the pain, the suffering, the shortages, the fear, the joys, the frustration, successes, and blessings.
God, thank you for JeanJean, Kristie, Tana, and Kerri. Please continue to guide them, care for them, protect them, and bless them so that they may continue to bless others. May they continue to shine the light of Christ in Caïman and beyond. Thank you and them for welcoming me to their home and returning me safely to mine. Amen.
