Spreading the GOSPEL in Haiti When serving in Haiti, our mission team works with Haiti Mission, Inc. (HMI), which By Nancy Greenhaw provides many material needs to those living in Haiti. COUNTRY COORDINATOR through, they stacked hands, and he for HAITI ST. JOSEPH & PRISON MINISTRY Lloyd’s first talk was on the feast of St. had them repeat the prayer to invite Joseph. Lloyd gave an amazing talk Jesus into their hearts and change their Lloyd and Nancy Greenhaw lives. It was extremely powerful! minister in the United States, about the Great Patriarch, Beloved Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Spouse, Terror of Demons, and model I, with my team of women, spoke to the Ethiopia, and several other for his manhood. An interesting point women prisoners. They have a cell and countries in Africa. They con- I had never considered before was how a small covered courtyard. As I spoke, duct missions, conferences, and St. Joseph shows us to forgive. Lloyd said they saw we were not there to waste their retreats for adults and youth. St. Joseph found out Mary was pregnant time, but to speak to them about the They also are involved in prison before the angel appeared to him in a love of God and who they are in Christ. ministry and work with the dream—and he decided to divorce her I quoted Jeremiah 29:11, homeless. quietly rather than expose her to the “For I know well the plans I have for you, Nancy and Lloyd live in Texas Law. Lloyd said most men would have plans for your welfare not for woe, plans and have two daughters, four- felt rejected, betrayed, and revengeful to give you a future full of hope.” teen grandchildren, and eleven for such humiliation, but St. Joseph was great-grandchildren. a godly man who did not want to hurt I told them that they exist because God Mary. He was more concerned for her loves them and that their worth is not than himself. He exemplified forgiving defined by the person who hurt them others rather than seeking revenge. Fr. the most. Joe later said it was the best talk on St. I quoted the priest who wrote the book Joseph that he had ever heard! about St. Therese, who said that at the THANK YOU, JESUS! foot of the cross, we are equal. I talked about how the Canaanite woman is The next morning, we ministered at denied by Jesus three times and is even the prison in Jeremy. The prisoners are called a dog, but in the end, He cures not allowed to come out of their over- her daughter and says to her, “O woman crowded cells, and it is hot. There are great is your faith, be it done to you as about thirty or forty men in each small you will.” We prayed briefly over them, cell. Lloyd gave his testimony and told and then the guards came and got us, the story of the two thieves on either because it was time to eat. side of Jesus at his crucifixion. One ridi- culed Jesus and the other asked Jesus HMI has a prison party, where they to remember him when He came into hand out a cold drink; a hot meal of his kingdom. Jesus replied, “This very chicken, rice, and vegetables; a Slim day you will be with me in paradise!” Jim; a candy mint; a small package of No hell, no purgatory—the first saint, peanuts; a pack of cards for almost canonized by Jesus Himself! everyone; and a vitamin. Lloyd blessed them each at the end of the line. HMI Lloyd then said there were men in always makes more meals than the the cell just like the two thieves: some prison population needs so the guards ridiculed Jesus and others wanted help. can eat too. Nobody gets meals on a There was a powerful reaction He asked them if they would like to give regular basis. The prison chaplain was in the crowd when the priest their lives to Jesus, and almost all came so happy, he hugged Lloyd on the way processed with the monstrance to the small window. Lloyd reached in and on the way out. after a prayers for healing, 6 provision, and freedom. A GIFT REQUIRES A RESPONSE On our final evening, Lloyd really challenged the people. He quoted the Scripture that said to look around and be amazed—if God had told you what Pictured is a line for the distribution of food and necessities— He was going to do, you would not items like clothing and vitamins that we take for granted. ON FAITH AND HOPE have believed Him. Lloyd pointed to The next day, I spoke to about two-hun- It’s the little items we take for granted the beautiful new church going up and dred people on faith, where it comes that are so sorely needed and appreci- asked who would have ever believed that from and how to get more of it. When ated. HMI does this as well as building this poor, small parish would have the I was done, the pastor excitedly came to houses and drilling wells. nicest church in Haiti. He pointed out the microphone and basically repeated the 150 houses HMI has built and asked That evening, I spoke on forgiveness. It my talk! You could tell it made a big im- who would have believed they would really hit home. A young priest who has pression on him and that his homilies ever have such a beautiful home. been ordained less than a year said he would contain many of the points I had learned much about forgiveness, and Lloyd told them made. It was good to see we had made GOD’S he thanked us profusely. that God’s special a difference in him and, I truly believe, grace and bless- SPECIAL The next day, there were twenty-seven in his parishioners. ing requires a re- GRACE & First Communicants between seven Lloyd then led a healing service, and sponse. He said and sixteen years old. At 3 p.m., we BLESSING many testified they were healed and their lives could prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet filled with hope. not be the same; REQUIRES together and then traveled by mules they belonged to Later, Father Joe took us to a church A to three houses that are being built. God. He asked, filled with over five-hundred people. One was for a couple who lived under “What will the pil- RESPONSE. The Blessed Sacrament was on the altar, a blue tarp held up by polls. It would grims who come here find?” Would it and I spoke about increasing faith and be like us camping in nothing but a be a church filled with believers who gave a bit of our testimony of living on two-sided tent, cooking over open fires. will lead them to Christ, or not? Lloyd faith. Lloyd and I both spoke through As Deacon Lloyd, the founder of HMI, assured them that God trusted them an interpreter. Lloyd led the people in always says, he is here to bring people and that was why He had blessed them prayer asking for healing, provision, from misery to poverty, and it is true. so. He got their attention in a very posi- freedom, and a future filled with hope. They were so grateful and so happy. tive way! It was a powerful and fitting Then father took the Blessed Sacrament One was a lady who was blind from conclusion to our time there. throughout the congregation. diabetes. She was so happy. She wanted I am thankful for the opportunity to In the afternoon, we put together bags to touch, to be able to see the face of make a difference in many lives, as God of rice, beans, flour, and sugar. The Deacon Lloyd, the man who was chang- used the whole team to write his love on next morning, the distribution began. ing her life. Her house was made of tin the hearts of his people. People also received vitamins, de-worm- with no floor, so you can imagine what er pills, razors, matches, hats, clothes, it’s like when it rains, which it does a lot. small sewing kits, and other donations. 7 Thanks to HMI, a new church is being built that will seat 1000 people. Lloyd challenged everyone to respond to God’s special grace and blessing..