The road to Anse-a-foleur

We were very fortunate to be in Haiti at the mission with just a small group.  It made it easier for us to go to the places we want to go and do the things we wanted to do.  All we had to do was let one of the missionaries know what we would like to do that day and they arranged transportation, translator, and body guards!  I was so impressed at the organization of the mission.  I never once felt afraid or uncomfortable, and Haiti is a pretty dangerous place.  

The 2nd day we were there we decided to go to Anse-a-foleur.  This is famous for the voodoo temple.  Voodoo is basically devil worship.  They will say that the worship St. Anne (satan) in order to be under the catholic umbrella.  Most haitians have at least a bit of voodoo belief.  This is believed to be true because they want to be sure and cover all bases.....If I worship Jesus and satan, I won't make anyone mad!  It's very sad.

We took an hour trip to the temple.  Once we got there our guides talked to the guards at the temple and after a few...what seemed to be heated conversations between our guys and theirs, they let us in.  In the past they have tried to charge americans to come in......because they think we have lots of money.

There is what used to be a catholic cross on the top of a mountain.  This cross was struck by lightening and the 2 sides of the cross fell off.  The Haitian people believe that this was satan claiming this land for himself.  After that same lightening storm there was a porcelain doll found at the base of the cross.  They believe that this doll was some how "magical."  They now worship this doll.  It is in a glass case in a room in the temple, where people light candles and worship.  We were able to go into this room.  It's so sad to see these people, waiting, hoping, and praying for this doll to help them.  

We then walked through the temple, lots of hallways and corners.  We were told that they crusify animals in the rooms.  We got to the back of the temple and there are people everywhere.  They come from all over Haiti and rent out rooms, sleep on the floor, and just sit there and wait.  They burn things as offerings to satan.  eg. an I.D. if they are praying to get a visa to leave the country and go to the U.S.  

There is also a puddle of muddy water, no more than a foot deep.  They say that if you lay down in this puddle and don't drowned then you are cleansed of all your sins.  There is no possible way of drowning in this water because it's so shallow.  

It was very sad to see all the people there just hoping for something.  Their eyes were empty, but their hearts were hungry for something.......they just needed to know truth!  I wish we could have spent most of the day there, but our guides were hurrying us through.  I got the feeling that the guys who were with us, who worked at the mission, were a little freaked out about this place.  

The next time we are in Haiti I would love to go back there and spend a day talking to the people.  Sharing Jesus with them.  Finding out what their needs are and helping them in anyway that we can.  We believe that by filling the needs of people, be it hunger, shelter, or medicine it opens a door to show them Jesus!  That is our ultimate goal in life, and I pray that God continues to choose us to do this for his glory.  

God....we are ready!  Please send us!