Prayer and Thanksgiving Service

Yesterday morning, the 12th and 9th grade classes at BTI gathered in the school devotions room for a service of thanksgiving for a good school year and of prayer for the national exams both classes will be taking in the weeks to come. There were also some students from last year's 12th grade class who are taking the last year of secondary school elsewhere this year. They have their own exam next month.
The service was 2 hours long and included the singing of many hymns and choruses. My cook could hear from my house and she said that the singing brought her life!
There was also lots of special music. BTI has been blessed over the years with many musically talented students. Most Haitians can sing and many play instruments. But BTI seems to have an extraordinary number of students writing music -- contemporary Haitian Christian music as well as worship music. And there are lots of singing groups that spring up during the school year.
There were testimonies as well to God's faithfullness in provision, protection and blesings. And there were many expressions of gratitude to HAFF and the missionaries and the supporters in the States for enabling them to attend school. The testimonies fostered a real sense of thanksgiving.
Finally, as with any Haitian service, there was a message. Jean Jean Mompremier is a former HAFF staff member who is back in the area with his family ministering to the local church and training a number of church leaders. He likes to keep his messages short and to the point. And he spoke to the students about doing their best on the National Exams and not cheating. He challenged them to be people of integrity and to not follow the crowd and just do what is expedient.

It was an inspiring and uplifting service. And the students planned it from start to finish.