Maneld, Iznea, Manyoli, Emmanuel

Maneld, Iznea, Manyoli, Emmanuel

I will do my best to start from the beginning. 

Maneld is a student of mine. He is in 8th grade and is an incredible person. Not only is he continuing his education at 25 years old, he works construction and also works taking a small boat back and forth from the dock to the big boat on days the boat returns from the main land. He is super helpful and an amazing friend. He is, I would have to say, my first friend I received after arriving here in January. What makes him so incredible in my eyes is his hunger and thirst for truth and knowledge. He always has questions about faith and Christ. Questions that stretch me. In the classroom he helps with translating in a sense where he corrects my broken Creole. Always an asset, never a burden. A few weeks after arriving here, he pulled me aside and explained his girlfriend was pregnant with their second child together. He asked me to give him a name. I laughed thinking he was kidding and just being nice. Every week, he’d come to the house and ask me for a name. I refused each time saying I’d pray about it. What I didn't tell him, was the first time he asked me, a name immediately came across my heart. I prayed diligently making sure God was presenting this opportunity. Not to take it lightly. 

Then the day came, he came to the house calling for me with his sister, Briland, because his girlfriend just had the baby and were waiting for the name. He explained that the hospital could not begin the shot process without a name so his girlfriend, Iznea, was waiting on me. Overcome with joy and overwhelmingly humbled, I gave him the name Emmanuel. The joy expressed on his face was something I wish I could have captured to experience any time I’m growing weary. He called Iznea, told her the name and I then explained the meaning. After this he told me the name of his daughter, Manyoli. Realizing that the name on my heart was in fact from God because they try to keep a similarity in the names within the families. For this family it is the "man" part. Humbled. 

Let me back track a bit and give some back story. Although not married, this is a faithful couple to only one another, as far as I know. With the only exception, Iznea had a child in a previous relationship and the father is no longer present. Maneld has begun seeking truth and Christ under the teaching and direction of Brian. His girlfriend, mother of his children, is active in Voodoo. This was brought to my attention when Heather explained that they had brought their first child to the Tuckers with a concern. At that time, the child was marked with a string which is a custom in the Voodoo practice. The Tuckers then shared the gospel where the mother refused. In her refusal, it was revealed, the mother's father is very active in Voodoo practices so for her to denounce would be a major issue. Now, we have a young man who loves his family and wants the absolute best as well as wants to know as much as possible about Jesus and who He is, has a family with a woman he no longer agrees with due to her dedication to the faith of her father. 

How to pray, personally, I pray each day for Maneld’s display of love to his children to introduce his girlfriend to the love of THE father. By his sacrifice in work, school, and love, he will be a living testimony to his family. From this I pray that she will experience the love that casts out all fear. That the bondage and chains on her life will break as she is exposed more and more to the love of the Father. Also, Emmanuel has been sick. They have taken him to the doctor multiple times in the past couple weeks searching for an answer to the fever and the fact he does not and will not eat. Pray. 

Another interesting, but not coincidental, aspect of the story, is their placement in the community. In Grand Vide, we have "anwo" and "anba." These terms means upper and lower. The Tucker’s and I live "anba." This is where God is actively transforming lives and becoming very connected. The light and life that is being produced in our area has not yet extended to "anwo." The barrier between these two areas was divided by a small stream from the overflow of the ocean. The spiritual oppression as well as an overall sense of darkness becomes very present when we cross the barrier. It has come up many times that we believe, if Maneld continues in his pursuit of Christ and knowledge, he would be the game changer and key to reaching "anwo." 

About a month ago, a couple from the states came and we "bridged the gap" figuratively and literally. We put in a bridge where the water now flows beneath. There’s no longer a physical division, only a sense of spiritual division. In the midst of all the baby naming and simply learning of the circumstances, I was invited to one of my other students houses. Her name is Naïca. Guess where she lives… “anwo.” I began going to that area frequently where I quickly made friends and connections all the while thinking I was simply beginning to fit in, when in reality, God was introducing me to a unique mission field within the mission field. Once I realized what God was doing by giving me favor with the people in that area, I was brought to yet another place of humility. God placed me there, gave me a friend who is seeking, blessed me by giving me a name for a beautiful little boy that means “God with us.” Even now just trying to explain it is overwhelming. God is about to shift “anwo” and it will begin in this family. With the little boy that was used as God’s vessel to bring hope that God is with us, “anba” and “anwo.” 
I wish I could capture the joy Maneld usually shares with me, but, in this moment when the picture was taken you can see, a mother experiencing joy through her baby. A little girl in the arms of a white person when her typical response is fear and rejection, and a father, desperately searching for the correct decision. Anxiously and relentlessly seeking wisdom and knowledge to understand and do whatever needs done to fully submit to Christ. In this picture you also see a young man who was grateful to have visitors to come and check his baby and pray blessings over him, but, was disappointed in the fact he felt as though he had disrespected us. Over what right? Because we had to crouch and bend over to enter his house. What character. To have a heart where you appreciate the love being displayed yet feel inadequate to receive it due to circumstances that seem minor. In case I haven’t quite gotten my point across, this family will be an active part of change in Grand Vide, Haiti. I’m believing it, claiming it, and receiving it. All I ask is that you join me. I know that I will get a good picture of his joy and when I do, I’ll be sure to share that too.