God is Able to Make All Grace Abound

Since arriving in Haiti to work as church and leadership developers, we have observed the General Assembly (i.e, an annual synod or national assembly of all churches) of the Christian Reformed Church of Haiti (CRCH). During the last four Assemblies, the vote for president of the CRCH has been tabled or delayed because of conflict about status of the former president of the CRCH who immigrated to Florida in 2006. During the Assembly in 2008, the conflict was so severe that all three candidates for president withdrew their candidacy before the vote was taken! That is why many churches in the CRCH had been praying for the month preceding August’s General Assembly where a vote for president was to be taken. This year the delegates of the CRCH’s General Assembly experienced the abundance of God’s grace. Although all the delegates were “expecting fireworks,” the vote for the president of the CRCH was relatively peaceful. Pastor Elihu Metallus (above right) was elected by a healthy majority. Pastor Bellazaire (above left) was elected vice president. This new attitude of cooperation was evident also in the CRCH’s national women’s spiritual conference in June, held in the Ministry Center. At first the participants insisted on sleeping outside in tents because of fear of another earthquake. After the conference began, the participants felt encouraged enough to sleep under the cement roof of the conference building. We give thanks that the participants were able to share food, fellowship, and biblical teaching about the role of women in their families. We also give thanks that our colleague Lesley Toussaint and Katrina were able to assist the CRCH in the organization of the conference in Sharon’s absence.