Dear Loved Ones,

Greetings. The university has resumed its activities after time of funerals for the son of the president. This Tuesday February 18, I had the privilege of meeting the new freshmen class for the second time. It is a big class of over 150 students. I was teaching them the role of university in the context of our poor nations now days. I asked some of them to tell me why they are at the university. I got these responses: “I am studying agriculture to be a national leader". Another one studying business administration said: “I am studying business administration to go manage the country".

 I went from their responses to explain the realistic role of the university today: to help you think, to create, to know how to manage and what it takes to be honest and not to burn the steps by wanting to get rich overnight.

 At the end of the class, my assistant Fedlair Florissaint, wanted to talk to me. I listened to him as he was talking about today’s session. He said: “Pastor you were teaching to me". I asked him how I was teaching him. He then told me how he used to sell used clothes and shoes and was living fine. His brother discouraged him for selling by saying that the son of a pastor is not supposed to sell those used stuff.    If the members of our churches see you selling those clothes and shoes they will not appreciate that.

 Since that time I quit selling I am suffering with no money.

 We talked about this situation and he has gone back to his city of Gonaives to restart selling again.

 Please keep us all over here in your prayers.

 In Haiti,

 Nzunga & Kihomi

 

Dear Friends,

 One of Nzunga’s hardest jobs is to convince his students how fortunate they are to get a college education and to use it to benefit a larger circle than just themselves.  Many (as is true here) also have unrealistic expectations of what their college degree will do for them.  They think their days of hard work are over once they have this piece of paper.  It is hard to get them to start their own business because the culture says you don’t get your hands dirty once you graduate. 

 The other side of the coin is persons who are good entrepreneurs but get convinced they need something else.  In this mans case he is told a pastors son can’t be a business man.   A teacher like Nzunga helps many people recognize what their gifts are so they can do what they are good at and enjoy.  It is not always a college degree. 

 What we are taught has much to do about how we react to what goes on in the world.  Depending who taught us (Mom, Dad, etc.) sometimes we get trapped by well meaning but bad teaching.  We need to always check to see if what we think and believe fits with God's love and his plan for us.  I met God in a very fundamental church.  I took everything they taught as the truth but found myself uncomfortable with some of it.  After years of listening to many authors and reading have I come to what I firmly believe today and it does not all match what I was taught. 

Let us pray that God will continue to guide Nzunga as he mentors these fresh minds that they can find God's plan for their lives.  Also lets pray that we will not just accept what we were taught but will make sure we understand what we believe and why.  (We are commanded to be ready to answer anyone.) 

 

Thank you for your love and support.

 Dennis Shewell

Mission Partnership Team Communications Advocate and Convener

Nzunga and Kihomi Ministry

E-mail: deshewell@gmail.com

Phone: 812-569-1352812-569-1352

 

Other team Members:

Les Roberson

Diana Peysha

Terry Bivens-Fry

Charles Newman