Letters From Grandpa #589

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 589

Dearest grandchild,

Just received a letter from Jeff and Carol Badgero. Jeff is a veteran missionary to Haiti. This recent letter introduced us to a co-worker of his in Haiti who has worked with Jeff since 1984. Thought it would be helpful for you to know how our brethren in other parts of the world live. Jeff has given me permission to reproduce this letter he recently sent to his supporters.

“Thank you as always for your prayers, calls and support. Allow me to reintroduce you to your brother Jacque Myrtle. 41 years ago Jacque was my second interpreter. I was sent on a 2 hour bus ride by myself to Gonaives. When I arrived in the town of 500,000 my instructions were to walk to the center of town, you will find a large Catholic church building. Then turn left into the market place and look for a man repairing bicycles and ask for Jacque. No cell phone, no GPS. This was 1984. There were several people repairing bicycles in the market, but the 3rd person I asked stood up and said I am Jacque. That was the start of a very long and special friendship.

I'm pretty sure I had never read through even the New Testament yet, Jacque had put to memory most of the Bible and was like a walking concordance. Jacque and I have many things in common. Strong faith is number one. We also are opposite in many things. For example Jacque is very educated. He reads, writes and speaks at least 4 languages. He also is very patient, he has a great memory, he is quick to listen and slow to speak, and he is also very humble. Like I said those are some of the things we don't have in common. He has taught me a lot. For example a few years after our first meeting, we had groups coming for a week at a time to help evangelize. I had pre arranged for Jacque to arrive very early on a Monday morning. No clocks, no schedules so I explained he must arrive before the sun came up. The sun came up at 6 am and no Jacque, also 10 am and noon, no Jacque. I had 4 men waiting for a trip up the mountains that was best done early before it got hot. When Jacque arrived around 1pm I was more than hot and let him know. To my shame I did not ask how he was or how his family was, if he wanted a drink or how his trip went. I was too busy letting him know how inconvenienced I was by his late arrival. When I finally finished he calmly said, brother Jeff I am very sorry but the country is under a strike and there is no bus service today. So I was obliged to ride my bicycle. I left my home at midnight I have many flat tires and I just now arrive. Well help me get my foot out of my mouth and let me get you a cool drink. Yes he rode a bicycle on dirt roads about 48 miles to come help preach the good news. A hard lesson in humility for me, but one I've not forgotten.

As the years went on I spent a lot of time in Jacques home town. So I would sleep in the church building on 2 wooden benches. Jacques house 10'x12' was next door. Jacque, his wife Angela and 6 children had a queen size fitted sheet that was also used as a dresser, because all of their clothing was stored underneath. Somehow they all lived there. The structure was used for shelter. Cooking was done outside. One trip I made there, in the evening, after the church service Madame Jacque walked across the courtyard with THE fitted sheet and their clothes for a makeshift mattress for me. Prior to that I didn't know that was THE sheet. Yes that night they slept on the ground. More humility for me. Many years later Jacque and His family were living at the project. I arrived did a nose count and noticed His oldest daughter wasn't there. I asked Jacque where Nancy was? He said she passed away from unclean living. I ask where she was buried. I wanted to go to the cemetery. We went to the cemetery and I watched Jacque wander around he finally stopped and said she is somewhere near here in an unmarked grave. Life is a little bit harder there.

Later in life Jacques wife Angela had a stroke and one side was paralyzed. Jacque stayed by her side, fed her, bathed her and cared for her until she passed. In sickness and in health. This week I needed a bicycle to help brother Raphael for therapy. So who did I call? Jacque has used his knowledge of bicycle repair all these years to support himself. A true tent making preacher. Jacque is now 79, thats very old for a Haitian. He is still very active and started a new congregation this year. He has been a great mentor to me and so many young men in Haiti that are now preachers of the gospel!”

After several up-dates to his supporters the letter was signed by Jeff and Carol Badgero

<[email address removed]>

Thought it would be helpful for you to know how faithful workers in other countries endure hardship for the cause of Christ! Most of my hardships pale into insignificance by comparison to those experienced by Jacques. Please stay true to Christ and remember that “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (Hebrews 6:10-12)

Let us thank God for Jacques, Jeff, and the thousands of others of whom the world is not worthy!

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce