In a sign of how the Holy Spirit is blessing WELS mission efforts in Haiti, 62 children from infants to teenagers were baptized by National Pastor Rona Abraham and Missionary Terry Schultz in June.

Schultz, who is based in the Dominican Republic but makes regular visits to Haiti, says he can't put into words the joy he feels from the experience. "Even the word exhilarating doesn't do it," he says. He calls it a privilege to be part of the transformation of these children "from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of our Savior."

The children come from four of seven orphanages in the Leogane region, about 18 miles outside of Port-au-Prince, in which the headmasters have agreed to Bible curriculum training from both Abraham and Schultz. Contacts with these orphanages were first established through WELS Christian Aid and Relief and its work with an independent medical relief agency in the wake of the earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010.

Schultz says he and Abraham are committed to providing one week of intensive four-hour-a-day Bible classes each month for the headmasters. Schultz says the headmasters, who are responsible for both the physical and spiritual care of the children in their orphanages, are appreciative of having people who can teach them. "They see us as the real deal," he says. For many, their only religious experience is voodoo and animism, prevalent throughout Haiti.

Meantime, a grant from Christian Aid and Relief continues to provide meals for the children. "We will continue to supply their earthly needs as well," Schultz says.


In Terry Schultz's own words

Missionary Terry Schultz wrote his account of the baptisms. A portion of this account is below:

"We brought all the kids across the open field to the edge of the little river. What a sight: 62 beautiful children walking across the peaceful, breezy, open field, on the way to Spirit-powered salvation! . . . I gave a simple message to the orphans (Rona translating) about the wonderful Father each of us has. I spoke of his love for each of them and his constant care for them. He had sent his only son Jesus who had died and risen to save us. We would all spend eternity in a place with no more loneliness, hunger, sickness, or pain. Our joy would be never ending. Rona then stepped forward and offered prayer. . . .