As the ASAPH "B" band prepared to play at a soccer championship, we scheduled two long, hot rehearsals.  We learned parts and memorized the songs we needed. Percussionists got good at playing together. Horn players learned to get the right notes at the right time. It became more and more fun as we got good at the songs.

KD and ML were both playing snare drum. They were best friends a couple of years ago. In the final rehearsal, it became apparent they were now enemies. The rift was so intense that they couldn't play together. I had to ask them to stay after practice to sort it out. 

As I sat down with the two of them, they dug in their heals against each other. They were not willing to budge an inch. It was obvious that they could not accompany the group...and end up in a fistfight in front of everybody...ASAPH band uniforms on their backs.

WEC's wife Shelterline knew both of these boys from a time she spent with one in the hospital. She remembered how ML came out of anesthesia asking for his buddy KD. Now, they were in a dual. The two tuba players in the band spoke to me and asked if ML and KD would be playing with the band at the final game. I explained that they could not travel with us. They said, "Let us help you. We are Haitians. We can help them fix their feud." I agreed.

An hour later, the two feuding boys were sitting in the ASAPH Teaching Center with the two tuba players, myself, and Shelterline. We began to make progress. Shelterline was able to pull ML out of his prideful hardheadedness. It was a dance of patience and strength to get both boys ready to make peace. The two tuba players spoke and insisted on a handshake as proof of repentance. They even choreographed the details of the handshake!

It was a beautiful moment. Young ASAPH leaders came together to resolve a problem. I was delighted to just sit and watch much of the work being done...and so proud. 

At the soccer final during a down time, ML saw something funny on a smartphone, and he smiled. I saw him run to KD and shared the images with him. They laughed together. 

It's a big deal when a hatchet can be buried. 

This all happened late in the morning and into the afternoon of September 10th. While news networks were updating Americans on an assassination, two boys in rural Haiti patched up a feud with the help of some people who loved them both.

I trust the God who works when you see Him and also when you don't.



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The AAF Jr. soccer team was invited to participate in a four-on-four tournament up in the mountain community of Labaleine. Since I was in the USA, our Assistant Administrator (WEC) and Coach Wilbens oriented the two teams that ASAPH sent to the tournament.

They rode motorcycles up into the mountains on Thursday afternoons to play in the game. One ASAPH team was eliminated after a loss and a tie. The second team managed to make it into the playoff round and advance to the final.

I arrived in the country in time for the championship game. We prepare the ASAPH "B" band to play at the big game. They played the AAF team song. They played the national anthem. They also played during the game to inspire our soccer players.

In the final match, the AGAPE CLUB team scored first. It was a remarkable goal. Then, before halftime, they scored on a penalty shot as well. In the second half, AAF players were awarded a penalty shot, and Emerson scored.  There were desperate attempts to equalize the score, but time expired before that could happen. Final score : 2 - 1.  

The tournament was organized by AGAPE CLUB. They did a great job organizing the event and making it all the way through to a fun final with medals and a trophy. It was a pleasure for our kids to participate. 

I am proud of the second-place medals our team received. They did much of the work on their own. They were a competent team inches away from a championship. 

I just spoke with Coach Wilbens, and he gave me a wise and thoughtful reaction to the whole event. He is a good influence for our kids. (He was a player just a few years ago!) 

This is ASAPH : A young man grows up with someone orienting him and mentoring him. He helps another generation the same way.  

Thank you for being a friend of ASAPH Teaching Ministry.  You made our participation in this event possible. 

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