Secret Pavilion Women’s Conference
Posted By Patricia on April 30, 2012
Secret Pavilion Women’s Conference
Marotier, Haiti
January 19, 2012
By Barbie Porter
When the Secret Pavilion Women’s Conference was birthed in 2009, I had no idea it would be more than a one-time, one-day conference in a tiny town in Southern Indiana. But sometimes… Well, God has other ideas.
Since that September day in Southern Indiana, the Secret Pavilion has taken legs. Aside from two more sessions in it’s birthtown of Paoli, Indiana, the Victorian-themed Conference, has since carried the message of hope and healing to women in a low-income housing project in the burbs of Baltimore; hosted a Secret Pavilion tea in an antiquated harbor church in Maryland; and for the very first time, took a profound message of love draped in pearls to a group of lovely ladies in the high-mountain region of Marotier, Haiti.
Today, I would like to share with you the Haiti experience.
For anyone who has ever visited Haiti, perhaps you will understand when I say I believe that Haiti is “Beautiful, but broken” – just like so many of us.
The island, so rich in history and culture, sprinkled with tropical snippets – fruit trees, exotic flowers, rare birds, and breath-taking ocean views – and full of potential, lies mostly barren, poverty-stricken, inundated with a strange clash of modern culture and of old world cultivation. How my heart yearns for Haiti’s healing; for it’s people, for it’s government, for it’s land. But, especially, for it’s people.
I believe the Haitian people are so beautiful, inside and out, especially the women. So, when Missions of Love Co-founder, Betty Johnson and MOL Director, Pat Duarte, asked if I’d like to take the Secret Pavilion Women’s Conference to Haiti to bless the women there, I couldn’t say no. I still remember Betty saying, “Barbie, the women of Haiti are hurting spiritually too. They need to hear the message of God’s love that your conference brings.”
Soon, Pat and I were off to a year of praying, planning, collecting pearls and packing barrels, preparing for the Secret Pavilion Women’s Conference titled, “Haitian Pearls.”
Within weeks, women whom I had never met, agreed to teach mini-workshops, lead singing and help prepare tables for tea, in the hills of Haiti. On January 15 we flew into Port-Au-Prince together and in the days that followed, as we began ministering together for Missions of Love, I knew the April 2012 MOL team was put together by divine appointment, for each one fit so perfectly into their chosen roles not only for the trip, but also for the women’s conference.
Off to a bumpy start
January 19 was the appointed day for the Secret Pavilion Women’s Conference. Who would’ve thought that a group of women could converge on a Thursday for a day-long conference? It seemed odd, but, quite frankly, so does loading up into the back of an Army truck all the makings of a Conference, tins of cookies, boxes of cups and plates, bags of goodies, décor and more, including seven lady lay leaders clad in dresses, for a two hour trip on an up-hill dirt road.
The rumbling ride, riddled with enormous pot holes, pedestrians and donkeys was a strain of poise and balance. We ducked brambly branches from all sides while crossing bumpy brooks and streams. As we bounced along soaking in the tropical sun with the wind whipping through our hair, we giggled and guffawed as we struggled to stay perpendicular on our perches, a thin slat that ran the perimeter of the truck bed. We roared with laughter when one of us would take a forward tumble on to the mattress purposely squeezed onto the bed floor for our protection!
Once me made it to the mountain village church, we thought creating a luncheon environment in a partially completed concrete block church with no electricity, no running water, no tables, and thin wooden benches only inches from a dirt floor would be the most difficult process of the Conference. Little did we know the culture alone would be such a challenge.
Who would’ve thought that replacing tiny little sandwiches and fancy cut veggies with dried fish, beans and rice would be so popular? Who could’ve guessed that the preacher and the deacon would have words of wisdom to share with the women first… for over an hour? Who would’ve known that women who live on an island surrounded by the sea would not even know what a pearl was, or how it was made? Who would’ve thought that sharing gifts could cause a disruptive discord? And, who could’ve foreseen that a wedding with three brides would be waiting in the wings?
God could. He would. And, He did.
And, in His infinite wisdom and timing, all things worked together for the good.
Acapella accolades
Just the fact that Kayla Kennada, Kathy Tapp and Dean Abner agreed to lead the praise and worship part of the Conference purely acapella was music to my ears. At the conclusion of the Pastor Willie’s sermon and his deacon’s follow-up sermonette, our praise and worship team began. They sang their hearts out to a Hatian crowd of around 85 women without the assistance of a sound system, a guitar, keyboard, or a single percussion instrument, the trio ushered in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The true heart moment came as they awkwardly, yet courageously, began to incorporate a worship song in Creole they had learned only the night before. By the third round, a beautiful blend of Haitian and American voices gave musical praise the One who had made the Conference possible as the words, “Lord we lift your name on high” wafted across the auditorium. Suddenly, unity converged upon the Conference. Now, it was time to get into the Word.
By interpretation
Have you ever experienced the art of pacing yourself when you talk? Thinking of each sentence or placing every pause? That is precisely the practice when speaking by interpreter. Not so easy, especially for some of us of the female gender. But, oh what a difference an experienced interpreter (MOL Clinque Jolivert Director, Christophe Velcine) and the presence of the Holy Spirit makes on every pause, every breath, every word, when His anointing comes.
Via translation, the voices of five American women: MOL Director, Pat Duarte, Kem Lutz, Natalie Spencer, Kathy Tapp and myself, along with the precious Miss Carmella,(Chrisophe’s wife) we presented a message of love and hope titled Haitian Pearls.
After a brief introduction to a secret pavilion, a place where one can meet with the One who loves them the most, (taken from Psalm 27:5) a Scriptural study of pearls began. The mini-workshops spotlighted the symbolic meaning of pearls; how a pearl is made; the account of the pearl of great price; how each Haitian sister, despite life’s difficulties, was a beautifully formed priceless pearl and, how together they can form a lovely strand.
We were surprised that the Haitian women didn’t know exactly what a pearl was or how it was formed, since they lived surrounded by the sea, but it helped us to better understand their culture of sticking close to home and the absence of simple pleasures we as Americans so often take for granted. However, God in His infinite wisdom already knew what was needed and the creation process of a pearl was already worked into the program, and Kem Lutz, an experienced school teacher was the perfect fit to present that workshop. As the presentation continued, a sweet spirit of love just seemed to flow from breast to breast among the women as the instructors taught on each principle of the pearl.
Accentuate the positive
At the closing of the Conference as team members passed out gift packs of pearl jewelry, we were perplexed when a bit of discord broke out towards the back of the church as young women began quarreling over which bag would be theirs. Through prayer and the immediate intervention of the pastor, order was restored.
When things had quieted, I explained how the favors for which they were fighting were simply gifts of love given by people in the United States who had never met them, nor many of us, but were given as a representation of who we are, as women of Christ all across globe – a precious pearl. I continued to explain how it doesn’t matter what we wear on the outside, but it matters most what we wear on the inside, for that is truly the adornment people see the most. Soon, smiles returned, and our luncheon was served.
However, later that night, I learned a lesson in Haitian culture, as church planter, Pastor Julian, explained how Haitian women are accustomed to scuffling, because they are the ones who fight for food and wares at the market to provide for their families. And, how often, there is never enough to go around, so that the last ones to receive may only get the left-overs, scraps or nothing. At that point it became apparent to me that Haitian women fall more into the category of the “cultured pearl,” a process in which man places the unwanted irritant into the shell.
Fine dining
Tables detailed in fancy linens and décor set with fine China to be filled with dainty sandwiches and cutely cut veggies and tea served from pretty pots were not an option in the village church of Marotier. Instead women remained seated on the wooden benches positioned only inches from a dirt floor, while young Haitian ladies brought plates full of dried fish, beans and rice, two-by-two. Later, a glass of lemonade was given. For dessert, the women made their way to a make-shift table we had covered with assorted tableclothes found at the mission. There a conglomeration of cookies set on pretty plastic platters amid a few flowers and pearls awaited – Items we had packed into barrels several months earlier and sent from the United States just for this occasion. Some of the cookies had gone stale or crumbled, but the gracious Haitian ladies simply smiled and said “Merci.”
Wedded bliss
Taking advantage of the timing, gathering, and prepared food, as well as the opportunity for MOL missionaries to witness a Haitian wedding, circuit-riding preacher, Pastor Willie, preempted a three-tier wedding to immediately follow the Conference.
So, as Conference attendees were eating, three brides and their soon-to-be husbands, adorned themselves in wedding attire (provided by MOL donations and the special pearl gifts given at the Conference.) Soon the bridal parties began parading across the yard with the beautifully adorned bride front and center. The groom arrived either by foot, scooter or donkey. Although time wouldn’t allow us to stay for the ceremony, it was a wonderful way to wrap up a Conference dedicated to women and the love of Christ.
Continuing on
What a blessing it was to go share a message of love and hope with the Haitian women. Despite cultural differences, we all learned many lessons and fostered friendships. And, in response, we were asked to present the Secret Pavilion Women’s Conference again. So, it is with great honor that we look forward to returning to Haiti next January when the Secret Pavilion will present “The Fragrance of a Changed Life.”
How can I help?
If interested in supporting the Secret Pavilion Haiti Conference 2013, we are in need of sample-sized perfumes, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions and small candles.
We are expecting around 125 women at the Jolivert conference. Because of the Haitian environment, we desire to make the gift packs as much alike as possible, so if you can coordinate the collection of items to be of the same size or type, that would be greatly appreciated.
