Ricot Leon
My name is Ricot Leon, I am a 25 year old Haitian citizen. I grew up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and was raised by a loving American Missionary family. Living in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, my heartfelt prayer has become, ‘God break my heart for what breaks Yours.’
After graduating from high school, God opened the door for me to further my education in Canada by studying theology at Alberta Bible College. Having obtained a degree from ABC in May 2007, I’ve realized that God is calling me back to Haiti to give to my people as others have given to me in the hope that He will change their lives.
Growing up in the mission field, I not only became accustomed to the widespread physical poverty but I also came to accept as normal the fact that most Haitians do not know Jesus. Imagine my culture shock after God brought me to Canada in the fall of 2003!
For a start, my first winter in Calgary was a real eye-opener as I experienced snow and temperatures of minus 30 Celsius! But my greatest shock was to see how much North Americans have compared to Haitians. Before coming to Canada, I thought it normal for 4-year olds to run around the streets naked, begging for food; it didn’t take long before I realized that to believe such things is to be taken in by Satan’s lies.
The longer I remain in Canada, the more I find myself asking God, “Why are some nations wasting their resources while many more countries are starving for spiritual and physical nourishment?”
In reply, God reminded me of this song from Casting Crown: If we are the body, why aren’t His hands reaching and His feet going and His voice speaking?
It was through these words that God directed me to return to my homeland to answer his prayer and help bring heaven to earth!
Mandy Leon
I am getting more and more excited as this mission unfolds! Who would have thought that Mandy Duplessie from Miramichi, New Brunswick would be preparing for a missionary life in Haiti?
As I look back, I see that my heart was being prepared for this for many years before I could fully understand it. It’s almost too bad that this misunderstanding hindered my direction in life for several years. As I felt directionless, emotionless and misunderstood I hid away, behind drugs and alcohol, from my true calling in life.
Four years ago my life was turned around as I found myself faced with a decision that would ultimately change my life. I made the commitment to follow Jesus and let go of my past. Almost immediately God began to transform and direct my life. It wasn’t and isn’t always easy. However, life will never be easy but I find comfort from this verse in book of Ephesians in the bible, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
In 2004 I moved to Calgary, Alberta and began attending Alberta Bible College. Since then God has continued to mold me, showing me the reason for that ache in my heart: I am to be a missionary. As I look back, I am convinced that the Lord was always with me and had always destined me for the mission field. He was simply waiting to perfect that understanding within as He led me to meet my husband, Ricot Leon.
Now, as my heart grows daily with longing and compassion for Haiti, we can hardly wait to call it home.
Congratulation man!!! i’ll keep you in my prayers.
I am so moved by both of your stories, and your passion. I am almost at tears. Your paths, how you are moving ahead, all of it; its all so inspiring. I am so touched that I was apart of your lives on this journey, and I am assured that how I have been affected will also be felt in all the people you meet. I look at you both and ask God ” what do you have for my life?”. Its all so uncertain, but both of you were in my boat 5 years back, and look at where you are now.
Love always,
your sister in Christ,
becky
Wow Ricot. God has birthed in you His own heart for the lost in Haiti. I am inspired by your willingness to follow His call for you and I am positive that He will use you to further His kingdom in a much larger way than you could imagine. Do not lose heart when faced with opposition. God has chosen you or this time. Lean on Him for support for with Christ all things are possible!
Keep running the race. Love~
Jenesa
Wow!!! Ricot it rocks! I am so excited to see the great works God has planned for you and Mandy! It is a great inspiration for me to call you my friend as I hear your continuing story and the way Jesus is guiding and walking with you both through your home land. Bonnie and I will continue to pray for you both.
Mandy and Ricot love you 2
i had to quit facebook so now you can email me
Mandy you were in my dream last nite sorry i woulnt listen to you thought i had more important things to say .
Mandy and Leon, I found you on Facebook and then googled you to find this blog. I am involved in a couple of different ministries in Haiti and have been going on mission trips to Haiti since 2001. I currenlty go to First Colony Church of Christ in Sugar Land, TX. I am interested to know where you will live and work in Haiti. Do you already have those plans? Are you connected or associated with any other CC ministries there now? Perhaps we have mutual friends.
I’d love to hear from you and encourage you. God bless you in your work.
Because of Jesus,
Sandy
Hello Ricot and Mandy,
How nice to have this to be able to follow your path, and better understand how things are going down there. You both have the ability to make such a difference in Haiti.
You are missed here, especially by the boys, so it is noce to have a little piece of you here.
God Bless from Calgary.
Wow, you know something, God is leading the way for the both of you. I am so moved and great ful to have the chance to see this. I believe the both of you are going to do some wonderful things for the people of Haiti, for my people. I too have the dream to provide but it only inspires me more to God’s people provide for their brothers and sisters. God put us on earth to work, to work for his Kingdom. Whats the work? in your heart lies the answer! but know this, when you provide for your brothers and sisters here on earth for God you are working. My calling, after college which I have a year left is to return to Haiti and focus on the children by preaching them the Gospel. You know something, i dearly love my people, you know why many of us understand that we are poor, therefore we entertain with our hearts. Nevertheless, in order for Haiti to move out of the situation its in, people like the both of you and me, need to provide the children the Gospel, education and hope. Haiti lies in the hands of the children, they will be the new generation. Nevertheless, you guys I am very proud of you and who you are and what you wish to do. Good luck with everything.
God Bless you and take care!