So…I’m still in Haiti. Steph and Bobby needed a translator to go with their team to Santo Domingo today and the PR team needed a driver to get from Haiti to Santo Domingo tomorrow. Therefor, Rebekah and I split for a day to accomplish both tasks. In the meantime, I learned a lot about working in a pharmacy as we went through over 200 patients in a matter of hours….which can get pretty crazy.
Haitian Hope:
Last year I heard a story while in Haiti about a pact with the devil. It’s a documented fact that they made Voodoo their Country’s religion and the story I was told then and again multiple times since is this:
200 years ago, the Haitians were slaves on this island and they made an agreement with Satan that if he would “free” them from their masters, then they’d follow him for 200 years. They evidently etched something to this effect on a tree and were shortly free of their masters. They centeralized on the western side of the island and have been living in cycle of poverty since. Last year marked the last year of the 200 years. On the exact day, 200 years later, the tree fell and that was just weeks before the earthquake shook the foundations of Haiti.
I remember hearing this story last year and thinking to myslef “well, I guess we’ll see what happens next year.” Now, can I tell you that all of this information is hunder percent accurate? No, I really can’t. I can tell you that there are large numbers of Haitians and Dominicans that believe this story or at least something close to it…and there’s power in belief. I can also tell you that last year when I came, I could literally feel a heaviness of oppression as I entered the country. This weight isn’t completely lifted but it’s much lighter and much different right now.
I know this is a bit long and I know there aren’t any pictures but it would mean a lot to me if you actually read it all.
Life Update:
Before I go on, I just want to mention a few things…
Yes, I know that natural disasters do happen to rich and poor, good and bad…but God is still in this.
Yes, I know that God wasn’t exactly happy that the Haitians chose to follow voodoo over Him…but this isn’t just a product of anger!
Yes, I know that the comfortable thing to say in churches in America is that God didn’t orchestrate this but He will find a way to redeem it…but be careful with that stance.
I’m learning to never become surprised with the lengths that God is willing to go to in order to pursue hearts. He’s given us a ridiculous gift called “free will” and He actually honors it, which is proposterous if you think about it. If you look at the Bible, you’ll see that there were many times where the Israelites were persistent in running away from God towards idols. It grieved God but there came a time when He let them run off into captivity. However, God doesn’t leave His people high and dry. Jeremiah prophesied about the coming captivity but it came with a promise. Most people know Jer. 29:11 where it says that “I know the plans I have for you, to prosper you and not to harm you…” but how many realize that those people were about to go into captivity because of their evil ways? Thankfully some listened and trained their kids accordingly!!! Daniel, Shadrach,Meshack and Abendigo were born around the time of that prophecy and ended up becoming leaders in a foreign land and set the stage for freedom to come.
So what does this have to do with Haiti? Well…they’ve been in a spiritual captivity for a couple decades. I’ve heard of countless missionaries giving up on Haiti because of the bleakness of it. I lived in Gonaives last year and I can’t think of a place where I’ve felt like the ground was more cursed. This is the poorest nation in the world! Haiti was struggling before the earthquake. However I find immense hope. Why?
I hope becuase He says that He is close to the broken hearted.
I hope because He says that the poor shall inherit the Earth.
I hope because He’s shaking the foundations of voodoo.
I hope because countless people joined a nation-wide 3 day prayer and fast for God’s intervention…first time ever!
I hope because there is hope on the faces of so many Haitians.
I hope because while the world comes to try to meet the physical needs, they’ll be shown how God is reaching ALL of their needs.
I hope because little boys and grown men still get pulled out of the rubble and say “God did it.”
I hope because denominational comfort zones are being popped in a real situation that forces us to be more real than our petty differences.
I hope because maybe…just maybe, my USA will get a spiritual desperation and hunger by coming and seeing the physical desperation and hunger.
I hope because God is merciful and has allowed an Earthquake to alter the lives of a nation (maybe world…maybe you) for an eternity.
I hope because it brings life.
I hope because it produces joy.
I hope because His words are true.
I hope because He is faithful.
I hope.
My dad likes to say that whatever you own, owns you. What if a people group that doesn’t own hardly anthing had nothing owning them? What if they stood up and realized who God created them to be and lived it boldly. What if they realized how close He was and started to pray for the nations? God has already touched the hearts of people all around the world and they watch and listen to what is happening. What if these Haitians devote their lives telling of what God has done to save and protect so many? What if they rattled the comfort zones of Christians who have been luke warm for far too long? What if they stirred something up in me that started an unquenchable flame becoming contageous with all I meet?
God is near and He is moving mightily and swiftly. There’s potential for something to happen here that the world has never seen and can’t deny…so, I watch and I wait. For those of you who are supporting the relief efforts in any way, I’m sure God will bless you in return. For those of you coming, don’t be surprised if you feel as though you’ve been touched and blessed more than you’ve blessed others. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and humble enough to let the powerful prayers of broken people change your “normal.”
