My past two weeks in Haiti have been with a team partnering with Mission of Hope [they’re an incredible ministry serving in so many different capacities here in Haiti.]
For the past week we’ve been doing SVT – Strategic Village Time – which means we visit villages, share Jesus and collect some information to gauge the needs of the home and the village as a whole.
Katie, Faith, Jazz and Evens, our translator, praying over one of the women in the village.
One of the days we decided to split our team into two smaller groups. I took off with Faith, Vickie and Jazz.
The first home we stopped at housed two men, only one was home. We learned that he was a Muslim – the first Muslim I’ve encountered in Haiti.
We began talking and within ten minutes a small crowd had gathered. We discussed our different faiths and the ten or so people standing around all got to hear what we believe about Jesus.
One of the women said she was a believer but had fallen away from pursuing the Lord. She wanted prayer that as she chooses to come back, she would stay strong in her faith. We got to pray for her, for the Muslim man – that the truth would be revealed to him and that he would be provided with work and education – and for one other man.
During the course of talking to these people, a woman had come, listened for a little while, then walked away, saying something to our translator, Alix. He informed us that she wanted us to come to her house when we were finished so we could pray for her. This was Barbara.
We left that first house about 45 minutes after arriving and went straight to Barbara’s house. She lived in one room with her brother and her husband.
We began asking some questions, just getting to know her, and it quickly became my favorite visit of the day.
It turned out, Barbara had gone to school for four years, studying to be a pastor. She had served at a church in a town about an hour and a half away until a month ago. She told us that she had prayed over people in that town and the people had been healed.
Because of this, men in the town – a gang – had tried to kill her, so she had to leave.
She told us that story just like she was talking about any ordinary day. There was no urgency, no anger, no fear. She made it sound as if it was just an average day. Perhaps, for her, it is.
She said she isn’t safe, that the men are still wanting to kill her, but when I asked if she was afraid for her life, she said “No”. When I asked why, she told me it is because she trusts God. She knows He will protect her. What incredible faith!
After a few more questions, Barbara walked across the room, stood right in front of us and said, “I am thirsty for your prayers.” I don’t think I’ll ever forget that phrase.
I had the privilege or praying over this woman. Praying peace over her and love for her enemies. Praying healing over her womb that hasn’t been able to carry a baby to term. Praying protection over this beloved daughter.
Her story has stuck with me and makes me wonder how many more in Haiti, in the other countries I get to travel to, in America, are thirsty for prayer?
**I am still fundraising, looking for partners who are willing to give monthly as well as one time donors. If you feel led, click the ‘Donate’ button at the top of the page.**
