Reflecting

It has been nearly a week since the earthquake.  I have to say it has felt like the longest week of my life.  We are grateful to be out but in many ways we have left our hearts in Haiti.  Like you we see the continuing bad news and wonder how things will turn out.  But our hope continues to be the God who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

We are thankful that God not only provides for us but he is continuing to provide for the Haitian people.  Things are hard but we know many who put their hope in God.

What has the last week been like?  I think the hard part was not all that I saw.  I did see great suffering and scenes of destruction.  The hard part was the uncertainty.  Should we stay or should we leave?  How will God provide our way out?  Will we be affected long term by living through the earthquake?  How will my kids handle everything?  But even during the anxious moments God continued to tell us: “Do not be afraid.”

We did experience and see much to give hope as well.  Not every house was destroyed.  The story of people walking out of the rubble unharmed, being outside when the quake struck and being spared have been repeated many times by missionary friends of ours.  We give thanks to God for his great mercy.

Our Haitian neighbors in Kaliko had a daughter who was at school in Port-au-Prince.  On the morning after the quake they received news that the school their daughter was attending had collapsed.  For the next hours Heather hard the wails and cries of a grieving.  But Heather prayed and encouraged our maintenance man Wilson not to lose hope.  If you don’t see a body don’t give up.

At about 1PM Heather again heard a great noise from the neighbors house.  But this time it was shouts and cries of joy.  The daughter, thought to be dead, had just walked down the path to the house.  A joyous reunion.

Lots more to come in the days ahead.  Continue to pray – for our family, for the people of Haiti, for those trying to help.  Pray especially for great wisdom in all the planning.