More Reflections on 2010

This is something Heather wrote recently reflecting on the momentous year for Haiti and our family – 2010.

“Jezu sove m! Jezu sove m! Lè mwen te san sekou, Jezu sove m!” (Chants d'Éspérance, #89 Kreyòl)

This is the refrain to a favorite Creole hymn sung in our churches on Lagonav and in Port-au-Prince. It has a catchy tune and our children often hum it during the week. It says: “Jesus saved me! Jesus saved me! When I was helpless (without aid), Jesus saved me!” As believers, we all recognize that we were once dead in our trespasses and sins and only Jesus can save us. For our friend, Oness, this song has taken on new meaning. Oness lives on Lagonav, owns a pickup truck and helps drive our teams around to our churches on the island. In November, he had taken a boat to the mainland to buy two tires for his truck. On the trip back, the boat he was on started to take on water. It was overloaded with cargo. For over 2 ½ hours 19 passengers stood knee-deep in water at the stern of the boat, bobbing in the middle of the 15-mile wide channel between the mainland and Lagonav. In God's mercy and providence, another boat sailed by and rescued all the passengers (and Oness' tires)! Then the boat sank. Oness knew he was helpless but his hope was in Christ. He says joyfully, “I'm doubly saved! I understand the greatness of my God and my need for Jesus' saving grace.”

People in Haiti understand what it means to be helpless. When the earthquake hit last year, we were all helpless. No one could make the ground stop shaking. No one could stop buildings from falling. For a brief 35 seconds, everyone was overcome by their humanity. Everyone was acutely aware that they were powerless to change what was happening. Yet our omnipotent God remained in control of his creation. We were all helpless and without aid but Jesus set us on solid ground. He saved us!

People in Haiti understand the reality of death, too. 2010 was a devastating year for the Haitian people. Over 250,00 people died in the Earthquake. Cholera has claimed nearly 4,000 souls so far. Hurricane Tomas took the lives of over 20 people. Presidential election violence is still ongoing as controversies abound over the first-round results. Struggle upon struggle. Death upon death.

We drive by the mass grave site of the Earthquake victims on our way to and from Port-au-Prince. A foul smell reminds us of the physical death of so many Haitians – even a year later, the stench of death still lingers. But this site is an even greater reminder to us of those who are spiritually dead in Haiti. Our ongoing desire is to be the fragrance of life here, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:15-17:

“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” (ESV)

Pray with us that the Lord will draw his elect to himself in Haiti and reveal himself to be the Way, the Truth and the Life by his Holy Spirit.

We are grateful for the opportunity to be used to build Christ's church in Haiti. We are especially thankful for your partnership in this work. Mèsi anpil!-Thanks so much! Your giving and your faithful prayers last year enabled this work to go forward despite much upheaval. Many teams have come alongside to foster this work through church leader training, diaconal labors, Vacation Bible School teaching, medical interventions and spiritual counseling in conjunction with the weekly preaching of God's Word. Thank you so much for helping to build a vibrant church for Christ's honor and glory in Haiti. Bondye beni ou! -God bless you!