Thursday, August 16, 2007

The Hope of Haiti, Pt. 2. Reference Psalm 50:2

I have so many more images of the Haitian people, and closing this series is a difficult thing for me as my passion for these wonderful human beings and my desire to return to their nation has not abated. I pray to God in Jesus matchless name, He will allow me one day soon to return to give of the labor of my hands and the witness of my mouth to his Glory, and to be so blessed again as I was by Him and these hopeful people on my first visit.
The image above is of the children of the small church we attended service at in Cap Haitian. Their pastor who's name I fail to remember is poorly cropped to the extreme right. Greg, whom you have seen in other posts is rear left, and the little girl in the very front left is one of the missionaries children who brought us to the service and helped us to understand the translation.
The second facet of hope I see for Haiti is the faith of it's Christian people, especially their children who worship and sing in service with as much energy as the adults! These will be the future parents of godly children no longer under the yoke of Voodoo or a Catholic hybrid thereof.
Some of these young folk speak more than one language, learn a tireless work ethic that the need to just survive demands, and show up every worship service dressed their best as if they were going to meet Jesus personally that day. Amongst all the squalor and poverty, every attendant of the service we went to from oldest to youngest were dressed in a fashion that rivals most of us who worship corporately in America. For most of these folks I am told it is the only good set of clothing they may own, and in some cases if they do not feel presentable enough they will not attend for shame of disrespecting Christ in their appearance! Although I was informed that this practice is happening a little less as they come to understand it is the condition of the heart and not the clothes Jesus is concerned with.
Can you see the hope there? who do we know among us that loves Christ so much they fear to disrespect Him by even less than their best dress in church? How many in America will miss church this Sunday simply because they want to sleep in, or have work around the home to do, or want the money Sunday overtime may provide!
Can you see the the richness of Christ in the souls of those who have little, as compared to the poorness of the hearts of some of us who have so much?
This is the hope of Haiti, the love and devotion and enthusiasm to our Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus Christ, taught diligently by missionary brothers and sisters to the parents, who's hearts are open to God and touched by His Grace, and teach of His Word their children well!