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!
5 comments:
Mike, thank you for this series, it shows the depth of your love for the least of these our brothers and sisters. I pray you will continue to help them in any way you can and that God gives you the gift of returning there.
Thank you Ian, I am humbly greatfull that Our Lord and Savior chose to bless me with the experience, and gave me the opportunity to labor even in this small way for His mighty Kingdom. I thank you for your support and prayer. May God richly bless you with the love of Christ.
Each time I read one of your Haiti posts (and I periodically re-read them), I am reminded to examine my own station in life and to meditate on the changes I, too, might help bring about to improve the lives and souls of others. Thank you for sharing your heart for Haiti.
Thank you for your post Soj, there is so much God has set forth for us to do, and yet these things are nothing in light of what He did for us through His Son. This is I think, one of the most important things I learned on this journey. We who love the Lord all know this, yet I think about it, and try my humble best to act on it against the resistance of the desires of my flesh, just a little harder today than before.
For any who are moved to action, I would ask that you check on the link list for 'Starfish Kids'. As I have met Gil Shoemaker, and know personally of her labor of love for the Lord in her ministry to the children of Haiti, One could hardly spend a few dollars a month better than to support a child in this very hands on endeavor. It is similar to Compassion International, but deals strictly with the children of Haiti and on a more personal level.
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