I sat on the dry stubble and dirt, the traumatized and trembling earth, rocking back and forth in sobs. I was asking why, for a people with so many needs, for a people having such a passion for Christ, for the children just having received prayer for protection and provision, and for the children who, just hours ago, had celebrated the birth of Christ with their sponsors: why, why did this happen? My whole being was encompassed in deep anguish. Those around me were in stupor and unbelief, prayer, and tears. To have heard the sound of the earth growl and moan in its transition stage, to have seen the countryside “crack” and watch as the dust erupts skyward, all the while hearing the hysterical cries and wailing of the village peoples in unison, a crying out to the Lord, a crying out to the gods that could not promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Seven days earlier, I left Portland Airport at 6AM with anticipation, not fully knowing what this mission had in store for me in Grand Goave, Haiti, with Lifeline Christian Mission (LCM). There were six women in my group – my sister Cece Taylor and her friend Rosie Thompson along with Rosie’s daughter Cierra, and twin sisters Janna and Dee Peters. We felt that our jet’s “777” destination from Texas to Miami was significant.
Over the next number of days, meeting the numerous interpreters (all Haitian men-of-Christ that had been “sponsor children” themselves through LCM) left me in admiration for their gentle and compassionate nature. They had a great sense of humor, which I really enjoyed, and it was easy to converse with them. They were most eager to help in any capacity and they went out of their way to make our activities and programs run smoothly.
I was captivated by the women on “Women’s Day” with their passion for the Lord and dedication in worshiping and gathering with one another (some took two days to get to the compound and by no means was it in a comfortable vehicle). Their voices of praise, singing, and worship, the memorization of scripture, both the young and the old – they gathered for praise unto the Lord. In a country so different from what I am accustomed, we worshipped the same God, we sang the same songs. I found that there was no barrier between the two different cultures when Christ was the focus.
Memorization of an entire chapter of the Bible (by even the illiterate) was quite impressive. In addition, the Haitians could stand up in church service and just “belt it out” at the appropriate time, with many others reciting the same, in softer voices. The message from the Pastor was that of “Do you represent the Gospel” and do your “Words and Actions” reveal who you are in Christ? This emotive message was a good part of the three-hour service.
Haiti is about the size of Maryland and about two-thirds mountainous. The history of Haiti is not necessarily a pretty one. Revolutions, dictatorships, political turmoil, the AIDS epidemic causing a final collapse in the economy, poor infrastructure, and hurricanes only begin to paint a picture of a country where the people are oppressed – a look into the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Haiti with voodooists believing that their religion can coexist with Catholicism. Otherwise, Voodoo is considered the country’s national religion. The Protestants, however, go up against voodooism and have brought Christianity into the county, bringing in not only the Word, but they have educated, fed, and cared for a people who would otherwise be struggling with malnutrition, severe poverty, rioting, disease, and peril.
Being on the cement roof of a two-story building during the 7.0 magnitude earthquake was sheer terror. It was a true miracle that the building did not collapse; the contortion of the building was ghastly, and yet it did not crack as I was riding on a wave of cement that heaved and rolled. I look at what the country of Haiti went through, a country that at its best is considered “poverty stricken” by our standards and what are “slums” to us could be its better parts of the country. To endure a disaster that they were very unfamiliar with, a cataclysm that tore their lives apart , a tragedy leaving them homeless, the heartache of losing loved ones and having loved ones injured or unaccounted for, is just so unfathomable.
The Reverend quickly goes from group to group as we are huddled out in the field, making sure we are okay and making sure that there are not any immediate needs amongst the women at LCM. His own village is in turmoil and despair. A young Haitian man is seen, arms heavenward, praising the Lord in Heaven. It is such an incomprehensible situation, yet these people know that God is in control, God is good. How much faith is that?
The evening was long. The village peoples poured into the grounds of LCM (all the walls around the compound had come down). The tremors continued. With each tremor, the cry of the peoples increased. What rose above all else was “Jesus, Jesus.” There were believers and unbelievers that walked onto the compound. They came in not knowing what was happening, but knowing that they were in a “safe” place. And through the night, they continued to pour in, families all huddled together on the ground, some crying, some praising God, some voodooist reaching out for that which was unattainable through their veneration. A baby was born. There were reports of fatalities. The wounded were starting to come in – gruesome doesn’t quite cover what was seen and heard. The night was long and sickening, with the unknown awaiting all.
Light of a new day brought perspective to some, reality to others, but mostly fear to the Haitians. We went out amongst the hundreds of people encamped in the field, along with some of the interpreters, and prayed with and for the Haitians. It was a very hot day, but we cried together; we held each other. We could not immediately fix anything, but offering hope and loving on them was imperative in knowing that we were all in God’s hands. We prayed with those that had lost loved ones, we prayed over those that were injured, we prayed over those that had missing family members, we prayed for provision, hope, and healing. We gave out clothing for those that were in need (LCM has a clothing closet to provide clothing on a very regular basis). We cared for the wounded (LCM has a medical clinic), although the medical supplies were very limited and the injuries were great. More babies were delivered; more information came in reporting the loss of loved ones and severe injuries. Moreover, through it all I felt so broken, so empty, knowing that I endured this quake without a scratch or a bruise or having lost a loved one. I had food and water; I had a home to go to.
The devotionals that had been planned out for our week at the compound, months before we ever went, were focused on God’s protection and provision. Little did any of us know that, at the beginning of the week, we would refer to each one of them and, in wonderment, exclaim that we were being prepared in a mighty way.
The night following the quake, there was the most beautiful and incredible worship service under the stars in Grand Goave, Haiti that was heard for miles. The Christian Haitians sang out to a mighty God, and I walked amongst these people, singing in English as they sang in Creole. There was such a peace about it, even though the earth trembled and the buildings still shook. As I lay outdoors for the night with a large number of other women, encamped in the yard, I would sometimes fall asleep, only to awaken to the beauty of the praise.
Through the nights, the Christian Haitian interpreters were protective, very attentive, in prayer, and made sure we were all right. One such man would always come up and ask, “Are you okay, my sister?” When I awoke the morning (2:30 AM) that we were to leave, they were all together in prayer for us, praying for our safety, as the roads we were about to embark upon were dangerous, roads of uncertainty due to bridges that were damaged, roads that had split from the quake, and roads where we could be ambushed. They broke out in song where you could just feel the spirit moving, and before we loaded the bus, they went from one to another of us, hugging and praying for us.
I look at the amount of faith that these Christian Haitians have. I went into a county that is poor, so deprived, and very underprivileged. Yet they are richer than most of us ever will be. I look at a people who have so little, yet the simplicity of their lives and their need for provision and protection allow them to seek God in great measure. They know who their creator is; they know from whence all blessings come; they know that God is in control. One such interpreter likened LCM in this manner – “God used Lifeline as he used Joseph” – God had brought this ministry to Grand Goave to prepare them for what was coming, to bring in provisions for their peoples, and to help guide them in their walk with Christ in a country that is so full of corruption and iniquity.
Since the quake, LCM has been able to bring in help, and along with the US Military, have handed out thousands and thousands of meals and have played a big role in the medical care of the people in the village and outlying areas, and have started cleanup of destroyed homes. A recent report that I received from Gretchen DeVoe, Lifeline Christian Mission Co-founder (the first part of February) was full of promise and hope. She states: God is sovereign and He is doing something here in Haiti! The spiritual presence of our Lord can be seen and felt in every bit of energy that is expended by His people. And the eyes of the people of Haiti are on His mighty works.
Haiti needs our prayers, our help. Haiti is facing some very big challenges. But things are shaking in Haiti, not just from aftershocks. People are coming to Christ. There have been a great number of baptisms. The Haitian President declared the weekend of February 12th, 13th, and 14th as “days for prayer and fasting.” People are turning to God for their needs. God is in control, and with God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Article by Grace Fudge. If you would like to contact the author, please email info@rethinkmonthly.com and the message will be forwarded. Image by Vanessa Farnell.
