Haiti —
Amidst piles of concrete rubble and trash, Port-au-Prince seemed to be showing signs of trying to regain some degree of normalcy; although for many “normal” has a new meaning. Workers slowly shoveled concrete and debris by hand while sidewalk vendors displayed their wares on string tied between concrete blocks.
Dust filled the air as cars and trucks passed across the rain-starved land. While many talk of the need for rain, we all know that the rain will create problems for those living in the tent cities.
I have observed men beginning to pick up pieces of concrete and mortar, often by hand. It seems that man is always rebuilding, always picking up the pieces of what has been broken. And while much of the focus here is on broken buildings, I wonder about the broken lives. People have lost everything worldly and are living hopelessly, without Christ, from day to day.
Ours is a culture that says: “We can fix it.” “We can rebuild it.” But what if we can’t? What if one day we come to the place where what has been broken cannot be rebuilt?
When all has been broken we can still offer Him who was “broken” for us. We can still share the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ with those who have lost everything. We can—and we must give hope that can only be found in Christ.
It is likely that more will die in Haiti as a result of the conditions in which they now live. This indeed would be a tragedy. But an even greater tragedy would be if they die not having heard of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Although we should try, we may not be able to significantly improve the living conditions of many in this country. Regardless of the conditions they now live in, we can share of an eternal home that is possible through faith in Christ. It is our hope, however, to do both.
Helping Hands in Haiti
After the devastating earthquake hit Haiti, ABWE sent a survey team to the country to determine the needs of the local churches and people. More than $145,000 has been raised by ABWE to use toward relief and rebuilding efforts.
Although we spent our days in meetings and assessing damaged and broken buildings and lives, we also witnessed the spectacular.
While we were in Haiti, the president had called for three days of prayer and fasting on the days traditionally associated with Mardi Gras. Instead of the normal sounds of Voodoo bands, thousands of Haitians filled the Christian churches to overflowing for days praying, singing, preaching, and worshiping the one and only God of the universe. As our team traveled into the mountains of Haiti we were amazed at the groups of people streaming by foot along mountain trails and dirt roads carrying their Bibles to places of worship.
Initial reports stated that more than 1,000 people trusted Christ at Baptist Haiti Mission-affiliated churches that weekend.
While we do grieve over the tremendous destruction and loss of life in Haiti, we must also rejoice with the angels over the new life that the Lord has formed from the ruins.
It is ABWE’s hope that the work we accomplish in Haiti will not only provide physical relief for these beautiful people, but that we will be a source of life to those who have not yet heard the gospel message.
GET INVOLVED: Learn more about how you can help in Haiti.
For more information on medical trips visit: www.healthcareministries.abwe.org
For more information on construction projects visit: www.abwe.org/serve
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