So, tell me the truth…
Recently I spent extended time with a man I greatly respect and whose counsel I readily accept. We were having a great conversation, when suddenly he got serious and asked, “So, tell me the truth, are you dying?”
Aren’t we all?
I consider this man a mentor. He is a security professional with intimate knowledge of all that's happening in Haiti. He's not the least bit naive to the realities as he's lived them with people. I value his counsel.
We continued talking through all the "Haiti stuff" in a way I can't talk about such things with too many people, and I was fully prepared for him to say, "I think you need to stop going to Haiti. The trip wires are gone."
Instead he said, "I think you need to keep going to Haiti. It's what will keep you alive." Wow. The irony of that statement.
For it, it was a powerful word from a man who knows Jesus - and knows risk management - and knows me.
Prayer is powerful
When I arrived in Haiti last month, Steeve told me Pastor Danjour wanted to come pray with me.
As each day went by, Steeve told me the pastor wanted to come, but because of where he lives in relation to where I stay, travel was not easy. But on the morning I was preparing to leave, I was surprised when Steeve told me, “Pastor Danjour is here.”
We sat together - me, Pastor Danjour, Vorb, and Steeve - and the pastor blessed me with his words. Then, acknowledging all we needed to accomplish that morning, he cut the conversation short and began to pray.
His prayer reminded me of this Scripture:
“Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you . . . Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
I have found it to be incredibly humbling in recent months to have people pray over me with regards to my health. I’ve also found it to be incredibly reassuring because when someone like Pastor Danjour prays, it’s easy to believe his petition to the Father will be heard.
My short trip to Haiti came to a close that day, and what better way to end the trip than by being covered in prayer by the very people on whose behalf I plead with the Father daily.
How thankful I am to know and love Haiti.
Sunday was a gift
Saturday night before bedtime prayers, I asked Handy, “Do you have your clothes ready for church tomorrow?” to which he replied, “Frè Steeve told me to wear jeans and a t-shirt to church tomorrow.”
Me: “Do you have them?”
Handy: “I have my jeans.”
Me: “Handy, you have so many shirts. Why haven’t you chosen a shirt?”
Handy: . . .
Sunday morning when I walked into church, I understood.
The majority of people at church were wearing t-shirts, shirts welcoming me back and wishing me good health. I even received a bouquet of fresh flowers as a gift.
Here are just a few photos we took afterwards.
But this surprise, as big as it was, wasn’t the only surprise on Sunday.
Later in the afternoon, Steeve had invited me to attend one of the church’s community groups. He had told me there was no obligation, but I was welcome. Of course, I went, but I didn’t find a community group when I got there. Instead this happened.
I wept for the next 20 minutes. I couldn’t stop the tears. How blessed am I to know this amazing community of people and to be loved and accepted by them?
Soon I will share one last story from this most recent trip to Haiti, and in many ways, what happened on Monday morning, tied the entire trip, this entire story, together.