Healing for Haiti
Schoolchildren holding their sign: "We say thank you to you for all your support to us. Thanks to you the sun and the rain will not bother us. May God bless you."
“O Lord my God, I cried to You, and You have healed me.” Psalm 30:2
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” Psalm 30:11
Although we pray and try to plan as best as we can, inevitably changes are going to happen on short term mission trips. We need to be flexible like the Apostle Paul who had his plans changed (Romans 1:13). Take for instance our recent trips to Haiti this year. In February, we planned a construction/medical trip. Half of the team was to rebuild a Christian school that was destroyed by the 2010 earthquake. Upon further evaluation, the school required more preparation work than originally thought. The team then shifted their focus on medical clinics — which were really needed, especially with the outbreak of cholera. One of our precious team members — a skilled construction worker — assisted one of our doctors in the pharmacy. He came to cut wood and pound nails, but he gave out medications instead. He was used by God in a different capacity then he anticipated, but he loved it! He was touched by the Lord on that trip. He wants to return to Haiti to rebuild the school.
The Lord poured out his blessings in many ways for the October trip. Evangel Cubes (evangelistic rubix cubes), Gospel literature, children’s clothing and toys, tooth brushes, building supplies, a generator and numerous tools were provided. Our skilled construction worker brought his son and son-in-law who are experienced in construction. Also joining us, was a doctor who spent many hours researching seismic building procedures, an engineer with unbelievable experience and gifts to determine what was required structurally, and an electrical engineer who is serving in Haiti full-time. Our team of seven American men and a handful of Haitians enjoyed working together despite the language barrier. We taught each other words like hammer, big nails and small nails. In five days we saw a 30’ by 40’ building rise above the rumble. The local community came to investigate this uniquely, resurrected school building – a resurrected building that bears witness of God’s love and healing for Haiti. Telling them, “God loves and cares for you”.
