LEX

haiti day 3: the heaviness sets in

the following excerpt is taken from The Rainy Season: Haiti Since Duvalier by Amy Wilentz.

"Voodoo is the culture of my country," he says... "Voodoo is the only real religion, which respects all life. Voodoo is the religion of religions, it came before all other religions. It is the root of belief, all belief. The whole world is the work of voodoo, which will survive all religions. Voodoo is the cultural name of Haiti. Voodoo is Haiti."

day 3 began by going to church at Port Au Prince Fellowship. John McHoul presented a challenging message about forsaking safety and seeking the Lord's will for your life. it seemed a little ironic that he'd be preaching such a message to a congregation full of americans who had already left the comforts of the US to give their lives for the poorest country in the western hemisphere. as our group discussed the sermon later that day, we felt it was directed towards us, not the regular attenders. yet as we spoke with some of those people who had already given several years to haiti, had adopted handicapped children, had sold house and home in the US with no plans to return...they also said it was directed towards them. "what more can i do?" is the question they were now asking themselves. it's incredible to see that the Word of God is truly living and active - always and everywhere.

after eating haitian pizza for lunch, we spent the afternoon playing with children at Wings of Hope childrens home, next to the Baptist mission up above Petion-ville.

Wings of Hope is a home for disabled children - whether physically or mentally. because of the culture of voodoo in haiti, these childrens' disabilities are seen to be manifestations of evil spirits. as a result, their parents don't want them. they are left abandoned. in places like haiti, there's no one to take them in. everyone agrees - they are manifestations of evil spirits. no one wants to invite an evil spirit into their home. no one wants to love and care for an evil spirit.

so these children are left for dead.

and then there are those who somehow find their way to Wings of Hope. a place where they are fed, bathed, educated, loved. though some of these children are adopted, most of them never leave haiti. yet they are given skills they can use to make a life for themselves, and most importantly, the Hope of Christ.

many of the children from Wings of Hope have even returned to work, love, educate those who remain - to share the great hope they received.

this was probably one of the most difficult things i've ever seen, maybe second to a similar orphanage i visited in the DR.

i am generally uncomfortable around disabilities. i don't know why this is. it has nothing to do with thinking they are lesser people. it has nothing to do with a lack of patience or compassion. i simply don't know what to do. i'm not saying this is ok, i'm just saying it's the way i am. the Lord definitely didn't give me a special gift for working with or loving this population.

yet something now happens inside of me when i see a precious, innocent child in such a condition. handicapped. abused. neglected. abandoned. hopeless. it almost makes me sick to my stomach. if it weren't for the mini-playground which brought such beautiful smiles and laughter, i'm not sure i could have endured the time we spent there. to know that there are so many children starving for love and so few people willing to give it does not settle well in my heart.

i have itunes running as i type this post and the song that just started playing is Chris Tomlin's I Will Rise. it seems pretty appropriate for these children. they do have hope. they do have victory. and one day, those who have put their hope in Him, with no more sorrow and no more pain...will rise.

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

posted by Alexia & Jeffrey @ 9:33 PM