“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-4
A friend of mine, living in Haiti recently shared “Rete fidèl” in the subject line of his email, which means “remain faithful”. In spite of the chaotic hell they are living through, they remain faithful, because God is in control. When I send an email or a text with friends in Haiti or even talk with them on the phone; my North American instincts wonder how they can remain so calm while living in such chaos. Back in the day, when I was living in Haiti, towards the end of 2003 there was a coup taking place to overthrow the government of President Aristide. There were many nights that I would listen to automatic weapons firing in downtown PAP. At those times, I opened my Bible and read with my flashlight through the Psalms and prayed. Remain faithful.
Yesterday, my initial search for Haiti news online went to CNN. The news was prayerfully the first positive step forward. “The embattled prime minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, has resigned after weeks of mounting chaos in the Caribbean nation, where gangs have been attacking government structures and social order is on the brink of collapse. Henry said in a video address late Monday that his government would leave power after the establishment of a transitional council, adding, “Haiti needs peace. Haiti needs stability. My government will leave immediately after the inauguration of the council. We will be a caretaker government until they name a prime minister and a new cabinet,” Henry said. Henry’s adviser Jean Junior Joseph told CNN that Henry would remain in his role until the formation of a new interim government. The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), meeting in Jamaica on Monday said it had agreed to set up a transitional council to lay the foundations for elections in Haiti.” Remain faithful.
I remember that in 2002, John Hall and a few Haitian Pastors and I went to visit the Food for the Poor warehouse near the PAP airport in hopes of getting some beans and rice for the new school feeding programs under Pastor Thomas Bernard’s care. As we got out of my pickup truck, John told me, “The dance begins.” We were about to take the first step in the process in expecting not much help, but hoping for much. John and Pastor Thomas told the administrator why we were there and what we needed to feed kids and could they help? They were Catholics and we were Lutherans. The dance lasted for a couple of hours, back and forth, prancing around, looking through books. We remained faithful. When we left the warehouse, my truck was loaded with back of beans, rice, boxes of Maggi and dry milk and cans of cooking oil. You can see my truck in the attached photo. Remain faithful. This news is just the first step of the dance.
A few weeks ago after church, a man and I were talking about people living in Haiti and also here in Central Illinois. We are so blessed and so blind that we don’t see it; we take so much for granted. Why are Christians living in Haiti having to endure this challenge? Is their faith being tested? We join the believers in Haiti with our prayers from the safe homes we live in here on this side of Paradise. Remain faithful; God is in Control. Satan does not seize victory from this battle. Remain faithful.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay