Final post
February 14, 2010
Today is my last full day in Haiti, and this is my last post to the blog. The day began with worship. Eight of us drove to the church next to the clinic in City Soleil. The service began at 6:30. We had set a meeting back at the compound for 10:00, assuming three hours would be the longest the service might go. At 10:15, the service was not close to ending, so we had to step out early. Three hours and 45 minutes, and still going!
It was a remarkable service on several counts. It was the first time people gathered to worship in the sanctuary since the earthquake. Actually, last Sunday’s worship began outside the building and, at the end of the service, a few people were willing to venture inside. Today, people began to gather in the sanctuary at 6:30 and, by 7:00, the sanctuary was full. (We estimate at least a thousand were in attendance.) Another remarkable feature of the worship service was the level of praise and thanksgiving. The first two hours were devoted to singing and shouting. At one point, a lady seated behind me leaped to her feet and yelled, “Merci, mon Jesus.” In light of the situation here, it is amazing to see people pressing forward full of praise and thanksgiving.
We participated in communion, which, given the concern about unfriendly bacteria, gave me pause. I look my lead from the medical staff in our group, who took the elements. The sermon lasted only about thirty minutes. There was a considerable amount of scripture reading, all done in unison. One particularly poignant passage we read is from Isaiah 54:
11 “O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
I will build you with stones of turquoise,
your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your battlements of rubies,
your gates of sparkling jewels,
and all your walls of precious stones.
13 All your sons will be taught by the LORD,
and great will be your children’s peace.
An interesting sight on the way back from worship was a number of congregations worshiping along the side of the road. I don’t know if their church buildings were destroyed, or if they were still fearful of holding a service in their buildings. Whatever the reason, it was inspiring to see these small congregations in the midst of the craziness of City Soleil singing, praying, and worshiping–spreading the good news by their example.
The intensity of the effort here has lessened a bit. This is the first week since Samaritan’s Purse arrived that people were not expected to work a seven-day week. Henceforth, volunteers and staff will take Sunday’s off except for essential duties. My only work today was mocking up a third possible temporary structure–simpler than the two I mocked up yesterday and taking into account what I learned from surveying existing structures during the ride to church today.
The new carpenter arrived this afternoon. I will bring him up to speed tomorrow morning, and leave the various projects in his able hands.
In lieu of our usual strategy and report meeting this evening, we worshiped together. I led music and a member of the medical team spoke. It was a fitting end to a refreshing Sabbath day.
Please join with me in committing to pray for the efforts of all the groups here working to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the Haitian people. With rainy season closing in, we should be especially mindful of the need for quick and effective action in terms of providing temporary shelter. Hurricane season begins soon after that, and it is critical that rubble is removed and replaced by safe, permanent housing by that time. Pray, give, and, if you can, go.
