it's good to be reminded

Last night (Friday), we held our monthly Community Supper, an evening each month where we invite those around us, whether in apartments, homes, motels or on the street, to join us for an evening meal and some valuable hang time. It's my favorite night of the month (those who work this ministry hear me say that each month!) because God always shows up in some significant way. And I love the time we have with many our own society has discarded as insignificant or of no real value.

Three events took place last night that humbled me again, and reminded me of the value of these evenings. As the crowd of about 100 entered our Fellowship Hall to begin the evening, Bradford, an older man who's been on the streets for years and is usually drunk (to some degree) found me. He put his hands on my shoulders and said, "You know why I come to these meals, Mike? Not because I'm hungry, but because I'm lonely, and I just have to be around people that I know love me so I won't be so lonely."

Later, one of our homeless men, Bobby (with me here), came up and told me how much he liked listening to my messages, but that he disagreed with everything that I say (I already knew this, as we've had lots of conversations!). But he wanted to make a time to sit together and hash out this entire "Christian-thing" once for all. He said he wanted lots of time to talk, discuss and argue, but that we had to settle the issue. Finally! We've prayed for him for years. Please pray this time will be life-changing for him.

As I was welcoming the group and preparing to pray to begin our evening, one of our gals approached me with a plastic bag. I figured she was needlessly interrupting what I was doing, but she told me the bag and the card with it were for me, and that I had to open them. So standing on a chair before our roomful of people, I looked into the bag and found a rug that had been purchased for me with money raised from this crowd! And opening the envelope, I found a thank-you card sign by so many of those in attendance (click the picture)! I had no idea that this project had been taking place for no apparent reason, except to say thanks. I took that card home and looked it over, reading the signatures and notes again and again. Just sitting and reading. And thinking of so many faces, lives and stories.

And I remembered why this is my favorite night of the month.

haitian hope

The Haitian people are deeply spiritual. This has been evident throughout the capitol region following the quake as groups have gathered together to pray, worship and give thanks to God. These events have not escaped the attention of the media, which has acted at times almost incredulously at the expression of faith expressed in the face of such great agony.

About 80% of the nation professes Roman Catholicism, while 16% engage in some form of Protestantism. And for many, their faith is evident in their daily lives. But voodoo, a spiritistic practice combining African cultic practices with European and indigenous elements dominates well over half the population. Voodoo focuses on connection with spirits, especially in the areas of healing and protection. Catholicism initially resisted these practices, but eventually syncretized voodoo within its own practices. Many Catholics participate in voodoo, believing the two systems actually complement, instead of contradict, each other. Protestants view voodoo as a demonic practice, and stand adamantly opposed to it, but even so, many Protestant believers maintain ties with their former practices.

When I was in Haiti almost ten years ago, our team served in with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission in Saint Louis du Nord. Several observations and impressions still stand out in my mind from that experience. We saw evidence of voodoo devotion everywhere. Objects of devotion were on and in homes we passed. We encountered a group preparing to sacrifice a cow, and even witnessed a face-to-face between one of our preachers and the voodoo priest. We heard the drums of voodoo gatherings each night just beyond the borders of our compound wall, indicating ceremonies that were taking place. One night during a church meeting, we were blessed being part of a group of 500-800 Haitian believers, praising God in song and dance for well over an hour. The level of worship and excitement in the air were electric and we were impressed with what we saw as the devotion of the local believers. But the missionary informed us that at least 70% of those believers still held voodoo fetishes (objects thought to contain great power in the spirit world) in their homes. Although they were Christians, they found it difficult to break completely with old practices, either because of fear, habit, or "just in case" they might ever need the help.

I have a deep respect for my Haitian brothers and sisters who have given their all for the cause of Christ. Such a commitment can mean great difficulty in the culture, both socially and spiritually. Those who follow Christ have a deep understanding of what it means to trust Him in all areas of their lives, whether material, emotional or spiritual. I believe that the future of this country depends upon these kinds of people, who understand what it means to walk in the light of Christ, and reject paths that run counter to God's way.

Please keep the Haitian believers in prayer, that God will speak through their lives and leadership, that they will remain faithful in the face of constant compromise, and that God will grant them victory over the evil one and all his schemes. The road was a difficult one before January 12, and it just got much, much harder. But even as the thief rejoices over the death, destruction and despair that he sees, God works. He prepares. He empowers. And He will have the glory. Because He know the plans He has for His people, and those plans include a future.

And a hope.

haiti history

Haiti is one of those countries that we've heard of (especially now), yet know so little about. We know it's impoverished, has struggled with corruption, practices voodoo (along with other religions) and has needs in every area. But until last week's quake, most couldn't tell you much more, if even this much.

Here are a few more thoughts that help paint a little more of the Haitian picture. Haiti occupies the island of Hispaniola alongside the Dominican Republic. It was the first independent nation in Latin America, the first post-colonial independent black-led nation in the world, and the only nation whose independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion. Columbus landed on the island in 1492, the Spanish imported African slaves in the 1500's, and pirates found Haiti strategic in the 17th and 18th centuries (Jean Lafitte was born in Port-au Prince in 1782).

Encouraged by the French Revolution, Haitian military and general population led a successful quest for independence from the French, winning victory in 1804. Their political leadership has been turbulent and often problematic for much of the time since. In its last 200 years, Haiti has suffered 32 coups of its leadership, damaging its progress as a nation. From 1957-1986, the country was ruled, by dictators- first, Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, then his son, Jean-Claude, aka "Baby Doc." Their regimes created a private army and terrorist death squads that terrorized the masses and allowed them to maintain their grip on the country.

Some other significant items:

• 98% of the forested land has been cut down for cooking fuel, destroying farmlands and creating a desert environment in many areas;
• Only 40% of the population (pre-quake) has access to basic health care;
• 90% of Haitian children suffer with waterborne diseases and parasites;
• TB is 10 times higher than in other Latin American countries;
• Haiti is considered among the the poorest, if not the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere;
• Most Haitians live on $2 a day, and at least 1/3 of the population is illiterate;
• 50% of the country's 9.8 million people is under the age of 20;
• Cite Soleil, a slum of Port-au-Prince, is the largest slum (200,000-500,000), and is considered the most dangerous place in the Western Hemisphere. (Thanks, Wikipedia, for all the info)

Grim? You bet. Impossible? Maybe for us, but not for God. In the midst of this agony and struggle, He's active and working. Because with much trouble comes much opportunity. God's response in all this can be seen in the lives of His people on the ground. But what about our response?

It's easy for many to look at the Haiti and other nations like it, and dismiss them, calling them to be accountable for their own situation. While valid to a point, this cannot be the only response or solution. And turning our back on, or ignoring peoples such as these will not make things better, or make them go away. I realize the answers are complex, and maybe even

unfixable (at least in our thinking), but I also know that we must care. We must demonstrate tangible, measurable love. Beyond the natural disasters. Beyond the catastrophes. Beyond that small window of opportunity when its chic and sexy to show our concern. Because when it comes down to it, it's a matter of investing ourselves somewhere, with someone, in some way that makes a difference. Maybe not to a nation, but to a person. That's where it always begins.

Where have you begun?

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18

Haitian Horror

By now you've seen the pictures. You've heard the stories. You've shaken your head in disbelief. I know you have, if you're human at all.

The horrific scenario now developing in Haiti following the earthquake has left the world in a state of incredulity. It's beyond my comprehension (and maybe yours, too) to try to envision the kind of devastation that would leave as many as 100,000 dead, and a city (and nation) virtually wiped out...in a matter of seconds.

Now we're viewing the ongoing despair in near real-time. And there's report after report, video after video, gut-wrenching photos and stories every hour. While we, as a church, have planned our initial response (and are praying about what else we might do), I'm painfully aware of a subtle danger already creeping into my heart: tragedy overload.

There's only so much imagery I can ingest without beginning to sense a numbness to what I'm viewing. Only so much sorrow I want to allow to pierce my heart. Only so much room within me to feel for people far enough removed that I feel helpless to make much of a difference. Then this afternoon it hit me- what if God suffered tragedy overload? What if He said, "There's just too much sorrow. I gotta shut it down, because I don't have anywhere else to put this stuff that makes me so sad."?

I know God is bigger than this. That's why He's God. But as His servant and ambassador, I'm convicted again to continue to extend myself, my heart, and my hand, and push back hard against the numbness that can shut me down. My role is not to turn off, but to pray harder, think longer, give more, and rally others for the benefit of these victims. Because it's tough to be God's hands and feet if I allow my shut-down switch to flip when people need his presence the most.

The next time you feel like tuning out because it's just too painful, because you've seen so much you have nowhere to put any more, remember that God never looks away, never shuts it down. And if He's going to demonstrate His compassion in the midst of tragedy, He's going to want to do it through us.

But only if we're looking.

PS- check out Northwest Haiti Christian Mission (www.nwhcm.org). These are the people through whom we'll send our assistance at this time.