A PEOPLE OF FAITH

 

     Without question, the people of Haiti are a people of faith.  They believe in the power of God to restore, rebuild and renew.  Although I have been to Haiti three times, most recently in 2008, my most vivid memory involves my first trip to Haiti about 14 years ago.  The community was without water and electricity.  It was headed toward dusk as we walked toward an evening church service along a dusty road.

     As we neared the church, there was a long line of people waiting patiently for some occasion.  I thought perhaps some celebrity had dropped by and the people were hungry to get his or her autograph.  Perhaps Michael Jackson or some other person.  The line seemed to extend for blocks.  To my amazement, the line was for the church service to which we were headed.  It was a graduation celebration.  The children's clothes were old but they were clean.

The church was decorated with toilet paper strewn about the ceiling to give it festive flavor.

The church had only 2 light bulbs in the whole sanctuary, powered by a generator that continually failed throughout the service, sending us into complete darkness at unexpected moments.  But my, did we have church!  Despite the darkness, the preacher kept preaching, the choir kept singing and the people kept praising the Lord! 

     I've never felt such an outpouring of the Spirit of God.  Jesus said,"if you don't praise my name, I've got some rocks ready to cry out."  What a mighty God we serve!  What a people of faith!  His name is Jesus.

 

                                                       Because He Lives,

 

 

                                                        Rev. Rodrick K. Green

                                                        New Hope Baptist Church

                                                        Ann Arbor, MI 48104

                                                        734-994-4620

                                                        734-829-7464 (Cell)