A light in the Dark

The events in Haiti the past few days have been very difficult to stand by and watch. UW was fortuante to make many connections with Haiti during this past year, including sending our intern team last summer. This year two training trips have been planned for the summer along with our intern trip. I (Julia) waited very anxiously to hear news from the many friends I have made in Haiti this last year. So far most are safe but the tragic stories that come forth as they have time to relate via email/blog are heartwrenching.
This was blogged this morning by a lady that helps run the Northwest Haiti Mission in Port-de-Paix, an area in the northern part of the country. They all felt the quake but now many are dealing with the waiting, as practically every family has relatives in Port-au-Prince. Reading this can help you know how to pray for the Haitian people in this time.


Castillo Family: We started the morning off at 5am while everyone ran outside of their homes and onto the streets. Why? Because rumors spread that another quake was coming. Frantically people ran out and waited....for nothing.


I'm sure you watched the report on CNN a few days ago where gangs yelled that there was a Tsunami coming and 1000's took to the street running as fast as they could - with panic and terror.


And for what? Let's scare them so they run and leave what little belongs they had left. So - now the gangs can just steal all the things left behind. Was today the same thing? Did the rumor come to go out of the homes so that robbers could break in? What un ugly tragedy on top of the worst tragedy Haiti has ever seen.


There are Voodoo Priests here telling the people - you see - you see what your "God" has done for you? He has done nothing. He has taken your families.....He has forsaken you.


I gave a talk to the Haitian staff this morning because I had to share with them truth. Most of them wearing black clothes - ready to mourn any news they might receive - maybe just 15 who've actually heard anything.


I said today you ran out in darkness - afraid for your life. And again and again we find ourselves surrounded by darkness. Today I bring you Light.....because darkness cannot hide from the Light. How many times must God shake us before we realize that this earth is not our home? I don't know why this happened just like I don't understand many things that happen here on earth....but I know that I have a better place waiting for me.


We must mourn the tragedy and our hearts must break. But for those who know Christ - they ran into the gates of Heaven the moment it happened. The schools full of children were at their desks and within an instant they were at the feet of Jesus. If you had the choice of Haiti or Heaven which do you choose? And if you have family that survived and still don't know Jesus - you better show them who He is because we do not control what happens today.


I heard the reports that this is the end of the world and voodoo priests talking bad about God. (They all shook their heads yes). So they said if our God was a real God this wouldn't have happened? Is the same not true for them? Well then why didn't their Satan stop it? (They never thought about that.)


I may not understand the things that happen but I know enough not to believe in the lies of darkness. That's the thing I hate about voodoo....because it's all lies and such clever mind games.