Experiencing Jesus in the Flesh

Let me share with you some of the history of my native country, Haiti, where I was born almost half a century ago in Port-au-Prince. Port-au-Prince is the capital of Haiti. Haiti shares part of the island Hispaniola with Santo Domingo. Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, has known only political instability for most of its history.

Haiti, that is less than Maryland in size, is the home of about 9 million people. It is a mountainous land with few coastal plains, valleys and rivers. In the 1700, Haiti, whose descendants were the Arawak Indians, was a prosperous French colony because of the hard work of imported black slaves from Africa who worked in the sugar cane plantations. It became the first independent black republic in 1804. French and Creole are the official languages. Catholicism is considered the state religion, but other religious practices are widely spread.

Recently an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 occurred that devastated this impoverished island. I am overwhelmed at the news of my people wounded and many dead under the rubbles without much hope. Knowing the situation in this poor island, my heart is torn at the devastation I saw on the networks that provided coverage of this desperate situation, day after day and hours after hours. I am joyful, sad and hurt as I followed the happy recovery stories and the sad stories of families loosing loved ones and without food, clean water, shelter, and medical help. My soul is experiencing a deep sense of loss and grief thinking about the people. I think I am going slowly through the Kübler-Ross model of five stages of grief such as denial, anger, bargain, depression and acceptance.

You may not know it, but for most of us living abroad and considered as part of the Diasporas, Haiti is still considered to be our country despite that fact that we are citizens of another country. Some of us were privileged to keep a dual citizenship because the country they reside in allowed it. But others weren't that lucky and adopted the citizenship of the country where they are getting their livelihood and raising their families. We are very blessed and grateful for this opportunity to have a better life abroad, because it allows us to be able to support the ones left behind. Many of us still have family and friends behind who count on us for their daily existence.

Help from the nations of the world were promised and delivered to help in the recovery effort. Multitude of helpers, equipments and airplanes poured in on Port-au-Prince. The people from various relief organizations of the nations of the world are doing the best they can to deal with this situation on hands where lack of infrastructure in place make it difficult for them to reach many of the affected areas and the people. It is a relief to see that and I am at awe with the rallying and support of the nations of the world standing together to help my people. But my soul is still exceedingly grieved to the point of death.

It's been a few weeks since this disaster, how are we doing? What do we foresee? It is a long term affair. The restoration effort may last decades if Haiti is to be back on its feet. Jobs must be created, schools must start all over, infrastructure and homes rebuild in order for hope to grow again in the heart of the people. New leaders must rise up from the destruction and ashes. But are the nations of the world and the Haitian people ready for such undertaking? Will we find the support we need as the month and years go by? If Haiti was considered the poorest in the Hemisphere when the people were up on their feet, what about now?

Who knows what the future will bring? What I see is that no matter what, people are experimenting Jesus in the flesh throughout all the help they are receiving. The Haitian people are feeling, touching, smelling, and seeing Jesus through the help of the humanitarian workers who are devoting themselves and few moments of their time to assist them in these challenging moments in their lives. The volunteer workers are smiling, crying, helping, and loving through the mouth, eyes, hands, feet and heart of Jesus. Jesus is the only one with compassion for all people, and only he is doing his work through these people. As he was touching his people in Haiti, he also allowed me to experience him deeply through the phone calls, notes, e-mails, and hugs of others who shared their sympathy, love and prayers. Father was loving me through the caring and love of the most unexpected people.

When we are going through something we don't understand, let's trust Father. Let's keep hope alive. Let's remember that Father is with us always. We should always put our trust and confidence in the Lord no matter what. With this situation in Haiti he is using all involved as part of his family and is sending them to help the people. Only God can turn something so desperate, like this tragedy of epic proportion in Haiti unto something good. Only Father will turn hearts to love and produce godly character and strength in the people. Only Father can rebuild lives. That's my Father's way! That's my Father's love in manifestation as we cooperate with him by the Spirit in allowing him to use us to bless the hurting and the helpless.

Let's continue the work started and allow Father to be glorified through our good work. Let's faith continues to grow. Let's continue to love and serve others, and let's all look forward to the time where we will all hear from the Lord, Master and King this wonderful words, “‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into my joy.”

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus 30 Jan '10