More Stories from Haiti – Salvation Rain

Oswald Chambers once quipped that routine is God’s way of saving us between our times of inspiration. Well if that’s true then I am definitely enjoying God’s salvation since I recently returned from Haiti for the second time this year. But since we all know well the mundane of routine, I want to tell you about a recent time of inspiration.

It wasn’t long after our team of seven arrived in Haiti that we realized we were probably in for an interesting week. Because of an all-too-familiar power outage, the large makeshift shelter adjacent to the church’s crumbled building became pretty dark as the sun rapidly sank into the horizon. But a little lack of light could not quench the zeal of those gathered that first Sunday night for the beginning of revival services.

As I delivered my sermon by the flickering light of a small candle, the intermittent, ardent replies of my hearers provided the only reassurance that I was actually preaching to anyone at all! The lights did eventually come on that night, and most (if not all) of the congregation responded to my closing invitation to receive prayer. The area in front of the platform became jam-packed as many wonderful Haitian saints knelt humbly on the concrete slab.

Then the rain came. The predictable rainy season shower quickly flooded the makeshift church building, especially the area right down in the front where the people were gathered. But no one left without receiving prayer that night. Ross’s interpretation of this memorable service was that our witness there that week would firstly bring light, and then the rain of the Spirit would come. I liked that.

Each morning I saw patients under the shade of a large tree in the middle of the school/church compound where we stayed, while the rest of the guys ministered out on the streets. Before my first trip down in March someone had prophesied to me that the harvest was very ripe in Haiti and that I would gather the wheat almost effortlessly. Well this could certainly describe our experience on this trip. While I had the privilege of seeing many respond to the gospel during my shade tree clinic time, the rest of the group had one divine encounter after another out among the people of Port-au-Prince.

Not only did we witness the salvation of souls, but we saw God bring about physical and emotional healing in a number of people’s lives. As you might suspect, many in Haiti are still plagued by much fear and anxiety, and we had the opportunity to pray with quite a few people and see them completely delivered of these oppressions. At times our street contingent literally had people lined up waiting to be prayed for. As they went along, the guys also prayed blessings over the tiny businesses and their owners who were set up along the dusty, refuse-laden streets. What an encouragement they were to so many! How many people just need to know that there really is someone out there who is genuinely concerned for their welfare?

One day while ministering on the streets the group came across Ralph, an orphaned and homeless twelve year old boy. Though hungry and very needy in many ways, his only request was for a place to stay. The next day we took Ralph to live in the small house Lauren Clark (one of our team members) recently rented for such boys. To see him that day you might wonder if he had just won the lottery. But the truth is that Ralph had just recently received something far greater than a winning lottery ticket because only a few days before we met him someone had come by and lead him to the Lord. And now he had not only a new relationship with his Creator and the assurance of eternal life, he had a roof over his head, regular meals, a new family, and an opportunity to actually go to school (an opportunity he had only dreamt of before). Isn’t God good?

We enjoyed our afternoons at the orphanages playing with the kids, doing skits and singing songs. The evening services went well all week with Shawn and Ross and Lauren all taking there turn at preaching. Though each night was fruitful, we all had a growing sense of anticipation about that last night of the revival meetings. Gerry, our anointed interpreter and fellow minister, had unexpectedly announced a healing service for that final night, and the place was once again packed out. Fortunately, God also showed up that night. It was truly a grand finale kinda night. Many were healed of various maladies and words of knowledge and prophesy poured forth freely. Michael, a 16 year old young man on our team, even had a prophetic word for the nation!

It was sure a whole lot of fun seeing God move to bring His salvation, healing and hope to the people of Haiti. I continue to be amazed and excited about the tremendous things He is doing in that nation!

1. 

   Cathy says:

   June 29, 2010 at 3:23 pm

   Gary, great summary of a great trip! Our family was so blessed to be a part of it. Thank you for leading this endeavor. Haiti will forever have a precious place in all our hearts!