Good morning from Jacmel, Haiti. Thank you for your continued thoughts our way. It is a serious situation.
Still, where we workers are fine and able to continue normal activities. We had meetings/Bible studies as per usual yesterday. In Jacmel life is normal: children going to school on motos or on foot. I went to the supermarket to stock up on some things with one of our friends here
accompanying. Cherline had another friend with her and they were looking
after something else. In the last couple days we have brought in a large number of supplies in case that becomes more difficult. Making the bach more a place of refuge if needed. The feeling inside is of awareness that we are being cared for in a way beyond explanation. It is a rich experience. I feel deeply thankful to be here.
Cherline was able to talk directly to her faithful mother the other day. Her family is still displaced, having fled their area along with everyone else on Sunday. Connection has been made with all of those friends who are
scattered. They are safe. Geographically we are not that far south of Port au Prince, but there is only one road in and out of Jacmel so it is much more easily controlled. And, unlike other places, like Ukraine, the weapons and warfare are not long-reaching or from the sky.
We have gospel meeting this aft at 4. I was asking whether we should go
ahead with that and last night the answer was yes. We are extra careful but when at the supermarket yesterday I saw other foreigners. Even gas being sold from the pumps in the gas stations. That is actually a rare sight here these months.
Our little ones are feeling the undercurrents and are quite concerned that it will mean a change for workers. They are quite clingy and make many loving messages on paper. 4 of them were on their knees beside us last night. Helpful to hear what is in their hearts. Praying that God would put the bandits back in prison so that the workers can be safe to stay here. Praying that God puts words in our hearts so that we can help them. And little Stephen (namesake for my brother, 5) who just said in a muffled voice beside me “I am praying in my heart”. So much need for shepherding here. There are truly no words.
As far as leaving there are no options. No airport operations and the border to the DR is closed. We continue to pray that God will control the doors. He sees the overall picture. Life is not all about natural safety, even though we still feel very safe here. Some thoughts that keep coming to me continually are “peace like heaven’s dew descending under thy wings” Psalm 46. Jesus slept in the boat while the storm raged around Him. Paul mentions things that happened to the furthering of the gospel. It does not feel like a mistake to be here in any way.
Several times this week Cherline and I have found ourselves side by side on
our knees, silent tears and bowed heads. Not from fear. It is a gift.
So many moments could be shared, but this is enough. Hopefully it conveys a picture of contentment. If you would like a couple pictures and a couple recorded hymns from here with the young ones, let me know personally (not here on this chat). Happy to share with you one on one. But not wanting to overload your already full plates unnecessarily.
One last thing. Besides “Under thy wings” another favorite among our little children right now is the Kreyol version of “Blessed homeland I’m returning”. It seems like such a grownup hymn to me. I wondered if they thought it was talking about their own country, so I asked my 5 year old little shadow Lousiara “where is the homeland”. A sweet and confident little voice: “Heaven”.
Yes, heaven, my child. And if God is already putting that desire in a 5 year old, how can we feel this is all about natural safety and creature comforts? As happens many times these days, I bowed my heart.
“Still learning from all need below, depths of the heart of God”
With grateful hearts and daily courage, Cherline and Sara
Truth Archive 