January 12, a catastrophic 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck just west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It leveled many buildings and killed about 200,000 people (this number is widely debated). Haiti was already an impoverished nation, but the earthquake was yet another blow to its people in a long and sordid history.
Now years later, Haiti still appears to have barely started its recovery despite billions pledged in foreign aid. Grand visions proved to be pipe-dreams. Most rubble remains. Current reconstruction efforts are inadequate to meet enormous needs. So many Haitian homes were destroyed in the disaster that temporary tent cities set up in Port-au-Prince have begun to appear permanent — more than 550,000 people still live in dirty and dangerous encampments. Reports of 7,000 deaths from cholera and over half a million infected are estimates; some evidence suggests the true figures may be double or more.
Much has been made in the media recently of the problems in Haiti. Some would point out the problems with the international aid community. A recent columnist said “Today’s Haiti looks like the earthquake happened months ago, not years. Virtually no funding actually went directly to Haiti. It was diverted to private contractors, other nations, international agencies and predatory NGOs.”
This is harsh criticism, but it may be deserved or even earned by some aid groups. However, we know that Haitian people’s greatest need is not housing, not clean water, not even lack of access to healthcare (which we care deeply about), but their greatest need is our greatest need, it is my greatest need – Jesus.
One victim of the earthquake told Associated Foreign Press, “My hope is God, not the leaders of this country”. That is the correct perspective. The hope of the Haitian people and of all people everywhere is in a personal, passionate relationship with Jesus Christ.
That’s why we at Aid For Haiti (AFH) are involved in Haiti. When I was there in a small mountain village recently, I was reminded how much I like doing medical clinics and deeply enjoy building relationships with some our friends there, but my utmost desire is to see people come to know Jesus on a personal level and walk in truth with Him. Medicine for us, is a tool, to be used in the Master’s hand.
So please pray for us this year at AFH as we seek to exalt the Lord Jesus more effectively in our work with our friends and partners in Haiti. Pray that the Lord would give us wisdom and vision as we plan clinics, surgery trips, and church elder/pastor training sessions. Pray that people would see their need of a Savior and turn to Jesus. Pray the Lord would use us as empty vessels that would be filled by Him.
You see that’s what we are about at AFH…it’s All For Him.