Thursday, January 14, 2010

HAITI EARTHQUAKE HITS HOME

As I spent time in Fasting and Prayer this morning I had been reading Nehemiah 11 & 12 when God took me to Haggai 2 and I found myself reading these words of the LORD, and though they are written to Israel - I believe they can apply to the people of Haiti right now.

For hundreds of years satan has struggled to keep control of that tiny island of Haiti - yet right now God is taking over. Read these words carefully from the prophet Haggai.

Haggai 2
Ask them, 3'Who of you is left who saw this house [land] in its former glory?
How does it look to you now?
Does it not seem to you like nothing?
4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD.
'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
Be strong, all you people of the land,'
declares the LORD, 'and work.
For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty.
5 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt.
And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'
6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says:
'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens
and the earth,
the sea and the dry land.
7 I will shake all nations,
and the desired of all nations will come,
and I will fill this house [land] with glory,' says the LORD Almighty.
[all emphasis added]

It is a somber time here in NJ as our family is in prayer
for the people of Haiti after a 7.0 earthquake rocked
their world late afternoon on January 12, 2010.
Is this a 'disastrous start' of the New Year,
or the call of God, once more, to seek Him while He may be found?
My son-in-law, Rob, was due to fly into Haiti this very day with
his dad, his uncle and other top members of his mission board.
Before the news of the earthquake came
teams were scheduled to go in today -
a Ladies' Missionary Retreat was scheduled - and my son-in-law
was preparing
to work on their new home in Cayes, Haiti.
He and my daughter, Becky, along with their
three young children, Drew, Tessa, and Braden have been
preparing to leave in Mid-March, selling most of the
earthly goods in order to "GO".
Their container was shipped in December and arrived
in Haiti just last week, where it has been sitting in the heart of
Port-au-Prince, or perhaps swallowed in a crack in the earth's surface.
Perhaps God will keep it safe from harm - perhaps not. Perhaps the sacrifice
is bigger than anticipated, yet the call to "GO" has not changed.
Perhaps this is a way to 'feel' what it's like to be a Haitian.
Perhaps it gives the heart more of a sense of loss without Christ.
Perhaps it's part of the preparation for that very 'call'.

Rob wrote a little of what they are feeling on his blog
if you'd like to take time to read it and share
their story about their love for Haiti and its people:


FATHER in Heaven---
Hear our prayer.
You are Sovereign and we are weak and sinful.
Cleanse our hearts this day and draw us to Yourself as we
lift up this tiny country of Haiti and its people to You.
Father, You are already doing a mighty work
in that country. You have taken away the curse of satan that had been set upon this tiny nation for such a long time. Now complete this work that You have begun. May this earthquake shake the hearts of those people
and the hearts of us here - to bring us to a place
of knowing You deeper.
YOU ARE FAITHFUL in all Your ways.
YOU ARE GOOD, You are LIGHT, in You there is no darkness.
In You there is no evil thing.
We trust You this day - even when we cannot understand Your ways - we know from Your Word that they are higher than any we have of our own.
So LORD, Forgive, [Daniel 9:4-19] Heal, Mend and Redeem our own hearts first and then the hearts of the people of Haiti. Restore, Rebuild and Renew [Psalm 40:4]
as only You can do!
And WE WILL give You all the Praise and all the Glory.

In JESUS' NAME, Amen and Amen!

12 comments:

  1. My Dear Friend,

    I thought about your family...wondering if they were already there. I have been praying deeply for Haiti, especially yesterday. I had a post all typed out on my computer, some related to what you have said here, when I went to push publish, my computer zapped my entire posting...I don't know what happened, but you sweet sister have said it all here and that just confirms what God was saying to me yesterday. Praise His holy name!

    I love you Stephanie and my prayers are with your family, the people of Haiti and this entire world coming together in unity to help this third world country.

    Peace & Hugs to you my special friend,
    Alleluiabelle

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  2. My prayers are with you and your family and the people of Haiti, that God will show His strong arm for them, and that many will seek Him in this difficult and troubled time.
    Debra

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  3. Amen! Stephanie,
    So glad to know all of that about your family. WOW! And thank you for introducing me to this site. It is completely a blessing - just like you :) My prayers are made more specific now, since your sharing.

    I love you heart of Gold.

    <")>><

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  4. This does bring all we have heard and been praying about very close, The Haitian people have been so much on my mind and heart. It will be interesting to see what God has in mind for your family here. There is, for sure and certain, no place safer than being in the center of where God wants us. I'll be praying for them specifically, to know the next step.

    Thanks Stephanie.

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  5. Oh, Stephanie. I can only imagine what has been going through all your minds!

    Thankful that God is in control of all things.

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  6. Our hearts are so broken for Haiti. I've been praying that we'd be empowered to help them. Generations and billions of dollars have not done it. It is the Power of God unto Salvation and we are desperate for that power! God turn on Your power and may it flow through us! Prayers for safety for your son and family, and all those going to Haiti's aid.

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  7. Still standing in prayer...heavy heart.

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  8. You're right; this has hit very close to home for your hearts. Now I have another way to pray for Haiti.

    Blessings.

    Headed over to Rob's now...

    peace~elaine

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  9. Prayers going up. Is anything too difficult for the Lord?

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  10. Wow Stephanie. I'm so glad that your family is safe. I can imagine what you must be going through emotionally. Praying with you.

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  11. I'm not certain but didn't you do some updating here besides the picture? I read it all again and it is the most beautiful post I've read regarding Haiti. Your tender heart for the Lord and His people of all nations shine through here. You are such a blessed woman. I am blessed to know you as a fellow blogger and friend

    hugs, <")>><

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  12. Stephanie,

    I hear your heart but I also sense and hear God's heart. May we be found turning to the One and Only.

    I loved this.....We trust You this day - even when we cannot understand Your ways


    yes, Lord, yes!

    Lovingly,
    Yolanda

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