Death and destruction… hope and resurrection… love and action
Just got back from witnessing what is one of the greatest natural disasters and losses of life in human history. A relatively small and very crowded city brought completely to the ground in a matter of seconds. The city was filled with buildings that formerly towered five and ten stories that instantly became piles of rubble and human sorrow. It was a scene that can only be described on a magnitude of biblical proportions. I met many people dealing with the pain caused by such a disaster; precious sisters in the Lord who lost their children and husbands, brothers who lost their wives and sisters, and children who are now without parents. Family were broken and severed in just moments. I met precious people who didn’t deserve this loss any more then we do. Before I left for Haiti, I still remember some were announcing God’s angry judgment on this country; I’m still not convinced. Jesus said these were signs of the last days and it’s just a reminder to be ready and busy with the God’s kingdom.
We talked to church bodies and families that were praying or literally singing songs of praise to Jesus when the earthquake happened. The next moment our so-called holy untouchable buildings collapsed killing at times more than half of these faithful brothers and sisters. In the natural, your heart broke for their loss. Death, loss and tragedy were everywhere in Haiti; it was a place of people mourning the loved ones that they would no longer share life’s joy and pain with, but “Resurrection” was in the air! Life will always go on…
What I came to more fully realize in Haiti, was in this life you may experience pain, death and tragedy- but take heart for Jesus has overcome the world. We don’t grieve as those who have no hope. Haiti’s people have a true hope! I saw the earth in labor pains showing us that Jesus’ words are true. This life is passing and the rain falls on the just and unjust… but the Lord’s purposes prevail. When death is present, only life can swallow up such a dark force. In pain and sorrow, only God can offer comfort and hope that could truly heal and console. The earthquake was a wakeup call for us all in the world to walk in faith if we still have days on this earth. It is a great opportunity for God to use us to show His love and comfort through our actions to help our hurting brothers and sisters in this life and it’s an opportunity for us to truly share in His joy and His love as we move in faith.
The Lord allowed us to have nightly tent meetings to worship our God and declare His unchanging truth and love. It was absolutely powerful. One night hundreds of hurting people broke out into spontaneous dancing and praise (the Haitian body doesn’t normally dance!). “Hallelujahs” were shouted all across the mountains as loud as anyone could ever imagine and heart felt praise continued into the wee hours of the night. True songs of praise spread throughout the mountains because of our great Hope! It was heaven invading a broken earth, a moment that will never leave me.
The Lord was with us in every way as we went in His love to be used as His vessels of mercy and grace. God gave us a large busload of supplies and money to give (Thank you saints!!!), words of hope and comfort to speak, power to heal through prayers and grace to see and walk in true hope and love. Thank you for your prayers!!! The Lord is using His people from all over the world to comfort, love and help rebuild this devastated country and people. We are going to continue to be part by the grace of God. We are praying and putting together a plan of action how to continue to help our Haitian brothers and sisters in this desperate hour, rebuild and stay encouraged. We will continue to share our resources and love with them.
We are planning to help Haitian families that have God’s grace and love in their lives with new houses where they can help others. We will find families that will take in Haitian orphans and widows who have no one to help them. When you start with grace and love there will always be a flow.
Freely as you have received…
Freely Give!
-Ben Van Deman
Trip 1
If you would like to contribute to “The Haiti Project”, please click on the link below. All checks and money orders can be made out to Integrity 1 Contracting with “The Haiti Project” on the memo line. Please label all packages with “The Haiti Project” on the front. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you very much for your support!
