Scarred lives healed by the Gospel

What an incredible first day of ministry here in Haiti. A lot of emotions as I look over this city that has been absolutely torn apart from the earthquake. Nearly 2 years later many parts of this city are left unchanged, as if the disaster had just struck. Everyone we’ve spoken with lost someone. 1 out of every 10 in the city of Port Au Prince was killed by the earthquake. There are kids here in the orphanage who lost their parents. A huge majority of these people are still homeless, living in tents. They’ve got no place to go. I spoke with a young man today who goes to school here where we’re staying. His name is Francisco. He’s 16 years old and loves Jesus with all this heart. He is the most mature 16 year old I’ve ever met. Francisco’s little brother died in the earthquake and it forever changed his life. Let me tell you something about these Haitian believers – They are real. In these people there is a sense of solemnity but also of purpose and hope. Lives that have been scarred by suffering and pain have been drastically changed by the Gospel. It’s as if there is only one reason that their lives were spared – The Gospel. It’s their only aim.

We are staying at a school/orphanage led by a missionary named Sherrie Fausey. She’s an elderly lady who’s been here for over 11 years and has a great heart and vision for these people. 60% of Haiti is illiterate. The majority of those who do receive an education leave Haiti for a “better life” in the U.S. Thus Haiti is without future leaders. Sherrie’s vision for her students is to bring them up in the Word of God and prayerfully raise up great godly educated leaders to bring real change to this suffering country. And she’s doing just that. These students are some of the sweetest and smartest kids I’ve seen. In fact, I was told that Sherrie’s students are considered by many to be the brightest in Port Au Prince. Sherrie’s story really is incredible – How God spared her life in the earthquake and used her in a mighty way to bring hope admits incredible chaos. But that will be a story to share another time. Sherrie didn’t set out to start an orphanage but to start only a school. But the orphans came. What was she to do? The Lord has greatly blessed her ministry and we plan to continue to partner with her for years to come.

Please continue to pray for us this week. The women on our team are doing an incredible job teaching the Haitian women how to be godly wives, mothers, and teachers. Our men are preaching, teaching, and serving literally wherever there is a need. The needs are great. Pray that God will lead us to the needs He wants us to meet. Most importantly, pray that He will guide our steps to give the Gospel to those who’s hearts are ready to receive it. The Haitian people need a lot of help, but more than anything they need Jesus.

- Jacob Via