By The Grace of God

Today marked the one year anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010, taking thousands of lives and forever changed the lives of those who survived. The earthquake that devastated the nation but did not keep them down.

This morning at 4:30 a.m. seven of us piled into the Montero and drove down the dark, still mountain into Port au Prince. it was 5:30 when we arrived at the National Palace, and the city was cloaked in darkness. We were some of the first ones to arrive at the stage where the Celebrez la Vie (Celebrate Life) Crusade was to be held - other than those who had spent the night watching the sound system and everything else. One of the girls in the car said 'you'd think that after living in Haiti for all these years, we'd know not to come early!' (it was to start at 6:00).

Slowly dawn kissed the city and painted the sky in pink and purple. We walked the short distance to the ruined National Palace, and after spending some time there, returned to the stage area. People were arriving and surrounding the roped off area around the stage. Shortly after six the worship began. I love to watch Haitians worship their Saviour! These beautiful people never cease to amaze me. Even though - and maybe even because - this was the anniversary of the day the brought so much suffering and loss to these people, they worshiped with passion and joy that is rarely see in our Western churches. The Spirit of God was very present this morning.

The crusade went from 6:00 to 11:00 am, with various singing groups and speakers taking part. People surrounded the area for such a distance that it was necessary to stand on something to see where it ended. it was a sea of faces and raised hands.

this morning as we were driving down to the city, a song went through my head that i think is very appropriate to the event:

'In Your eyes i can see / I am not just a man vastly lost in this world / lost in a sea of faces / Your body's the bread / Your blood is the wine / because You traded Your life for mine / If only my one heart was all You'd gain from all it cost / Well i know You would have still been a Man with a reason / To willingly offer Your life' ('Sea of Faces', Kutless)

Eventually the security tape was taken down and people moved in closer to the stage. I was standing by a truck with the other girls i was with, and i had to be careful not to give away my space by turning sideways, because once you give up space in such a place, it's very difficult to get it back! i was closely surrounded by the Haitians, and i have to say that i enjoyed it more than when i was separated from them by the security tape. To be surrounded by their joy and enthusiasm made it so much easier to feel their spirit.

This evening us GLA staff/volunteers/people who live here had a special worship service up on the balcony. It was so good. We had two worship leaders who came from Louisiana to visit for a couple days who led out in worship, and several videos were shown. Paster Brandon shared about how it is only by the grace of God that we have come through this last year in the way that we have. It is only by the grace of God that we are here.

We came to the feet of the God who is in total control of the universe, the God whose heart breaks when ours do. The God who treasures every tear we shed and feels the pain in our hearts. The God who wants us to allow Him in to heal the hurt and pain and give us new life, vibrant joy, and peace that we can't understand. It was to this God that i bowed my head and let the tears flow as the reality of the events of this year sank in and made my heart ache. And it was this same God who wrapped his arms around me and filled me with His peace.

It is this God who has plans that we can't comprehend, this God who wants to be the God of this city and this country. It is this God who loves each of us with an overwhelming love that cannot be equaled by anything of this earth.

This past year was one of trial and heartache in Haiti. But God's grace has been sufficient. Now we look to this new year with hope and expectation for change orchestrated by God through people who seek His heart.

"For i know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." Jeremiah 29:11-13

I'm so glad i could be in Haiti to be part of this important day! Please keep Haiti in your prayers as there are many unknowns!