“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on
me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has
sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and
release from darkness for the prisoners, . . . ” Isaiah 61:1 & Luke 4:18
Ralph Jean-Mary and Carline Paul-blanc have both told us that Haiti can be liberated from captivity to poverty and disease, and brought out of its prison of darkness by Haitians. The good will and charity of Americans must work -- with, not instead of -- those whose home is in that country. This admonition is founded in scripture and it guides the Forest Hill Church's Haiti mission in its quest for a partnership of servanthood.
I think our
calling is to help
Haitians to free themselves from the captivity of dependence on others, especially
Americans whose charity is often toxic. That will require years of patience commitment and collaboration. Both we and our collaborators will be transformed. Yes, Haitians can teach us some things about living better lives.
I want to tell you about an organization -- one of a growing number -- that is transforming lives in the Central Plateau of Haiti. It is meeting the thirst for clean, life-giving water and for life-giving schools to people in remote villages. Consider thoughtfully how it uses these critical needs to build human and community capacity for freedom from dependence on absentee donors.
With
joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3
BREAKING NEWS!
Right now we are learning about a new medical practice being developed by a Haitian doctor in Pignon. She is someone I met last summer and who I visited in October. Her vision for a clinical practice is what we heard from Ralph Jean-mary from the very beginning. We will hear much more about Dr. Roberta Sterling and Life Spring over this summer from Carline and others in our planning group.
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