Devastated by a Greater Hope

On the third day in Haiti, as I was looking out at the city from the upstairs porch of the guest house, a thought ran through my mind, “I think I know now what the word ‘devastation’ means.”

I have never seen such extreme poverty, children who were so close to death, or anything like the line of people who came to us with swollen and gangrenous limbs. It is not uncommon to look at the faces of the Haitians and see expressions that are bleak or blank. Life expectancy in Haiti is in the late thirties to early forties. Their faces and their bodies age quickly as a result of the malnourishment, and harsh realities of life. The average Haitian earn less than one dollar a day. They do not have the resources to feed their children, or keep them from getting sick.

Working in the orphanage/hospital that is run by the Sisters of Charity (the sisterhood founded by Mother Theresa), we saw firsthand the devastation of the people. Mothers and fathers came to visit their sick babies for a few hours each morning. They held their children with a mixture of joy and sadness. The little bodies were racked with terminal diseases, swollen bellies, sticklike arms and legs, and expressionless faces. When the sisters rang the bell, it was time for the parents to leave. With longing faces, they hugged the child one last time, nodded to the sisters and left. I was reminded me of the story of Solomon’s wisdom, when the true mother was the one who was willing to give her child up rather than see it die. Although their hearts break every time, they are willing to leave their children in a place where they receive the lifesaving care that they need so badly need.

Heartbreaking as it is, I have no desire to dwell upon the devastation. It is impossible to describe, and overwhelming to experience. What we witnessed in Haiti had a life-changing effect not because of the despair it brought us to, but because of the power of Hope. Together our team got to witness little moments of great Joy, triumph over long odds, and peace instead of fear. It was a reminder that our God cares about the physical wrongs and injustices that have beset our world. We, as His people, are commanded to go forth and do the same.

We got to see children go home with their families. One little boy went out wearing a double breasted coat, gold basketball shorts, and bright pink shower shoes; clutching the artwork we had done with him in one hand and his father’s hand in the other. My little friend Sergo went from being listless, non-responsive, and unwilling to eat, to finishing a whole bowl and half of his food and reaching his hand up at the sound of a voice. Sarah D. got to see Little Augustine (four years old), who has been at the orphanage her whole life, walking for the first time. She waddled proudly through the halls and called Sarah’s name. We teased the sisters about their midnight soccer games, when they go out and play together, hike up their habits and shout. There were rich times of laughter along with the tears.

“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:1

And this became true. Hope was always near to us in God’s presence. I clung to Him. It all comes down to our final Hope. In the words from the Revelation to John the Apostle, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away…” – Revelation 21:3-4

At first, I thought that I would give in to despair, but then I found that all was not lost. Greater is the Hope that is in us than the devastation in this world.