A Word from Pastor Lisa: Hungering for Hope
Charlot, photographed by Pastor Lisa
“Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” ”
Nearly 20 years ago, a little Haitian boy named Charlot stole my heart. I was a seminary student in a course called Healing in the Developing World, and I had traveled with medical and seminary students to Léogane, Haiti, for spring break. We visited the children’s ward of L’Hôpital Ste Croix, and I translated for the Haitian doctors to communicate with American medical students. Charlot, who was very weak and almost motionless, was tucked in the corner of the room. His belly stuck out from kwashiorkor, which is severe malnutrition from a lack of protein in the diet. He was literally starving to death.
Charlot’s expressive eyes called out to me. Every chance I had over the next few days, I went back to his bedside to be present with him, to say little encouraging things, and to let him know I cared about him. The children’s ward was animated by prayer and song from the women caring for their children. Charlot was looked after by an aunt, and the day we were set to leave, she asked me to adopt Charlot and take him with me to the U.S. My soul was crushed to say no. Even though I left Charlot in Léogane, I continued to carry him with me in my heart. I often wonder what has become of him, and I have resolved to share the stories of my Haitian friends with others.
Right now, Haiti is on the brink of disaster as 4 million people face acute hunger. Haiti is already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. After the assassination of their president in 2021, roaming gangs now control the capital city of Port-au-Prince. They are blocking a major fuel terminal, resulting in increased food insecurity. My friend Yves-Mary messaged me last week that the lack of response from politicians is “crushing” the country. Their situation is desperate.
The U.N. has proposed a rapid-action force, but it’s not clear that countries will participate. USAID has sent a disaster response team, but so much more help is needed. Please commit with me to pray for the people of Haiti to find hunger relief and hope for the future.
In a parable in Matthew 25, Jesus reminds us that whatever we do for the least of the members of God’s family, we do for him. My friend the Rev. Jamalyn Peigh Williamson has set a goal to provide rice and oil for the entire village of Fondwa, located in the Haitian mountains. Her organization, Zanmi Fondwa (Friends of Fondwa), which we have supported previously as a church, typically builds homes for Haitian families. Currently their primary focus is feeding the people. For $40, you can provide rice and oil to one of the 2,400 families in this community for a month. You can click here to give and learn more about their needs. I hope you will consider giving generously to provide hope for the Haitian people.
The Haitian proverb says, “Dèyè mòn gen mòn,” meaning there are always “mountains beyond the mountains.” Life is never easy for the people of Haiti, but my prayer is that through our generosity and God’s abundant grace, they will be able to climb another mountain to a better future.