“I Will Turn Their Mourning Into Joy, and Will Comfort Them”

I dedicate this blog to Clarissma and the people of Haiti, proclaiming hope, joy and strength over them in Jesus’ Name. I will raise the banner for them, asking many to not forget their cries for help…their cries for life. I want to do what I can until we can see hope and healing in their eyes once again…


It only took 3 weeks in their country for the people of Haiti to take permanent residence in my heart. It was my first mission trip and I thought I was going to save the world! Turns out, they saved mine.

I thought I had seen the depth of suffering in 2000 when I looked into the eyes of dying children and starving families. I was wrong. True suffering and loss goes deeper…beyond the core of what we know or feel. I dare not dishonor the Haitian people by saying I sympathize with them for no pain in my life has even compared to theirs. But I do weep for them and mourn with them. I look around my home at all my “stuff” and wonder what good is any of it? And I sit here crying, praying…wondering how I can it drastically. I may not be able to save the world…that’s God’s job. But this life means nothing if we can’t make a difference for someone…especially in their time of need.

Abundance combined with selfish ambitions has a way of drowning out important memories. I confess, I have not been as faithful to the nation of Haiti as I wish I was. I’m praying now for God’s forgiveness and theirs.
How easy we forget! And how hard we are hit when we are reminded by undesirable circumstances. Now, Haiti’s people are suffering another mind-boggling disaster. But even as we weep with their sorrows, I am sure God still has a message of hope for them. I am believing that we will hear laughing instead of crying, singing instead of weeping, dancing instead of sobbing.

Journal Entry: May 22, 2000 6:45pm
We took not-so-straight or smooth roads into Arnoux today. By night fall, we were attending the church service in the building we have been painting and fixing. At first, I thought it would be very difficult for me to focus or worship because everything was in creole. I thought I was distracted but soon I realized I was just intent on watching these people. I was overwhelmed with their passion for God! They were not ashamed to sign loudly or dance like crazy people! They did not look to see what the other was doing. Even the children were singing praises. I didn’t need to know what they were saying…they were sounds of worship and the words of the same Spirit and it was so beautiful. Then I caught a glimpse of white. Sitting next to me was a little girl, smiling at me: her white teeth bright against her dark skin. Even in the flicker of the candle-light, I could see the white in her eyes as she stared at me, joy just oozing out of her! I couldn’t help but hug her. After moments, she fell asleep in my arms.

“Prayer is not our preparation for ministry. It IS our ministry.”-Jimmy Shaw, 5.19.00


Isaiah 25:8-9 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Haiti Earthquate