Peace Amid the Dangers of Haiti
In Haiti, the Joni and Friends Wheels for the World team began each day with a devotional.
It was a time to share the excitement of the previous day and also encourage one another to continue the good work. Philippians 4:6 was shared, “Do not be anxious about anything.”
Little did the team know, God was already preparing hearts before the second day of outreach even began.
The story of the Joni and Friends Central California team continues… keep reading to see how the wheelchairs you collect in your community make a difference in the lives of those with disability in one of the poorest nations in the world. We were about halfway through day two, when the riots in Port-Au-Prince started to escalate. Serious injuries and road blockades prevented airport access.
We were urged to leave the country immediately, which meant cutting our outreach short by two days. As we stood in the middle of the room, with families in need all around, our hearts immediately went to the people impacted by disability who still needed a wheelchair.
How could we leave two days early, knowing there were more people in need? What would happen to them if we left?
We were gently reminded of the verse spoken that very morning “Do not be anxious about anything”. We knew that God’s hand was on this outreach. As a team, we felt such peace amid all the dangers and knew that God would prepare a way for us to serve his people.
As day two came to a close, and we served the last of the 56 people scheduled to come that day, our plan for our next (and final) day of outreach was simple: Bring them all.
Though we were a small team, with only three physical therapists and seating stations, we were armed with decided resolve and a divine mandate. We would stay through the night if we had to, but we would see everyone before being forced out of the country. We entreated the pastors and volunteers with the task of bringing all who were scheduled for the final two days, along with anyone else they could find!
And friends, Luke 14 came alive in Haiti that day: “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame… Compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.”
And the house was full indeed. We gave fitted wheelchairs and shared the Gospel with 115 people impacted by disability that day. The miracle of it all was nothing felt chaotic. Seeing 115 people affected by disability, felt just as orderly and harmonious as it did the day we saw 46. Like Jesus feeding the 5000, God took our humble fish and loaves, and “all ate and all were satisfied.”
…we were armed with decided resolve and a divine mandate. We would stay through the night if we had to, but we would see everyone before being forced out of the country.
As day three came to a close, through the mercy and grace of God, we were able to fit 217 adults and children for a wheelchair, crutch, or walker. 465 individuals heard the Gospel of Jesus, 15 pastors were trained in Beyond Suffering Disability Theology, and 25 decisions for Christ were made.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be glory.”
Ephesians 3:20-2
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