What we saw in Haiti on the LORD's Day was beyond description. The church I was invited to speak in was in ruins. It got hit hard by the earthquake in January 2013. The roof caved in. There is little left of the walls. A tarp keeps the sun off most of the people. It was hot by the middle of the service, unbearably hot by the end, in the sun. One side has no wall at all. New cinder blocks have been brought in for reconstruction.
Adly and I arrived first behind Pastor Joes. When things got underway there was not a seat left. The pews had been destroyed and they brought in school desks for the people to sit in.
The worship was outstanding. No instruments, except for some tambourines and a bass drum, but the voices of the Haitian people singing from their hearts went up the heavens.
Had it rained, like it did that afternoon, they would have all been soaked for the tarp has holes in it.
Adly's testimony - feelings and thoughts of what he saw at that church last Sunday morning.
Adly said to me a number of times that it hurt him to see the House of the LORD in such a predicament.
We sit here very comfortably this morning. We are in padded pews. We are protected from the elements. Yet there is work that needs to be done on this physical structure. The north side of our roof needs to be repaired as does our parking lot. This can be done relatively easily. It needs to be done this fall. After that we will turn our attention to Haiti and the church there.
Look at the scripture we just read:
1. Any Work, Even Physical Labor, Begins With A Prayer Burden-
Chapter One
We hear the news.
Nehemiah inquired.
I took an exploratory trip to Haiti.
Our hearts are touched.
I see the spirit of Moses in Nehemiah. We are told (Hebrews 11.24-26).
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward."
Nehemiah could have gone on in a very comfortable position in another land while his brothers suffered but his heart and his conscience would not allow it.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer could have left Germany under Hitler and come to America permanently but he said that if he did not share in its suffering he would have no right to share in its rebuilding.
Some discouraged and mocked Nehemiah. Several spoke of concern of me going to Haiti. My own mother asked, "Why do you have to go?" I had an answer for that. Because Jesus wants me to. Then she asked, "Why does He want you to?" I didn't have an answer for that until last Sunday. Now I know.
Nehemiah got so distraught it showed up on his face. King Artaterxes noticed it.
We call upon God for help, believing He will help us.
Te first thing to do is pray. Pray to the LORD. Confess your sins, ask for help.
Pray for our church, pray for the The Evangelical Church of God in Belle Vue, Haiti, pray for the work of the LORD around the world. He is at work.
2. We Wait and then Work
Nehemiah could not just take off, although he wanted to.
He needed permission and provision from the King.
We need the same from our King.
Plans and praying precede work.
God will supply for us and them.
II Corinthians 9. 10 Now May He Who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness while you are enriched in every thing for all liberality which cause thanksgiving through us to God.
Waiting is:
preparing our hearts
getting into God's time frame
Letting Him get things in order for us
Good
Right
John 4:38 The words of Jesus, "I sent you to reap for that which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labors."
We have a church here which was built mostly by people now in heaven, with the exception of a few folks. We are reaping the benefits of their labor, wonderful benefits. To build what we have been given would be astronomical. We have a gift today from heaven through those folks who gave and watched God do some miracles.
There is a church in Haiti which we did not build. It has a good foundation. It need to be rebuilt. We are going to enter into the labors who did the hard work. Whether you stay here and pray or get on the plane and fly with us or give gifts for us to bring we are all in this together. We need prayer more than anything else for this endeavor.
The three most important things to do right now is pray, pray and pray.
3. The LORD will lead us and Grant us Success!
He was with Nehemiah.
He is with us as He puts desires in our heart concerning His work on the earth.
We are His Hands and His feet.
He commands us to go then tells us to wait for His Spirit.
Being led by His Spirit is most exciting.
It is not without its challenges.
It can bring us into some hard times but blessed at the same times.
There are sometimes battles within our own minds.
Adly's testimony of the school his brother, Loll runs.
Let us begin this good work. Let's get our building and grounds up to par and then head to Haiti and help them.
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