2/3/10 UPDATE: In our greatest trials, God provides much more then we could ever expect. As work was beginning this morning we began to hear a strange screaming noise coming from the other side of the compound. Fearful that there was a riot taking place, we raced to see what was happening. As we arrive we witnessed the Haitian people all screaming at one individual and his workers. As we heard the story relayed, we realized that this man was the mayor of the city of Petit Goave. He had marched into the base with his contingent and began taking down the hospital tents around the many critical patients they housed. He began yelling that the Marines must have made a mistake, these tents were actually his and he needed to take them. Outraged, the people of Petit Goave began imploring us not to give in, telling us that this man was a corrupt, appointed government official who was sure to keep the tents for himself and sell them. Letting this man take these hospital tents would have left us with little area to house sick patients or for ourselves to sleep. Sensing the tension in the air we were reasonably nervous. As told by our director “I just gave up and began thinking of the words of Jesus when he said: Many who are first will be last, and the last, first, and he who loses his life will gain it. I began to think well if we lose our hospital, God will still provide.” Much to the amazement of both the Haitian people and the mayor, we began to perform the work of packing up the hospital tents and handing them over ourselves. Quite shocked, the mayor quickly left the base without saying a word. Using this opportunity to speak to the people that had gathered we began telling of a God that provides much more then we could imagine, a God that no matter what circumstances we are in, he will provide exactly what we need.
One hour later we we were requested by the commander of the Marines in the area. We were all understandably nervous. The Marine detail had just given us these tents to us at the hospital and we had allowed a corrupt government official to march in and take them. Seated when the commander walked into his office, we were shocked when the first words that came out of his mouth were “what do you need?” “I have ben watching what you have done here for the last few weeks, I understand that you care greatly for these people” he continued. Looking at the corporal next to him he ordered “bring in whatever is needed, take your men and build whatever they need. This time make it permanent so no one can walk away with it.” Within hours helicopters and trucks were bringing in lumbar and earth moving equipment. As the group of engineers began to level out land with bulldozers and heavy equipment, we began to praise God for the work he was doing before our eyes. Within a day the twenty marines had built a permanent structure on the base that will serve as a place of healing for many years to come. Equipped with private exam rooms, adjacent inpatient space, and pavilions for patients waiting, we have never been able to work as effectively. They have gone so far as to set up running water and a small emergency/triage room. With this major blessing, we have been given a place to directly care for this city and the surrounding areas throughout the next few months of earthquake relief and years to come. God is truly a God of abundance.
Thank you for your support of this ministry, again, without your continued support we could not possibly continue minister to these people.
