Tha amazing faith of the Haitians

[moonglow]

Image praising God in this disaster they are in? Could our faith be so strong? How do they do it when they have lost so many loved ones...some losing entire families in this..their homes, going with little or no food or water. I find it extremely remarkable and a wonderful lesson for all of us, that God can indeed uphold us even in the worst of times. I wonder if I could be as strong..to praise God if my son were buried alive or dead...or my mother or sisters?

This isn't to say they have not grieved or wept, or cried out because of their loss. They have of course. But when evening comes they praise God. Its so amazing to see this on TV too.

Here is one video of this..I would like others to post what they know or have seen about the miracles going on there right now. How God is working mightily with these people..video on this link too:

Many Haitians' religious faith unshaken by earthquake

Many preachers are telling followers not to lose faith, that God remains with them regardless of what's happened.

Most Haitians don't feel abandoned, Bailey said.

"People don't blame Jesus for all these things," she said. "They have faith. They believe that Jesus saved them and are thankful for that."

Perhaps few personified that deep belief better than 11-year-old Anaika Saint Louis, who was pulled from the rubble Thursday night and later died. Her leg had been crushed, and doctors thought they might have to amputate her feet. She said she didn't care.

"Thank you, God, because he saved my life," she said. "If I lose my feet, I always had my life."

Jean Mackenle Verpre also suffered a crushing leg injury and was freed after 48 hours underground.

Asked what kept him going, he answered without hesitation: He believes in Jesus Christ and put his life in God's hands.

Colonized by France, Haiti is a strongly Catholic country. Christian motifs are everywhere in Port-au-Prince. Many vehicles bear signs like the one painted on the windshield of a truck on Rue Delmar: "Merci Jesus," it said. A woman passing by on Avenue Christophe chanted softly: "Accept Jesus."

I think the world is witnessing a miracle taking place there inspite of the destruction.

PS..don't know why my post is showing with everything to one side of it like that..sorry about that. I didn't copy and paste is (except for part of the article)

God bless

[Vhayes]

What a great post, Moonglow. Thank you. An 11 year old with faith that strong and sure is a real wake up call to me. I need to stop whining and just get on with things. God knows what we need. He provides, even in the darkest of times.
V

[HaveMercy]

These Haitians have an amazing faith! They are truly inspiring!

[The Mighty Sword]

What a great post, Moonglow. Thank you. An 11 year old with faith that strong and sure is a real wake up call to me. I need to stop whining and just get on with things. God knows what we need. He provides, even in the darkest of times.
V

That makes our problems seem.................minor.

[moonglow]

Yes it puts our problems into perspective for sure. I have to say I have felt guilty for having shelter..for having a nice bed to sleep in..for having food and water right here in my home and not have to dig or fight for it somewhere. I just keep praying the Lord be with them..to comfort and encourage them and get them the help they need quickly. While many are being saved out of the rubble they are later dying because of lack of care.

I don't know why at the beginning of that article is says the churches were closed Sunday when the video tape show people in church. I think they are rushing to try to keep people around the world updated on what is going on and don't always get things quite right.

Here a little better video showing them in church and how many are missing because they are dead or trapped somewhere:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/...iref=allsearch

God bless

[HaveMercy]

That makes our problems seem.................minor.

When the Haitian earthquake happened I was in the middle of a pretty minor problem but I had made it out in my head to be much larger than it really was. I also wasn't turning to God for help with this problem like I should have done.Then I heard about the earthquake and learned about what those people were going through, and the amazing faith that many of them have, and it makes me feel so ashamed of myself! Here I was angsting over something that really wasn't that big of a deal and not putting enough trust in my Lord to help me through it, and yet I had food, shelter, and safety. Meanwhile the Haitian people are going through such a tough time and they are praising the Lord through their trials. It really puts things in perspective.

[moonglow]

When the Haitian earthquake happened I was in the middle of a pretty minor problem but I had made it out in my head to be much larger than it really was. I also wasn't turning to God for help with this problem like I should have done.Then I heard about the earthquake and learned about what those people were going through, and the amazing faith that many of them have, and it makes me feel so ashamed of myself! Here I was angsting over something that really wasn't that big of a deal and not putting enough trust in my Lord to help me through it, and yet I had food, shelter, and safety. Meanwhile the Haitian people are going through such a tough time and they are praising the Lord through their trials. It really puts things in perspective.

That is for sure. Yesterday I was laying back on my nice soft pillows in my bed watching them report how babies are in terrible condition and might die due to no baby formula for them. I only caught the tale end of it so I don't know if their mothers were killed in this or what happened. Then they went on saying how so many are dying needlessly because aide just isn't getting to them. They have all these different countries coming in around the world and all speak different language and have their own way of doing things so aren't able to get organized it sounds like and actually get the antibiotics, food, water and other things needed to the people there. And here I sit feel so privileged and guilty in reclining in a bed (something they don't have)...watching a little TV and also feeling so very helpless..thinking gee I could run down to Kmart and buy some baby formula in just a few minutes time..but trying to get it to them seems like crossing a mountain range right now.

Its sure causing alot of mixed feelings. I am truly thankful for what God has given me...but there is also this reality it could all be gone in an instant like it has been with them. Though for many of them they didn't have much to lose. Probably didn't have beds to sleep in and no TV, and possible not much of a home either.

I just pray and pray and pray for them. We can send money and all sorts of things but if they can't get it to these people in a timely manner to actually help I am not sure what good it will do. I am praying alot that the Lord helps gets the things needed in there soon!

God bless

[notuptome]

Do we have any idea of what these Haitians have faith in? Faith is only of merit if it is biblical faith. Romans 10:17 faith. We have no idea to whom they may be making their supplications. I am all for having compassion on the Haitians but let's not deceive ourselves into thinking they are experiencing anything more than a "foxhole" religion.

Haiti has demonstrated that they are not capable of governing themselves. We as the USA will need to make them a part of our world wide welfare program for all of their days.

Let us who know the Lord prevail upon Him to send a great revival on Haiti that this great trial and tribulation will lead to many souls entering the kingdom of God.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

[Dani H]

Do we have any idea of what these Haitians have faith in? Faith is only of merit if it is biblical faith. Romans 10:17 faith. We have no idea to whom they may be making their supplications. I am all for having compassion on the Haitians but let's not deceive ourselves into thinking they are experiencing anything more than a "foxhole" religion.

Haiti has demonstrated that they are not capable of governing themselves. We as the USA will need to make them a part of our world wide welfare program for all of their days.

Let us who know the Lord prevail upon Him to send a great revival on Haiti that this great trial and tribulation will lead to many souls entering the kingdom of God.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Is it possible that the Haitians simply lack strong leadership? We, the people, we're not governing ourselves either. Let's not kid ourselves here. The last election proved that most of us are content to let government make our decisions for us and just vote somebody in who we think best fits that bill. But ... we've been blessed enough to be provided with godly leaders in times of need, especially during the birth of this nation and the bulding of our original government system. Pray the same happens to Haiti and that those who would abuse power will have their hands tied for good and be removed.

P.S. Because of the nature of this thread, it may end up being moved to Contro. Just FYI.

[moonglow]

Do we have any idea of what these Haitians have faith in? Faith is only of merit if it is biblical faith. Romans 10:17 faith. We have no idea to whom they may be making their supplications. I am all for having compassion on the Haitians but let's not deceive ourselves into thinking they are experiencing anything more than a "foxhole" religion.

Haiti has demonstrated that they are not capable of governing themselves. We as the USA will need to make them a part of our world wide welfare program for all of their days.

Let us who know the Lord prevail upon Him to send a great revival on Haiti that this great trial and tribulation will lead to many souls entering the kingdom of God.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I really didn't want this to turn into a debate about their faith. From the reports this isn't something 'new' going on. (though some have turned to Christ since this all happened) There are many Christians there. They name Jesus Christ as their Savior and did before this happened. We have to remember the ruler of a any country doesn't always reflect the individuals beliefs. There are for instance Christians living in Islamic run nations. But I don't see how it can be any clearer when they name Jesus as their Savior.

God bless

[moonglow]

A couple of news reports..Haiti had a six point one aftershock today: Strong aftershock rattles Haitians

An elderly woman was pulled from the rumble seven days after the first quake still alive and singing to the men pulling her out: Woman pulled alive from rubble of Haiti cathedral

And CNN reported this morning hundreds of solar powered audio bibles have been sent to Haiti...many are unable to read and with them heavily relying on their faith to get through this, this is a real blessing: Audio Bible Ministry gives hope to people in Haiti

God bless

[notuptome]

I really didn't want this to turn into a debate about their faith. From the reports this isn't something 'new' going on. (though some have turned to Christ since this all happened) There are many Christians there. They name Jesus Christ as their Savior and did before this happened. We have to remember the ruler of a any country doesn't always reflect the individuals beliefs. There are for instance Christians living in Islamic run nations. But I don't see how it can be any clearer when they name Jesus as their Savior.

God bless

Faith for the sake of faith is not profitable in the knowledge of God. Many catholics are very faithful but not according to a correct knowledge of Christ. Most people under great stress seek strength and comfort from their faith as it has been said there are no atheists in the foxholes when the bullets are flying.

There are surely some genuine Christians in Haiti but I believe it to be far fewer than some would have us to believe. First hand testimony from missionaries serving in Haiti causes me to be skeptical of these demonstrations of faith of which you speak. I am just as skeptical of ninety percent of those in the USA who consider themselves Christians.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

[Gilligan]

They obviously have a stronger faith then many Americans do. It may be because we have taken so many things for granted for so long.

[moonglow]

Faith for the sake of faith is not profitable in the knowledge of God. Many catholics are very faithful but not according to a correct knowledge of Christ. Most people under great stress seek strength and comfort from their faith as it has been said there are no atheists in the foxholes when the bullets are flying.

There are surely some genuine Christians in Haiti but I believe it to be far fewer than some would have us to believe. First hand testimony from missionaries serving in Haiti causes me to be skeptical of these demonstrations of faith of which you speak. I am just as skeptical of ninety percent of those in the USA who consider themselves Christians.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I understand what you are saying ..some of them do mix their Christian faith with voodoo because its been around so long...but there are many against this practice also.

U.S Department of State
While society generally was tolerant of the variety of religious practices that flourish, Christian attitudes toward voodoo varie. Many Christians accept voodoo as part of the country's culture, but others regard it as incompatible with Christianity. This difference in views led to isolated instances of conflict in the past; however, no such instances were reported during the period covered by this report. The Bureau of Religious Affairs managed periodic tension between some Protestant and voodoo groups effectively. Tensions between Protestant and voodoo groups were local in nature and usually involved land disputes or conflicts over proselytizing. In some cases, the bureau sends representatives to assist local authorities in settling such disputes. The parties in conflict usually accept the ministry's mediating role.

Some Protestant and Catholic clergy were politically active. One Protestant pastor led the Christian Movement for a New Haiti political party, and another led the National Union of Christians for the Renovation of Haiti political party. Several Catholic priests remained among the leadership of the Fanmi Lavalas party of past president Jean Bertrand Aristide, a former Catholic priest. The Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Protestant Federation occasionally issued statements on political matters.

Particularly in rural areas, past accusations of sorcery were known to lead to mob violence resulting in deaths. Women generally were targeted in these cases, which usually were precipitated by the death of a child from unknown causes. In view of the prevalence of voodoo in rural areas, it appeared likely that voodoo practitioners were targeted in some of these cases, although no examples were reported during the period covered by this report.

Our church sends missionaries to Ohio I think it is..to the inner city, here in the USA. We have many practicing wicca in the US, along with voodoo, along with many pagan beliefs. Just because their is a mix of religious beliefs in any country shouldn't reflect on the true believers there. We would never say that about Jesus disciples who were dealing with Jews rejecting the Son of God, that their faith was some how less because they were surrounded by unbelievers.

Even if a great many were not truly following the gospel of Christ, we still should not discount those that are. All I know is some truly amazing things are happening there and that is what I wanted to focus on in this thread.

One other thing. I know many Catholics that do know their bibles and do have a strong faith. Simply being Catholic doesn't mean they don't know the truth or follow it. That can happen in any church anywhere.

God bless

[beachbum53]

I'm right there with you. I haven't taken the time to read about Christianity in Haiti. I'm sure not looking to debate this now or probably ever. I don't know if I would have my hands in the air praising God at that moment. The clips I saw were amazing.

From MSNBC...The women singing together in Jeremy Square might never have worshiped side by side before the disaster, but now their voices harmonize and soar well past 2 in the morning. Lionelle Masse, a stringy woman with a deep, sad voice, lost a child in the quake. She sings next to Rosena Roche, a fiery-eyed Catholic whose husband is buried under tons of rubble.

"It doesn't mean anything if Satan hates me, because God loves me,"sing the women at Jeremy Square, their faces almost invisible in the darkness of this powerless, shattered downtown."God has already paid my debt."