Haiti, He Loves You
By Jeremy Glaze
I just got back from a trip to Haiti. I had the privilege to go there with an amazing team to build a home for widows as well as serve at two orphanages. As I am sure you are aware, the devastation of this country is heartbreaking. Everywhere you turn, you see rubble, injuries, and tragedy struck from the horrible earthquake. Haiti was in severe poverty before the earthquake, and now the homeless, widows, and orphans have increased so much more due to this horrific disaster.
As I reflect on this experience, there are several things that overtake my mind. The first being our need for a Father, a Saviour. Every time I would enter an orphanage, the kids would come charging at us with their arms stretched out. They were fighting for our attention. Their were a couple of women who work in these orphanages on a daily basis, but with so many children, it is impossible for them to give each child the attention he/she requires. They are starving for love and affection. Hugging these kids, playing a simple game, or just sitting down next to them would bring a beautiful smile to their face. A lot of these children have been in an orphanage all of their lives. So how did they learn their desire for love and affection? I realized that God created us to desire a Father. We were created to be loved.
About half way through the trip, my emotions shifted in a negative way. Being immersed in the poverty and devastation became overwhelming. Looking around at these people’s circumstances, I asked “Where are you at God?” It was difficult to see any hope in this nation. That night, we were upstairs at the guest house where we were staying. As we were debriefing through day’s activities, all I could think about is how a Haitian could have hope in this situation. As I was sorting through all my negative emotions, I could hear the other team downstairs singing the song “How He Loves”. I lost it.
He loves us. He loves the people in Haiti. He loves the devastated, the widows, the orphans. And I realized that God’s love is our number one need in life. All the other tremendous needs are secondary to God’s love. The hope is in His love.
As I pray for Haiti, I still pray that the country will be rebuilt, that the poverty will end, and the orphans will find parents. But more than that, I am praying that the people of Haiti will realize the perfect love of their Father. I pray that the orphans will know God as their Father at an early age. I pray that the thousands of people who lost it all, would realize they have the most important treasure in this world, which is the love of the Creator.
I still have a lot of questions. None of us can answer why this happened. But one thing I know for sure, He loves us.
Jeremy Glaze
Jeremy,
Thank you for your desire to go to a place such as this, I wish I had some words of wisdom for why these things happen, but I don’t. Only words of encouragement, we are in a fight to win souls for the Lord, he has giving us a great charge to go out unto the world and preach and teach his Gospel to a lost and dying world.
I know what its like to feel what you are going through, We go to Jamaica to help build churches and hold revivals on a yearly basis, we go up into the mountain areas. It breaks my heart to see some of the things we witness. Why so many children are being treated like this? Why are so many children starving to death?
I really have no answers, but I do know this, if it weren’t for good people such as yourself it would be worse. Your Aunt Faye Jones gave me your blog page, we go to Church together, she’s a great teacher and we love her dearly.
Keep up the good job, may God continue to bless your ministry.
Thank you Larry for the comments and great insights. I’m glad Faye told you about our sight. We love your conversations.
Hey Jer. I told you earlier how proud I am of the man you have become. As you know,I don’t have the answers to life’s toughest questions, but like you, I know HE loves us. All of us. I want to be more like you. Bek
Thanks Bek. Love ya
Jeremy, Thank you for sharing your journal of your walk. You asked a question where was God? It does make us wander why our loving Father would allow such a horrible way of living. And, why is that we asked that question in such devasting times. I would like for you to ask yourself ” Why me God”? Why do allow me to experince this? Why do you let me bring a smile to a childs face? Why do you allow me to have so much love and compassion about your children? Jeremey I do believe that God hand selects people like you to do his work for him. God is blessing you, imagine what little you saw in one week and how it burns a whole in your heart. Imagine how are Lord must feel with all that he sees. You have left a picture in those children eyes that no matter if they shut their eyes to sleep they once meet a gentle soul that was God sent.
May God Bless you and your family
Love you
Mardy
Thank you so much Mardy for your kind comment. Your suggestion is awsome. Instead of asking why is it this way, ask why does it bother me it is this way and what can I do about it. THank you for reading our blogs, keep commenting. We love it!
Love ya!
Hey Jeremy! I was reading a twitter update from Jeff Henderson who posted a blog from someone who went to Haiti and you responded to her blog, which leads me here!
I loved reading what you wrote here! I too remember them singing that song and just breaking down, even now that we are home. I have had such a difficult time since our trip trying to process it all and knowing what to do next. I am anxious to go back, this time w/my husband, and some day with our children! Thanks for sharing your experience, brought comfort in knowing that so many of us felt the same way!
Thank you Melanie. I’m so glad you came across our blog. I agree with you, I am still processing it all, but I cannot wait to go back (even if we do miss our kiddies
). Here is another blog about how I processed our trip (click here). I believe you will be able to relate to this as well. Keep me posted on your future Haiti trips. Thanks for visiting our site!