The Lord's Day

Sunday we joined the church service held at the mission compound of Christianville, near to our house. Benches were set outside under the trees, but not enough to seat the crowd. Attendance has climbed in most Port-au-Prince churches since the quake. So it was packed, and many of us sat on the grass or the wall. Hundreds flocked: young families, old people, and so many young men! All were impeccably dressed in the very finest: women and girls in dresses and heels and perfect coifs, men and boys in pressed white shirts and ties. The majority had slept under tarps and walked through the dust and rubble, yet they arrived dignified, serene, and smiling.
They had neither a sound system nor instruments for the service – their accordion got too wet to play from the rain. The congregation sang hymns and gentle praise songs in a capella 3-part harmony. They lifted their voices to the Lord and the music carried across the property. There were testimonies from new believers who gave their lives to Christ since the quake, special solos and duets, several sermonettes, babies dedicated, and Communion shared.

Once again I was moved to tears in Haiti. Is there anything more beautiful than a testimony of God’s power and grace, or God’s people gathered to offer a sacrifice of praise? The Church in Haiti has nothing left to give but their most precious offering of praise. Later that afternoon Brian and I walked up a hill to the top and listened as more congregations assembled outdoors throughout the countryside. Their praises carried and bounced off the hills to the valleys. A farmer stopped to chat and we prayed for him and for a bountiful harvest of millet and manioc. He said he was a Christian too and was happy for the surround sound outdoor worship too! Then back down the hill as the sun set, church goers streamed passed us on their way home before dark. I thanked them for their song and a woman smiled and replied: “We sing to the glory of our Almighty God!” Amen sister.