Todd's Earthquake Notes--First Impressions

As the shaking and the roar of the earthquake subsides, the cries of thousands of people rise. At the end of our street two houses down is a ravine with hundreds of houses built in a maze. I expect to see many of them flattened as I run over to look. In fact, none seem to have been significantly damaged. "That must not have been as strong as I thought,” I decide. Before long the dull roar of people excitedly chattering is drowned out by wailing and screaming, coming from all sides. We survey the damage to a neighbor’s house. Several of the perimeter walls around his house have fallen. His cistern is still quite full, but his fears will come true as over the next few hours fissures will drain it completely. We look up the mountain and see great clouds of dust. Down the mountain are more. Word begins arriving. “Caribbean Market has collapsed!” No, surely not. That’s where we do our main shopping. At 5 pm it would be packed with people. The story must be exaggerated. Then come aftershocks. The yells and screams crescendo. Soon, the sound of hymns being sung can be heard. Members of a nearby church have gathered and are singing praise to God. They probably sing their praises for a variety of reasons. I am sure they are just happy to be alive. Some probably sing because it brings a tiny bit of calm to their spirit. Most sing because of hope. They have faith that God is in control. They have faith that even if they were to perish, their eternity with Jesus is secure. Faith with expectations is hope. Jesus is our Hope.

The reality for the bulk of the suffering people is that they do not have hope in Jesus. Some just hope for food this day. Many hope that their missing family and friends might miraculously turn up. Others hope that government can begin to function and control can be established. These hopes might be fulfilled but they will ultimately be empty. Please pray for the millions in Haiti, both Haitians and foreigners, that somehow through this tragedy they might find Hope.

*Pictured here is our former grocery store, Caribbean Market, quite flattened.