February 14, 2010 – Port-au-Prince, Haiti…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
One month after the destructive earthquake that devastated Haiti, Seventh-day Adventists joined the rest of the country this weekend to mourn, fast and pray. Among the more than 200,000 people lost during the quake, more than 522 church members also died.
“I hope that this event can help us all understand that we do not have any security in our own lives,” said Pastor Marcel Mercier, chaplain of Adventist University in Port-au-Prince, during a special memorial service. “Only by trusting God we can we prepare ourselves to be ready for His coming.”
The service was broadcast on the radio.
The service featured scripture readings, encouraging messages, and a special music by the Earthquake Choir, a small ensemble from the university campus. The program also included testimonies from those who had survived the violent destruction of the earthquake.
“I had got up from praying that day and left to my little shop,” said a woman from the Morija Adventist Church in Diquini as a small girl clung to her leg. “I was impressed not to go home early.” She went on to explain that during the earthquake, she prayed to God for her daughter who was at home. “God saved my life and I thank Him for his goodness.”
“I don’t even know how I fell on the ground,” testified a young man. “I remember screaming Jesus, Jesus save me please, as I heard the noise of the buildings collapse. From then on I gave my entire life to God so that I can serve Him.”
Dozens of children from the camp lined up and marched with green and white balloons symbolizing hope and a better future. Messages of hope were also heard throughout hundreds of Adventist churches in the country.
“Each time you’re sad, think of the compassion of God toward you,” said church elder David Antoine, as he preached to a group of more than 600 who gathered on the grounds of the Adventist Bible Auditorium on Saturday. “Some of you lost your family members, some of you were left with only the clothes on your back, but life is better than your clothes or material things.”
It was not only a time of mourning for the one member who was killed in the temple at the Bible Auditorium and 17 other members reported dead, it was also a day of celebration packed with Scripture readings, music, prayers and thanksgiving.
“We are still alive and we still have to keep the mission God has planned for us,” Antoine said.
At Ebenezer Church, hundreds gathered to worship on the special Sabbath. A few people were inside the building which had visible cracks, but most were outside under blue hanging tarps.
“We have some 400 people who are living on our property,” said Pastor Pierre Jean Louis Jean, who leads the 800-member Ebenezer Church. “Some are strong and some are very weak but we try to encourage them to have hope in God because the Lord is always with us even with our problems. He will help resolve them.”
There is visible joy as the members worship.
“We are always happy,” said Louis Jean. “We are happy in suffering, we are people of hope even if we are hurting.”
