by: Kathy Davis | Senior Director of Wholistic Care
It was in October of 2018 that I was last awakened to roosters crowing and the aroma of a hot cup of coffee at our guesthouse in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I arrived ready to train our new social worker, Natalie Vilson, and facilitate her on-boarding as our newest World Orphans team member. Natalie currently works with nine churches that are caring for some of the most vulnerable families in their communities. Four years later, Natalie’s role has become much more important as many of the neighborhoods she visits have been overtaken by gangs and families have been forced from their homes. Sadly, the vulnerable are even more vulnerable.
According to Natalie, “It is really difficult to live in Haiti, especially when insecurity and many other factors prevent the stability and proper functioning of the country.” Natalie is convinced that, even with the rise of kidnapping and escalating gang activity, God is moving in extraordinary ways. Natalie sets her alarm every evening to awaken at 4:30 am. In January 2021, she joined an intercessory prayer group where she and others gathered on WhatsApp to pray together. This prayer group shares their personal concerns and groans in prayer for the plight of their country and the well-being of their own families. Natalie has learned through regular times in prayer that she can ask God to help her fight against what has become a gripping fear to leave her home.
The country of Haiti currently has 11.4 million people and has been marked by a significant rise in gang-related kidnappings. People are scrambling to find gasoline amid shortages that have shattered gas stations, caused fuel prices to be untenable for essential travel, and forced the closing of many businesses.
According to Natalie, “The year 2021 was not at all easy in Haiti, however I must tell you that I am grateful because God was gracious; he protected me, he protected my family, the staff of World Orphans in Haiti and also all of the children in the program.”
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
Natalie’s prayers have resulted in a tangible loosening of the grip that fear has had on her and has taught her that she can depend on the role of the Holy Spirit to direct her steps, even away from areas that are dangerous on any given day. Natalie’s director often reminds her “she does not need to be afraid because her work is God’s work and God will be with her, direct her steps, and protect her.”
Natalie lives with present and eternal hope, not because she is able to see that the darkness in Haiti is lifting, but because she is holding on to the truth that God is faithful and he has promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against his church (Matthew 16:18).
“So preach and believe in Matthew 16:18 with all your might. But don’t misunderstand the promise. Jesus assures us of something even better than triumphalism here and now. He promises eternal life. With intense opposition and persecution, the early church was under attack from the gates of hell. But just as Jesus conquered the grave, so the gates of hell—death itself—will not prevail against those who belong to Christ. Or as Jesus himself puts it, ‘Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet he shall live.’ John 11:25 [ESV]” Kevin DeYoung
When darkness seems unrelenting and the way forward is unclear, it is vital to remember that Christ, who is the light of the world, has overcome the darkness and remains actively at work through his church. The Spirit of God emboldens his people to walk by faith, trust God’s hand, and fight with the weapons of warfare that are not carnal but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds. Our hope rests in the eternal hope that is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, come what may.
As Natalie continues to awaken before dawn, work with the churches, and counsel with countless families and children, she reminds us that “to live in Haiti without the worst happening, is only because of God, and no one else. For us who believe in God, we owe him our trust and our devotion, because HE is faithful.”
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 ESV