Have you ever been asked for something you just didn't want to or couldn't give?
Today was different.
As we joined the street revival with Pastor Duclair Pierre, we worshipped, listened to our storyteller, and danced… a lot. School is about to start for the kids, so this means a big kick-off meal with rice, beans and chicken, the traditional Haitian meal. In this setting, 'crowd' is an understatement.
The kitchen was full of helpers so much so that one could not turn around. The walkways were cluttered with plate passers and every other area of need had more than enough helpers. This left me mingling among the children. If you know me, I don't like simply standing around, so I walked around unknowingly to others (for the most part), praying over and claiming the streets, homes, children, and everything in between in Jesus name. Everything within me was boiling.
I have been to Haiti a number of times now, and I often get approached with these demands: "Hey you, give me money!", "Give me one dollar!", "I'm hungry, give me food.", and sometimes a simple "Please…." Having much more to do with than an empty pocket or groaning stomach, these issues burn me to the core.
Poverty is a spiritual issue, not a social issue.
I can't hide it, I'm a giver. I take joy in giving, and for the first time today, a request was made that I took great joy in granting. From the other side of the crowd, Bebeto and Marco, two familiar Haitian boys, waved me over. As soon as I arrived, they, hungry and waiting, demanded, "pray over us!"
Their request was a far cry from the usual, one of a different root, of a different desire. For the first time, I was asked for everlasting food, food that satisfied. Bebeto and Marco looked me in the eyes as young warriors of passion and said, "Pray that God would not only be with us but strengthen us as we go."
Heart-struck and full of passion, I laid it on 'em… and so they went!
It hit me, I often ask of my brothers for material but not substance.
This, I ask you today: When is the last time you asked for the laying on of God's everlasting substance from His children?
