December 26, 2010
Dear friends,
I am sitting in the same seat at the same gate in Tampa International airport that I have been in several times over the past year. It seems like most of my destinations take me through Miami and gate F80. That part is a lot easier than what I have to do once I land in Miami. The last time I went through Miami, I saw a banner that read, “Voted America’s most friendly airport.” I was really upset that I had not been able to cast my vote. Then again, I wouldn’t want to be the one who kept Miami from winning the contest. Plus, if the contest was between Miami, Atlanta, JFK, and O’Hare, I think I would have to abstain.
For all those who track these things, they didn’t send me through the full body scanner and no one groped me. I was not touched, folded, or mutilated. Yet! Of course, I am going to Haiti, where everyone puts you through a full body search wherever you go even if they don’t work for the airport.
That is where I am headed. I will be in Port-au-Prince this evening and our annual pastoral training seminar begins tomorrow morning. I am teaching a module called, “the Interpretation of Biblical Prophecy,” which covers the hermeneutics of prophetic literature. I will be teaming up with a new teacher from the Evangelical Seminary in Port-au-Prince.
I was almost feeling guilty as I prepared to leave this weekend. I felt bad to be leaving a big part of our whole family at home in Tampa. I am going to miss the last three days before Sam, Ben, and Megan head back to NC where they are in college. Mostly, I realized that it has actually been six months since I was in Haiti last. I was certain that I could never forget Haiti after what I have seen and done this year since the earthquake. And yet, busyness sets in and Haiti goes to the backburner. It has just seemed like a few weeks ago that I was preaching in the churches of Croix des Bouquets last June. To the Haitians, these past twelve months have seemed like an eternity. And, it hasn’t really gotten better. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. No silver lining glimmering through their dark cloud. The only thing they hold onto is their faith in God. Their faith reminds me of Jeremiah’s faith in Lamentations. He has seen the destruction of everything he held dear, even landmarks that seemed indestructible. He has suffered personal injury, persecution and tragedy. In spite of all of that, He declares, “Your mercies are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” That is the faith that I find so amazing in my Haitian brothers and sisters. Many have lost everything. People talk but nothing really changes. “God alone is their refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need.”
We could learn a lot from their faith and courage. I intend to learn a lot this week. Maybe I will also teach them something but I am the real student. Pray for me. There are a lot of bad things in Haiti these days. I’d rather not encounter any of them if I don’t have to. Pray for my family as I am away. And pray for God to do a work in and through me in Haiti.
I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and are expecting a blessed New Year. I’ll be back home on Saturday night, the Lord willing. May God bless you all.
Evan Drake
Bible Basics International