The Haitian’s beautify their cities and towns around Christmas. This year it was wonderful for me to see them working together, cleaning up their streets and their homes.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas they were out sweeping the streets, picking up the garbage from the gutters along the edge of the road. Then they applied fresh coats of paint a few days before Christmas. All along our streets the Haitians painted- the walls are now striped with a fresh coat of white and yellow paint. The rocks and telephone poles near the side of the road are now painted yellow, cautioning drivers to watch out for them. Houses were painted too. I was told the Haitians save paint for months, just waiting for the weeks in late December to paint the outside of their homes.
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| The side of the street painted. |
The city was bustling with people all hard at work, scurrying to get everything finished in time. Come December 25 the city looked awesome- the people had prepared it for Christmas. I like to think that the people were preparing for Christ’s birth. I hope that the reason they wait until December each year to beautify their city is so that it will look good on the day in which we celebrate Christ’s arrival.
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| These Joseph, Baby Jesus, and Mary painted cardboard cutouts set up along the side of the road give me hope! |
The Haitians getting the city ready reminded me of John the Baptist. He was born to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17). He went through the towns and the cities before Jesus did, calling the people to repentance.
Luke 1:76-79 “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
The call of John the Baptist was not only a call for him but a call for all followers of Christ. At times I question why I am here and why all these other missionaries, young and old are here. Why are all these people investing their lives in Haiti? Once again I am reminded of why I am here, why all the missionaries are here in this county- “To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble by SonicFlood
Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you hear the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one.
Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you hear the singers roar?
When the lost began to sing of
Jesus Christ the saving one.
And we can see that God you're moving
A mighty river through the nations
And young and old will turn to Jesus
Fling wide you heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord
Open up the doors and let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope
Songs that bring your joy
Dancers who dance upon injustice.
Do you feel the darkness tremble?
When all the saints join in one song.
And all the streams flow as one river
To wash away our brokenness.
And here we see that God you're moving.
A time of jubilee is coming
When young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide you heavenly gates.
Prepare the way of the risen Lord.
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