While much of America argues about politics and whatever outrage is trending today, Christians in Haiti are burying their dead.
On August 23, about 150 heavily armed gang members attacked Kenscoff, in the mountains above Port-au-Prince. According to the Associated Press and the United Nations, 47 people were killed and more than 50 kidnapped. Thirty-four people were killed inside or around a church where residents had sought refuge. This week, mourners returned to that same church to bury members of their families. (AP News)
Christian outlets report that the attack centered on the Ark of the New Testament evangelical church, where displaced families had taken shelter, and that many of those killed were Christians. At least five of the dead were children. (CBN)
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Get It on AmazonWe should be careful with the word persecution. Haiti’s gangs murder, kidnap and terrorize people indiscriminately, and current reporting does not conclusively establish that every victim was killed because he or she was Christian.
But it isn’t debatable that people seeking safety inside a Christian church were slaughtered there.
Meanwhile, followers of Jesus elsewhere in the world can argue about worship styles, denominations, doctrines, and whether the coffee in the lobby is any good.
But let’s all try to remeber this exortation from Hebrews, because it resonates and reminds us that our comfortable Christianity here in America isn’t neccesarily the norm.
“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them.” — Hebrews 13:3 (KJV)
Our brothers and sisters aren’t merely the people sitting beside us Sunday morning. The Body of Christ crosses borders, languages and oceans.
So What?
So today, pray for Haiti. Pray for the kidnapped. Pray for grieving families. Pray for Christians trying to remain faithful in a country where simply gathering together can put them in mortal danger.
And remember them, because much of the world won’t.
Child of God, husband, father, grandfather, rabblerouser, songwriter, pot stirrer, waiting for the King.