In a quiet corner of the small town of Pignon, Haiti, ten seniors are being given a priceless gift.
Their names are Ariana, Carius, Eslet, Indiana, Jean-Claut, Maprina, Marcellus, Jean-Richard, Ones and Zina. And they are living out the last days of their lives under the care of some brave and selfless souls, those being the Staff and Leadership at Auberge des Vieillards (Inn for the Elderly).
If you've frequented this blog often enough, you'll already know them. In fact, you can scroll back into pass posts and see their pictures and some stories to remind you of how very special they are.
And if you scroll back even further, you'll catch the thread of the story of Highview's remarkable connection, from the first visits in 2007 and 2008, through the construction Teams' adventures, to the specific focus of developing the property in Pignon, all the way to the present, where our dear friends live out the vision for their dignity and care. That vision, which bears repeating, was born in the heart of Pastor Abdon, and then later with his wife Madame Lumide, two faithful servants of God who saw the need and tenaciously, patiently saw it through.
Our connection with Haiti runs deep.
Yet, for all the start up on-the-ground energy of the past decade plus, we have had to adjust in recent years to a more creative, albeit more distant way of connecting.
First COVID, then ongoing violent unrest have prevented Highview from the regular gathering of a Team to be the on-site hands and feet of Jesus, partnering with our Haitian brothers and sisters in a more face to face kind of way.
For me personally, this means I haven't even gone to Haiti. Which is notable, since I stepped into the role of Highview's Missionary in Residence already seven years ago in 2018, and it should have included a trip down there by now. Even though Highview's connection with New Family Foundation in Thailand, by virtue of a very different kind of care and responsibility, is the main focus of my time and energies in this role, Auberge des Vieillards still falls under my banner to champion. I would very much LOVE to visit in person one day to help foster those all-important incarnational and reciprocal bonds.
But it hasn't happened yet.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch church...
Once a year in February, we host a Dinner and Silent Auction in their honour, raising up to $13,000.00 which is then sent to Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada World Partners to contribute to the ongoing costs of general and medical well being of the residents. Anyone, however, can contribute at any time, simply by clicking on the link above and following the prompts.
You'll hear a lot about Haiti around Highview leading up to this event.
AND, very importantly, the beautiful folks at A des V are remembered every Wednesday by our Prayer Squad, including a Prayer Bulletin email that goes out to a wider number of people each week. All Highviewers have the option to have this Prayer Bulletin sent to their inbox, simply by asking for it at info@hcckw.ca.
Also, a small Prayer brochure, featuring the names and faces of our Residents, are available at Highview or by request at rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca.
And here's where I'm going to get to my point for this blog. Because this blog is about prayer.
Even though our connection has been more distanced than any of us would have liked these past five or six years, our connection through prayer is real and effective and intimate. We have the chance, with or without traveling there in person, to intercede to the High King of Heaven on behalf of some truly vulnerable and precious human beings. Prayer matters. As believers in Jesus Christ, we believe this.
I can't think of a better prayer for Haiti right now than the one Jesus taught us to pray.
If you're reading this, and you have a moment, can I encourage you to pause and pray it out loud with our beloved seniors in mind?
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
on earth (in Haiti)
as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts
as we also have forgiven our debtors,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the power, the kingdom and the glory.
Amen
And if you did that just now, prayed for us at A des V, thank you!
May you reap the blessings of that important connection, and be encouraged by how much it matters.
Ruth Anne
Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.
Missionary in Residence, Highview Community Church
rabreithaupt@hcckw.ca
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