Those of you well acquainted with me and Pathway Outreach Ministries realize that Haiti has been a major part of my life since the early 1990s. When the devastating earthquake hit in 2010 my journeys to Haiti increased. On these journeys I stayed with Pastor Baptiste in his home on the church grounds. I became a frequent member of the village. I have a little story to tell of my experience.
There was an old man whose daughter lived near Pastor Baptiste. He would always come by and visit with me. In his younger days he had lived in Maryland working in a corn canning plant, so he spoke some broken English. Countless times, I would be sitting on the front porch, and he would walk up with his arms raised shouting, “My fwiend, my fwiend!” He valued me as his friend. We would chat a little bit. [Haitian speakers pronounce the R as a W.]
He usually had on this unique Haitian style straw hat and he had a very distinct gait when he walked. I can walk just like him. He would often ask me for a little money. He would whisper in his broken English, “My fwiend, I’m bwoke, I’m bwoke.” I would give him $10 or $20 and he would smile saying, “Tank you my fwiend!”
I asked him a number of times if he had accepted Jesus and he said no. We had a number of conversations about Jesus and his salvation. He would visit the church when I preached but I’m not sure if he ever accepted Jesus. The last time I saw him was at his home and he was almost totally blind from cataracts. I received word the last of March that he had died. His name was Sauver [pronounced Sol-vier]. I was quite sadden by the news of my “fwiend” dying. I pray he became a believer! It would be glorious to arrive in Heaven and hear, “My fwiend, my fwiend!”
My home church, New Life Christian Center, initiated a project within our fellowship to raise money to send the school kids in Haiti some replacement gifts since the CareBoxes were hijacked. We sent the money to Haiti and the teachers are going to purchase some things there for a gift bag at about $5/student. Everything is very expensive in Haiti and supplies are limited. I am very thankful for the outpouring of concern and love—it was all their idea!!
I need your prayers. I will have my aortic heart valve replaced in May. I will have the TAVR replacement which is a minimal invasive replacement. They send the new collapsible valve through the artery, then into the old valve, expand it in place, and exit the artery. On the patient side of things, it is like a heart catheterization. I should be able to go home the next day, and after about two weeks of light duty I will be good to go.
Our Good Friday CrossWalk was April 15th. We appreciate all of the participants and coordinators who helped with this event.
We so much appreciate your prayers and financial support. Thank you for helping us spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and feeding the hungry.
Rejoicing in the salvation, which is by grace through faith, I am…
Yours on the Journey,
Harry L. Whitt
Pathway Outreach Ministries 