Gary Fallesen / Sunday, August 26, 2012 / Categories: Haiti, Mission: Haiti 2012, Mission Moments Mission Moment: Aug. 26, 2012 UPDATE (3 p.m. Eastern time): Bad news from Malasi, where Pastor Vilcuis of the Climbing For Christ church reports damage to the roof of the new church, his house, the missionary house, the house of teacher Derisma, and the homes of many of those who have assisted the work God has shared with us there. “There are not any bananas or other plants in Malasi — all fall down,” said missionary Miguel. “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: 'Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.'” — Job 1:20-21 (NIV) Tropical Storm Isaac left Haiti in its wake on Saturday and the spotlight turned to Florida — and the Republic National Convention’s interruption, etc. News reports from Haiti focused, as usual, on Port-au-Prince and other cities, such as Jacmel, which were affected by the storm. Rarely does anyone hear about what is happening in rural areas, particularly in the mountains where Climbing For Christ serves. While the world heard yet again about the hundreds of thousands of tent dwellers in Port-au-Prince, they did not hear about those who are living in shelter as flimsy or perhaps worse than a tent. In Gentilhomme, where Climbing For Christ built its first house of worship for God, Pastor Trezin reported “the church was moved by the breeze of Isaac, but it is well.” Surrounding farms did not fare as well. Missionary Miguel Rubén Guante said they are “very damaged.” Elsewhere, the homes of Climbing For Christ church members were damaged to varying degrees. A half-dozen or so were “partially” damaged in the Haitian community on a hillside in the Dominican border town of Jimani. In Thoman, “we have about 15 to 20 houses damaged,” Miguel said. Malasi had yet to be heard from in the aftermath of Isaac. “This storm looks like the worst disaster for Haiti,” Miguel said. “Here in Jimani, the storm came to worsen our situation of hunger and if the Dominican border town is under hunger, you may imagine Haiti before and after the crossing of Isaac. “That is Haiti. Look at the people of Midian or any other enemy of God,” Miguel said, referring to the people who worshiped a multitude of gods, and whom God commanded the Israelites to destroy in Numbers. “Haiti cannot rest from His persecution.” Miguel recognizes our need to “fight against the evil — voodoo.” We pray for Haitian people to turn from wickedness and idolatry and to the One True God, whose Son Jesus died for their sins. They must follow Christ through all the storms of this world. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” — Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) Mission Moment: Aug. 25, 2012 Mission Moment: Aug. 29, 2012 Print 3294 Gary FallesenGary Fallesen Other posts by Gary Fallesen Contact author