Higher Ways

In January, 2010, we met a 110-pound, fifteen-year-old Haitian boy.

Rogelin was frightened and understandably so.  His home collapsed in the earthquake killing his parents.  Orphaned and living on the streets with the reeling masses of Port Au Prince, Rogelin took refuge under the wing of the 81st Airborne assigned to the General Hospital near the Presidential Palace; very smart, but far from a permanent solution.

GO Project was thrilled to welcome Rogelin for what we thought would be a short stay.  He had a sister (his only remaining relative) living in Florida.  He even had a passport.  It seemed like a no-brainer that Rogelin needed to come to the States.

Our GO Project community shamelessly asked every favor, pulled every string, turned every stone possible to reunite Rogelin with family.  Zilch.  Rogelin would stay in Haiti.  His home and family for this chapter would be provided by our partner.

Today, Rogelin isn’t a boy anymore.  He’s become a young man.  He’s a stud on the soccer field.  He’s progressing in school.  His English has improved.  He even has about five, chin whiskers that he’s coaxed, curled, and coordinated into the beginnings of a beard.  Most importantly, his faith has grown.  Rogelin’s relationship with Jesus is real and grounded; the kind that comes out of a deep, continual dependence on God.

Last month, Rogelin was spending time with a Vision Trip team led by Mike Fox, co-Founder of GO Project.  Mike’s teenage grandson was on the trip and hung out with Rogelin.  The two sat together in church at Claude’s when Mike’s grandson felt the presence of the Holy Spirit.  He told Rogelin about the stirring in his heart.

“Go forward,” Rogelin encouraged.

“What?” his new friend asked.

Rogelin repeated his exhortation.  He knew the Lord was drawing Mike’s grandson to Himself.  Rogelin also knows we have windows of opportunity to respond to such promptings, and he knows the goodness of God.

Mike’s grandson did respond.  He went forward.  Kneeling at the front of the church, two Haitian pastors prayed for the newest member of God’s family.

At GO, we give thanks!  We continue to be awed by God’s ways.

In 2010, we were convinced Rogelin needed to be in Florida as soon as possible.  Obviously, Jesus had other plans.  He had work for Rogelin in Haiti, in him and through him. Humbled, we don’t claim to know God’s perfect plan for Rogelin, but we do know this:  God is Rogelin’s Father (Psalm 68:5).  We get to be his brothers and sisters.

God’s ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.  As high as the heavens are above the earth, so are God’s ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts.  (Isaiah 55)

Praise be to God for His Higher Ways!