Last Thursday (April 8th), in my post "Steve in Haiti - the halfway point", I wrote the following:
"Patty reminded me tonight that on several occasions these past two months, as we have shared this interval in my professional journey, instead of the traditional, 'oh, I am sorry to hear that you are having to look for a job!', people have said to us, 'Oh Great! Now you will get to see the Lord move in wonderful and mysterious ways!'
I want to embrace that exciting thought. Maybe that is why I am here - but I am very far from sure."Well, this past Sunday, I finally know why I am here.
This is my new brother, Elias Kamau from Nairobi, Kenya. He is the World Concern Haiti (WCH) Emergency Director. He is the second of probably several Emergency Directors - he (and the first Director) left his home and his family and came to stand in the gap and make these new programs happen for the people of Haiti in the Name of Jesus. He arrived on or about March 12, just 11 days before me. He joined a fellow Kenyan, Nelson Warambo, head of Logistics for the Emergency Program Haiti. (They did not know each other prior to Haiti - Nairobi is a BIG city.)
As you may remember from earlier posts, Nelson had been scheduled to have some R&R with is family in Kenya and left on my 4th day in Haiti. I took over his position as the WCH Logistician, which is a little frightening when I know no Creole or French. I wondered if that was why I was here, so Nelson could go home and Elias and Jillian (the Emergency Program Support position) did not have to do his job, too. (I found it curious that my timing of arrival was based on being back for Nate's graduation from Pepperdine, not Nelson's departure.) And a reason I wondered if I came just to spell Nelson, because he is returning to Haiti long before I return to the states.
In addition, Susanna Asin the Bolivian Chief Financial Officer also left when Nelson did to spent time with her family in Bolivia and will telecommute from there until the end of the month. So after Nelson and Susanna left, the only ex-patriots living at the WCH office were Elias and me.
But now I know I am here. On Sunday, Elias received some very bad and surprising news: his eldest brother Peter had died. I should not tell you how, but suffice it to say it was not foreseen by anyone, he was a young man, younger than myself, anyway,with a wife and two teenage children and has left the entire extended family wondering why, including Elias.
If I had not been here, Elias would have spent Sunday alone. It is hard to be over 7,500 miles away from your wife, children and extended family in and of itself. But when this kind of tragedy comes, you can not be alone. And Elias was not: he had me. We had been sharing each others story - and most of you understand he has heard several stories from me about my family and life itself. We had come to enjoy each other's company more everyday.
With Elias leaving today to try and get home by Saturday, I am also available to help Jillian (the Emergency Program Support position) the Creole speaking American who started with WCH the same day I arrived. If not for me, she would also be alone in her position until help from WC Seattle arrives later this week or next.
So last night Elias and I had our last time of sharing and praying together ( and finishing "Lord of the Rings -The Two Towers") He had heard my story of my transition from Young Life to CRISTA and my recent resignation from CRISTA Camps (which is the only reason I was available to come to Haiti.) As we prayed, Elias asked the Lord to reveal the next adventure in my employment. He said to me,"Steve, you are a strong man of God and there is something more for you to do; I can feel it." I shared with him the Brandon Heath's song, "He's not finished with me yet" (see April 8th's post). He said that the words to the song and my having been writing about the same words was a confirmation of what he had heard from the Lord in his own mind and heart. He sensed that it will be revealed soon. I sure hope so.
But I am full of joy that I could be here for Elias and stand in the gap for him and be there for him when Phelista, his wife and children, Shalom and Emmanuel could not be.
Please pray for Elias' journey. He flew on a UN plane today to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic but as of this morning, he is booked on a flight tomorrow and will not get to Kenya until Saturday morning the day of the funeral. Pray he can catch a flight today and be home either Friday morning or afternoon (or earlier.)
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