Twelve years ago I traveled to Haiti to visit some dear brothers and sisters in a church there. In addition to some preaching, we did some painting and other work with them. One day, God willing, I hope to return.
One of the primary leaders of that Haitian church was Preval Meritil. This mighty man of God taught himself English by reading an English Bible alongside a Creole one. He learned it so well that he was asked to translate for Billy Graham when he spoke on the island as well as various US politicians and other dignitaries who visited.
Preval loved God and people. Motivated by this love he built not only a large church in Port-au-Prince to minister to lost souls, but he also built an orphanage and a school for lost children. He and his wife Tully served God faithfully for many years prior to her death a few years back and his in 2020. We will miss his visits to our churches as well as his ministry in Haiti.
Several years ago when Pastor Preval was building a new home, he contracted individuals to work for him. The engineer he dealt with told him what type of stone to use in the foundation. Because it was the most expensive rock available, Preval protested and asked if something less expensive might be just as good.
The engineer assured him that many other such products existed and could be purchased at lower cost, but that this particular stone provided the best strength. Reluctantly, Preval shelled out the extra cash, which is very scarce in Haiti. They mixed these stones in with the concrete and finished the foundation. Others got it under roof and completed the modest home.
Several years later, on January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake shook Port-au-Prince vigorously. It devastated the city and its surroundings causing over $8 billion in damages and killing over 300,000 Haitians. Thankfully, my son who had been there on a mission trip left the island the day before the quake struck.
Because of the poverty that has gripped the country for decades, many flimsy shacks were destroyed. Even buildings with more substantial construction were leveled or permanently damaged. As Preval examined the countless homes that had crumbled in his neighborhood, he found that his was still standing. Although it had shaken violently, it sustained relatively minor damage.
It was then that he was grateful for two things. He was thankful that the engineer had given him good advice and didn’t simply tell him what he wanted to hear. How horrible it would have been for the man to have pacified his money-conscious client by recommending inferior alternatives.
Secondly, Preval was thankful that he followed the engineer’s advice. Imagine his regret if he had decided to ignore the recommendation, save a few dollars, and use the lower-grade stone. As he reflected on how his house was spared, he thanked his God for these blessings in the midst of disaster.
Preval’s experience can teach us many things but let’s focus on two. It’s important for followers of Jesus to represent His truth accurately. Our culture prefers cheap morals and inferior standards. Many believe there is no danger in ignoring God’s laws. Christians must state clearly and unequivocally what God’s will is for human behavior without caving to the pressures of human preference.
And we need to construct a good foundation ourselves. Jesus told us to build our lives on Him and His teachings if we want to withstand life’s storms. His ways are often more expensive, more inconvenient, and less socially acceptable, but they are the most stable and secure you can get.
As we enter the New Year, let’s shore up our foundations by spending time with God reading His Word and praying each day. When the floods come and the earthquakes hit, we’ll be so glad we used the best building materials on the market.
Blessings, George