I have been impressed today to give our readers some insights concerning life here in Haiti. At times, I’ve described the average Haitian as one who lives on a shoestring. While we have our credit cards to max out if we need or want anything in addition to a regular income (for most of us), our Haitian friends usually live in debt – not from running up unnecessary bills, but just trying to stay alive. Life is complicated here and one is usually trying to work through a maze of problems all the time.

One example is Boss Luckner. Luckner does all our woodwork. Whether it’s shelves, doors, beds or church benches, Luckner is the man for the job (see: “The Master Craftsman“). To Luckner, everything is a masterpiece and we are never disappointed with his work. His current project is that of building an island for our kitchen and cabinets for John’s house. I walked across the compound this afternoon to find out how far along he’d come on the island. I could see his discouragement before I ever got to him. Asking him how the work on our kitchen island was going, he told me that he was working alone today. He could not afford to have the other fellows come work with him because he is responsible to buy their lunch while they work. Because the electricity is so erratic, he could only work when the electricity is functioning. He shelled out about $50 of his own money to fix the generator he’s been borrowing in order to keep working. I have heard his electric saw buzzing away at night when retiring for bed. Luckner was too ashamed to tell me there were extra costs involved. His primitive tools take him triple the time that it would normally take if he had proper electric tools. I gave him a little extra money from what I had to help move things along.

Our security guard, Toussaint, was informed that his wife has breast cancer. She is only thirty-eight years old. He asked if we could advance him two months’ salary so he could take take her to have a mammogram done. My heart was so heavy–not because he asked for an advance, but because his two months’ worth of pay just went up in smoke.

In spite of this, Luckner and Toussaint are more fortunate than most people here. They have regular work and yet they struggle, too. Our front door might as well be a revolving one with all the folks that come looking for a little help. While we try to juggle payrolls and maintain the running of our jeep, generator, and countless other necessities, there are always other needs that crop up. That’s when we have to make God room. The needs exceed what we have to dole out. Still, how can one ignore a request such as Toussaint’s or other urgent needs? We give and trust the Lord for “God room.”

A couple of days ago, I shared on my Facebook page about Toussaint’s plight and asked others to pray. I was surprised and totally overwhelmed when friends of mine wrote and asked where they can send a check to help him. Once again, God was making room. I want to thank those friends for their incredible generosity. I also thank those of you who consistently sow into Rehoboth Ministries month after month.

I would still like to share these needs with the rest of our readers who do not use Facebook. Please pray for Toussaint and Luckner. Please remember all those here that labor for the Lord in spite of their hardships. Please pray that effectual doors will open up and jobs will be created so more people can find work. The Haitian people are not lazy. They are more than willing to put their hand to the plow. They’re just trying to find the plow!

Also, pray for us as we work through the maze of incredible needs that require us to believe for more “God room!”