These were the words of the angel Gabriel to a young woman who was told she was to conceive and have a child, one who would be called the Son of God. They were in response to her expressions of wonder, doubt, surprise, concern. Considering the circumstances and situation of her life, she asks, "How can this be?" And the response from Gabriel, "With God, all things are possible. "
As we enter this season of Advent we have also just passed the half-way point in the original 3-year Haiti Response Plan. Returning team members often have two observations as they travel around the area, go to new project sites, or re-visit places they have served: "Wow, so much has changed. It is great to see the progress." And then, "There is still so much to be done."
My wife Wendy and I were here during the earthquake in January 2010. We travelled the next days around the Petionville area and Port-au-Prince. It was overwhelming. How easy it would have been, looking at the history, the lack of infrastructure, the many allegations of corruption, to dismiss it all as, there is nothing that can be done. That this is an "impossible" situation. But people came, not only in response to the immediate emergency needs, but to be a part of the long-term relief and recovery efforts. I can't speak for others, but I believe that the church, our faith community, is here because we believe that with God all things are possible.
On the morning of January 12, 2010, at a meeting of EMH leaders and international mission partners, President Gesner Paul talked about the challenges facing not only the country, but the church. He acknowledged some of the struggles and mistakes that had been made in the past, and said, if there is to be renewal, if there is to be recovery, if there is to be hope, it must begin with the church. Remember, now -- this was the morning of January 12!
Those words are more true now than even then. I believe that is why we are all here. It is at the heart of our common mission, it is in the hearts of the people of Haiti and the volunteer team members. We believe that with God, all things are possible. With God, nothing is impossible.
To a young woman, promised in marriage, an angel delivers a seemingly impossible message. Two thousand plus years later God delivers that same message to us in Haiti and throughout the world when faced with a seemingly overwhelming task: with God, all things are possible.
So much has happened in the past year and a half. It is remarkable. And yet, there is still much to do.
This Advent, may each of us come to know, believe and trust that where God is, there is always hope. Where God is, there is always a way. Where God is, all things are possible.
Rev. Tom Vencuss,
UMVIM Haiti Project Coordinator
Photo by Susan J. Meister