A few weeks ago we had posted and asked for prayer for Pastor Yves. He is the director and founder of the orphanage we partner with in Port au Prince, Haiti (Life is Wealth) and has also become a dear and trusted friend over the five years we have known one another. He and his family have been battling one crisis after another over the past year and a half. Over that time, he has had his leg amputated (Jan. 2015), his wife has had a stroke (Nov. 2015), and then he had one as well this past March of 2016. The stroke affected his ability to swallow and since April he has been in and out of the hospital because he could not eat. They inserted a gastric tube and have been feeding him through that since April but he has grown weaker.
This past week he came home from the hospital. We went to Life is Wealth on Friday (6/17)but were unable to see him because he was napping though we did meet with his son for a while. We made an appointment with his son, Lens, to visit (and have some meetings) this coming Tuesday (6/21). Yesterday, we got a text message that said, “Pray. We are taking my father back to the hospital. He is not well”, from Lens.
Since then, we have been in communication with Lens (on the phone and through texts). The situation is very critical. Pastor Yves is in a coma in a good hospital in Port au Prince and there is a good chance he may not recover. We are going today to visit the orphans left at the orphanage (who are understandably scared) as well as his wife. We have been praying with them and encouraging them, but we are also respecting that this is a time for family to be with Pastor. We may visit them at the hospital if the family is open to that. They are not just a ministry project or partner. We know these people well, have lived with them for weeks on end, know their individual names (and personal things about them), etc…
Grieving and supporting a family in crisis is always a delicate situation. Everyone reacts differently and every situation requires prayer and putting SELF aside while putting the needs of the others first. Ministering cross-culturally adds another dimension. You can’t look at a situation based on what is “proper” or “familiar” to you, because in another culture those things may not matter at all. Sensitivity and prayer need to guide more than ever.
Personally, I would love to see Pastor myself, pray with him, talk to him (if he is able), etc. but that would make ME feel better. And, this isn't about ME. He is a man with a lot of pride and dignity. To have me see him in this time of weakness may put even more stress on him or embarrass him. So, we have been praying and proceeding with caution as we go through this.
Ministering in Haiti can be tricky because even the best intentions can have so many “ripple effects”. You can go to visit someone at their home in the remote countryside, but after you leave they (and their family) become a target because they have entertained foreigners which means to their community that they must have “wealthy friends”. You can make a special trip to visit/encourage someone and they really would benefit greater from the finances it took for your trip because God has already surrounded them with friends who speak their language and understand their culture who can better pray with them/encourage them. Best intentions are great, but we have learned so much over the years and with so many experiences. So…. we must consider such things as we proceed. More than anything, we would like our presence and the way we handle everything to reflect JESUS- not us.
Pray for Pastor Yves. Pray for his family (wife and seven children and their families). Pray for the orphans- he is the only father many of them know. Pray for his church as they have service this morning knowing that he is so ill. Pray for unity in making decisions that the family is facing regarding medical care/options and other serious issues. Pray for discernment for us as we seek to be a blessing and to assist- not cause strife. Pray for the doctors and those working with Pastor Yves. Pray for whatever else God puts on your heart. We will keep you posted on the situation as we are able. Thank you!
(PS- We have received permission to post these things and have never posted without such from the family or Pastor Yves himself which is why it has taken a while to fill you in. This is very personal information.)
(Pastor Yves- teaching the community about the importance of using clean water and when to use it)
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