“It feels like being mashed flat by a steamroller and then being stood on edge and run over again.”

That’s the way Don Dryden describes dengue fever. The veteran missionary should know-he’s had it “more than once.” Don’s wife Bridgitt stated that she “had malaria 14 times, but not so much in the last ten years.” “The kids had some malaria too, but eventually they built some immunity.” Throw in a bout with typhoid fever and one is just beginning to understand what it meant to be a missionary in Haiti when the Drydens first arrived in 1975.

Thirty-three years of service in the poorest nation in the western hemisphere have not discouraged the Dryden family. In fact, it has left them longing for more. With at least 6 churches planted, several Christian day schools started, and a Bible school with over 100 students, Don plans to “keep on keeping on.” Their son Benji and his family also returned as missionaries to join them in Haiti several years ago. When asked what the key to their faithfulness has been, Don replied: “knowing God’s will.”

There is evidence that God’s will has not always been highly valued in Haiti. Although the country was discovered by Columbus when he discovered America, Haiti eventually took a very different path than America. Haiti was populated by Africans transported to the island in slave ships from Senegal and West Africa. Those slaves eventually revolted against their French owners. Following the pagan religion of their ancestors, the leaders of the revolution secretly conducted a Voodoo ceremony invoking the help of “the spirits” to release them from their slavery. They gained their independence from France, but effectively became enslaved to a more infamous master. They made a deal with the Devil.

Don first met Nader and his father many years ago in the village of Aubert. The shirtless and shoeless boy with a shy smile immediately stole his heart. Don had already started a church in Port-de-Paix and was visiting Aubert twice a week to plant a new church. Don and his visiting companion spent much of the afternoon talking with the pair. The father produced an old Bible and assured the men that he worshipped the same God that they did. Nader visited the church on Sunday. Don worked to build a bridge of trust to the boy. Behind the young teen’s smile lay a hidden history of witchcraft and Voodoo.

Don learned that Nader’s father was the man who “prayed the souls of the dead into paradise.” The families of the recently departed would prepare a feast of pig or goat. They would then invite Nader’s father, who would sacrifice the meat to the spirits as he prayed for the dead. Nader would often accompany his father to this Voodoo ceremony. One Sunday afternoon, Don led Nader to faith in Jesus Christ. He matured in the church, married one of the young ladies in the congregation, and today pastors the church that began in his village. To this day, Nader can’t bring himself to eat meat after participating in all of the Voodoo animal sacrifices as a young man.

Most Christians in Haiti have been saved from a life of Voodoo. A popular saying among Haitians claims that 70% are Catholic, 30% are Protestant, and 100% are Voodoo. Haitians fear this religion of spirits. This phobia keeps many Biblically illiterate and difficult to lead to Christ. They know instinctively that Voodoo and Christianity do not mix. The decision for Christ is a decision to renounce the spirits of Voodoo. Sometimes, God uses even this fear to bring others to salvation.

At one point in the ministry, a middle-aged couple gave their lives to the Lord. Although they were still fearful of Voodoo, they attended church faithfully. The husband approached Don one morning inquiring what to do for his 7-year-old son who had contracted a dangerously high fever. Before, he had always consulted the witchdoctor for such problems. The witchdoctor was considered to be a spiritual jack-of-all-trades. For a gift, he could deliver rain, healing, and even money.

Don responded scripturally to the new believer’s dilemma. “As a Christian, you bring him to us and we will pray to God.” Soon, the fever broke, and after a good night’s sleep, all was well. After this, the family never returned to Voodoo.

Although the boy’s mother couldn’t read or write, she grew strong in the Lord. She became a convincing witness to her neighbors concerning the mighty power of God. For this family and others, Satan’s spell was broken…forever.

It seems that the “deal that Haiti made with the Devil” many generations ago has left a visible mark upon the country. Literally! Don pointed out that a Google satellite map of Hispanola, the island that Haiti shares with Dominican Republic, clearly reveals a startling difference between the two nations. The deforestation and lack of industry in Haiti is clearly visible from space. The observable poverty is a stark reminder of the danger of doing business with the Devil.

By God’s grace, another deal is being forged in the fight for Haiti’s freedom. The stakes of this battle are not political or material, but spiritual and eternal. One young family felt called to join this struggle 33 years ago. That decision has placed them in the trenches with debilitating diseases and demon-possessed witchdoctors. May God empower them to “keep on keeping on” until Haitians find their true freedom in Jesus Christ.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Richard & Patty Comer -  CENTRAL AMERICA
Brian & Jamie Cone -  THAILAND
Richard & Elizabeth Conrad -  JAPAN