Faith Grows Amid Ruin in Haiti

Some Haitians have embraced a stronger faith in God following the catastrophic earthquake that laid waste to parts of their country late on the afternoon of Jan. 12, 2010, say Zachary and Sharon Segaar-King.

Haitians have maintained this faith, and the Segaar-Kings, who are Christian Reformed World Missions missionaries, have seen it to grow in the many, often difficult months since the earthquake.

The Segaar-Kings have worked in Haiti since 2005. They are now in the United States, visiting churches that have been supporting their ministry.

But on Jan. 12, 2010, they were home in Haiti, getting ready for dinner, when the walls and floor of their home began to shake.

Grabbing their four children, they escaped into the street, where the family ended up spending the night along with many others in their neighborhood. It was a terrible night, filled with the moans and groans of people trapped or injured by the earthquake.

As church and leadership developers who work with members of the Haitian Christian Reformed Church, the Segaar-Kings had no idea how the Haitians they knew would respond to the results of the earthquake — the loss of lives and devastation that was everywhere around them.

Reactions ranged from terror to overwhelming confusion and disbelief, following the disaster that leveled parts of Port-au-Prince, the capital city in which they lived. Tent cities sprung up. Families lost loved ones.

But then the Segaar-Kings encountered signs of a growing Christian faith in the lives of those with whom they worked. "We saw an influx of people who had a desire for God," said Zach.

Haitian CRC members found power "in their faith in Jesus Christ and a trust and comfort in being aware of their eternal destination," said Sharon.

The Segaar-Kings don't minimize the difficulties that came from the earthquake. Rubble still fills many areas of cities and communities torn and shaken by the earthquake. But the missionary couple are able to see beyond the wreckage.

"There have been many challenges and many blessings," said Zach. As with a broken leg that is healing, "pain and scars are there, but people are gaining more flexibility and strength."

Sharon Segaar-King at press conference

"They have kept going. We still see a lot of people seeking the truth, and more people coming to the faith," said Sharon.

Also arising out the shambles and the many needs created by the earthquake was a strengthened relationship between CRWM and personnel from the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and Back to God Ministries International. The agencies had been working together before, but the earthquake drew them closer.

"There is collaboration – a sense of oneness on the field," said Sharon. She has also seen a growth in the women with whom she works. Many experienced terrible trauma, and yet have not allowed the trauma to defeat them. "Women have taken on ownership of their lives and there is a renewed sense of spirituality." See accompanying story.

They will return to Haiti early next year to continue their ministry "of building up new generations of Christian leaders who will restore Haiti. This focus will lay the foundation for a prosperous and blessed future for this long-suffering land," the Segaar-Kings write in a brochure describing their ministry.

Both of them are ordained CRC ministers who worked in various churches in the United States before becoming career missionaries. Although they, too, suffered from the effects of the earthquake, they remain optimistic of the work God is doing in Haiti.

"Through this experience of tragedy, God has multiplied the efforts of his servants and shown his love," says Zach. "We've seen some surprising things, some benefits, come out of this earthquake."