Hank and Jess had something in their marriage most couples cannot claim, an unbelievable connection and fierce love for each other. While on a mission trip to Haiti, Jess is murdered. The shock of loss overwhelms Hank and his journey to reconcile he...
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The plane landed on a pothole-ridden airstrip. It had been a uneventful flight of 4 hours, except for the person asking me answers to a crossword puzzle. You would think she would have gotten sick of me saying, "Don't know that one." Of course, once she saw my eyes that became a conversation that ended with her diagnosis of a rash she had. I was just glad she didn't ask me to lay hands and pray on it when I told her I was a pastor.
As I made my way off the plane I could feel the heat from outside the jet bridge. It was still in the nineties in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It didn't take long to make my way to baggage claim and with my luggage in hand I made my way to the exit. There Pastor Vaughn was waiting for me.
He greeted me excitingly with a hug, kiss on cheek, and quite a bit of tears. "Bonswa, Pastor Hank, I am so glad you made it here with us. Bondye beni ou."
"God bless you as well Pastor Vaughn. I have been both excited and dreading coming here this time."
He embraced me again. From a distance he probably looked like a child hugging my waist, as Pastor Vaughn barely hit five foot tall. He had a quasi-British accent but spoke very good English. The few Haitian phrases I knew would come in handy here but with him we could fortunately speak English.
"Mwen kriyeevery night, pastor Hank. Tears have flowed every night in my house since the team left. Never in all my years could I have imagined something like this. Mwen dezole, I am so sorry my brother for your pain and loss."
" Thanks Vaughn. Let's go and see that beautiful family of yours." He smiled, "Oh Manny and Peterlay are so excited you are here. Tati has made you your favorite, goat stew."
Vaughn had a small Toyota pickup that looked like it had 500,000 miles on it all going on rough terrain. Every inch of the truck was either scratched or dented. I squeezed into the passenger seat and we headed down the dirt road.
Vaughn was making pleasantries but my mind was racing towards over what the days ahead would bring. I needed this trip. I needed to walk in Jess' footsteps. I put my hand in my backpack and held her last journey. It would guide me through this week.
When we reached the city my mind left my own suffering to gaze at what could only be described as devastation. The earthquake had been like bombs dropping on this city. Most of the buildings were no longer on their foundation. The majority of the city was uninhabitable. It was incomprehensible to think that over 150,000 people had been killed and with diseases and. lack of food and water that number was climbing quickly. My heart broke for what these people had to endure.
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