Born in the USA

Probably like most Americans, I took my life in the United States for granted. Until 9-11 happened. We lived in the NYC metro area at that time. We saw the angry smoke rising from the twin towers that September morning. A few days later, Rena and I prayed with believers in Lower Manhattan and walked around the devastation in silent disbelief. It was a war zone. We witnessed firsthand how that day changed the lives of people we knew and loved. It changed our lives.

Some months later, we traveled into the City to enjoy a Yankees baseball game, our first since the 9-11 attack. I don’t remember much about the game, but I will never forget the moments before the game began. Thirty thousand New Yorkers stood in reverence as Irish tenor, Ronan Tynan, sang “God Bless America.” Many, including me, placed our hands over our hearts and focused on the lighted American flag in center field. Many, including me, sang along. Most, including me, shed tears. I will remember those moments for the rest of my life. I can honestly say, from that day to this, I am profoundly moved every time I have the opportunity to pledge allegiance to our flag, sing our national anthem or “God Bless America.” I instinctively stand at attention, place my hand over my heart and focus on our nation’s banner.

I took for granted what it means to be born and to live in the USA. No longer.

That sentiment has deepened as I have spent time in other countries, especially Haiti. Our nation began and progressed very differently from nations like Haiti. The USA began its life with a well-organized, principled and prosperous economic system. Haiti began its life as a former slave colony. Our first leaders were well-educated, accomplished men, who established our government on the truths of Scripture and promoted those truths among the populace. Haiti’s founders had little education and less experience in governance or business. They had little exposure to biblical Christianity, and many embraced Voodoo. (Trust me, Voodoo is not just a neutral cultural expression. You understand the demonic origins and destructive effects of this religion when you see it play out in Haitian life.) Although Haiti’s founders established a “democratic government,” instability, power struggle and corruption and have marked Haiti’s leadership from the beginning.

Since 1814, the USA has enjoyed freedom from foreign domination or meddling. By contrast, other countries have invaded, controlled and meddled in Haiti’s governmental and economic affairs from the start. Especially France and the USA. France drained its former slave colony economically for 122 years, until 1947. The United States has invaded, pressured and meddled in Haiti for decades. We worked to replace Haiti’s president as late as 1994, when we dispatched 25,000 U.S. troops and two aircraft carriers. Some of our actions helped; many made the situation worse. Haiti has hardly had a chance to stand on its own two feet.

So, yes, let’s thank God that we were born and live in the USA. Let’s pray faithfully and fervently that our nation returns to its biblical and moral foundation. And let’s grow in compassion for the dear people of Haiti, who were born and live in a nation very different from our own. Pray especially for church leaders there. The spread of the gospel and the making of disciples – this is the real and lasting hope of Haiti!

Pray for us as we leave for Haiti on Friday. We will spend the next two weeks with up to 350 church leaders to encourage, train and resource them in Jesus’ mission. These church leaders represent thousands of Haitians who love their country and want to see God’s truth set them free.