By Colleen Yrjana

AFTER Columbus’ ship, the Santa Maria, ran aground near the northern coast of Haiti in 1492, plantation slavery was inflicted on the local people. During the 1700s, the French replaced the many who had perished with African slaves.

Today’s Haitian culture and voodoo practice stem from this massive importation of slaves, and their revolt against French rule – which was victorious in 1804.

For more than 200 years, Haiti has endured physical and spiritual devastation. God is reclaiming this country – and one neighborhood at a time, national churches are rising up and praising God for newfound hope.

Many times I have tried to express what keeps calling my husband and me back to Haiti, but words simply cannot explain the passion God has placed in our hearts.

I often think of God’s words in Isaiah   65: 17-25 – his promises of prosperity and security. As I read these promises and think of the Haitian people, I am broken by the reality. Two statistics keep echoing in my mind: the average life span in Haiti is 48 years; and more than 35 percent of the children die before their fifth birthday. Across the country, political upheaval, chronic poverty, violence and social problems prevail.

However, one sunny day last spring, I witnessed a confirmation of God’s promises. My husband and I, along with a friend, went for a walk to pray for the nation. Our prayer walk took us to the ruins of a plantation.

I cannot adequately convey the oppression which seized our hearts; the pain was so real, in the physical sense.

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Colleen Yrjana with mission-sponsored students in Bahon, Haiti.

We stood in awe at God’s grace ­– thankful that the structures we stood in no longer housed the many slaves of yesteryear. We prayed aloud, crying out to God to bring peace to this country, and for leaders who could bring the nationals to Christ.

As we walked and declared in Jesus’ name, the Lord showed us a confirmation of his grace: we witnessed a cow giving birth in front of us. As the calf squinted, struggling to see his surroundings, the mother mooed softly to comfort him.

The Lord had shown us a new day for this baby, and a new day for Haiti. We smiled and cried, and laid our hands on the many rough shapes of rock which had once been slave quarters.

As we did, we thanked God for all he is going to do in Haiti. It was a day we will never forget.

Courtenay-based Colleen and Jussi Yrjana recently returned to Haiti for a one year term.

November 2007