Cité Soleil, Haiti –
He had a lot on his mind. It was early Saturday morning. Most mornings, he was up just before the sun came up, thinking about how to care for his church and community. Sometimes, it was overwhelming until he remembered that God loves these people and that He is the one who placed Israel here to be their pastor at this time.
Israel grew up in this city. Some call it the worst slum on earth. He considers it his calling. He so often feels God’s love for these people. He’s constrained to teach them through the Word of God and love them.
A big part of loving them is providing food and water. This Saturday morning, he was out looking for a stove. Every week, his church cooks and bakes food for the people who come to church and others who are hungry and in need. Their old stove had blown out.
He was driving to the store to look for a stove when suddenly his windshield shattered. He ducked, trying not to crash. He continued driving down the street before pulling over. Shaken, he knew it was a bullet that had shattered his windshield. After pulling over, he got out of his car, looking around to make sure he had gone far enough down the road to be away from whatever gang member had shot the bullet.
He looked on the back of his driver-side headrest and saw a bullet lodged in it. In an instant, he realized that God had saved him once again. The bullet that had been intended for his head was caught in his headrest instead.
He praised God Who saves, returned to his car, and continued his mission to find a stove.
The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.
2 Samuel 22:3
