Jubilee

Jubilee.  In my understanding, the Year of Jubilee was a Sabbath of Sabbaths, a time of reconciliation and redemption, a unique occasion for restoration and rejoicing.  In the Year of Jubilee debts would be forgiven and property would be restored, even the mundane cycles of sowing and reaping would cease; it was a time when so many of God's promises were displayed in the Jewish culture. 

Jubilee.  It's also the name of a place in Haiti.  A place right on the edge of the ocean on the outskirts of Gonaives.  It is a barren shoreline where crops aren't grown and where life of all kinds seems to have more challenges to survive. And this is where many of the children from our home are from.  This is where they were born, where they were raised, where they lost family, and where their remaining relatives are still found. 

It is a sprawling area of shacks built on salt flats that seem to flow right out to the ocean.  There is a huge concrete market building that stands empty and the sounds of the waves of the ocean bring to mind the potential for salty storm surges that threaten the fragile community. There are innumerable barefoot and naked little children wandering around Jubilee.  There are piles of garbage that flow out into the sea.  What once must have been a beautiful shoreline is now only fit for swine to bathe in.  There are roughly formed boats that carry fishermen out beyond the coastline in search of the day's catch. And there is poverty and need and brokenness and violence everywhere you turn.  Jubilee seems like such a cruel name for such a place as this.  From my outsider's perspective, there is little jubilee to be found here.

I've had a hard time processing through the realities of where my sweet kiddos come from.  It's hard to think about what their lives were like in Jubilee.  

And yet, as is always true of Him, God loves to work in the unexpected and the surprising.  In this poor and infamous community there is hope growing.  It comes in the form of opportunities and education and most of all, it comes in the form of Jesus' hands and feet on this earth.  There are people here, from within Haiti and from without, who are pouring out their lives to love and care and encourage and transform the community at Jubilee.

I can't say it any better than they do, so I'm going to share links to some of the different ministries who are working in Jubilee, Gonaives, and the surrounding areas: Much Ministries, Jubilee Kids, Coreluv.  As you have time and opportunity, I hope you'll explore these links and pray for the work being done to share Christ love and encourage the restoration and redemption and reconciliation that Jubilee is meant to be.

Much love in Christ, Jessie