"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over to Macedonia, and help us" (Acts 16.9).
The apostle Paul was engaged in preaching the gospel in Asia Minor. Churches were being built, lives were being changed, and the Kingdom of God was being added to daily. Something seemed to be wrong, however. They were "forbidden... to preach the word in Asia" (verse 6). What was God telling them? They tried to go to Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit didn't allow them to go there, either. Was God directing them to quit proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ? Paul and Timothy (and the others) were troubled in their hearts, and labored night and day in prayer, seeking the mind of the Spirit.
Then it happened! God spoke to Paul through a vision in the night. The little band of missionaries was being sent to Macedonia. The "man of Macedonia" --- representative of that whole region --- was asking for help. You see, fallen man cries out, asking for deliverance from a life of sin and bondage to Satan. There is a hunger inside every man for an answer, something to relieve the emptiness in his soul. Scripture tells us, "Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters" (Isaiah 55.1). Jesus Christ alone can fill the void in a person's life, and He alone is able to give any lasting "help".
I am in tears as I write this, for I too, have a Macedonian Call. As some of you know, God began to speak to my heart in 1993 about ministering in Haiti. I made a couple of trips during the embargo, and had purchased airline tickets for June 1994, but the United Nations tightened the travel restrictions, forcing us to cancel our plans. I still felt the burden to reach these precious people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and had made final plans to somehow get to Haiti, even if it meant crossing the border from the Dominican Republic and backpacking in to Port-au-Prince. I sold my car, stored my possessions (which were later lost), gave up my apartment, and left Atlanta, stopping off for a few days to see my family here in Louisiana. The day before I was to fly out of Baton Rouge to Miami, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, "Wait". That was two years ago.
I have gone through some very hard times since then. I was out of work for some time, and endured other hardships as well. The Holy Ghost kept saying to me, however, telling me that I would be able to go back (as it were) to where I belong.
I know that the time will surely come. For several months He has whispered this to me. Even this morning, as I awoke, He spoke these words, "I want you to go back to Haiti." When I think of the poverty-stricken multitudes in Cite Soleil, my heart breaks. Every time I look at the pictures of the 900-or-so-burned-out dwelling places in that slum, I begin to weep. These people need me to tell them that there is hope in Jesus Christ.
Then there is Brother Samuel, who asked my help in starting an orphanage, as well as a Bible school for the pastors that he oversees (he has built about 40 churches in as many years). The others I could name-these people are saying to me, "Come over...and help us." How can I say to no them? How can I say no to my Savior?
My friends and I have been busy working for the Lord. We have been serving in one nursing home for two years, and have recently added another on to our weekly ministry. I have also begun to teach a Bible study on the Old Testament, "proving that this is the very Christ"(Acts 9:22). I do feel, however, that it is time to get back to what God called me to do, namely to go and preach the gospel "unto the uttermost part of the earth"(Acts 1:8).
I am an evangelist. I will preach anywhere, to anyone, at any time. IITimothy 4:2-5 states, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
Will you help me as I work to win souls? Please pray about what He would have you to give, and by all means hold me up before God as your missionary evangelist. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The people of Haiti will also thank you when they receive an opportunity to hear about our wonderful Savior, as you and I work together for the Lord Jesus.
Your co-laborer in Christ,