This is the Day the Lord Has Made!

My grandpa, Rev. Roger Guy, was a pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for his entire adult life. My family attended his church when I was a child, and he is the one who baptized me. He may have been known for quite a few things, but in my memory, one thing in particular sticks out. Every Sunday, without fail, he would stand up in the pulpit and announce, “This is the day that the Lord has made! He recognized that God has blessed us with each day and that, if nothing else, God deserves our thanks and praise for that.

 

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting a children’s home with a People-to-People Pilgrimage in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti. This small space houses approximately 35 children of varying ages.  It is run by a pastor and his family, and it is one of many communities and programs that are partners with CONASPEH.

When we arrived, we were taken to a large room where we were greeted by the staff of the children’s home.  The children soon began to trickle in and after a brief moment of shyness, we were all playing, talking, and laughing together.  It was pure joy watching these children try to pop bubbles with their fingers and then giggle with their whole bodies each time they were successful.  Some members of the team made pipe cleaner glasses and bracelets, and it was so fun watching the kids walk around and modeling their new fashion accessories to everyone.  However, the best moment came towards the end of our time with them.

The staff of the children’s home called all the children over to one spot of the room and they announced that they would sing for us.  And what song did they sing?  They sang, “This is the Day” in  Frech and English.

I got goosebumps as soon as they began the song, feeling the worlds of my childhood and my present life in Haiti colliding.  It was a powerful moment when I glimpsed how big the Church is, how great God is, and how connected we are to one another.  I sat there imagining how my grandpa would have felt in this moment, and I could see him sitting there with the widest smile on his face.

For me, that moment was such a tangible reminder of our connection with people around the world.  I remain thankful for the opportunity to see a glimpse of just how big and great the body of Christ is.

Beth Guy is a Global Mission Intern working with the National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH)