The Fantastic Five....

T'was the night before Christmas and throughout Haiti not a child had been fed.

No stocking was hung by the chimney’s fire with care,

For all hope was gone that anyone would be fed.

The children were nestled in what they call beds,

While visions of what should have been danced in their heads.

All in my flannels, all settled in bed, had just settled in for a long winter’s nap.

When I remembered the children, I held in my arm and that sat in my lap.

My mind soon filled with such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see if

I could bring change to this matter.

Away to my bible I flew like a flash, tore open the pages as I tried not to crash.

Their beautiful faces began to fill my mind like glistening snow.

As tears fell from my eyes, I said, "Lord, I just need to know".

When what to my wondering’ eyes should appear,

My Savior whom I knew was always near.

More rapid than eagles on His horse He had come.

He whistled and shouted and He called the children by name:

Sara Jean, Desmel, Jean Kelley, Desire and Jennie,

to you I have a new life full of grace.

Now dash away - dash away all hope that has been lost without a trace.

All the images that cluttered my mind where shattered.

He took them as He mounted His horse that was not a bit tattered.

Up to the Lamb’s Book of Life He flew.

To return with a promise, their hearts He already knew.

And then in the twinkling of an eye,

I felt in my heart a prancing and pawing that gave me a start

For Jesus had given each of these a new heart.

He was dressed all in white from His head to His feet

Their burdens and woes He had flung on His back.

He looked like a peddler just closing His pack.

His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His cheeks where like roses, His lips the color of cherry,

The beard on His chin was a white as show.

The mouth of His broad face was drawn up like a bow

While His Father’s glory encircled His head like a wreath.

The earth shook as He spoke, when He laughed they rejoiced,

for love was made new. He was righteous and just,

I knew it was true, and I laughed when I saw Him, in spite of myself.

A wink of His eye and a nod of His head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to His work filling their spirits with gifts

He had given. In the twinkling of an eye, He turned and laying His hand across His heart,

gave a nod up to heaven.

He sprang to His horse, to His team gave a whistle and away they flew like the down of a thistle. I heard His exclaim, ere He rode out of sight....It is not my will, that even one should perish.”

In memory of Edmond Haiti – October 2000