Engaging in God’s Heart for the Nations: 30-Day DevotionalSýnishorn

When Blackouts Hit ... All Power Is Given Unto Him – Day 26

Valeene Hayes, OMS Retiree

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”

Blackouts were part of life in Haiti. They often kept Radio 4VEH off the air, cut communications, interrupted schedules, and even destroyed recordings. One Saturday night, when it was time for the 11:00 news, a blackout suddenly silenced the station without warning. Left in total darkness, I froze both physically and emotionally. “How long will it last? What should I do?” I prayed.

Suddenly, through the control room window, I saw a flicker of light—a firefly, the first I had seen in Haiti. I followed its glow, and my spirit soared. “Father, you always bring light into our dark situations!” As the praises came forth, the power came on! It was about 11:15. As I got the station back on the air, I sensed the prompting: “Put on the news.” I hesitated, even arguing, “We don’t air the 11:00 news at 11:15.” But I obeyed the Spirit’s voice.

At the close of the news, 4VEH radio director and newscaster Gaudin Charles added a special announcement. “Remember, tomorrow is Sunday, a day for worshiping our Creator. Attend the church of your choice and worship him. Don’t let anything keep you from the most important part of your life—your relationship with God.” God’s presence and power seemed to electrify the control room. “Father, is someone’s heart responding?” I prayed. Would we ever know?

On Monday morning, Gaudin inquired about the delay in the Saturday night newscast. My heart was pounding as I explained. Smiling, he responded, “‘Mary Magdalene,’ our mystery listener for whom we’ve been praying, just called to thank me for my strong words Saturday night. You know she doesn’t listen to the 11:00 news but turns on the radio at 11:15 for the music. She heard the announcement and wanted us to know that she went to church Sunday for the first time in years!”

I stood in awe. A blackout had sparked someone’s quest for God! Two years later, our ‘Mary Magdalene’ came to the Savior!