Davy & Natalie were missionaries called to go to Haiti, fully knowing the risks. Haiti is a terrible country dedicated to the evil one many years ago. It’s a nation of dark magic in voodoo, violence, and death. That is the history of Haiti but Davy & Natalie decided to go nonetheless. They were recently married and going there to minister to children behind enemy lines.

Do we have courage like that today? These days I think true followers of Christ must ask ourselves that question.

Davy & Natalie were a lovely Christian couple. I’m sure their parents who started the ministry in Haiti were looking forward to grandkids. They had their whole life ahead of them to serve God. They could have left Haiti as things began to get more chaotic and dangerous. But they chose to stay for the sake of Haitian youth. And then they were murdered by a street gang, one of many that run the city.

Why did God allow their lives to be taken? He could have delivered them but he didn’t.

Often, it doesn’t seem there are clear answers from the Lord about why evil things happen to good people like this. It’s a common question. I was reflecting about the Lloyds and their brief lives because aligned well with a study I was doing at the time in the book of Revelation. I think I may have found some answers.

Why did God not intervene?

• Because going to Haiti to minister to these kids under hostile, life threatening conditions was their choice. They knew the risk. They knowingly placed their lives on the line.
• What happened to them as a result has nothing to do with the kingdom of this world. This is about the Kingdom of God. God has the big picture of His Kingdom in view when it comes to his people. If it was their choice, then why would God intervene in what they willingly and courageously chose to do? There are great rewards in the Kingdom for those who suffer and die for the sake of the Name.
• One other reason has to do with us. We need examples of faith today. It builds us up and prepares us. Someday soon, perhaps the Lord will require us to stand on faith when it will cost us something. Take heed of their story before that day comes.

The day of God’s retribution against evil is coming. God will intervene and judge evil once and for all. All accounts will be settled. There will be justice. The blood of martyrs will be avenged. But right now we still live in a day in which anyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved. That is what the Lloyds worked towards and what we who follow Christ should also work towards. Even when it costs us something. What about you? Have you called in faith on the Name of Jesus?

The Lord was very clear about the price of serving him. But he was also very clear about the rewards. The Loyds did not pursue martyrdom. They wanted to live. But they put the lives of young Haitians ahead of their own fully understanding the risks.

Two verses that I hope you find encouraging and that may help remind us of people like the Lloyds:

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth: In the age when all things are renewed, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

Matthew 19:28-29

Now when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” Each of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached of both their fellow servants and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.”

Revelation 6:9-11

The Lloyds knew the stakes were very high. They knew their decision to stay was a big risk to their lives. They also knew Haitian youth they ministered to live with those risks every day with nowhere to turn. The Lloyd’s chose those Haitian kids over their own lives. They chose wisely.