Houses of God

From the light on their faces, you would think they don't have a care in the world. Together, the Haitian worshippers at Eglise de Dieu de Delmas lift their Bibles, books, and bags above their heads as they sing about giving their burdens to the Lord, their voices resounding from balcony to balcony.

Six days a week the church of 10,000 in Port-au-Prince ministers to a crowd that fills the building from floor to balcony, with two services on Sunday, the first beginning at 6 a.m. Participants occupy even the stairwells. Beginning with a hymn service and ending with another worship session after the sermon, services last for several hours. But that's not the end of activities: The church runs two schools, a radio station, and a medical clinic, and it is in the process of constructing a hospital for women and children. Other activities include feeding children and prisoners, and sending mission teams throughout the island.

"Haiti needs a big revival," said Jean-Marie Desir, pastor and founder. "With everything that's been happening to Haiti, it would have been doomed long ago if the gospel was not here."