Read e-book online A Witness: The Haiti Earthquake, a Song, Death, and PDF

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti buried Renee Splichal Larson in concrete rubble, killing her husband and leaving her a widow at age 27. Surviving purely to be beaten by way of loss and trauma, she puzzled if existence used to be nonetheless attainable for her. whilst she informed to turn into a pastor, her religion in a loving God was once shaken and battered by means of the earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince and took the lives of many thousands.

This is Renee's relocating tale of affection, grief, survival, and new lifestyles. it's an account of the lives of 3 youth, their event of the demanding situations, good looks, and hospitality of Haiti, and the tumult that overthrew all they held dear.

After years of fight and therapeutic, aided through notable symptoms of the affection and presence of God, Renee deals us an intimate examine her younger romance, her adventure of the earthquake, and the adventure that undefined. so much of all, she broadcasts her hard-won witness: that during Christ, love and existence overcome death.

"Renee Splichal Larson offers us with a narrative of wish in A Witness. it's a relocating, heartfelt tale that needed to be informed. It brings with it the visceral longings of existence within the face of dying, reduction amid melancholy, mild in darkness. Any who've ever recognized soreness or loss can make the most of her tale. She issues us to where that introduced that means while every thing appeared misplaced: the foot of the cross."
--Paul E. Hoffman, writer, Faith Forming Faith

"A Witness testifies to the burning depth of affection that knew the richness and fullness of limitless possibilities--shared laughter, lifestyles, love of God, ministry, and music--and to like that understands a quaking earth, shattered structures, and the crushing finitude of the demise of many Haitians and Splichal Larson's younger husband, Ben. Her sorrow embraces the fullness of resurrection desire and passionate new lifestyles. Splichal Larson witnesses to like that's improved than death."
--Evon O. Flesberg, Assistant Professor of the perform of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling, Vanderbilt collage

"Theodicy and martyrdom! Theodicy: Why do undesirable issues occur to strong people--each worthwhile one killed by way of the earthquake, together with a tender guy with a fantastic soul named Ben? Martyrdom: Witness to Jesus Christ--not basically in demise, yet in residing by way of skinny prayer and fragile desire in God's promise past all theodicy!
--Craig L. Nessan, educational Dean, Wartburg Theological Seminary

"Renee has written a gorgeous publication that bursts with existence while it faces tragedy and loss of life. It shines with wish although it passes via heartbreak. She is profoundly beneficiant to proportion her lifestyles with us like this on those pages. you will cry together with her, but additionally smile frequently. As Renee invitations you to witness what she has witnessed, you can be encouraged on your religion, your love, and your life."
--Kent Annan, Co-Director of Haiti companions; writer, Slow state Coming

Renee Splichal Larson is a pastor within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States. Born and raised in North Dakota, Renee is a graduate of Concordia collage, Moorhead, Minnesota, and Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa. She is married to Jonathan Splichal Larson, who's additionally a pastor within the ELCA, and their son is termed Gabriel. Renee and Jon are either survivors of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. A Witness is Renee's first book.