My Name Is Isaac!

Sunday, October 27, 2024 - click here to support the continuing work at MOHI

Nicknames are popular in many cultures. They can be assigned out of a spirit of caring or a spirit of – teasing. One friend’s physical appearance, particularly the shape of his nose, brought on the commonly used nickname Beak.

A light-skinned man in the countryside of Haiti will inevitably be called the common name Blan (white).

A beloved toddler had trouble pronouncing the name Grandma. It came out as Gamma. With wonderful memories of love for and the cuteness of that little one, the name stuck, and for generations, no one ever called her Grandma again.

Names are essential to the bearer. Upon my adoption into the Rosen family, my name was changed from Renee Lee Cohen to Renee Sambra Rosen. Now, when I was little, having a unique name was not at all popular. It was explained to me that Sambra was given as a female version of Samuel. Samuel was my mother’s father, who had passed a few years before I was born. Bestowing the name Sambra on me was a way to honor my grandfather.

As an adult, I understand this. As a child, I did not. I would never tell people my middle name. In the early years, on the first day of school, the teacher would inevitably recite my entire name while taking attendance. And each time, I was thoroughly horrified. Why? Well, in my mind, they took “Sam” and put a “Bra” on him. To me, it was like calling me Renee “Sam’s Bra (aka Undergarment!)” Rosen. Quite humiliating!!!

Names matter. They affect how we perceive ourselves and those around us. In the Bible, we see people's names actually being changed to reflect who they were to be. Abram, exalted father, became Abraham, father of a multitude. Jacob, the deceiver, became Israel, the one who wrestled with God. Saul, the pharisee of Pharisees, after encountering Jesus, was called Paul (Roman [Gentile] version of Saul) and brought the Gospel to the Gentiles.

While my friends Blan and Gamma kept their names throughout the years, Beak chose not to see himself through that lens and insisted people use his real name. He considered the nickname derogatory and corrected anyone who used it. Names can reflect who we are. God, of course, cannot be limited by one simple name. Right?

In the Dominican Republic, in the little village of Baraguana, the 3-year-old son of Haitian parents was called Grenn – a Kreyol word literally meaning grain. Grenn was born with three hernias, two inguinal and an umbilical hernia. At the risk of sounding crude, male testes are usually referred to as grenn in Kreyol. So, by calling him Grenn, they were essentially called him “big testes,” as it was the size that differentiated him from other boys.

By the way, it’s very common for little boys to run around the neighborhood wearing only a t-shirt, so his bulging hernias were evident to all. Honestly, it was heartbreaking to see him suffer, often crying and screaming in pain.

After months of getting the run-around, we were finally able to obtain a date for Grenn to undergo surgery to repair his hernias. Our staff and last week’s visiting team have been following up with him ever since to ensure he is keeping his surgical site clean and healing well. I am so happy to know that he is almost completely healed up and able to play today without pain. Thank you LORD!!!

Friday, as Mèt Ben was hanging out with him, an adult passed by and called out, “Grenn!” This little boy turned to look and firmly retorted in the presence of many other adults and children, saying, “From now on, don’t call me Grenn anymore!” He lifted his white shirt to show his naked body and said, “My name is Isaac!”

Today is a new day! Isaac has hope and a future. He is holding his head up high, no longer bound by the pain and humiliation to which he was enslaved.

Mission of Hope International is an organization of people and partner organizations being better together. Isaac’s life is set on a different trajectory today. God chose to use you, Mèt Ben, Nurse Marlouse, Mayo, Bless Back Worldwide, and countless others to impact this one little boy’s destiny. It is for people like Isaac that MOHI exists. His story is an inspiring testament to Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, and this phrase that I am so fond of: “We are better together!”

Yes, Isaac (one who rejoices), Jesus loves you!

Lex and I would love for you to join us at our annual Celebration of Hope, where more inspirational stories of real people will be shared. This will be a time for us to say "Thank You" to each person who has become a part of MOHI through prayer, financial support, volunteering, and being a friend to us and our friends in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

For those who have previously spent time with us in Haiti or the Dominican Republic, you will recognize the cuisine being served: Diri kole (rice and beans), poul boukane (grilled chicken), sòs (you know, the red sauce that you all think is soup, but is actually meant to complement the rice!), banann peze (fried plantains), piklis (that spicey side dish that looks like coleslaw)... and more. Marie and our friends from the Life Church will be baking us some All-American treats for dessert.