If you have been on a mission trip with Coreluv to Haiti, you have had the great privilege of meeting Rubens. We first met Rubens at the airport in 2013 while traveling back and forth with our mission teams. He began faithfully helping us as each of our teams would exit the airport. As we began establishing a relationship with him, it was clear that God’s hand was on Rubens and that he would play a part in Coreluv’s story in Haiti.
Ruben’s family background and beliefs are rooted in voodoo. He was raised with the belief that voodoo was the only way to protect him and his family. As his relationship with Coreluv and Jake developed, Rubens was introduced to a real relationship with Jesus. Rubens says that everyone in Haiti knows about Jesus, but not everyone follows Him.
After pondering on conversations with Jake, our longest missionary in Haiti, and thinking over his life, Rubens made the decision to not just know about Jesus, but to wholeheartedly follow Him. After Rubens gave his life to the Lord, Jake baptized him in a river in Gonaives, Haiti. Rubens shares that after he was baptized, he felt a weight come off of him and he felt like a new man.
In July 2015, Rubens’ faith was tested as his youngest daughter was diagnosed with status epilepsy. Her symptoms continued to worsen and she was in desperate need of a miracle. Patients in the hospital told Rubens and his wife that his daughter’s sickness could only be cured by voodoo. His uncle even offered to take her to a witch doctor to help.
As a man of God, Rubens said no and trusted that God is the only one who could protect and heal his daughter. We rejoice that God performed a miracle and his little girl continues to grow healthy!
The evidence of Jesus operating in Rubens’ life is evident to all who come in contact with him. He has proven to not only play a key role in Coreluv’s story as one of our AMAZING staff members but also plays a large role in the lives of our children, Haitian staff, and mission teams in Haiti as well. From the beginning, Rubens has been faithful in each area of responsibility he has been entrusted with.
Today, Rubens serves as the Assistant Director of Operations in Haiti. He has helped us gain insight into the Haitian culture as Coreluv employs and works alongside over 90 Haitian employees. Most importantly, Rubens serves as a father to the children God has entrusted to Coreluv. He spends many Saturday mornings coaching the older boys in soccer and investing into their lives. God has blessed Coreluv with Rubens and we are so thankful that our kids know him as Papa Rubens!
“God took me, a man with no father or mother, and placed me in these children’s lives. When I was their age, no one told me about Jesus or about the Bible. Today, I get to teach the children about who Jesus is so that they will grow up and know Him.” -Papa Rubens
We’re so grateful for Coreluv’s faithful and generous partners, who allow us not only to hire Haitian individuals but also to hire individuals who have a heart to glorify the Lord and Defend the Orphan.