Strong to the End: The Simple Service and Sudden Sacrifice of the Martyrs in Haiti

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

The world reeled. And wept. Our hearts tried to absorb the shockwaves. To make sense of the madness. The peace of a Haitian children's home and school shattered with cries and fire. And blood. Three beautiful servant hearts murdered . . . brutally. Judes, Davy, and Natalie joined the ranks of that grand company of martyrs in May 2024.

When David and Alicia Lloyd opened a children's home in Haiti, they had no idea how their hearts would soar, humbled by the way God was expanding and blessing the ministry. And they had no idea how much it would cost--their son, his young wife, and their dear friend. Strong to the End tells the story of Davy, Natalie, and Judes--their lives, dreams, love, faith, and deaths. It tells the story of Haiti, a beautiful land besieged by natural disasters, poverty, and gang violence. And it asks the hard questions of the Christian life.

• What does it mean to count the cost before you know the price?
• What are moral, ethical, and spiritual dynamics in modern missions?
• When should you protect yourself and your family?
• How do you love those bent on persecuting you?
• Is Jesus really worth living--and dying--for?

With the bodies of their loved ones in the ground, these questions were raised in their hearts. This book invites readers to weep, wrestle, rejoice . . . and draw courage from the faithful.

DAVID AND ALICIA LLOYD are the parents of Davy Lloyd. They are graduates of Ozark Bible Institute and College, where they met. After marrying on May 30, 1997, they moved the next year to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in order to pursue their missionary calling. Under the name Missions in Haiti, their children's home has now raised more than 100 children to adulthood. Their government-recognized school educates some 450 children a year. Other outreaches include Good Hope Church, a commercial bakery, and a sewing factory. The couple have three children: David III "Davy," Hannah, and Samuel.

DEAN MERRILL has a B.A. from Christian Life College (Chicago) and a MA in journalism from Syracuse University. He is a former magazine editor (Campus Life, Leadership Journal, Christian Herald) and has served as editorial director at David C. Cook and Focus on the Family. He has written ten books and co-authored 41 others. Two of his books have received the Gold Medallion Award from ECPA, and another was named Christian Book of the Year. He has travelled widely overseas, especially during his seven years as a vice president at International Bible Society (now Biblica). His favorite part of the globe to visit is Africa. Dean and his wife live in Colorado Springs, CO and are the proud parents of three and the grandparents of twelve (ten biological, two adopted).