Preface: This blog is not meant to attack. It’s my simple
effort to bridge the gap I see between what we’re exposed to in America and
what I’ve found to be true in most of the places I’ve traveled.
effort to bridge the gap I see between what we’re exposed to in America and
what I’ve found to be true in most of the places I’ve traveled.
I think we are too quick to forget about or brush aside
issues that seem to be “too big” or “too complicated” for any hope of change.
issues that seem to be “too big” or “too complicated” for any hope of change.
Before leaving the States several weeks ago, someone asked
me, “Does Haiti still need help?” I was a bit taken back, but kindly replied,
“Yes. Yes, they do.” I often struggle with questions like this, simply because
I have seen and know there is so much pain and injustice in our world that we
so easily overlook from the comfort of home.
me, “Does Haiti still need help?” I was a bit taken back, but kindly replied,
“Yes. Yes, they do.” I often struggle with questions like this, simply because
I have seen and know there is so much pain and injustice in our world that we
so easily overlook from the comfort of home.
While I am not one to blame the media for all of America’s
problems, I recognize the great influence it has on us. One of my first mission
trips was to aid the relief effort months after Hurricane Katrina hit
Louisiana. I was amazed to see the immense need for help still in existence,
and yet so many Americans had forgotten about the thousands or perhaps millions
of lives that were impacted by this storm. I too found myself in this category
of ignorance until seeing the need with my own two eyes.
problems, I recognize the great influence it has on us. One of my first mission
trips was to aid the relief effort months after Hurricane Katrina hit
Louisiana. I was amazed to see the immense need for help still in existence,
and yet so many Americans had forgotten about the thousands or perhaps millions
of lives that were impacted by this storm. I too found myself in this category
of ignorance until seeing the need with my own two eyes.
Let me assure you: Haiti still
needs help. Haiti still needs people
willing to go and do the dirty work. Haiti still
needs people to hold the orphans, feed the hungry, and love the outcasts.
Ultimately, Haiti still needs to know
there is HOPE in Jesus.
needs help. Haiti still needs people
willing to go and do the dirty work. Haiti still
needs people to hold the orphans, feed the hungry, and love the outcasts.
Ultimately, Haiti still needs to know
there is HOPE in Jesus.
Haiti. Still. Needs.
I heard a first-hand account of the earthquake today from a
Haitian man with a heart as big as Texas. He told me his account of literally saving
a woman from an angry, religious mob. In their anger and frustration, this
religious mob wanted someone to point a finger at; someone to blame for the
pain, destruction and fear in the aftermath of tragedy. She was the easy target
for one, simple reason: she was walking around topless.
Haitian man with a heart as big as Texas. He told me his account of literally saving
a woman from an angry, religious mob. In their anger and frustration, this
religious mob wanted someone to point a finger at; someone to blame for the
pain, destruction and fear in the aftermath of tragedy. She was the easy target
for one, simple reason: she was walking around topless.
“It’s because of people like you that God has brought this destruction upon us!” they
ferociously screamed as they physically attacked her. This woman would be dead
had this man not stepped in to save her.
ferociously screamed as they physically attacked her. This woman would be dead
had this man not stepped in to save her.
It’s hard to hear accounts like this and to know that we as
humans are capable of believing such lies. I am reminded of the story of the
religious mob in the bible that set out to kill the prostitute. Jesus acted
contrary. He loved her, accepted her for who she was, saw that her true
identity was NOT as a prostitute, and welcomed her into a new life in the
Kingdom.
humans are capable of believing such lies. I am reminded of the story of the
religious mob in the bible that set out to kill the prostitute. Jesus acted
contrary. He loved her, accepted her for who she was, saw that her true
identity was NOT as a prostitute, and welcomed her into a new life in the
Kingdom.
So are the problems in Haiti too big? Are they too
overwhelming for us to take action? Not with my God. My God is a God who
loves people out of their sorry existences and gives them a new life in Christ.
He is a God who gives hope to the hopeless. He is a God that uses the weak things of this world to shame the wise.
overwhelming for us to take action? Not with my God. My God is a God who
loves people out of their sorry existences and gives them a new life in Christ.
He is a God who gives hope to the hopeless. He is a God that uses the weak things of this world to shame the wise.
We are here for that very purpose, and I am honored to say that God has called me to lead a squad that is HUNGRY for the things of God. They are HUNGRY for his presence. They are HUNGRY to see change in our world, and they won’t be satisfied in sitting and watching on the sidelines.
I will continue to travel around Haiti for the month of August. Please be praying for God’s favor and provision!!! We are all expecting God to move in miraculous ways!!! 🙂
