I have to admit that I’ve been pretty shaken up this week, shaken up in more ways than one. Not only have I been overwhelmed and ridiculously busy, the earthquake that rocked the country of Haiti this week also hit me pretty hard. It made me realize how much I miss being out there overseas helping people in need. But the strangest thing happened. I was thankful I was here. Why? Because I’m realizing the value that I add to this organization. I was asked to help mobilize people to go down there. What have I been doing in the last 48+ hours? Helping mobilize people.Even though I’m not on the ground in Haiti – I’m gathering people to go.
I’m really thankful. It’s strange how things grow on us. Anyway – enough with the reflective thought. Here are some highlights from this week!
Open it up, baby. I’ve been helping out with Project Searchlight the last week or more here in Georgia. It’s a transition program for World Race Alumni, basically a transition program that helps them make their dreams a reality. Quite honestly, as this thing develops more, I think it’s going to become a direct threat to the kingdom of darkness. There’s a lot of good packed up inside of it. But I’ve been able to build relationships with some of the people in it and it’s been cool. Every morning we worship and pray. A couple of days ago, one of the girls told me that her ears were killing her mid-day almost every day. She had some kind of infection. I told this story from Bolivia in 2008 and then prayed for her. The next day she told me, “the pain never came back. I heard a weird sound in my ear mid-day, but it only lasted a little while. There was no pain though! It’s gone!” Pretty sweet, huh? God’s still in the business of healing. People that say He isn’t are just in denial. Punks.
Open up the heavens. Pretty sure that leading worship this week at Project Searchlight with Braedon Tabor has been one of the biggest highlights for me. Number one, I love that guy. Number two, I absolutely love worshiping. I’m more than positive that I could sit in a room by myself for hours and just soak up God. Who wants to do that with me? We could pray for things in the process. What if we did it for just ONE day? I know, I know. There are places that already do that. But that’s a long ways away. I really want to grow this gift because I want to help others grow it too. A dream of mine? I think so.
Chick-Fil-A and sweet tea. I think one of the best parts about being down south is Chick-fil-a and sweet tea. Need I say more? I probably do because I know that my sister reads this and she LOVES Chick-fil-a, and being the good brother that I am, I want to rub it in her face that I’ve been eating Chick-fil-a. She hates sweet tea, so I can’t rub that in her face… but I can continue to let her know that I’ve eaten at Chick-fil-a a few times since being here. I love you Jessica. I’ll be sure to eat some for you.
No snow. Yep. It’s warm down south. So while the rest of my friends in Michigan are hibernating, I’m outside in a t-shirt enjoying the warm weather. What then?
Give to Haiti. I just need to make a plug for Haiti. Again, this country is sitting on my heart right now. Adventures In Missions is doing a lot in regards to response. We have missionaries on the field down there right now who are doing ministry and setting up locations, providing first-response care and the like. They’re also scouting out places to help with long term recovery and rebuilding. The World Race Alumni are organizing a short trip down there very soon and our short term missions department is currently setting up a trip for people to go on down there (1-2 weeks, I think). Here’s how you can help and get involved:
1. GIVE to relief efforts. You can make a tax-exempt donations here. Share this page everywhere (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
2. PRAY for relief efforts. Please continue to lift Haiti and our missionary outreach in prayer
3. GO to Haiti. Yes, I said go. So many people are willing but when given the chance, I wonder if they will. World Race Alumni are currently organizing a trip. Alumni, you know who you are. Contact Ashley Musick. Anybody else, stay tuned for more information and the latest update at this blog:
Love you all!
