The 5 W’s and the H regarding our future move to Haiti
November 26, 2008
This is for the people who have heard that we are planning to move to Haiti in the future, but don’t know the details, thereby drawing such reactions ranging from “Ummm Haiti…umm ok” to “That’s great to hear…good LUCK” to “What are you CRAZY!!!” So, I hope the 5 W’s and the H (who, what, why, when, where, and how) bring some clarification.
We are planning a move to Haiti…The details
November 19, 2008
I mentioned a few days ago that we are planning on moving to Haiti in the future to work with orphaned children…now I will give the details and how this all came about.
The History of the Call
It all started way back when I was a baby…just kidding…we don’t have to go that far back. Seriously, ever since I became a Christian at age 19, God has always given me a heart for the poor and the broken, and particularly towards the black people. I don’t know why a call to the poor and broken…perhaps I have always been able to relate more to these people…not so much due to being poor on the outside, but rather feeling poor and broken on the inside and knowing that it was only through the redeeming love of God that He rescued me from a life of inner poverty and despair…I don’t know if that makes sense, but its true. I know how broken, poor, and wretched I am without Jesus in my life, therefore I connect with the poor. Now, why do I have a specific heart for the black people…I don’t know…but I do
Drinking Water…something everybody takes for granted…well…not everybody
November 17, 2008
For many in Haiti and other parts of the world, clean water makes the difference between life and death. That is something that I guess I have a hard time wrapping my head around. I mean, here in America, we think that if we are forced to drink our tap water…then we’ll just die…from the awful taste. And so the market continues to grow for the likes of Poland Springs and Aquafina…and
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We are planning to move to Haiti
November 17, 2008
We’re moving to Haiti to minister to the orphaned children. It’s…somewhat official …but we still have to get approved with another missions board and then raise our support)
We are completely confident that this is God all the way that has called us and is already orchestrating incredible details to begin moving us forward. It will take some time…I’ll share more details later, but I am just so excited that I had to get the first word out…”We’re moving to Haiti!!!”
The Spirit of “sonship” (a look at Romans 8)
November 17, 2008
I was reading my bible this afternoon and meditating on my favorite chapter in the whole bible…Romans 8. As I was reading, I took great notice of Rom.8:15 “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” This one verse caused me to weep as I thought about the amazing love that God has for me where He would give me the Spirit of sonship. What a joy!! What an honor!! What amazing grace!! Why would He choose to do this for me? Doesn’t He know who I am?
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“Tomorrow Never Comes”
November 14, 2008
I was reading through some of my old journals this morning and I came across something that I wrote over 5 years ago, but still speaks to me today. Perhaps you too can relate. Let me know. Enjoy
“Tomorrow Never Comes”
It is a day when things are supposed to be better. A day when things will be different, a day that will be the start of something new…a day when I will change. But it is the day that eludes me most…a day that is like sand slipping through my fingers. A day that I can never truly get a hold of…like a dog trying to chase his tail. That day is called “tomorrow”. I have many promises that are stored there. I have dreams that rest neatly in a pile…layer upon layer…dust on top of dust. I have my new wardrobe that awaits me there that will make me look like a different person than I am today.
But this day which is only 24 hours away seems to take light years to reach. “Tomorrow” has been my hope, my comfort, and my excuse. “Tomorrow” always looks so much better than today, so I’ll just wait…things will be different this time. I’m gonna be more disciplined, more committed, more loving, more holy. I’m just gonna wait…until tomorrow.
I’m reminded of the movie “Rocky III” when Apollo Creed is training Rocky to fight the vicious Clubber Lang. Rocky is lacking motivation and is just going through the motions. Apollo notices this, and in great frustration screams, “Damn Rock! What’s the matter with you?” Rocky quietly replies, “tomorrow”. Apollo, knowing that there is not much time before Rocky will face this merciless enemy, screams, “There is no tomorrow…There is no tomorrow.”
I often find myself, just like Rocky, saying “tomorrow.” Tomorrow will be the day…you’ll see. But then the words of Apollo begin ringing in my ear, “there is no tomorrow….there is no tomorrow.” For I too am facing a merciless enemy. This enemy not only wants to bash my face in, but also wants to take my soul. But God has given me the instructions for how to be victorious He has given me the equipment needed to train daily. But the Lord would also say, just like Apollo, “There is no tomorrow…you must train today.” Rocky had it a little easier than me. He knew the scheduled date of this one-time, fifteen 3 minute round fight. He knew that on a certain date, he would step into the ring to fight. But I don’t have that luxury. My enemy does not schedule his fights with me. Whenever I say “tomorrow”, my enemy attacks today. God warns me of this in His word in 1Pet. 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Our adversary is likened to a lion on the hunt. A lion that is hungry does not give warning. Can you imagine a lion going up to a zebra and saying, “Excuse me, Mr. zebra, I just thought I’d let you know that I’m gonna be hungry in a couple of hours, so I’ll be back here to tear you apart.” That is absurd. But it is just as absurd to think that I can keep saying “tomorrow” when satan is targeting me today.
So, for me, there is no tomorrow…there is no tomorrow. Training must begin today. Discipline must begin now. God has called me to be sober and vigilant. To be sober means to be in the right mind, to have my thoughts in control. To be vigilant means to be strong and take action, like a soldier. A good soldier is always prepared for today, for they know that they must be ready at any minute for an attack. So, I too must be sober and vigilant, ready at any minute for an attack.
“Tomorrow” is a word that must decrease in my vocabulary. My tomorrows have turned into days, weeks, and years. There is a thick layer of dust on all my promises locked inside a room that I can never seem to open. In some paradoxical way, I must put tomorrow behind me rather than leave it in front of me. I must begin training now. I must be more disciplined, more committed, more loving, and more holy. And these are things that I am going to do…today
Statistics that every American needs to know…
November 8, 2008
- There are about 6 billion people in the world today
- More than 1 billion (17%) live on less than $1 per day
- 50% live on less than $2 per day
- 840 million (14%) live with chronic hunger
- 11 million children, most under the age of 5, die each year from completely preventable causes such as malaria, diarhhea, and pneumonia
- Average life expectancy in the world is 55 years
- 114 million children do not attend primary school
- 584 million women are illiterate
- More than 1 billion do not have access to safe drinking water
- More than 2 billion lack access to proper sanitation
- There are over 145 million orphaned children in the world today
(taken from UNICEF web site)
I think that we in America and the western world need to be reminded often of such staggering numbers. It is so easy to forget that the majority of the world does not live at all like America. isn’t it just so easy for us to get caught up in our own little world that we forget how much global suffering is really all around us?
I believe that God has sovereignly blessed American people with great wealth and resources…but not so that we can lavish it all upon ourselves, but rather so that we could be used as His instrument to serve the poor in the world. May each of us be found faithful…
School in Haiti Collapses…Many Children Dead
November 8, 2008
I just saw this on the news…very heartbreaking. Please pray for these children and families in Haiti. The school is in an area just outside of Port Au Prince. It was run by a minister. They say that 30 people have died so far, and there are many more trapped underneath all the rubble. Please pray for the rescue efforts of all people involved.
Here is the link
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/07/world/main4582159.shtml?tag=topHome;topStories
Thank you for your prayers…