In January of this year the tiny country of Haiti was struck by an earthquake. The death toll from this mighty quake has numbered up to 300,000 lives lost. Let that sink in for a moment. That number is higher than the population of most small to midsized cities in America. While the population of the metropolitan area of Orlando is around 2 million people, the population of Orlando proper (the city itself) is around 240,000 people. Yes, that is 60,000 people less than the number of folks killed in one day or the days following that massive earthquake.
Let's think about this for a moment. We live in a very well developed country, county and city. We have a strong infrastructure and stable response systems in place. Yet, if within a few days time our city were devastated to the degree that Haiti was devastated in January, how long do you think it would take us to recover? How much help would we need? Who would answer that call?
Let's not forget that beyond the death toll you have thousands of amputees still living, you have thousands without parents, children, churches, shops, homes, the list could go on and on! I know that we cannot respond to every need and help everyone in this world. Indeed if we were to try we would collapse of exhaustion before we even got up a good head of steam. But we are called to respond and to be about 'good works' in this world as we live out the Gospel. Galatians 6:9 says, "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." What a great reminder of the command we are given. It is a command stated negatively for the full force of its impact - we are to NEVER get tired of doing what is good!
In two days, I am going to drive down to Ft. Lauderdale and board a plane with the leader of Helping H.I.M. Ministries (http://www.hhimtoday.com/). We will join a team of 10 other men who are going to work to provide much needed housing and stability to folks in the region of Calebasse. We will be staying in a local orphanage called House of Blessings (http://www.haitihouseofblessings.org/) as we work in the area to build homes. To ALL Westsiders, let me prepare you: I anticipate coming back with a mandate for this congregation to go and reach this tiny nation with the love of the Gospel in tangible 'good work' ways. I am praying that God will connect me with the heart and soul of the need and show me if He has some work for us to do with the Haitian peoples in the future. If that is the case, then get ready for some awesome God sized adventures in our church and in your life!
Once I get into Calebasse proper it will difficult, if not impossible, for me to maintain communication with the outside world. So, please take a minute now and write down the following prayer requests. I need each of you to pray every day for these - multiple times a day --- seriously write them down and pray; pray hard and pray often!
1. Pray that God's grace would guide every step I myself take and that we as a team take.
2. Pray that God will enable us to accomplish significant and enduring 'good works' while there. We are there to build homes - pray that God would make us great at this task for this time (for those of you who know me, you know He will have to help me out with that one :-))
3. Pray that God will put in my path the folks that He wants us to partner with well into the future.
4. Pray for our safety there and back and for the safety of our families and ministries while away.
5. Pray that through our meager offering of time and talent and treasure that somehow God might be glorified and His Name proclaimed to those in need of the Gospel!
If you think of some more, then add them to the list! I am excited about this great opportunity the Lord has provided and looking forward to where it may take us as we go together on mission with Him!
Haiti Bound!
Biz
No comments:
Post a Comment