Haiti.
What comes to your mind when you read that?
Earthquake.
Disaster.
Death.
Corruption.
Why?
What feelings surface in your heart?
Pain.
Grief.
Anger.
Here's what I think of. All the beautiful faces of the friends I met in November. Praising God for the protection He provided for the kids at the orphanage and in the surrounding community. My heart breaks for the people who are experiencing great loss. I want to fall to my knees many times a day in prayer. I have faith that God will be a stronghold, a refuge and deliver many people through this. I'm slightly numb at times because I don't know what to feel. I experienced personal grief in December when my grandma passed away, but how do you grieve for an entire country? God has put a few verses in my path this past week that I'll share with you. I don't think words are enough, but it's what I have to offer on a blog.
The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
- Psalm 37:39-40
I am drawn to the descriptions of God as their stronghold, deliverer and a place of refuge. I pray for God to be these to those grieving in Haiti.
Also...
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
- James 1:22-24
This is real for so many reasons with how we can actively help in Haiti, but especially because God has called us to take care of the orphans and the widows. Heartbreaking, but the reality is that this number will continue to increase in Haiti as bodies are uncovered. Let us not forget the reflection of Christ we choose to embrace. Let us not forget what He has called us to do. Let us take care of the orphans and widows.
I ask for your prayers for the people of Haiti. I challenge you to act. There are many great places to give. Here's one. Mission Haiti. That's where I helped serve in November. Click here to donate finacially. They are in the process of filling a truck with "Kids Against Hunger" food, medical supplies, hygiene kits, generator, water filtration equipment, baby formula/baby cereal to take down to Haiti. Please prayerfully give! Comment if you have questions and I will do my best to answer them or find the answers.
I'm so thankful for the protection God provided for these precious children.
Neet (left) was in Port au Prince during the earthquake. PTL for his safety! He was in Port working on adoption papers.
Antione was in Port with Neet. PTL again for his safety! He was my translator for the lessons of Noah's Ark.
