Love for Haiti Part 2

This photo belongs to the Livesay family and was copied from their blog (http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/)

The widespread pain and suffering is still overwhelmingly rampant in the small country of Haiti. At this point, we have already heard heartbreaking stories of the number of Haitian orphans increasing from around 50,000 to nearly 1 million (potentially more), the wounded left unatteneded dying from infection and lack of care, and the possibility of approximately 300-500,000 people dead. I have been following the blog of a missionary family in Haiti (http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/), updates from another missionary, Kathleen Willet (http://willetonline.com/), updates from my friend Sammy about the orphanage they partner with, updates from my friend Kelsey about Pam, as well as, updates from many organizations like Samaritan's Purse, Billy Graham Evangelical Association, Food for the Hungry, Water is Life, and Bluesource. I keep hearing stories of death and despair, but also stories of hope and relief pouring into the country on behalf of the beloved Haitians.

All I know is that this situation requires our prayers, our financial generosity, and our voice. We are called to weep with those who weep and bear the burdens of others. Yesterday, I witnessed an astounding display of God's great love for Haiti at my homechurch; Bridgeway in Oklahoma City. We had decided to raise money for relief efforts. After the offering was counted, our small church gave extravagently, raising over $12,000! I feel so blessed to be a part of a community who gives with such generosity and with sacrifice! Our Pastor, Sam Storms decided to change his message to reflect on the situation in Haiti and God's loving heart for the people there. We experienced an emotional time of worship led by my amazingly compassionate friends Ryan Smith and Emery Clark. Afterwards, Ryan and I shared about our past experiences. Ryan shared about his time in Turkey during the 1999 earthquake, as well as more information about the hygiene kits that will be sent to Haiti for long-term relief. After Ryan spoke, I was able to share a little bit about my experience in Indonesia after the earthquake and Tsunami in December of 2005. Recalling some of my experiences from that trip, has reminded me of the great devestation and need I witnessed. It has again reminded me of the brevity and fragility of this life. It has reminded me of the things that truly matter, and because I have been given so much and blessed beyond words, I have a responsibility to give back to others. I don't want to be remembered as pursuing the things that only bring me happiness, fullfilment or even sucess, I want my life to be about service to others, giving what I can, while I have breath in my lungs.

When I was in Banda Aceh Indonesia I was struck by the number of mass graves I saw. It broke my heart to know that many families will never know where their love ones are buried or where they were when they died. I witnessed building after building that had crumbled to pieces, and entire villages that were virtually wiped out. I visited several tent cities, temporarily housing thousands, with limited water, and poor sanitation. We set up medical clinics and treated people in tent cities, while also playing with very sad and frightened children. On a positive note, I also recall stories of people who came to faith in Jesus and people who had found hope to carry on. Although no one could change their circumstances, they found strength, hope and peace admist great suffering!

I pray for restoration of Haiti. I pray that God will restore the naiton to a condition that is even better than where it was before the earthquake struck. I pray His peace, provision, hope, care, love and relief will come to those desperate people, even as I write this. I pray He will equip all those who are already on the ground providing assistance. God's love for the Haitian's is unfailing, abiding and unshakable. His love will sustain them through the darkest nights of their souls.

I will leave you with these beautifully, eloquent words of theologian AL Mohler...
"...the earthquake reminds us that the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the only real message of hope. The cross of Christ declares that Jesus loves Haiti--and the Haitian people are the object of his love. Christ would have us show the Haitian nation His love, and share His Gospel. In the midst of this unspeakable tragedy, CHrist would have us rush to aid the suffering people of Haiti, and rush to tell teh Haitian people of His love, His cross, and salvation in His name alone."

Thank you for all the ways you have already helped- may God increase our efforts and giving a thousand-fold!

I will keep you posted, but I hope to plan atleast one if not two other benefits to raise money for Haiti. I just spoke with a friend today who has agreed to instruct a Zumba-thon for Haiti! Pray that we can pull everything together in time!

LOVE FOR HAITI

Today has just been one of those days that I have literally been feeling the weight and brokenness of the world. I have been in tears all day for the situation and the people of Haiti. I am thankful for my gift of compassion that the Lord has entrusted me with. It's during times like these as I feel my heart breaking, that I believe I am able to catch a glimpse of the Father's heart for those who suffer. It is painful, but it brings me back to a place of total reliance and trust in Him; the only true source of hope and peace on this earth. Many matters of this life, seem to pail in comparison, when something like this happens. For some it may be easy to turn a blind eye and go on with life, but it is practically impossible for me, regardless of how far away a tragedy may be taking place. Even though, I have never personally been to Haiti, I feel strongly connected because of friends and former colleagues who have gone or are currently living there.

My friend Jeremy Willett, has been waiting since Tuesday to hear from his wife Kat, who is a missionary in Haiti. I can't imagine what it must be like for my friend who is touring with his band in New Zealand and waiting to hear whether or not his beloved wife is safe. Another friend, Sammy Adebiyi just returned from Haiti on Sunday with his wife and a few college students. Sammy and his wife have traveled to the impoverished country several times over the years. They have worked closely with an orphanage there and have since fell in love with a young orphan named Bebe, whom they have been trying to adopt. Sammy and his team are still awaiting word on the fate of the children and the staff at the orphanage. Many of the organizations I have worked with over the years, such as, Samaritan's Purse, Food for the Hungry, and OneHope have teams stationed in Port-Au-Prince (where the most damaged occurred), or around the island, and again, wait to hear about the safety of their friends and family members. Many of these organizations are already mobilizing and sending teams to help with the relief efforts on the ground. They are sending water purification systems, hygiene kits, temporary supplies for shelters, food, and medical supplies. They are also working with their local partners to try and provide immediate care for the masses that are suffering and needing care. Food for the Hungry is working with their partners to assess the situation and figure out the best course of action. My friend Ryan Smith works for BluSource and is collecting money to assemble and send hygiene kits. For $3.50 you can purchase a kit to help meet immediate needs. Compassion is present, as is World Vision, Hands and Feet, Oxfam, RedCross and so many others. Please, please I beg of you, consider giving financially to any of these well trusted and very reputable organizations. I will list just a few links below you can visit and find out more and give.

http://www.samaritanspurse.com/

http://www.fh.org/

http://www.willetonline.com/

http://www.blusource.com/

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=262686972768&ref=mf (the facebook group where you can give specifically to the orphanage Sammy works with)

Feel free to check out the work of OneHope and Compassion, World Vision and others as well.

Also, please remember to keep praying. Even when we feel helpless, we can intercede on behalf of the people there.

"THE LORD IS NEAR TO THE BROKENHEARTED AND SAVES THOSE WHO ARE CRUSHED IN SPIRIT." PSALM 34:18

I was listening to a David Crowder song today called, Never Let Go and I believe some of the lyrics are incredibly appropriate...

When clouds veil sun
And disaster comes
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rise
And hope takes flight
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Ever faithful
Ever true
You I know
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go.


Also, I found these lyrics from God of This City by Chris Tomlin

You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are

You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are

May the peace of our Lord surround those suffering in Haiti.

Happy Twenty-Ten!

I figure it's about time to start writing on my blog once again. It's a New Year after all, and with that comes excitement as well as, anticipation for whatever lies ahead. Honestly, I am feeling more anticipation than excitement at this point, simply because I don't know what is next. There was a time in a my life where I thought I had found my career path and the thing I was most passionate about doing day in and day out. Whenever I imagined my long term goals (concerning my career/job) it always involved growing as a speaker, and moving beyond just telling just one story. However, a few years ago, I undoubtedly knew I was to take a step back. At which point, I became a writer at a film company, writing a film about my personal story. I gained a deeper appreciation for the art of writing and enjoyed meeting many of my co-workers. I found healing and even hope in unexpected places along the way. Unfortunately, the journey was met with its fair share of challenges and even sincere pain. With my part at the film company complete, I am once again waiting on the Lord to reveal what He has planned for the future. Some days I am completely at peace with waiting on Him and trusting in Him, other days, I feel anxious and scared that I am somehow stuck, lacking purpose and that sense of adventure which has become such a part of me. All I know, is that I cannot sit still for very long, I tend to get pretty restless. I invite those of you who want to join me as I seek out the next chapter in my life.

Along the way, there are several things I wish to see happen. 1)deeper intimacy with Jesus, through the Word and prayer. 2) personal healing and freedom in many areas of my life. 3)the ability to be more present in my marriage and my relationships. 4th and finally) discover whatever is next. Over the years I have had so many experiences and met so many people who have inspired me, which has been so rewarding, but also dangerous, because I know about all the possibilities that exist out there. I want my life to be about something bigger than myself. I want to make a difference in the lives of others, and make a mark, yet sometimes I think I can become a bit extreme and forget it's ok to just be still for a season. Our society places such a high premium on doing and achieving, which at times, can be hard to live up to. I somehow have to believe that there is purpose in the waiting.

Recently on my Mexico vacation, I read a book by an amazing author named Donald Miller. His newest book is titled, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, is a truly charming, funny, and thought-provoking book. I would definitely recommend the read! The whole premise of his book is about living a better story. Some filmmakers approached Donald about turning his life into a movie. They informed him, his life would need to be edited in order to make a interesting movie (boy, I could certianly relate as I read) that people would want to watch. As a result, Donald goes on a quest to reinvent himself. However, the reason I share this, is because it inspired me to personally start living a better story. Let me interject one thing here... I don't want it to sound like I think I haven't been living a good story, because I believe I have, I just want to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST-ALWAYS, and this is a good reminder to do so! Therefore, the day after I finished the book (mind you, I am still in Mexico with my family), my dad and brother decide they are going to rent a boat and go deep-sea fishing in the middle of the ocean. At first I think- "No way, not going! I'll spend the whole time throwing up off the side of the boat. I should just sleep in!" Then I remembered -the book- so I told them I'd go. This was going to be my first attempt at consciously trying to live a better story. Perhaps I should have stayed in bed. I spent about 4 hours watching the horizon so I didn't get sea-sick, as my nephew and sister-in-law threw up the entire time. Not to mention, a rain storm came, at which point I was holding onto my dad so hard, yelling, "We're gonna capsize! I don't like this, I'm scared, we will be eatin by the sea!" I know, I know I'm a drama queen! To top it all off, I didn't catch a thing. Dad and Corey each caught a barracuda, but nada for me. Anyways, I share this story, to say, I won't become a deep-sea fishing captain anytime soon. I can cross that one off my list of future ambitions- phew!