Grace Community Christian Church

 

Archived Things Above

Haiti Return (7/30/08)

It's hard to believe that three weeks have already gone by since our visit to Haiti. And even though it's been hot here in Frederick, it still hasn't gotten close to how hot it was in Port au Prince! I realize how spoiled I am when I start whining to Paula about turning on the air conditioning because the temperature in my office has spiked to 78 or 80; then I remember that my friends in Haiti are taking care of babies & boys & students in 100+ degree heat, often with no electricity to provide even some fan relief.

I want to thank everyone for your prayers, encouragement, & gifts of both essential items (clothing, school supplies, toys, medical supplies) & money. The hundreds of dollars that were pressed into my hand in the week leading up to our departure was just another testimony of the big hearts that exist both within the GC3 family, & in the Frederick community at large. I received substantial sums from non-members as well, which shows (yet again!) that when we do something for the glory of God, He provides the resources. But He seems to prefer to wait until we get moving, which can be unnerving!

Think about that: The Jordan River didn't part for Joshua & the Israelites until the priests stepped into it first! (How'd you like to have been that guy?!) The walls of Jericho didn't fall until the people were exposed & vulnerable & behaving quite unmilitary-like. Abraham didn't get a substitute ram for Isaac until his knife was raised over the boy's body. Jesus didn't get a resurrection until he endured a cross & a suffocating tomb.

And the neat thing is, some of YOU were able to be God's answer to prayer for some of God's servants in Haiti! Medical expenses were paid because YOU gave! An emergency dental bill was paid because YOU gave! Several babies won't have to eat off the floor anymore because YOU gave money that bought them highchairs! Mailing expenses & utility bills were paid because YOU gave! And in most of these situations, the recipients were clueless that the money would be there! The tears that instantly gushed from their eyes, the smiles, the hugs, the Thank You's- I got to experience them but only because YOU gave!

So feel good about that. And don't stop giving! It may not seem like a lot to you, but like I said in the starfish story, It makes a difference to this one!

We had hoped to head back to Haiti in November with a few more people who had asked if they could go, but it now appears that that trip will be pushed back until later in the winter or early spring. Meanwhile, be sure to check out the various web & blog sites to stay current on what's happening down there. Food subsidies just expired, so rioting is expected to begin again, making an already intolerable situation even more so, if that were possible.

"This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God." (2 Corinthians 9:10-11, Message)


Jim Dewar --