I really haven’t spoke about the Haiti situation to many of my friends. I have reached out to some family members to see if they or anyone they know would be able to help support some missions that are going on there. But I am broken. I am really distracted by this, and well… I am writing this to maybe… somehow… find that place deep inside my heart that is begging for release.
I work in ministry. I see and hear all the rumble that has happened over the last few days. Everyone is being asked to give and is taking up a Haiti offering. And that is awesome. Seriously, it is amazing what is happening with checks, cash, credit, text, twitter etc.
However, I am still broken.
I am broken because it appears that WE (that includes me) now are even using money to provide us pride and confirmation to turn the other way. There are people that are already saying “Man, wonder what they are going to do with all that money” or “Wonder who’s keeping track of all that money” and it tears my heart apart. Don’t get me wrong I think they need the money, but I think there is a big difference between receiving a check in the mail versus getting a big hug and some hope that is then followed by a check.
See, here’s the deal.
I would like nothing more than to take the love in my family and wrap it around a family that is grieving. Literally, live with them for a few months.
Help them do dishes.
Help them make a fire.
Help them change their children’s diapers.
Help them walk for water.
Help them clean up and rebuild what might be left.
Help them protect their children and family.
Help them read to their kids.
Help them cry.
Help them heal.
Help them go to sleep at night.
Help keep them warm.
Help keep them cool.
Just Help
So I ask you, would you rather me just send a check to your mailbox, or would you like me to show up with some money, but a whole lot of love.
So with all that said I hope that somebody reads this and thinks, “You know what, I can do that.” Seriously I really do. So here’s my thought.
- A church or organization takes up a collection. (for this discussion, I will use $10,000 dollars)
- Families sign up that would like to go and help for a few months. (Obviously these people would have to get permission from jobs etc.)
- The church or organization sits down with a financial planner who organizes the living expenses etc. related to the family who is traveling. (This includes months of bills at their own home that they will not be able to pay because they are not working.) (Oh, btw, aren’t there at lot of people who are unemployed right now?)
- The church or organization provides funds to cover the traveling families expenses while in the mission field.
- The family meets the family in need and starts rebuilding their life with them.
I’ll stop there because I am sure that I am already in trouble with someone who thinks I’m crazy. Or someone who is thinking “that’s extreme”.
But that’s ok, because I realize that this burning in my heart is God’s word. Not the people’s word. In fact, I expect it from people.
I really do however hope that someone, somewhere out there will lead this effort. If I was in Haiti and just lost my wonderful daughter, I would want water, I would want food, I would want money but I honestly feel like after food and water, I would want someone to hug. Someone who would bring hope.
If you or a loved one knows of someone who would like to sponsor a family to go and help, leave a comment.
Filed under: Faith
