Haiti

I think about how this past week has changed the lives for many people. Most people did not know that Haiti existed, let alone the poverty that is so prevalent. It is multiplied, when you experience the largest earthquake on record.

I am so grateful that many people are helping out in the relief efforts. I see that people are doing everything that they can to send relief down the the island, and many people are trying to meet needs physically, in an attempt to meet needs spiritually. But that is not the point that really changed me this week.

The thing that really impacted me was the passion that I see in my wife when she talks about Haiti. My wife has gone on several mission trips down to Haiti. She has spent many years traveling down to the areas that have been hit the hardest. She has built relationships with people, some who died in the earthquake, and experienced first hand life in Haiti. I can see her demeanor change, and an intensity in her eyes that is not there when she talks about other things. She is really passionate about the people of Haiti. I look at that and I see the compassion that runs through her veins, and I question if I care that much about people.

My hope is that every time I talk about ministry, I have the same intensity that I see and hear in her voice when she talks about Haiti. I want to be more passionate and really care about the people in our church. I want our students to feel that way about the people that are hurting in their school, who experience tragedy every day. I want to see people who really ache when people in their schools, family, sports teams, whatever, are hurting and need help. I want to see students that are giving up what they have, so others can have.

My wife sees the many people hurting, and she wants to step up and do whatever she can to make a difference for the people of Haiti. Are we doing that here in our back yard? Let's change together this year and care about the people here who are in dyer need of a savior.