Haiti - 2 years later

Jan. 12, 2010 was when the big earthquake killed between 200,000 and 300,000 people in Haiti. Tomorrow will be the second anniversary of that terrible event. There has been some progress in the last 24 months, but not enough. Haiti was broken in many ways before the earthquake, already needing much help, and their struggle to survive continues. I found some hope when I read the article below, but also recognize that things are still moving unbearably slow - we are so blessed in the states in comparison. Imagine if our capitol building had been destroyed 2 years ago - would we have left it completely untouched? - the Haitian capitol remains in ruins. One of the things that stood out to me in the pictures of this link are of the faces of the people - not matter what, they have a strength and beauty that desires to flourish and survive. I am looking forward to reconnecting with some of them soon.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/multimedia/haiti0112/index.html

Jan. 8, 2012

Today we had a great meeting with the team that will be going to Haiti at the end of February. I haven’t mentioned Haiti lately but I have quietly been getting very, very excited at the thought of returning. Today, suddenly, it became much more real . . . . . no longer out there in the future.

Debbie Warner, Annette Hypes, Renee Charles and I will be going – we are just getting to know each other, but I can see there is something very special about each of these ladies – we are in strong unity together and being around them makes me feel even more solid and sure. I believe we are going to have some powerful experiences together, especially when we meet up with Gene, Shelba and the other missionaries that will be there. We are scheduled to leave at the end of February and travel reservations are being made and finalized this week. Would you please consider praying for each of us by name? We need your prayers now and also while we are there. Prayer is one of the most important elements about this trip and we desperately need them.

Debbie led our Missions 101 class on Sunday and gave us this “Self Assessment”

See below:

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

2. Do I confidentially pass on to others what has been said to me in confidence?

3. Can I be trusted?

4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?

5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

6. Did the Bible live in me today?

7. Do I give the Bible time to speak to me everyday?

8. Am I enjoying prayer?

9. When did I last speak to someone else of my faith?

10. Do I pray about the money I spend?

11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

12. Do I disobey God in anything?

13. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?

16. How do I spend my spare time?

17. Am I proud?

18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?

19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?

20. Do I grumble or complain constantly?

21. Is Christ real to me?

This list certainly hits many areas that I need to work on and serves as a great reminder that we all need to look on the inside to keep our hearts in line with the Lord’s heart. We were also reminded that our “mission work” is really right outside of our door. We don’t have to go to Haiti to be on a mission – we are all responsible to do the work of the mission field wherever we are.

As I mentioned in the October letter, each team member has been asked to raise $2000 to cover the costs of our trip. I have already reached $805 and I am extremely grateful! I still have quite a way to go and if you decide you are able to help sponsor me financially, all donations are tax deductible and checks should be made to Fountain City Wesleyan Church. You can either give a donation to Sue Firth in the church office, Steve Mathews, Barry or myself. Please write my name, Haiti/Feb. in the memo section of your check or on a piece of paper to be turned in with your donation. You can also mail me any donation you would want to contribute to the address below:

Fountain City Wesleyan Church

Attn. Nancy Pike

5600 U.S. 27 North

Richmond, IN 47374

I can’t wait to see what is going to happen through all of you before we go - while our team is in on the ground in Haiti - and what we are to bring back to share with you.

Matt. 25:37-40 (The Message)

Then those 'sheep' are going to say, Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.