As we travelled to Port au Prince this week for groceries and other supplies, a 3+ hour journey, we were reminded once again of how much we have to be thankful for. Yes ... we could grumble ... what an inconvenience to travel so far ... over rough and bumpy roads ... to have to purchase our groceries to last the next four weeks ...but all we have to do is look around us and realize how truly fortunate we are!!
True thankfulness:
for a comfortable vehicle to travel in ... while many can only go as far as their feet will carry them
for funds to buy a months supply of food ... while many don't have enough to get them through the day
for a home with cupboards to stock our food supply in ... while most have one shared room with meager shelving
for electricity to run our fridge and keep our food from spoiling ... while many have no electricity
for a soft bed to lay our weary heads ... while many make their bed on the hard ground
for a roof over our heads that keeps us dry ... while many have roofs severely damaged by the hurricanes
The list is endless of the many, many things that make our life comfortable. We are not hard done by serving in Haiti. God has reminded Burt and I over and over not to justify our blessed existence and turn a blind eye to those truly in need.
1 John 3:16-20 tells us ..."This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than hearts, and he knows everything."
So when the knocks came at the door this afternoon, as we finished unpacking our abundance of groceries, our hearts were convicted to help Lina, a young mother and wife who has been sick for several days and needs treatment at the hospital. To reach out to Celibien, who is leaving for school in Port au Prince because others believe he has hope for a bright future, and to financially aid Gerlene, who works so hard for us at the apartment, so that her two boys can continue with their education. Haiti is changing, one life at a time. Sustainability is being displayed by furthering education, and realizing the value of work through earning an income. Our prayer is that we never take for granted our rich state, and wherever we are planted that we look around and lay down our lives for our brothers. 'Feed a man a fish and you feed him for a day ... teach a man to fish and you feed him for life!' We thank you for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for our friends in Haiti.
True thankfulness:
for a comfortable vehicle to travel in ... while many can only go as far as their feet will carry them
for funds to buy a months supply of food ... while many don't have enough to get them through the day
for a home with cupboards to stock our food supply in ... while most have one shared room with meager shelving
for electricity to run our fridge and keep our food from spoiling ... while many have no electricity
for a soft bed to lay our weary heads ... while many make their bed on the hard ground
for a roof over our heads that keeps us dry ... while many have roofs severely damaged by the hurricanes
The list is endless of the many, many things that make our life comfortable. We are not hard done by serving in Haiti. God has reminded Burt and I over and over not to justify our blessed existence and turn a blind eye to those truly in need.
1 John 3:16-20 tells us ..."This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than hearts, and he knows everything."
So when the knocks came at the door this afternoon, as we finished unpacking our abundance of groceries, our hearts were convicted to help Lina, a young mother and wife who has been sick for several days and needs treatment at the hospital. To reach out to Celibien, who is leaving for school in Port au Prince because others believe he has hope for a bright future, and to financially aid Gerlene, who works so hard for us at the apartment, so that her two boys can continue with their education. Haiti is changing, one life at a time. Sustainability is being displayed by furthering education, and realizing the value of work through earning an income. Our prayer is that we never take for granted our rich state, and wherever we are planted that we look around and lay down our lives for our brothers. 'Feed a man a fish and you feed him for a day ... teach a man to fish and you feed him for life!' We thank you for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for our friends in Haiti.
Our friends, or zanmi nou! L to R - Lina cooking dinner on her front porch; Celibien & Burt before he heads to school in Port au Prince; Gerlene taking a break to pose for a picture with Sandy
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