HAITI

Picture from the Boston Globe

I know that there is information flying all over Blogland and the internet right now about the devastation in Haiti and how you can help.  But, in light of the latest 5.9 magnitude aftershock that has crumbled more buildings - well, I feel the need to share one more, and this is where it gets a little personal for me.

Several years ago, while we were living in Florida, my husband and I had the priviledge of meeting a wonderful Haitian couple, Dr. Joel and Rev. Doris Jeune.

Picture from Grace International.Org

The Jeune's oversee 200 churches, 66 Christian schools, 3 orphanages, and feed over 3,000 street children daily in Haiti.  They are one of the most awesome couples I have every had the privilege of knowing - yet, very meek and unassuming.  I can attest to the uprightness and character of these two.  And, along with so many others right now, they need help.  LOTS of help.

Picture from the Boston Globe

Their ministry, Grace International, is based in Carrefour, which was the epicenter of the major quake.  Most of the help that has been sent to Haiti has been unable to reach Carrefour.  Thank God, the mission campuses that they run were unharmed, so they have become refuge centers for between 15,000 and 20,000 of the hurt and displaced.  However, they have no food, no bathroom,  no shelter...

Picture from Grace International.Org

Haiti needs help...in the form of doctors, nurses and volunteers to go there and help with the devastation, in the form of supplies, in the form of host families/facilities to house displaced Haitians until their land is once again habitable, in the form of money (for all of the above and more), and in the form of prayers.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save him?  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ~ James 2:14-17

I believe that we should help those in need when we can.  I also believe that no act of kindness is too small.  Don't let the thinking of 'it's not enough' stiffle you from doing something, anything.  If we all do something, much will be accomplished.  Maybe you're not in a position to go to Haiti and help, but you could host a family or a child.  Maybe you can't host a family or child, but can send monetary help.  Maybe you're not in a position to even squeeze an extra $5 out of your finances right now, but you can offer up prayers.  Every act of kindness is a seed that will reap a harvest.

If you would like to find out more about what is needed and how you can help, then please take a moment to visit Grace International.  Actually, please take a moment and visit anyway... (Keep scrolling down - there are many pictures and much information).  There is also a way to give on that page.  The funds will go right to Grace International and provide assistance to places that haven't been able to be reached much, yet.

Thanks for listening,

Pam