Who Will Rise Up?

I've been a weepy mess today. The need in Haiti is incredible. Richard Stearns (CEO of World Vision) said this morning that right now the need still overwhelms the ability to respond. I am overwhelmed by family and friends that have given blankets for Sweet Sleep. I went to Cool Springs with boxes of blankets and sheets for the orphans of Haiti. This morning I prayed that as the relief workers minister to those in Haiti, that their faces would shine with Christ's love. I wish that I could go and be the hands and feet of Christ in Haiti, but it's not my time. And so, instead I give just a little so that someone else can bless a child in Haiti. May God turn this terrible tragedy into something that draws people to Him.

As I was driving slowly to Cool Springs because it was pouring rain, I prayed that God would hold off the rain in Haiti. Can you imagine...all those that are sleeping outside...how horrible if rain comes? I had heard that if the rain comes, the disease will spread all that more quickly. So pray with me, that God will hold back the rain clouds from falling on Haiti. Instead may His Spirit pour down on Haiti.

I turned on the radio and got to hear James MacDonald talking about his recent trip to Haiti. If you know me well, you know I love James MacDonald. He talked about the devastation in Haiti and while blankets and food and water are crucial, who is helping the church in Haiti? He went down there and ministered to church leaders and seminary/Bible professors. He told the story of one Bible college professor who was teaching 2nd year seminary students on the 2nd floor. His wife was teaching first year students on the first floor and when the earthquake hit, the 2nd floor fell and killed all the first year students including his wife. When James talked to him, this professor was comforting his 4 year daughter as they had just buried a wife and a mother. Oh Lord, please send your mercy and comfort to this man! James MacDonald and Mark Driscoll set up a website called Churches Helping Churches. Please go there and listen to the song, "Who Will Rise Up?" I tried to figure out how to get the video on my blog, but I don't think it can be copied. The song and the video are so powerful. Jason Ingram (Chip Ingram's son) from Fellowship Bible wrote the words and music and Lindsay McCaul from Harvest Bible Chapel sang the lyrics. It is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

A mission trip slows you down and makes you discern His voice more clearly. When I dropped off the blankets I got to talk to Jen from Sweet Sleep for a little while. I got back in my car and immediately felt the prompting "give her everything in your wallet". I doubted the prompting. I had a decent amount of money in my wallet...it wasn't like it was just $5. I started to pray, "God if this is from you, give me confirmation" and then I stopped. I thought, "Who else would this be from? Of course, God prompted me." I opened my wallet, pulled out the cash, folded it up and quickly handed it to Jen and drove away. I don't tell you this to receive some kind of credit, because honestly I'm ashamed that I debated what to do. I'm ashamed that I didn't give more freely and that I thought about how much money was in my wallet. Seriously, how ridiculous were those thoughts. But I didn't allow the guilt to stay, I thanked God for the opportunity to give and that I obeyed (sometimes I don't).



So, the question remains. Who Will Rise Up? Will the church rise up and take its place among this tragedy? We should pray. We should give...money, blankets, beds, water, food, etc. We should go. We should help rebuild. We should help encourage those that need encouragement. We should go and tell the Good News of Christ. We should help train the nationals so that they can develop godly leaders in every town of their nation.

Church...will you rise up and take your place? I don't want to miss out on the blessings that will come when we obey Him...the one and only true God!

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10