Haiti... Reality and Recovery by the Numbers

(CLICK on the GRAPHIC to Enlarge for easy reading)

When disaster strikes, we often attempt to quantify the event numerically. We categorize the chaos, destruction and death toll through statistics. We don’t always get a clear picture of the real toll and human suffering by simply applying the numbers.

After Chile’s recent 8.8 magnitude earthquake on February 27th, the media within 24 to 48 hours... called it 6 times, 30 times, 50 times, 300 times, 500 times 700 times, and finally 1,000 times larger than Haiti’s 7.0 quake. You get the picture... we tend to exaggerate the numbers in times of crisis, overstating reality for a multitude of reasons.

True reality... Chile saw far fewer casualties than Haiti and charitable giving is likely to be much lower as well.

Death tolls alone don’t seem to draw our attention anymore. Burma’s Cyclone Nargis in 2008 killed an estimated 170,000. However, largely because of the countries restrictive regime, International donations totaled only about $310 million. Donations to Haiti surpassed that figure in less than 9 days. Maybe its proximity, the closeness of Haiti to the U.S. that has created the outpouring of assistance and financial aid.

Whatever it is that tugs at our emotions and motivates giving to Haiti... we must not stop. The road to recovery for Haiti as a viable nation and culture will be a long and arduous journey.

Here’s a look at the current state of Haiti by the numbers:

222,417 - Confirmed Death Toll on February 24th according to the Haitian Government

300,000 - Likely Final Death Toll according to Haiti’s Government

52,000 - Confirmed Death Toll, according to an investigation by Radio Netherlands

“Well under 100,000” - Likely Final Death Toll according to Radio Netherlands.

63 Million Tons of Rubble must be cleared away before Rebuilding can begin (Rueters)

$7.2 to $13.2 Billion - The cost of the damage to the country (Inter-American Development Bank)

$81 Billion - Cost in Damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. (NOAA)

59 Aftershocks of 4.5 or greater - 16 of 59... 5.0 or greater

1,700 Easatimated Career Christian Missionaries are Based in Haiti

5% -- Haiti’s Protestant Population in 1940
20% -- Haiti’s Protestant Population in 1960
30% -- Haiti’s Protestant Population in 2010

2 in 3 of Haiti’s Protestants are Born Again Christians

Remember Haiti and its physically and emotionally depleted and impoverished people in your prayers. Continue to assist and support the Christian Missions that are working day and night to bring comfort and spiritual hope to a people who have suffered at the hand of cruel governments and natural disasters for decades.

Speak Up! Reaching People for Christ

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter). (John 1:35-42 NIV)

When it comes to speaking to others about our faith, two things are true about us. The first... we all desire to see our friends, relatives, and acquaintances come to accept Christ as their savior. The second... we are stymied as to how to make that happen. What do I say? What if I say the wrong thing? When is the right time? Generally speaking, we are intimidated when it comes to witnessing to others about Christ.

Without a doubt all of us have some level of difficulty with evangelism... proclaiming the Gospel to a stranger, a co-worker and to relatives. We’re uncomfortable sharing our faith, even embarrassed at times.

It’s not that we don’t want to share our faith. It’s not that we do not have concern over lost relatives and friends. We do care. Because we care, we feel a sense of guilt over not doing very much to reach them. The task of evangelizing family, friends and even strangers seems to be too much for us. After all, don’t you have to be very knowledgeable of the Bible in order handle the gospel message properly in leading people to Christ?

First we need to be careful not to make sharing Jesus more complicated than it really is. In the Bible, we see many people sharing Jesus who were without formal theological training or for that matter much education at all. In fact, the most effective witnesses Christ were just newly saved themselves. They were novices... new converts filled with awe, passion and enthusiasm to share the message of salvation through Christ. In the passages in the book of John, we see Andrew telling his brother Peter about Jesus. But Andrew was just introduced to Jesus himself. So, if we consider his example, we find a practical method which shows us how to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with people we come in contact with.

It is a simple method, yet very effective. As a matter of fact, most often the simplest methods are the most effective. It is the KISS method — “keep it simple saint”. The simpler, the better.

Following on the idea of “keeping it simple”... there are two simple steps that Andrew took to lead his brother to Jesus.

I. He Went and found His Brother

In verse 41...The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon. The first step Andrew took to lead his brother to Jesus was to seek him out. We must take the same first step. If we are going to be effective in leading people to Jesus, we must first seek out unsaved people. We must spend time in places where we will be around people we know to be unsaved. There is simply no other alternative.

In order to do this there are four important things we need. The first thing we need is to know where they are. That seems simple enough. But you would be surprised at how many Christians do not take the time to think this through. You may say, lost people are everywhere." True, they are everywhere. But the very fact that they are everywhere sometimes serves as an obstacle to reaching them. We can be overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of lost people in this world. There are so many. Where do we start? How can we reach the world for Jesus? It seems like an insurmountable task! Sometimes you can be so overwhelmed by the vastness of the task that you give up before you begin. You can be so overwhelmed by the everybody that you fail to reach anybody.

The question is... not where are all the lost people, but where are the lost people you can reach? You must know where your mission field is. If you’re going to fish, you must fish where the fish are. After all, Jesus has called us to be fishers of men.

The second thing we must have is information about those we seek out. We must know them by name. Who are the people that comprise your personal mission field? Do you know them by name? Yes, should be your answer. God has given each one of us a mission field. We are all missionaries, called to reach the world for Jesus. But God has called us as individuals, to reach our circle of friends and acquaintances with the gospel message. The typical person has a circle of friends, relatives, and acquaintances numbering about forty people. That number may be slightly more or slightly less depending on your particular situation. These are the people who comprise your mission field. These are people you know by name, people you work with, neighbors and the like. These are the people, God expects us to seek out for Christ.

The third thing we need in order to reach these people, is to care enough about them to go after them. We must understand the gravity of their situation. We must understand that without Christ they are truly lost and under the condemnation of sin. They are condemned people. Without Christ there is no hope for them. This “state of condemnation” is not an abstract concept we can debate or ignore. That is why God commands us to go into all the world. That is why Jesus came. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son." (John 3:16) God loves all of humanity and so must we. We must care enough to seek them out, and to use whatever influence we have to lead them to Christ.

The fourth thing we must have is something to share. Andrew not only sought his brother, he shared what he had found with him. We see in verse 41... The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). Andrew shared his own experience of discovering the Messiah. That’s how you start... by simply sharing your own experience of coming to know Christ.

Don’t worry about deep, complex, theological stuff here. This is about sharing our own personal experience of how Christ has changed our lives. Most people are not interested in arguing about deep theological truths. Most people already think they know what the Bible teaches, so going down the intellectual path will turn people off before you even get their attention.

It’s best not to argue the Bible with unsaved people. Rather, what you need to share is your own personal experience of coming to know Christ. It’s hard for anyone to argue with a personal experience, especially when they may have known you long enough to have seen the changes in your life and attitudes after you became a Christian. Personal experiences are almost the best way to start a dialog about Jesus Christ. Remember when Jesus healed a certain blind man... then the blind man was questioned by the religious leaders about who Jesus was. The blind man essentially said, "I don’t know about all of these theological arguments, all I know is once I was blind and now I see." We do not have to argue about theological issues. What we need to do is share simply our own experience. Share your new hopes and inner joy at how Christ has helped you cope with life’s challenges. Everyone will be able to identify with such experiences.

II. He Brought Him meet the Christ

We see in verse 42... he brought him to Jesus. Andrew not only sought his brother, he also brought his brother to Jesus. So we must not only seek out our unsaved friends and share with them our own experience, we must also bring them to a place where they can hear more, meet other Christians and experience an environment where they can make a decision for Christ. In Andrew’s case he literally brought his brother to Jesus. In our case, we can at least bring them to a place where they have an opportunity to hear the Gospel and be touched by the power of God. Bring them to church.

For all we do we must not stop short of this. This the key. The objective of evangelism is to evangelize. The objective of fishing is to catch fish. The objective of fishing is not to just bait the hook well... it is not just to see the fish take the bait... it is not just to get the fish on the line, it is to get the fish in the boat.

The Church that Jesus founded is not a fishing society. It’s not about meetings, accurate attendance figures and a membership roll, or to make sure the members pay their dues. Christians gathering together in assembly is much more than talking about evangelism. It is much more than well planned strategies for evangelism, rules to follow when sharing the gospel, regulations concerning the proper attire for do doing so, and so on. Fishermen are people who catch fish. Evangelists are people who talk to others about Christ. If you never drop a line in the water... you can’t call yourself a fisherman. If you never speak to others about your personal experiences of being a follower of Jesus Christ... you can’t call yourself an evangelist... and maybe not a Christian either.

The real issue a simple one. Christians do a lot of talking, strategizing and planning about fishing for lost souls, but what we really need to do is go find them and speak about HIM.

If we’re going to proclaim to our family and friends the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must act with urgency. We must take the time to seek them out, to share with them our own experience of knowing Christ, and bring them to church. Do not be afraid... GOD will be with you.

Fighting Poverty in the World... Does the “money” strategy work?

CAN WE explain human behavior? CAN WE change how we help the poor? CAN WE save the world? Many people and organizations spend countless amounts of money and energy trying to do just that.

Every year, wealthy countries and donors ship billions upon billions of dollars in aid to the developing world. The money has not bought prosperity: Diarrhea still kills 1.5 million children annually. More than 210 million kids work when they should be in a classroom. Polio, which had once been eradicated in all but four countries, is spreading across Africa again. Some 2.6 billion people have no access to modern toilets. And more than 1 billion people did not have enough to eat in 2009, setting a new record. Why is the world in such dire straits when enough money is available to solve the problems?

How can vast sums of money not produce some tangible, measurable, sustainable result? In the under-developed world a lot of the money gets spent by well-meaning people with no idea what they're doing. Corruption in these countries runs rampant, therefore the vast sums of money from donors and wealthy countries is largely wasted.

Obviously, much of the money that goes to help the developing world is not being used effectively. But what's not so obvious is how all that money should be spent. That’s not to say there are not enough “projects” to suck up the money, because that’s never been a problem. The real question is what projects get funded, how are they funded, and what is the expected result. To transform the living conditions of 100 million poverty-stricken people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America you need much more than funding.

You must have a government in place that cares about solving the problems of its people. Don’t all governments want to improve the living conditions for its people? Not necessarily. The complexities in solving most problems in the developing world hinge on ethics. So called third world democratic governments aren't always ethical. Ethical standards must prevail in governmental leadership and philosophies for internal economic growth and human development. When the ethical standards of a nation, a government and even its peoples erode... poverty persists and increases.

Christian missionaries and relief organizations serve an important function in the developing world. They “stand in the gap”... supplementing the voids in ethical standards, values and policies that do immeasurable harm to impoverished peoples.

As long as the economic systems of the world controlled by a handful of nations, continue to operate as they now do, there will be no end to poverty and disease in countries of the developing world.

The west's lifestyle is directly linked to and sustained by the developing world, where millions of impoverished people work for pennies making cheap products that are shipped to economically powerful nations for price competitive consumption. No one in America, or Germany, or the UK or any other developed nation wants to pay for good and services manufactured at high costs. The economic engine of prosperous nations runs on the fuel of slave-like labor provided by the world’s impoverished peoples living in “developing countries”.

Missionaries and Christian relief and aid organizations help people with immediate needs, such as the many relief and restoration programs in earthquake devastated Haiti. Their work turns chaos and crisis into sustainable habits for establishing new life patterns. 


Christian mission frequently works among the world's poorest citizens, in their villages and nations. Sometimes their evangelistic efforts are met with resistance and persecution, as is the case in many parts of India and the Middle East. However, in the face of and governmental opposition, it is the Christian missionaries and relief workers who are making “grass roots” level life changes that give people a chance at a better life. Add evangelism to the mix, and you have a formula that can create genuine hope for a better life and eternal future.

God desires that all people hear about Him and His promises. No one can “hear” if their utmost concern is daily survival. You can’t get peoples attention when they are oppressed, hungry or starving. You can’t get people to trust when governments ignore poverty and disease. You can get people to listen, when ethnic cleansing, war and brutality is a way of living for many people.

Let anyone who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8) Jesus said that phrase several times in the Gospels, once at the conclusion of His parable of the Sower. Overcoming the conditions of poverty in the developing world requires two kinds of sowing and harvesting... one for real food to sustain physical life and one that sows the Word of God that can have everlasting benefits.

The act of sowing as depicted in Jesus’ parable is commonly associated with primitive farming methods, much like the ways of farming in the developing world. For just as Jesus told his disciples that the farmer goes out to sow his seed in order to yield a crop, so too do missionaries sow the Word of God in order that, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear’. Along with “casting the Word”, they teach practical farming methods –– fertilization, irrigation and installation of water purification systems. They establish schools and help with community organization. All... to make the lives of impoverished people easier. Then... they can “hear” attentively the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We must never forget.... in countries of the developing world, Satan has effectively promoted the greed and selfishness that devours basic ethical values. Once ethics and values are consumed by greed and corruption, the ensuing strife and poverty prevent people from hungering after the gospel. Heap upon a man enough problems, oppression and fears, and he will be contentedly enslaved to his poverty.

Missionaries are working hard around the world to “stand in the gap”... to be a bridge to hope and renewal... to help ease life’s daily challenges so that those they help will “hear the gospel”.

What can you do? Three simple things. Pray for missionaries and the work they do. Give financially to missionaries and the organizations that assist them in the field. Work with God's plan to help the impoverished peoples of our world.

HOW do YOU COPE with SUFFERING?

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Tsunamis, Human abuse, Torture, Persecution. All these things happening all over the face of the earth.

How do you cope with stories of horrific natural disasters, abuse, persecution and trouble? It's a question we all frequently ponder these days. The world is a very unkind place. Besides the natural disasters such as the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti, you hear of Christians being abused for their beliefs, of rapes, of massacres, of children suffering and dying from starvation, and all manner of injustice. The tragedy and the sadness can be overwhelming, leaving you feeling powerless and emotionally overwrought. What can you do? Can anything you do... make a difference?

You may be one of many people asking the question, "Where is God in all of this?" "How can He possibly love humanity and allow these tragic things to happen?"

Understanding and acceptance is required. For starters, we need to take a Biblical view of suffering. Jesus suffered not just the physical agony of the crucifixion, but also through the persecution, abuse, trial and abandonment that preceded it... for our sake. And yet, in the death of Jesus, we see God's wholehearted identification with the plight of the human race. He surrenders his only child for the sake of love for the whole the world (John 3:16). God is not insensitive to our suffering. He knows all about it. Suffering, though often times beyond our comprehension, can still be part of his plan. But that doesn’t mean God is causing these natural disasters or promoting violence and conflict.

Suffering, as we know it, is a consequence of human sin in the world. We can't help but rub shoulders with pain of many kinds and sometimes it's no one's fault. The world we live in is broken. Although God has completed the final spiritual solution to our sin in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we still live with the repercussions of a world that has not yet come to its conclusion. God has promised an end to all suffering at a time when he will make everything new (Revelation 22).

But in the meantime, God has given us this promise: to turn evil to good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Think about this... it's in periods of intense suffering that we are convinced of our need for God. When all else is taken away, all the comforts and blessings of this world, you find it's just you and God, alone together. At that point, some people reject God for good, blaming Him for their circumstances. But others find themselves drawn closer to Him, not fully understanding His reasons and struggling to grasp His purposes, but trusting Him, nevertheless. Everything they learned during the good times is now tested. The capacity to endure must be cultivated in every true believer. Endurance makes it possible to hold on to the knowledge of God's promises and His love. Endurance is our engine that keeps us going, moving forward, holding out for the time when whatever trial we are experiencing will be over.

As a Christian, you care about humanity and want to help resolve suffering. You don’t have to personally be in the middle of an earthquake’s devastation or personally persecuted for your belief in Jesus Christ, to suffer right along with those who are in the middle of such events. It's in this crucible of suffering that our faith is refined. We may or may not see miraculous changes to any of the horrible events. That's entirely up to God. Nonetheless, His individual concern for us is such that he will make sure our faith in Him will grow stronger and more certain... if we allow Him to continue working in us and through us.

The Power of Prayer. Even if we ourselves are not undergoing severe suffering, we can sometimes feel so desperate for those who are, that we become overwhelmed with anxiety for their plight. Little things in their stories can trigger this kind of reaction. Maybe it’s someone with the same name as you, or someone the same age as your son or daughter, or some other point that you personally relate to. Something triggers your emotions and you begin to comprehend the magnitude of what the people are going through.

Allow these news stories to turn your thoughts to immediate prayer. Lay these burdens at the feet of Jesus. It is not for us to carry the burdens of the world. That's for Jesus to do. He wants our emotions to overflow for the lost, hurting and suffering people of the world. Because in that deeply personal experience, He knows we will be energized to do all we can to spread the only hope a dying world has... the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When you pray... do you ask God for natural disasters to cease and persecution to end, or do you pray that suffering Christians can bear up under whatever circumstances they are experiencing? Do you pray for their perseverance and endurance? We must always pray that God's Will be done and his purposes carried out. On the one hand asking for mercy, and on the other, acknowledging that following Jesus has a cost (Matthew 10). Wherever Christians are in the world, if they’re suffering, we must trust that God has a very real and powerful influence in their lives. They live each day with only God as their strength. They are full of courage, more than willing to pay whatever cost for the cause and glory of Christ. Their lives passionately display it. As people who are suffering specifically because of their allegiance to Jesus, they know they are sharing in his suffering. And in the midst of suffering, God's glory shines its brightest.

The cross is the finest example we have of suffering and hope. It's a paradox. When bad things happen to innocent people, we are naturally outraged... overcome with sadness and sorrow. We are disgusted. We experience anger and frustration. We grieve for the loss of life and suffering. These are all intense and righteous reactions to injustice. No matter how intense our emotions, we must express these feelings to God.

Ask God to show you what you can do in response to disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti. The devastation is so great, that it will be years before something called normal returns to Haiti. In the meantime, you have many ways to help. Maybe it’s time for you to step out in faith, and journey to such a place of devastation and work with people where you can see their eyes, and personally feel the ebb and flow of life in the midst devastation. Watch, Listen and Pray continually. Allow your prayer to be turned to action.

Don't be deceived into thinking you are powerless. With God's guidance and grace, He may use you to effect change and bring results you never imagined. There are things we can do today, everyday, that can make a huge difference in the lives of suffering peoples all over the world. Rest assured... God has not abandoned them.

WHAT about HAITI...? Did GOD PUNISH them for their SINS?

Christians everywhere, especially missionaries in the field deal with difficult circumstances and challenges. When something like the earthquake in Haiti happens, we must deal with questions that sometimes have no satisfactory answers.

Skeptics, critics and even believers in God, are asking... Why did this horrible thing happen? Is God angry with Haiti? Does He hate the people of Haiti? Is He punishing Haiti for something they have done, or haven’t done?

It seems like every time there is a catastrophic event of mass devastation due to acts of nature anywhere in the world, there is discussion as to whether or not these are acts of God’s judgment. In recent times, whether its been a hurricane, tsunami or earthquake, the devastation comes to a place that provokes discussion about God bringing judgement on the wickedness of the people in the devastated region. It happened on the heels of Katrina... New Orleans being a place of sinful decadence. It happened amidst the devastating tsunami that hit southeast Asia... a people steeped in animistic religious beliefs. And most recently, the horrific earthquake that brought destruction to Haiti... a place of Voodoo and spirit worship.

We can always depend on religious thought leaders... the likes of Pat Robertson, to fuel this speculation of God’s judgement with his off-the-wall remarks. In the immediate aftermath of the Haitian disaster, Robertson claimed, in effect, that God struck Haiti with an earthquake because of the practice of Voodoo. He bases his comments on the 1st Commandment... that humans are not to have any gods before the one true God.

It’s true God wrought such destruction in ancient times. We need only look to the Old Testament for recorded events of judgement and subsequent destruction inflicted on unbelieving and wicked people. Think about this.... God’s rules for acceptable living are routinely violated and ignored by a very large part of humanity, yet He does nothing. It seems rather odd that if God enforced His rules, He would just elect to strike Haiti and ignore so many other violations around the globe. Or perhaps God works in arbitrary ways, punishing violations of His rules randomly or just when He feels like it. Such behavior seems to be inconsistent with a God who’s very nature and essence is love, patience and forgiveness. If you doubt that, read John 3:16 and ponder what He said He would do, and did, for humanity.

Almost any attempt at explaining such events can create dangerous misunderstandings. When we say, "Everything happens for a reason," and the thing that happens is something like the earthquake in Haiti, we run the risk of justifying the kind of death and devastation experienced by the Haitian people, or even worse, becoming complacent to it. We all to easily justify such events with such comments as... “it was God’s will.”

When horrible things happen in the world, it's easy, and even natural, to seek an explanation. Explanations, good or not so good, give us a sense of control over a situation we really have no power to control. They help us to understand what would otherwise be utterly incomprehensible. Ultimately, explanations give us a sense of meaning in situations that seem devoid of all meaning.

God's rule over creation involves both direct and indirect acts. God does judge the nations -- all of them -- and God will judge the nations. We must trust that His judgment is perfect and His justice is sure. He rules over all the nations and His sovereign has been demonstrated in the rising and falling of nations and empires and peoples. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that God is actively engaged in the affairs of humanity. He is no bystander in world events. The universe, even after the consequences of the fall in Eden, demonstrates the character of God in all its dimensions. While we may be given by Him an understanding of His will and purpose and how to please Him, we have no right to claim that we know why a disaster like the earthquake in Haiti happened at just that place and at just that moment.

So... is the earthquake God’s punishment on Haiti? Does God hate Haiti and its people enough to bring about horrible death and destruction? God hates sin, and will punish both individual sinners and nations. But that means that every individual and every nation is guilty when measured against the standard of God's perfect righteousness. God does hate sin, but if God merely hated Haiti, there would be no missionaries there; there would be no aid streaming to the nation; there would be no rescue efforts -- there would be no hope. The earthquake in Haiti, like every other earthly disaster, reminds us that all of creation groans under the weight of sin and the judgment of God.

Bad things like natural disasters happen not because of God's displeasure with a people or nation, but because this is a planet that has been suffering the curse of sin since the fall in Eden (Genesis 3:17-19, Romans 8:19-23). Jesus' own words in Luke 13:1-5 refutes the idea that Haiti is suffering worse than others because of their sins.

Everything about the tragedy in Haiti points to our need for redemption. This tragedy may lead to a new openness to the Gospel among the Haitian people. It may open the hearts of those deeply touched by the tragedy, who are reaching out in many ways. Now is the time, through the travails of this tragedy, when many will see the love of God expressed through frail and mostly helpless humans responding to Haiti’s needs. While tragic, the Haitian earthquake brings endless opportunities to see and know the boundless grace of God. Grace shown to all humanity in a world suffering from effects of sin. That is the glory of God.

Christ's people must do everything we can to alleviate the suffering, bind up the wounded, and comfort the grieving. If Christ's people are called to do this, how can we question Gods love or suggest that He has punished Haiti?

We live “in-between”... Christ’s going and His return! It is the “time of God’s grace” upon the earth and all its peoples. It is the time for His Word to go forth and be heard by all the world. The Cross of Christ casts like its light over all the earth, greater and more powerful than any natural disaster, casting its rays of hope and love embodied in the invitation of salvation. God is patient... desiring that all should come to know Him and be saved.

Natural disasters are a constant reminder of our helplessness without faith and trust in His grand promises for an eternal future... a “new earth and new heavens”... “all things made new.” If you have any doubts, reach for your Bible and read John 3:16... “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

That is God's message to Haiti.

HAITI... NOW is the time to GIVE GENEROUSLY!

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

The earthquake devastation in Haiti, has created thousands of new widows and orphans. Thousands of broken families suffering the loss of loved ones and living literally moment to moment, as they wait for something that resembles relief and renewed hope.

You certainly have plenty of opportunity to immerse yourself in the Godly expectation... to care for those who can do nothing for themselves.

Most of us have a real tough time imagining the life of an orphaned child or a widow. It’s difficult to fathom a day without food, clean water or the total lack of life’s most basic essentials. On a good day, life is tough in Haiti. Now, with the enormity of the earthquake’s devastation... for the down-hearted, life is fast approaching hopeless.

The vulnerable children have no one to care for them when they fall down, are hungry, sick, or need protection from the pouring rain. They have no shelter except that which will come from relief efforts. Many will go into the future alone with no hope for a home and a family.

The Church is the answer that will change the lives of these Haitian children forever. The Bible mentions caring for widows and orphans over forty times. In fact, as the Bible says in James 1:27, a critical measure of our faith and our standing before God Almightly is whether we care for widows and orphans in their distress.

Distress reigns in Haiti. YOU can help bring relief to the pain and suffering. Because God cares for orphans, he wants us to care for them as well.

This is part of, a major part of our intentional ministry for our Lord. We must chose to make the care of widows, orphans and vulnerable children a signature issue of God’s Church. RIGHT NOW... the most essential and meaningful way for every person to engage in caring for the needs in Haiti is to give generously. And continue giving until this human suffering caused by this horrific earthquake passes.

Churches are the most influential source of care and support. You must be a beacon for hope in a community, and a center of action. You have no time to pray about this... GOD expects you to act immediately... spontaneously... from the heart.
Whether you’re a person interested in caring for orphans locally or globally, DIRECT your giving NOW to HAITI.

To learn how to have an immediate impact on relief efforts in HAITI, please visit this website –– Northwest Haiti Christian Mission: http://www.nwhcm.org/

GIVE GENEROUSLY FROM THE HEART GOD IS REFINING IN YOU. GIVE WITH URGENCY. CONTINUE TO BE A FINANCIAL RESOURCE FOR THOSE ON THE FRONTLINES OF GOD'S WORK!

“The helpless put their trust in You. You are the defender of orphans Lord; You know the hopes of the helpless. Surely You will listen to their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them” (Psalm 10:17-18).

The Great Commission and the Holy Spirit - Empowering the Mission

The Great Commission is one of the most significant passages in the Holy Bible. First, it's the last recorded personal instruction given by Jesus to His disciples just before He ascended to heaven. Second, it's a special calling from Jesus Christ to all His followers to take specific action...

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

The Great Commission - Its Significance for ALL Christians
The Great Commission is the end of a Gospel and the beginning of faith in action for all Christians. This command from Jesus is significant because it's a personal instruction for Christians to have a profound faith in Jesus Christ as indicated in verse 18. "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." This is an incredibly powerful statement which demands faith in Jesus Christ, validating His power in the lives of Christians and their commitment to Him. If Christians do not believe this statement, complete faith cannot exist. Jesus is very clear about His authority in the world... it is complete and total from the beginning of time itself (John 1:1-3).

In verse 19, Jesus gives His believers specific directions to follow after they have affirmed their faith. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Jesus calls all His followers to act and share the Good News of salvation throughout the world.

Missionaries hear this calling and travel to all corners of the globe, spreading the word of Jesus Christ. Many Christians have made incredible sacrifices, traveling to remote regions of the world beyond the civilized cities into jungles and deserts. Mission fields can also be very close to home. It could be a neighbor who has not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, or a poverty stricken area just down the road where people can't afford Bibles. In the 21st century, the Internet has become a mission field where people can reach out and share Christ's love. The places and people who need to hear the Gospel are everywhere!

Finally, in verse 20, Jesus provides specific direction with affirmation to His followers, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Christians are instructed to teach others about Jesus Christ and the entirety of His truth. We can't profess Christ as Savior and Lord, while rejecting certain parts of His teachings. As we teach Christ's truths, verse 20 declares that we can be confident, in faith, that Jesus Christ will support us. This fact has proven trustworthy throughout the centuries as millions of believers have heard, accepted and shared the Good News of Jesus Christ. Yes, Christ has ascended back to heaven, but He is present by the power of the Holy Spirit in every believer working faithfully to proclaim the Gospel around the world!

Acts 1:8 - Our Mission Imperative
The Great Commission clarifies our responsibility. Jesus calls every Christian to step out in faith and spread the Good News. So where can I do that? Everywhere! NO limits, NO restrictions!

Jesus said just before he ascended to heaven... "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8)

Obedience to the Great Commission coupled with the power of the Holy Spirit enables our evangelism. It means there are no boundaries, no barriers, no obstacles that will stand in our way. It means we respond to the needs of people no matter where they are in the world. This is our faith in action!

It could be you spreading the Good News to a neighbor or moving to another country to reach the people there. It could be sharing with less fortunate kids down the street or spreading the Word in a town two hours away. It could be a church body rapidly responding to the urgent needs of people on the other side of the planet... people you don’t know, may never meet, but are suffering and in dire need.

Wherever we go, every faithful Christian is compelled through obedience to share the Gospel. If you're a believer in Jesus Christ, where has He called you to go? Who has God put on your heart to share the gift of salvation? What small or large steps can you take, with the knowledge that Christ will be by your side, "to make disciples of all the nations"? You can do it... because HE said you can!