Haiti Makes me Think

When I heard about the earthquake in Haiti last January, I couldn't even pronounce the country's name properly.  Embarrassing?  A bit.  Now, almost every day, it is in my face, in some way, shape or form.

Sometimes I have really wild dreams.  A few months ago, I dreamed that I was with a Baylor friend, teaching school where she and her husband are in Port-au-Prince.  One scene was me at the school with the kids, and the next thing I know, Adam is there and we're looking for a place to run.  I looked at him and said, "Adam, we can't run in the slums!"  But we did anyways, and we ran past tent cities and crumbling buildings.  So there I was, running.  In Haiti.  Whoa.  Talk about mind-blowing.

There's another family teaching at this same school, the Hendricks.  They have four boys and just uprooted their life and moved in August.  The mom, Heather, never fails to make me think.  Today she wrote about the "thankful tree" that she just hung up in their house.  She tore off the leaves from last year with things that her family had written on them.  And today, she posted this:

"As I was hanging our Thankful Tree on our wall in Haiti, I had to first remove last year's leaves. It was sweet to read what each of us had written.  We were thankful for things like frogs, cheese, forgiveness, chicken-n-dumplings, friends, mornings we get to sleep in.  As I was ripping off the used leaves, I whispered to the Lord..."I'm sorry.  I had no idea last year that we should be thankful for unlimited access to clean, running water.  24 hour electricity.  For a country filled with healthy churches pastored by men who love God and humbly preach the truth of God's Word.  For a government that builds libraries and roads and provides an education for its people.  That women and children are protected,not perfectly, but it's at least on our government's radar.  I'm sorry for not even thinking about how blessed we are to have three meals a day and a roof over our heads.  God forgive me.  I didn't know."


So during this month where we are especially reminded to be thankful, I'm reminded to be grateful for so many things I take for granted--especially things like water and electricity.  Today, I'm incredibly thankful for Haiti and those serving there.  Thank you for reminding me to get out of my bubble, to face reality and really become more aware of what's happening around me.  

Less is More

I have a Baylor friend that just recently returned to Haiti with her husband after living in Dallas for the Summer.  They have taught at a Christian school in Haiti since January, arriving just days before the earthquake hit.  You can read about Ben and Katie here.

 

One thing that they have commented on over and over again is how fast-paced life is back here in the states.  Their tone was not condescending, as they spent the entire summer going and going and going, but just more of an observation.  Katie's most recent post linked to a New York Times article about people who are choosing to live more simply, even in the U.S.  Tammy Strobel and her husband decided to downsize to 100 things and a 400 square foot apartment.  Whoa.

 

After getting back in town from vacation, my Mom offered to come help me get my apartment organized, since Claire and I were having a bunch of people over Friday night.  It was quite a helpful treat!  Needless to say, Mom brought to my attention the large amount of clothes that I have in my closet.  (I think we all know that I have a slight obsession with Target.)  As I write this, I have a huge urge to go home and clean out anything and everything I don't need.  (And I honestly don't need a whole lot.)

 

The news article suggested that people are happier when they spend money on exprieces rather than actual stuff, because you're creating memories instead of hoarding more junk. And I see where theyr'e coming from.  Personally, I'm happiest when I'm hanging out with my friends and family and we get to sit around and talk, or go to a park or hang out at the lake--things that actually cost very little, if anything at all.  (See BSB Weekend, Spending time with friends in town, or a Saturday filled with a run and hanging out).  It really doesn't take much.

 

More importantly than any article, though, this is what Scripture says about stuff in Matthew 6:19-21:

 

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

 

That's really what gets me, when I think about it.  With cars that don't always work and ceilings that leak (both things have happened to me this week), I am reminded that things can and are destroyed in a blink of an eye.

 

I realize that I have quite a long way to go in the less-is-more scenario, but hopefully this is just the beginning of something new.  And don't think this is easy for me!  I must confess that I cringed when I read in the article that Tammy "owns four plates, three pairs of shoes and two pots."  I'm not sure I will ever get to that point (but I've learned to "never say never!").  At least a seed has been planted. 

 

And now I'm off to clean out my closet...

 

Links worth Looking at...

Here's an update from my friend Katie in Haiti.  They are getting into a new routine and teaching about 65 students, grades K-12 again.  Please continue to pray for them and the people of Haiti.

Here's a story about a Houston family I've been following that has been trying to adopt a child from Haiti for several years.  After a very long process, including the dad going to Haiti to fight for their son, Ronel is finally coming home!  It's been such an amazing story to follow, and the mom, Debra, has a pretty cool blog, too. 

Here's an article on Matt Chandler, The Village pastor on how he and his family are trying to suffer well.  A really great piece. 

Here's a Washington Post article on Tim Tebow's upcoming "Celebrate Family.  Celebrate Life" ad during the Superbowl is already generating a lot of talk...in a good way, I think.  And it's not just because he's good looking.

And on a lighter note, here are some things I've enjoyed reading lately:


Valentine Treats

Cake Recipe and Coffee Cookies from MckMama

Funny Valentines from LOST and 24.

TV Valentines designed by Jennyology

Hope your week is going well.  Enjoy!

Good and Gracious

Another earthquake hit Haiti this morning around 6 a.m. I thought of my friend there, and went to check her blog. There was no news at that point, but I learned later today that they are fine.

This is from their most recent post yesterday:

We're ok. Why? How is that possible. This is why.

Therefore those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. Our hope does not in asking the question why but in knowing the character of a good, trustworthy, and gracious God. -1 Peter 4

It's not ok here. Nothing is ok about the suffering in this place. It wasn't ok even before the quake.But we're ok- for one reason. Not because we're comfy, not because we're happy- it's because we know the character of the one who's in charge, and he. is. good. Good to the core. Not safe, not predictable, not tame, but wild and good and true, and redeeming all things, making all things new, all the time. He doesn't waste a thing.

I am beyond grateful that we have a faithful, good, trustworthy and GRACIOUS God. Aren't you?

Pants on the Ground

This weekend at church, I spent it with 11th Grade Girls for Winter Weekend (aka Disciple Now). They were the sweetest group of girls, and I had so much fun with them and digging into deeper things.

Our big sessions with the whole youth group had a variety of entertainment options: a magician, a rapper, the New Zealand band Detour 180, the speaker and a comedy duo that was actually pretty funny. One of the things they referenced right away was the clip from American Idol where this old guy rapped a song called "Pants on the Ground." I went and looked it up, and could not stop rolling.

I tried to embed the video in this post from YouTube, and I can't really figure out how to do it. So just click here to follow the link. Enjoy. And if you know how to embed a YouTube video, let me know!

On a more serious note, please continue to pray for Ben and Katie in Haiti. They have to decide soon if it's best to stay there or evacuate. We also have another friend, Diane, at church that went as a nurse with a group of doctors to Haiti yesterday morning--please lift them up as well.