Haiti

As many of you know, I’ve decided to go on a trip to Haiti this winter break with some other friends to assist in the earthquake relief effort. Me and Jason Carlson are still trying to work out details as fast as we can so we can promote the trip more effectively. Basically what we want to do is go down there for around 10 days and do a variety of rubble-clearing, construction, visit orphanages, prayer walk, etc. Overall I think it will be a life-changing trip for all of us.

But the main question I've been getting is why I want to go. And that answer is a lot bigger than "I want to help the Haitians". I've noticed in American culture this year that supporting Haiti relief efforts is almost kind of the cool thing to do. I mean look at how many celebrities are supporting the efforts, and honestly it probably great PR and a great way to pick up more fans. Not saying that's why they're doing it, but you do look like a nice, charitable person if you support Haiti.

Since last fall, the Holy Spirit has been growing in me a desire to rescue people around the world that are victims of injustices and physical challenges. A lot of this came through the Spirit's working through the teachings of Francis Chan, such as his messages and Crazy Love. It wasn't so much that he was good at convincing to emphasize a certain good deed, but rather that he simply drew out what the Bible already says on the matter that I've been so ignorant of for the better part of my life. Here's a couple problems I see with how American Christians think regarding this issue-

1. I think as American Christians, we're really good at talking. Just look at how many ways we have to communicate without actually being physically present with people. Its astonishing. In the church buildings, we like to talk a lot as well. We listen to at least one sermon every week, often more, we have small groups, prayer groups, Bible studies, we get together for coffee. In these settings we often entertain a multitude of wishful thinking. Maybe we talk about how we're so stuck in certain sin and all we want is a way out. We make committments to start fresh and live life different (This time I promise, is the last time! Ya, how many times have you heard that?). We say, "I really want to get really good at the guitar. No, this summer I'm gonna do it." See what I mean? We really do a lot of talking. And when it comes to helping the poor, its no different.

Last night I watched Hotel Rwanda, a movie about the 1993 racial genocide of the Tutsi's in Rwanda. During a conversation between the main character and a UN peacekeeper, the main character, Paul, stresses the need to have the monstrosities shot on film so the whole world could see. He asks the the UN officer, "Well, after the Americans watch what has happened here, they will have no choice but to help, right?" And the officer replies by saying "Actually they'll probably look at it and say, 'Oh my God that's horrible', and go back to eating their dinner." I don't want to be that guy. With so much talking we do, I want to just get up and do something that counts, not just give up a few bucks and move on.

I don't want to be like Peter- who talked a little bit too much at times. He promised Jesus he would never leave Him, no matter what happened. He talked like that even when Jesus said, No, you will deny me. I don't want to talk big and then deny Jesus now that I've got a shot at this.

2. The second mistake we make- we believe that some people are 'called' to have a heart for the poor. That's not true at all, every man and woman under the banner of Christ should have an immense heart for the poor and abused, because that is God's heart. Just read the Bible for once, it's all over the place. Want to read a great example of doing rather than talking? Read Isaiah 58. Now some people are called to make the life's work about helping the poor, others not, but this should be a frontline concern of every Christian. It's like saying, "I think God is calling me to be a patient person." Every Christian should strive to be more patient, simply because God is patient.

With that being said, I have felt a strong call on my life to make it about helping people oppressed and afflicted. I mean when are we more like Jesus than when we are rescuing people? Isn't that what He did for us? What a beautiful model that is- that we can represent a part of what Christ did for us by rescuing the poor. You guys, this has to be what we are about. We give fairly well when disaster is on the front pages, but give it a few months and everyone forgets and moves on. We're so attached to this idea that out of all we make, we keep 90% while we give God 10%. You guys, I think God meant that we give the top 10% of what we have, not the leftovers. David once said that he never wants to give a sacrifice that costs him nothing. May we live with the same heart.

I'm going to Haiti this winter break because I am tired of talking, I am ready to get in there and spread the gospel of Jesus through good deeds. I feel like I may do this kind of thing my whole life, and this is my first taste of it. I want to be there in the rubble and see and taste and hear the sounds of the broken world, and I want to experience it for all it's worth. I want to rep Christ in the way lay down my life, I want to be a part of God's story in Haiti. I know all of this has happened for a reason. Haiti has the reputation for of a wicked nation- I know like New Orleans, God is doing something beautiful in rebuilding the nation. And I get to be a part of that? What a rush! This is what I have to do, this is right.

So please, help us however you can by praying intently for us, supporting us financially (opportunities will come), and who knows maybe I just convinced you to come with us. I thank all of you who have realized God's heart for the broken and are doing something that counts.

- Chris