My Trip to Haiti

I have been to some pretty impoverished places in my life. Homes with dirt floors made of sheet metal and wood pallets, with a thin blanket for a door. People who are so frequently hungry, that the expression of joy on their face upon receiving a full plate of rice, you'd thought they had won the lottery.

No matter how may times I see these places, the shock and sorrow I feel never wanes. Why do they have to struggle so much? Why would someone just leave this beautiful child out on the street to die?

This trip to Haiti was a unique trip for me. I did not go to build or paint or fix anything. I didn't help with a VBS, I didn't really do anything. I have however, been commissioned to share what I witnessed, and I do so with a happy heart.

I went to see what an organization does to help some of the most needy people in the world.

I went to see Convoy of Hope in action.

Convoy of Hope coordinates with many different programs to get resources, food, and help to the people who need it most.

I met hundreds of kids in orphanages who, without Convoy of Hope, would simply not eat.

More than just providing food to the hungry, Convoy of Hope brings a message of God's love for everyone. They give through local churches and ministers, so the people receive food, and love from their local community.

It is simply amazing.

I had the privilege to sing with, play with, dance with and hug on some beautiful kids. Their smiles are forever burned onto my heart, and into my mind, and I am so glad for that.

More than that, I am privileged to do something about all this. Our church is going to be participating in two of Convoy's programs. One Day to Feed the World and Feed One.

These are simple ways for us to give out of our great abundance to people who have never known abundance.

It is our honor, it is our joy, and it is our duty.

I encourage you to read more about what Convoy of Hope does, and how you can partner as well. Perhaps through your church, through your family, or however else you decide. It is a worthy cause, and the need is so great.

Please ask me if you have any questions about where to start, or how to get involved. I would consider it a high honor to share the mission and heart of Convoy of Hope.

If you are anything like me, life has a way of distracting us, and getting our focus off of the things that matter most, and onto temporary and insignificant worries and desires.

It is my prayer, and my goal to stay focused, to stay on mission, and to keep my mind on what matters most.

People.

Not just the people in my immediate circle, but all people.

I ask that you do the same.

Let's ask God to help us keep a perspective of what matters most, and how we might be used. Maybe we should provide a kind word or a smile; or maybe a helping hand or word of encouragement, or maybe a plate of rice.

Whatever the need is, whatever the act may look like, let's be willing.


Here are some links to check out

Convoy of Hope

One Day to Feed the World

Feed One

Think Differently

I am a little embarrassed to say this, but I can remember the day, when I came to the realization that people did not think exactly the same as I do.

I was in my early 20's and this radical thought came to mind, "Just because I see things in a particular light, does not mean everyone else sees it the same way."

I say I am embarrassed because I feel like that is a truth we all should come to grips with at a much younger age.

In the moments where I forget this truth, I end up jumping to some poorly drawn conclusions.

I end up putting my reactions, my thoughts, my biases, my weaknesses, my strengths, my experiences, into another person's mind.

It is a strange thing to do, but we all do it.

So let me give you some examples, and explain why it is so important to avoid this type of thinking.

As a Dad of six uniquely beautiful, uniquely intelligent, uniquely talented kids I am compelled to understand and communicate with each of them in a way that is effective for them as an individual.

I have a son, who is very sensitive to any hint of negativity in your voice or language. If I have had a bad day, I need to make sure I am "ready" to communicate with him, lest I accidentally hurt his precious heart.

I have a daughter who needs quality conversation about things that have meaning to her. I may feel the subject is above her head, or that the subject matter is outside of my interest areas, but that doesn't really matter much to her. She loves to be engaged in great conversation.

If I were to think for my son, and decide on my own what kind of language is sensitive enough, I would frequently hurt him. If I were to choose what is an appropriate amount of conversation, and what is the right content for our talks, I would not be meeting a very real need my daughter has.

There is another element in this we must consider as well.

Not only do we need to engage in a way that has meaning for others, we need to be careful not to decide how people should respond to a situation.

Perhaps you are like me, and have caught yourself saying, "They really overreacted in that situation." In reality, what we are truly saying is, "They should not have felt such strong emotion in that situation, because I did not, or would not have felt that way."

You are completely unique and beautiful. You are a wondrous creation made up of gifts, talents, skills and passions. Your temperament is a compilation of the many moments and experiences you have walked through up to today.

That is wonderful, and God loves you completely just as you are.

So love others and treat them as they are, completely different than you. Give them room to react differently, to think differently, and to be different than you.

I will do my best, to pay the same kindness to you.

Cover It Up With Love

Have you ever noticed that people are imperfect?

In our relationships, we are constantly making the decision of which imperfections to point out, and which ones to overlook.

It is just a part of being in relationship with people. Yet, I think many of us could use some adjusting at how we approach this issue.

I have heard several times, of one person being upset, because another person is too critical. They feel as though they are constantly being picked apart.

Generally speaking, the person who is accused is a good-natured person. Yet for some reason they come across as overly critical.

I have heard many topics of conflict. They range from, "they are terrible with money", "they never follow through", "they are always late", "they are too insensitive", "they never listen", and the list goes on and on.

It is rare that the issue of contention is a non-issue.

What I mean by that is, people generally don't argue about issues that don't matter at all. I have yet to hear people argue over the fact that their first and last name don't rhyme.

I will say however, that just because the issue is a real issue, does not mean it needs to be constantly confronted or talked about.

Whenever we are in relationship with someone, and we see an area of weakness, we are faced with a few different options.

1. We can pretend we didn't see it, and hold our thoughts in.
2. We can hint around about what we see, but never really say anything directly.
3. We can say something directly, but not necessarily every time.
4. We can say something directly every time, or nearly every time.

These are the primary options I think most of us use.

Today, I would like to suggest an additional option.

1 Peter 4:8 says, Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Sometimes the solution when you see an imperfection in someone else, is to ask God to increase your love for the other person.

I know it seems like a crazy concept. You may be thinking, "They are the one with the problem!"

Well you are right, but so are you.

They have a problem with money, or time management; but you have a love problem.

So rather than arguing about whether or not the issue is worth an argument; ask God to increase your love for that person.

Allow the source of the argument to be covered with love.

If you are worried about whether or not this will work, just remember, "... love covers over a multitude of sins."

So yeah, it probably will work.


Interested in reading about what to say, if you believe it is an issue worth addressing? Click Here