THEN SINGS MY SOUL SATURDAYS:HAITI ~ Pray and Give

I'm doing an update on this post. I hope you will read the whole thing. I know it is long but I hope you will read it all. I have tried to include a lot of good info. Oh, and my fever is gone and I'm feeling better but still definitely not back to my 'normal'. Please keep up those prayers. Thanks!


Watching the devastation in Haiti on the news leaves us with such a deep, helpless feeling. It brings back so many awful memories from other horrible tragedies and their aftermath we've seen in our lifetime. Some have been other natural disasters, some have been really horrific accidents and others were purposefully caused by man. Regardless of how they occur, they are all extremely painful to watch and all we want to know is what we can possibly do to help! Then we wonder, in the grand scheme of things, will our prayers really matter? Will our few dollars actually make an impact in this catastrophe? Can the Lord use me?

The answer is YES!

Do you remember the story of Jesus feeding the multitudes with just 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread?

“Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”… “And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.” So when they had their fill, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that REMAIN, so that nothing is lost" Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. John 5:6-13

When Jesus fed the multitudes with those two little fish and five barley loaves, every single person there had as much as they wanted and more than they could possibly eat. When all was said and done, there were twelve baskets FULL of bread crumbs, which I believe is symbolic of how God can multiply our faith when we give Him the little mustard seed that we have. When Jesus fed the 5,000 it was only one meal. It was one meal that pointed to who the Bread of Life is. It was one meal that demonstrated God’s provision, His love for His children, His ability to meet needs far beyond just today.

Whenever I've started to doubt God's provision or His ability to handle a situation, He has ALWAYS shown Himself faithful, no matter how big or how minute the circumstance. I just have to show a little faith because our God is a Great God!

If you have been trying to figure out a good place to donate money for the people who are suffering in Haiti, I can recommend an excellent organization. It is one that you can trust 100%. Operation Mobilization (OM) is an organization my husband and I donate to monthly and we will definitely be sending extra for the efforts in Haiti.

Before I became ill, I volunteered for OM. In May of 2006, I participated in an OM Medical Mission Outreach to Peru with a small team of other medical professionals and other volunteers. It was truly a life-changing experience for me and for many others who went on the trip. Soon after we returned, I became OM's Short-term Medical Ministries Coordinator and began helping to process and approve applicants to go on each new outreach as they were confirmed. Unfortunately, a few months ago, I had to step down due to the rapid progression of my illness. I am really praying that one day I'll be able to volunteer again.

The team and me in Peru

For now, I encourage each of you to visit Operation Mobilization's website. They have a HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF site open now. OM has already sent out an emergency response team to Haiti. Their immediate focus is on getting food, water and medical attention to a few orphanages there that they were already working with before the earthquake. They will also be searching the rubble of a school that collapsed on about 2,000 students to look for any signs of life. So far, no other help has reached that particular suburb of Port au Prince.

A few of the children and me in Peru

OM's FINANCIAL POLICY is always available online, so you can be positive you know exactly where your money is going should you decide you want to donate through this organization.

And, of course, we all need to be in prayer for the Haitian people and all their loved ones awaiting news. Also, pray for the Lord's hedge of protection and provision for those who are in Haiti helping with the rescue efforts and those who are traveling there as well.

Thanks for your time. I hope you have a wonderfully blessed day!

Teresa

P.S. Please pray for me. I have a fever this evening (Friday) and chills. I seem to be getting sick again. I'll keep you posted.

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