-
Haiti: Day Two Recap
Today marked the first full day in Haiti. We left early in the morning so Wade could catch some good light on the way to our 10AM meeting. Driving in Haiti is nuts, especially in PaP. Seeing the earthquake damage was unreal, to think that bodies still lay in the ruble is deeply sad.
Our one goal for this trip was to connect with a local leader, a leader who loves church planting and is already doing orphan care. I think we may have found that guy. My new Haitian friend lost his brother in the earthquake. Since the earthquake, his church has doubled, and he has taken in 14 extra orphans whose parents died in the earthquake. A courageous person no doubt. Yet this pastor needs support and partnership.
There are many issues in Haiti. Yet the people work hard to make ends meet. Their stories are inspiring. Yet, it’s frustrating to think how hard they have to work just to survive.
Last night we crashed at Troy Livesay’s home. It was good to see Troy, Steven Bush and to also meet Robbie Seay. Great time to process our experiences and laugh. Because In Haiti, if you don’t laugh, you may just cry!
-
Haiti Recap: Day One
It’s good to be in Haiti. We had a smooth travel day, and for that I’m happy. Some thoughts:
- The plane was packed with western missionaries. Big groups of people wearing mission shirts. I’m stoked they are here, yet something about this bothered me.
- Leaving Port-au-Prince airport was surreal. Lot’s of desperate people, big crowds, chaos, etc!
- We saw Steven Bush, and Troy Livesay walking on the streets of PaP. Crazy!
- Mission of Hope team is amazing.
- Yes, it’s hot, and humid.
- The landscape is beautiful. The stars are amazing, Oh how we forget.
- Did I mention it was hot
Can’t wait for day two.
-
Haiti: what can we do?
I’m writing this blog on a flight from DFW to Miami. In just a matter of hours, we will land in Port-au-Prince, Haiti for a five day journey of learning, discovery and a time to build new friendships! My heart is already heavy, knowing that we’re going to connect with new friends, who just a few months ago were pulling bodies from rubble. These women and men have been through so much, they’ve lost so much, they need to much.
I often wonder what we can do to help. My hope this week is simple, our very presence will offer some sort of hope and light. Maybe we can give a hug, or simple smile, or say something that will make a difference.
I do know this, our greatest gift we can give is our presence, and that’s what we hope to do this week!
Of course presence can only go so far. These people also need food, medicine, water, and shelter. They need short-term needs met, so we can focus on long-term solutions.
On this trip, we hope to tell great stories, stories that will cause action, stories that will help fuel a better way to live. But, we don’t just want these stories to be random or impersonal, we hope, by time the week ends, we will tell stories of our friends who need others to walk with them, in such a time of need.
And yet, for whatever reason, the real reality is this: when I board a plan to return home, I have a feeling these local Haitians are going to bless me, far more than I will bless them. Read James 2, and you’ll know why!
-
How to Pray
In just a few days, we will take our first trip to Haiti. Below are some practical ways that you can pray for us, as we go serve our friends who have lost so much.
1. Wisdom: We need wisdom, on what to do, how to do it, and who to do it with.
2. Humility: We are not trying to “save” Haiti. We will leave that to the Haitians and God. Instead, we want to serve the people of Haiti. We enter the country with a sense of humility. (I get that “save” is a dangerous word)
3. Partnership: We’re looking for NGO’s and local Haitians to partner with longterm. We have a lot of options on the NGO side, we just need to connect with that ONE Haitian leader, that we can partner with longterm.
4. Sensitivity: As we try to tell story through film and photography, we need to be sensitive to the local culture in the process. Yet, also pray that we will be able to fully capture the tragedy, and be able to use story to bring peace and help.
5. Vision: We want to do something practically to help. We want to improve the lives of those who suffer. Pray that God will give us a vision that will be clear, concise and effective.
6. Execution: Going is great, it’s needed. My hope is simple, when we return, we can execute a plan, and really make an impact in Haiti.Thanks for praying for us and the people of Haiti.
-
Help us HELP Haiti: Prayer & Fasting
In one week from today, Jacob, Scotty and myself (Chris) will be heading to Haiti. You can read more here.
There are two things that we want:
1. We want you to go with us. Here’s how you can do that:
- Follow this blog for updates. We hope to post pictures, videos, and other updates while in Haiti.
- Follow us on twitter.
– @helpendpoverty
– @scottawade
– @jacobvanhorn
– @chrismarlow
2. Pray with us and for us. This Thursday, and Friday, we’re going to have a time of fasting for the trip. If you could join us, fast a meal, or maybe fast the day, and pray, that would be great. We will post a few specific needs tomorrow.
Also, would you fast one day next week as we will be in Haiti, serving the Haitian people, learning from key leaders and processing how we can help.
So, if you’re willing to pray and or fast, please leave a comment on this blog. That will be really helpful, and encouraging! And we would hate to assume, that we can go to Haiti, with God’s presence, love, wisdom and strength.
Chris
Founder/Director -
Chicago Tribune Article
A few weeks ago, I received an email from a Chicago Tribune reporter wanting more information about adoptions in Haiti. As the reporter started to ask questions about adoptions in Haiti, I begin to talk more about the global orphan crisis in general, and of course the Haiti crisis before and after the earthquake, much of that info was included in the article.The story ran yesterday. Here’s the link, stoked that we get the privilege to advocate for the orphan.
-
HELP: End Local Poverty in Haiti:
Dear Friends,As I write this, it’s 2:30AM. My soul is restless as I think about the suffering in Haiti, and how HELP can respond. Jeff Mangum (HELP co-founder) and I have discussed, several times over the past year, that Haiti would be the next country we work in. Then, the earthquake took place, and we wanted to do somthing, so we did. We sold shirts, held fundraisers, and sent funds for baisc nessessities, such as food and water.
At the same time, we wanted to make sure the timing was right before we committed to Haiti for the long haul. We did not want to rush in, make promises we could not fulfill and possibly lose focus on our Zimbabwe mission. (Most of you know, were really passionate about those 100 kids in Zimbabwe.)
Yet, Over the past week, we officially decided to work long term in Haiti as an organization. Which for us means rescuing orphans, restoring their hope and renewing their communites. And, we need your help to make this happen.
In 3 weeks, a team of us will travel to Haiti. The team consists of the following:
1. Myself
2. Scott Wade (photography and story-telling)
3. Jacob Van Horn (Pastor, Soma Austin)
Our goal is:
1. Asses the situation, and find how we can help.
2. Find a local Haitian national, who is passionate about the local church, church planting and orphan care. Our desire is to serve this national.
3. Listen to the locals, learn from their experience, and create plan-of-action to serve the people of Haiti, through the local church.
4. Find a clear understanding on how these potential projects will work; cost, materials, timeframe, Haitian laws, etc.
5. Connect with potential partners (churches, NGO’s) on the ground. We will work with these partners long-term to provide needs, such as clean water, shelter, education, etc! We’re currently talking with Living Water International and some others.
Currently, our hopes are to raise $100,000 in the next 12-16 months. These funds will go directly to serving orphans on the ground. Here’s what we would like to do:
1. Build, or rebuild orphanages that will rescue orphans. (2011 or 2012)
2. Launch our child sponsorship program, which will restore these orphans hope and provide day-to-day needs, so the local leaders can work on other important issues, and not be overwhelmed by the daily necessities of life.
3. Help renew these broken communities by working on long-term development issues to help the people of Haiti. We need solutuons, such as clean water, finance, education, etc.
But, our biggest need is this: to connect with a local Haitian national, one person whom we can serve long-term. So please pray that this happens. We want to walk with this key leader, and help them end local poverty in Haiti.
After our trip in May, we will roll out our long-term plans, or at least the next steps. But, in the meantime, we need your help. We are looking for investors who will help off-set the cost of going Haiti this May. We simply don’t have the necessary funds to cover 100% of the cost ourselves. So, we need to raise $2,000 in the next 2-3 weeks to cover the cost of this trip.
Here’s how you can help:
1. Send a check to: (Please email us, and let us know if possible)
H.E.L.P.
PO Box 202647
Austin, TX 787202. Click the Paypal button below (or email link) and give to our travel fund. An automatic receipt of your giving will be emailed to you immediately.
-
Tom Ward Interview
Last week we announced a new team member to the H.E.L.P. tribe. Below is an interview with Tom Ward, Director of Restore Initiatives. I love Tom’s heart for the gospel, the global poor and Africa.
You can follow Tom: @thomaseward.Also, here’s the link to the Nick Kristof article on orphans in Zimbabwe.
-
Speaking: Austin New Church
This morning I spoke at one of my favorite churches, Austin New Church. It felt good to speak in Austin, as opposed to traveling. Here’s some thoughts:
- I really enjoyed the people of ANC. Lot’s of great conversations, this church is prepared to serve, act and sacrifice.
- The worship was great, props to Lamar Stockton and band.
- It was also great to see Kyle Lent. Love that dude.
- And, it was great to see author and speaker Jen Hatmaker.
- I spoke on Gospel Justice. I cried. I hate that. I love that. Last two messages, I did not cry. It is what it is.
- Lot’s of tears in the audience. Tears of pain, hurt and conviction.
- Not sure the final count, but I think 7-10 kids were sponsored, which is exciting.
Here’s some pics of our booth:
Here is a link to the speaking audio.
Thanks to ANC for inviting us to share. We had a great time.
-
New H.E.L.P. Family Member (s)
This may be one of the most exciting days in our short history. A few weeks ago, I spent 10 days with Tom Ward, and his family. Needless to say, Tom and I really connected. We both have a deep passion for the gospel, the global poor and the orphan. A key trait I look for, as we launch a start-up non-profit is risk. Who’s willing to take the risk that is necessary? Well, I learned that Tom, and his wife Cherie are both risk-takers. After multiple conversations talking about our vision and dreaming about the future, Tom has decided to come on staff with HELP. This is exciting news, I’m so thrilled. Tom has traveld the globe extensively, worked with orphans and he’s already connected to some key leaders in Zambia and India. Tom will be The Director of our Restore Initiatives. Which means, Tom will oversee our child sponsorship program, Help One Sundays. (church partnerships) and he’ll also oversee some day-to-day operations. Tom will eventually relocate to Austin, TX with his family in the near future.Next week, we will post a interview with Tom. Can’t wait, until then, please welcome Tom and Cherie, and their 3 kids, Ashleigh, Sarah and Ethan.
