Now that I've been back for a couple of days I thought I would share my heart with you. Perhaps you would like to know why I went.
It has occurred to me since my return from Haiti just over a week ago that there are two ways to look at major disasters. One can look at it from the perspective of Google Earth (the satellite view) or from the perspective of Facebook (relationships and networks with people) .
Whether it is Haiti, Katrina or any other major disaster, some people just look at it from the perspective of Google Earth. When we look at disasters from that perspective, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and useless. After all, from a satellite view, Haiti really hasn’t changed since the earthquake. Oh yeah, there are a lot more VSGs (Visible Spontaneous Gatherings) which is WHO-speak for tent cities. But the destruction is still there. It just looks like piles of rocks. This view, although it may be helpful for planning, has never been very inspiring to me personally. This type of a view makes me just want to stay home. After all, who am I to think that I can change anything of this magnitude. Nope, it’s not possible to even make a dent. Besides I really like my shower and I'll never cease to appreciate that it is hot and the water is so clean I can even drink it.
The Facebook view, on the other hand, is a different thing altogether. If you want to "find" yourself, give your self away. “Connecting” brings meaning to our lives; life is about relationships, it's about purpose. It is the belief that I can make a difference in the lives of a few and that difference will multiply beyond my wildest dreams. I believe that this difference will have a lasting impact on their friends and families in this generation and maybe even in the generations to come. (I'm not talking about "the doctor thing" by the way. I'm talking about bringing hope and love. And anyone can do that.) Now, that gets me off my couch and out of my comfort zone. A hot shower is nothing compared to making an impact. When I touch the life of one person, I touch a family and their network of friends. You can’t see that from a space but you can see it in the smile of another person. Despite my inability to speak their language, I can still connect with people using a deeper language -- a language where hearts are brought together and lives are touched.
I can bring some healing. I can bring hope. And, most importantly, I can bring love.
One person at a time.
So can you.
I would love to hear your stories as well. Please ponder these two questions:
- How was your life changed by someone that reached out and cared about you, your family or your friend?
- Have you left your comfort zone to reach out? If so, what happened to the people you were reaching out to? What happened to you?
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#1,when a safty net failed me after an injury and i lost a great deal including a first house and business men stepped forth and gave me opertunity for work and a house,(the Lord did not fail me) this opened my eyes to how much just one person has to give someone in need.
#2,first to basicaly intern with a Mexican pastor and comunity in maryland-to work alongside him and to gain skills and confidence to reach out to the Harvest. encouragement and a sharing of our hearts resulted and bringing a confidence to develop relationships in our congregations,its been really cool. as well reaching out to the homeless and devloping relationships with others already out in this harvest feild, has opened doors for further work and ministry with homeless and caregivers and outreachs already on the streets.
Steve,
Thanks for sharing your story. I can't help but thinking that the break that the businessman gave you has had a tremendous impact on the lives of the homeless he hasn't even ever met. It reminds me a bit of the movie, "Pay it Forward". Thanks!
1. After a huge change in my life when I was 21, I moved clear across the country to make a fresh start. I met a tremendous group of people who surrounded me and encouraged me as I made this move, they helped me learn how to lean on God for strength when I didn't have it in me anymore. Over the 10 years I have been away from any family, I have been blessed with a church family that has touched my life in so many ways that I can't begin to explain it here. Whenever I needed a friend or "family" there has always been someone there for me, a true blessing from God.
#2 there are 2 times that come to mind, one was a trip to Turkey to spend some time in an orphanage for children with disabilities. The way the smiles on their faces lit up when our team entered the room is a sight I will never forget, it seemed at the time such a small thing to bring a guitar, sing a few songs, play with them, get them out of their cribs if they couldn't on their own, but the joy it brought them showed all over their faces. the second, is 2 trips to New Orleans, one and two years after Katrina. There it was the connecting with the people and hearing their stories, whether the young or old, we were told many times how much it meant to them that we came all the way from Canada to help them. It has forever touched my heart and drives me to spend time each year in some kind of mission work, whether that is at home or far away, I know it is what I am called to do.
Thanks Dr. Dan for sharing your experiences with us! It is great to see God working through all His people!
I have gone into a "meth" house (full of people I had never met) and walked out with two dogs that really needed to be taken out of there. This was very much out of my comfort zone and actually kinda scary but I think the dogs would have died in there if they were not rescued. I know, not anywhere near Haiti, but helpful nonetheless.
Kim: New Orleans was amazing. The events following Katrina had a huge impact on me. I'm still in touch with some of the folks that I worked with. In fact two of them called me to see if they could help in Haiti! Also, it was interesting to note that following Katrina there were a bunch of the New York Firefighters there that had served following the 9/11 disaster. They wanted to give back to the world that gave to them. And, now the New Orleans folks want to give back. It is amazing how it changes your life and your perspective when people give of themselves to help!
Lori: The whole issue of animals following disasters was really overlooked prior to Katrina. They officials were caught off guard and people from around the USA rallied to help. It was amazing to see the response. Good Job Lori for intervening and going out of your comfort zone. But, be careful.
#1: Our adoptive daughter lives a pretty tough life. The last few years, her school hasn't met her needs educationally, socially or emotionally. We made the decision to send her to a private Christian school rather than have her go to a large Middle School, where she would be tossed aside. It has been wonderful for her. Her teachers work with her and adapt to meet her needs. They call her at home to give her encouragement on projects. AND they pray with her! They keep us up to date on her progress. Most of all, they make her feel loved. She hated going to school before this year because she felt like an outcast. Now she worries about being late to school. She feels important, not thrown away. She feels loved, not forgotten. She has a long way to go, but a little effort by about five people has made a huge difference in her life.
#2: I am constantly amazed how the Holy Spirit works in our lives and how we find our spiritual gifts when we aren't looking for them. When I was about 22, I discovered a gift that was far outside of my comfort zone. I was an EMT and was in a home where an elderly woman had a cardiac arrest. My partner asked me to go sit with the husband, who also had health issues and "look after" him until the Chaplin got there. I would much rather treat the patient. I'm an introvert, so talking to a "stranger", let alone one who was going through an extremely difficult time, was WAY outside of my comfort zone. I introduced myself and just listened to him tell me stories about his wife and their life together. I answered his questions about what was going on. It didn't seem like I was doing much. His wife didn't survive. The next week, he came down to the station looking for me, to thank me for making a difficult situation much easier. I was surprised, since I felt totally unequipped to help him. I was in this situation many more times and discovered this was a real gift of mine.
Now, my husband and I are continually challenged as we minister to Junior High Youth, another thing I never saw myself doing. I'm much more a one-on-one person that a youth group leader, but there was a need about 10 years ago that we were asked to fill. Junior High Youth can be scary ... They are spiritually inquisitive, struggle with the changes that happen during puberty, and finding their own voice in the world. I was worried I wasn't equipped to answer their questions, support them through parental or peer struggles and would be "boring". Through all of the challenges, they continually reward us with love and laughter. We learn as much from them as they do from us and we all grow spiritually together. (... and for an "old" person, they think I'm "cool".)
Cynthia,
Thanks for sharing the stories. Here are 2 questions for your daughter (yes, I know which one): 1. Do you know why you feel so much better at this school?
2. Can you think of 2 other kids that you could make a difference with by showing them the same kind of love and care that your teachers showed?
Then have her track how it goes in a journal or sketch book.
Cynthia,
Thanks for sharing your story about your daughters experience at school. I work in an elementary school and every day am challenged with how can I touch the lives of the kids I interact with. I started at a new school in October, and it is amazing to see how I have been able to connect with some pretty at risk kids (it's an inner city school) I am so thankful that there are christians I work with in the public system who care about the kids and see the time and effort put in to connecting with them. i know its not always the case, and it saddens me to hear stories like yours. It also pushes me to work harder to show God's love to the kids who need it the most! So glad things have worked out for you!
1. Absolutely!! I grew up in foster care, had some rough times growing up. However there were some key people placed in my life, whether it be a teacher, a friend's parent, a stranger, who just with one act of kindness, made me feel important and loved, at a time when I didn't think I was. And it's those simple acts that were life changing and made me who I am today. I remember Ms. Kathy who worked in the school office, and when I came to school in 2nd grade with long messy unclean hair, she kept a little box in office with a brush and pretty barrettes.. Every morning with a smile she helped me, taught me and inspired me.
2. I am a firm believer in pay it forward.. I will never be "out of the red" with all of the acts of compassion and kindness that has been shown to me in my life and if I show just one person kindness and how loved they are, then the whole experience is worth it.There are moments in your life that sets the course and makes who you are going to be. Sometimes they're little subtle moments. Sometimes they're big moments you never saw coming. No one asks for their life to change, but it does. It's what you do afterwards that counts. That's when you find out who you are. Dan, it was a pleasure working and serving with you in Haiti!! God Bless my friend!! ~Mel
