Responsible

“I am just as guilty of judging the poor as anyone else. I’ve said things like, ‘Well, I’m sure they would just go buy some cigarettes or beer, and I don’t want to enable an addict,’ or, ‘They have government help,’ or, ‘They can always go down to the homeless shelter.’ But here’s the irony: We judge families who get government help while we fail to help those very same people. On top of that, we often advocate shutting down the very social programs that keep their kids from starving. If the government discontinued all welfare programs tomorrow, I’m not sure we would be ready, willing, or able to help all of the people in need in our communities.

We may tell ourselves, ‘It’s not my problem. I have to take care of my own family.’ But if Christians are not responsible to care for the needy, who is?”

--Johnny Carr in “Orphan Justice”

Faces of Haiti: Valencia

Valencia, her mother, and brother.

I was rather surprised to receive this picture from a friend who just got back from Haiti. Valencia’s mother is still alive! But she is mentally ill and pregnant. I’m not sure where her Mom has been, what she does, etc. but it’s one more piece to the puzzle of this little girl that has captivated my heart. I pray that somehow, God would reconcile this seemingly broken family to Himself.

Haitian Proverb

Here is another good Haitian proverb:

Pa mete pye nan tout soulye.

“Don’t put your foot in every shoe.” Don’t meddle with things that don’t concern you.

Fill

“Use me then, my Savior,

for whatever purpose and in whatever way you may require.

Here is my poor heart, an empty vessel;

fill it with your grace.”

--D.L. Moody

Faces of Haiti: Reunited

While the above picture was taken last summer, I just saw a picture of these two today. After a whole year, M and T were finally reunited during another missions trip. These two had such a special friendship, similar to my relationship with Valencia. It makes me long for the day when I will finally be reunited with Valencia!