Bummed Out!

I have to admit that I’m still a lot bummed out over Colt McCoy’s 1^st quarter injury during this year’s BCS National Championship football game.  I guess, like the rest of the Horns’ fans, I’ll always be haunted by the “what ifs” posed by his early departure from the game.  Since then I’ve watched his post-game interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters at least a dozen times.  I’ve been impressed by his sincerity, his humility, his graciousness, but most of all, by the depth of his faith in God.  After choking back tears and congratulating Bama for their victory, he said, “I always give God the glory.  I never question why things happen the way they do.  God is in control of my life.  And, I know, if nothing else, I’m standing on the Rock.”  What a powerful statement! 

As Colt spoke, I immediately thought back to a conversation I had in The Netherlands when I heard a similar statement.  My wife and I were visiting a refugee center outside of Eindhoven with some of our IMB missionary personnel.  We met a young African woman, who had recently arrived from Sudan.  She invited us and our host missionaries into her white-washed college dormitory-style room—a single bed, a desk, a couple of wooden chairs and a small closet.   After a few minutes to warm up to each other, she began to share her story.  At one point she sadly mentioned an incident during which her husband was decapitated within a few feet of her grasp.  My heart leapt into my throat.  I couldn’t imagine anything more horrendous.  Spontaneously, I reached out to hold her hand.  I asked her how she was holding up.  She responded that she was OK and serenely added, “I’m standing on the Rock.” 

Standing on the Rock…  Standing on the Rock of her salvation, Jesus Christ…  Her life, just like Colt McCoy’s, is firmly grounded on the Rock of her faith, a faith that permits her to weather the inevitable storms of life.  I could rejoice over the fact that she was a Christian and was experiencing God’s sustaining touch, but at the same time I was tormented over the reality that literally thousands upon thousands of refugees were arriving in Western Europe who hadn’t ever heard of Jesus Christ, much less the eternal peace He offers.  This prompted me to make a major shift in the deployment of our missionaries throughout Western Europe.  Within a couple of years we went from a missionary presence of 250 working among indigenous Western Europeans, to over 450, among whom half were ministering to the burgeoning refugee population. 

Please pause today to lift up continuing ministry among refugees around the world.  Thank God for His children, who, at great personal sacrifice, have left the comforts of home and the security of family to respond to His call to offer a cup of water in His name, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who’ve never experienced the librating truths of the Gospel.  Ask God to heal painful wounds and to prepare hearts to receive the seed of the Gospel.  Pray for your own personal sensitivity to the needs of refugees and immigrants, those who queue up with you at the check-out counter.  Perhaps God has a cup of water He would like for you to offer in His name.

To view Colt McCoy’s complete ESPN interview, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5XdrLCftsY .

Praying for Haiti, 9

Try for a moment to imagine what life is like. Just think…right now…as you are reading this blog…an earthquake hits. You run to the door and escape, but do you have money in your pocket with which to buy food for three weeks? Imagine. Banks in Haiti have only just started opening again, so it has been important for them to have a little cash or items for bartering. Do you have a change of clothes in your pocket, or will you—obviously—have to endure wearing the same thing for several days? Do you have phone numbers for your family members who live out of state so that you can call and let them know you are okay?

Try to imagine…just for a moment…

Delores York, serving at the hospital on the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, shares, “The world as we have known it has been turned upside down, shaken, and is in constant flux. Please, pray for sanity, wisdom, energy, and for us to follow Christ each step that he leads on this journey. It has become abundantly clear that what was, is no more.”

Many Haitians still do not know where their family members are—three weeks following the earthquake. Pray that Haitian families that have been separated can be reunited as well as asking God to bring closure for families whose loved ones have died. Intercede for four medical teams and supplies that are in Haiti this week. Carry the burdens of Haitian believers to the Father as they seek to proclaim the Gospel to frightened, hungry and injured individuals.

Bangla team rolling down river to pantoon plane Friday

Bangla team rolling down river to pantoon plane Friday

Praying for Haiti, 8

It is incredible to see the names of all the countries involved in aid to Haiti—Canada, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, France, Sri Lanka. The people of the world have truly been touched by the suffering and massive need. Southern Baptist relief groups, including the Florida Baptist Convention, North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, and Baptist Global Response, have been cooperating from the beginning and need our continued prayers. Assessment teams have brought their reports; and detailed plans are being established—four “strategically selected” medical teams will go to Haiti next week, traveling through the Dominican Republic. Two representatives from Florida will travel with them to make arrangements for trained disaster relief teams.

Sending boxes of aid supplies is relatively easy, but complications arise when customs and distribution and security matters are considered. In-country support and transportation for mission teams is extremely difficult due to the widespread damage. Access to airports and shipping docks remains highly restricted. Consider, as well, the need to be able to provide shelter for the volunteers themselves.

Give thanks for the spirit of cooperation and ask the Lord to bless these teams with long-suffering, kindness, and endurance. Pray now for the volunteer teams that will be going to Haiti over many, many months.

Praying for Haiti, 7

Have you noticed? There are pictures of children being bathed on the street with a bucket and small ration of water, of families hanging their laundry over bushes and fences, of people setting up rudimentary shops to sell local foods or even to provide a cell phone recharging service. I smiled when I saw one photo of a small boy. He had transformed a paper plate and some string into a kite. Life in Haiti is nowhere near normal, but the Haitian people are looking for normalcy in doing simple things.

Haitian believers are also doing what is normal for believers—they are singing and praising God’s name, they are praying, and they are gathering together daily for worship. One congregation, Shiloh Baptist Church in Port-au-Prince, has lost four church leaders. Many also lost their homes and family members. Please pray that new leaders will step up to guide this congregation and the many others in similar circumstances. Pray that the Lord will give Haitian Christians a vision of revival as they rebuild their lives and ministries.

Give thanks for the glimpses of joy the Lord provides as a child flies a kite and Christians sing praise…

Praying for Haiti, 6

The flow of relief supplies for Haiti is increasing and help is reaching more remote locations each day. We can certainly be grateful for those who persevere to bring aid in the midst of very difficult situations. Food is being distributed at the damaged Florida Baptist Mission House located in Haiti, and it will eventually be repaired by volunteer teams.

The Arkansas medical response team is extremely busy as they see patients in Port-au-Prince. And missionaries work in a hospital just on the Haiti/Dominican Republic border—translating, providing medical care, offering hope. Sleep isn’t something missionaries Dawn Goodwin, Sam or Deloris York have seen much of in the past few days. “I just did a 24-hour shift,” Goodwin said. “I haven’t been able to get much sleep, but there aren’t enough translators.”

This week when you have that odd sleepless night, please take the time to pray for Haiti. Ask God to allow you to bear their burden with them and offer your waking hours as a sacrifice of prayer. God is the One who is able to open the roads so congested with debris. He is able to make connections between relief shipments and those in greatest need. He is able to bring rest to the weary and comfort to the hearts of those grieving. Pray for Haiti and give thanks for each step of progress made.

Praying for Haiti, 5

Southern Baptist bi-vocational pastor Tim Dortch from Camden, MS, probably never imagined that he was preparing for an earthquake when he built a compound in the Dominican Republic, about an hour from the Haitian border. His plan was to use the facility to help start churches among Haitians and Dominicans. After hearing the devastating news reports, Dortch broke down in tears—and prayer. “That night I prayed to God that He would show me what to do,” Dortch said. “God’s given me a heart for Haiti.” Dortch made his compound available to an IMB media team and traveled in with them, carrying medical supplies and donations. Visit http://imb.org to read the full story “A Miracle” of how God connected Dortch with two orphanages that were desperate for supplies. “I just did what God told me to do,” said Dortch.

Is God prompting you to do something?

Adam Hammond, the IMB’s strategy leader for Central America and the Caribbean, urges Southern Baptists interested in volunteering in the Haiti relief effort — in medical care or other ways — to send an e-mail to haitiresponse@imb.org. In that e-mail, potential volunteers should indicate their name and contact information, what skills they have and when they are available.

Give thanks to God for prompting Tim Dortch years ago to build that compound and for now orchestrating events to bring timely, urgent assistance to 150 orphans. Ask God to make the crooked ways straight and the rough ways smooth for Baptist relief agencies as they strive to carry all forms of aid to thousands of hurting Haitians.

Praying for Haiti, 4

Pastor Gedeon Eugene, vice president of the Baptist Convention of Haiti, recently shared with statesiding IMB missionaries Mark and Peggy Rutledge that Bienne Lamerique, 56-year-old pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Port-au-Prince, died of injuries sustained when his house collapsed during last week’s earthquake. According to Eugene, Pastor Lamerique was “one of our best pastors.”

Since the Rutledges have served among the Haitian people for over 26 years, they knew Pastor Lamerique very well. According to Peggy, “Haiti lost a godly man, who had a heart for people and for reaching people. He planted more churches than any other pastor I know in the convention. We loved him dearly.”

Peggy explains, “There has just been so much devastation in Haiti. It’s going to take God to bring people through.” She encourages us to “pray that God will open the doors to reach people and to be able to help people, because this is beyond what any one organization can do.” Peggy said, “They have been equally devastated spiritually and emotionally. Pray that God will bring the right people in to minister to Haitians in more than just material ways.”

In addition to praying fervently for the needs mentioned by Peggy Rutledge, please pray for Pastor Lamerique’s grieving family, as well as for the Shiloh Baptist Church congregation.

I encourage you to write a prayer as a comment to this post.

For the complete details, see Maria Elena Baseler’s article “Haitian Baptist pastor reported victim of quake” at www.imb.org.

Praying for Haiti, 3

So many days have passed with prayers being lifted around the clock—we can do no less. News reports bring the devastation to our attention constantly, and we are reminded to pray without ceasing. During one interview, a doctor said, “We just do the next thing.” Relief supplies are being staged at the airport but have not reached the hospital yet. So, this particular medical team is not waiting for the proper tools and medicines. They are simply doing what they can, at this moment, to save lives.

A U.S. military representative was interviewed about their on-going assignment. He, too, explained that they were handling their mission for the day, then they would do what they were told to do next. They are simply doing the next thing.

In prayer, the Holy Spirit prompts us to the next thing—praying for mercy and rescue, for calm in the midst of turmoil, and provision when it seems there is nothing available. This week, Baptist assessment teams will enter Haiti. They have been planning and preparing for days, but now they will make a visual assessment and further organize relief efforts. The team will be a small group of people, but we can go with them in prayer. Let every news report become a virtual prayerwalk. Pray that the assessment team will find national Baptist partners who will be able to coordinate effective, long-term relief efforts.

* Please pray for this next thing, asking God to give endurance to each member of the assessment team.

* Intercede for their access and that God will give them a great vision for immediate relief efforts and successive volunteer projects.

* Pray for Southern Baptists as we all sacrificially give our time and money over the coming months and years.

Praying for Haiti, 2

“The LORD reigns! Let the peoples tremble. He is enthroned above the cherubim. Let the earth quake. …Exalt the LORD our God; bow in worship at His footstool. He is holy” (Psalm 99:1, 5, HCSB).

What is different about us? About Christians? Just like our neighbors this week, we have heard numerous stories about the horrendous events in Haiti. We watch news clips, read twitter and blog reports—we gather information to be aware of what is going on in the world. Just like our neighbors, our hearts have been broken for the people of Haiti. But what is different about us?

The difference is that we know the One who is able to help. We all have opportunity to give and many will be able to assist physically by going. But we Christians do not have to wait a single minute to send aid. We don’t have to look in our wallets to see if there is any money to send. We can talk to our Lord immediately, begging for His mercy throughout these days of recovery.

Please take every opportunity to lift the Haitian people to our heavenly Father, asking in these earliest days that He will fill the people with a sense of calm and unity of purpose. Gunshots have been heard on the streets, but violence will obviously not improve the situation. Ask the Lord to comfort the frightened. Many are sleeping on the streets even though their homes have not been damaged. They sense no hope for the future.

Intercede for the initial responders who have worked diligently through the long hours, praying that they will find rest in Him. Ask God to provide unexpected ways for aid workers to get through the destroyed roads so that they can provide necessary supplies.

Lift up Haitian Christians who are striving to serve others while grieving their own losses. Plead for them to have God’s mighty endurance and vision as they love their neighbors through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Exalt the Lord our God and pray that His holiness will be demonstrated throughout Haiti.

Bloggers–in this comment section–please write your prayer for the Haitian people and all others involved as we intercede together…