Last week I was having a few doubts about some decisions that I’d really been sure of before. But after taking some time for reflection, I recognized that several lies had infiltrated my thinking, tearing me down with subtle accusations. In fact, those decisions that I’d already made were from the Lord, and He confirmed them again. Clearly, it was time to examine my spiritual defenses. I am finding that everything I do related to taking a team back to Haiti next month is being fought by the enemy. Here are some mandatory responses to spiritual warfare – I hope you will take action in your battle as well: Read How
Why am I going back to Haiti again? A third time? Sometimes people assume that because of my heart for God or my heart for the lost, I’m just not like other people. After all, everyone knows that missionaries aren’t normal. We can’t relate to them because they’re just wired differently. Maybe so. Maybe not. But I’m not going back because I would like to. Actually, part of me wants to never go back. So Why Go?
I was asked to write a two-part article on “Choosing a Cause and Giving Well.” Here is part two of the article, which is also available as a pdf download. (Or jump to Part 1: Choosing a Cause.)
You’ve chosen a cause you believe in – but are you really making a difference? There’s more to it than the size of your gift. Giving well is wisely stewarding what you have and making a life impact with it. From a biblical perspective, everything you have belongs to God, and you are to steward those resources while they’re in your possession – which is a process of giving it back to him. If you observe the biblical practice of tithing, please note that giving well is about giving above and beyond your tithe. Read More
I was asked to write a two-part article on “Choosing a Cause and Giving Well.” Here is part one of the article, which is also available as a pdf download.
Let’s be honest – hundreds of books have been written on stewardship and charitable giving. This brief article isn’t meant to compete with those books, but to supplement them with a simple set of criteria to help the average person make a few wise choices and get connected quickly with quality causes.
Passionate Connection
Frankly, I lose interest in a cause that I don’t connect with. Media I see requesting money often feels manipulative, playing on my guilt. I’m told I must “hurry” to give because the world may end without my immediate involvement. If an appeal touches my heart, that’s fine. If a request shames my conscience, I will find another place to give. Read More
As the church leadership team gathered for a meal, planning and prayer, someone asked about my recent return from Haiti. I’d been having a bit of trouble knowing how to answer some of the questions this past week. Joe turned to me and asked, “Do you have PTSD? I fought in Vietnam and I know what you’re going through.” I thought a little bit and nodded my head. Joe continued, “Seeing death, seeing the casualties – we can talk, okay?” The confirmation was helpful – why I’ve resisted looking at my photos and have felt awkward summarizing the mission. Joe fought in a real war – with bombs and shelling and shrapnel. It didn’t seem like my experience with the devastation in Haiti was on the same level.
I was on a different battlefield – no question about that. But we were also at war. The spiritual battle and oppression, the Haitian practices of voodoo and the occult, the political corruption, and yes, the death and destruction. Port-au-Prince is a war zone, with every other structure reduced to rubble, and refugees clamoring for aid – seeking shelter under tarps in every open space in the city.
I am grateful that Joe had the insight and the openness to connect with me, and help me step out of the mental fog of war. When we run headfirst, we must be cognizant of the cost of battle. It’s not an excuse to escape from doing what God calls us to do. But it’s the recognition that fatigue, heartbreak and trauma come from being at war. I am taking time to mourn, to process, and to re-gear. Because we know the battle is won, but the fighting isn’t over.
It’s hard to express how grieved I am right now, upon returning from Haiti for the 2nd time this month. While we worked to bring focus to a desperate situation, we encountered spiritual oppression, arrogance, spiritual immaturity, narcissism, division and distrust. We had to pray constantly and be on guard against forces of confusion and critical spirits.
Praying and striving to stay focused on Christ’s provision for the people of Port-au-Prince and greater Haiti was far more difficult this time around. In hindsight, I feel foolish to have been caught so off-guard. Why am I surprised, after writing just last week about God’s light in the darkness being His power shining forth through us as earthen vessels, that the rest of the passage would be just as real? Read More
Before and after the earthquake
The sun was still overhead, but the sensation of spiritual oppression was all around us. We walked from the presidential palace, whole floors collapsed, past the piles of rubble which had been the Haitian treasury building. A caravan of military vehicles made its way through the recently plowed streets. More than three weeks after the earthquake of January 12, 2010, very little had changed. Broken cinder blocks and twisted rebar still covered city blocks, and a look upward revealed rooflines at every angle to the sky – but none of them as they should be. These buildings, businesses and homes were now unintended mausoleums, housing the bodies of thousands of children and adults. The living were still wandering in the streets, Read More
Learning to live headfirst is harder for some than others. I’d assess myself in the bottom 20th percentile of “naturally living headfirst.” I frequently remind myself, as greatly needed, that a thousand lies of the accuser come rushing at me every day. I purposefully read Scripture and recall it throughout the day, because (as my friend JP says) the truest thing about me is what God says is true.
If it comes down to living as a strategist or living out my faith, I want to live by faith. Planning, strategy, sequencing – these are all beneficial to the Christian life, and I’m grateful, because they are part of my strong suit. But none of them help me live by faith; sometimes they offer excuses for me to not rely on Christ.
Let me illustrate how this played out over the last two weeks… Read More
He was wearing a black shirt with a drawing of a cross. It said “Killed in the line of duty” and had a quote from Philippians. Hugo had been wandering the streets of Port-au-Prince, but when he saw us he motioned for us to come to him. My teammate Ted was taking video and stills in front of the collapsed Treasury and Hugo saw something he thought we’d want on film. More than 3 weeks after the earthquake, a young man’s body lay covered with dust, trapped beneath shards of concrete. I could see his face, his ear, his arm. It was heart-piercing and unforgettable.
Hugo’s home was crushed and his family was dead. He asked if we could pass word to his cousin in the U.S. that he was still alive. He didn’t seem to know where he was going. I asked him about his shirt – was he a Christian; did he have a church? While we spoke, Haitians continued to wander up and down the streets. A young woman balanced a hardshell suitcase on her head and just watched us from the corner. Military convoys passed by, the Red Cross, the UN. Two CAT earth movers were parked next to the twisted rebar, unmanned. Ted spoke softly with Hugo as we tried to offer him compassion and aid. Then we had to leave.
The media reports the numbers: how many dead, how many orphans, how many homeless. There is tremendous darkness, tragedy and pain.
Only Christ can bring hope. No amount of darkness can consume light. For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness” made His light shine in our hearts…
We can build the Kingdom together. Offer the Gospel to the lost. Build new communities. Bring healing and hope. Get ready to join in – you can find your role as the Church comes together for Haiti. More very soon…
This is an invitation to be a part of the Body of Christ at work in Haiti. We are collaborating to work as one – hopefully networking as many churches and ministries in the U.S. and the world as we can to support indigenous ministries in Haiti, and building on a long-term plan that incorporates the physical, spiritual, economic and social needs of the people.
Right now a core group from Southern California churches and ministries are working together and making as many connections here and in-country as possible. Leaders in Haiti and the Dominican Republic are coordinating an effort that will establish lasting engagement from followers of Christ. I will be joining a team on the ground in-country next week. This is not a “service team” per se, though we will deliver aid & supplies. Service and outreach teams will be needed in the near future, but right now we are only sending crisis response teams, such as medical teams, and a handful of ministry leaders.
Please recognize that by the time you read this, many things will have changed. We are working in a highly fluid period of crisis and transition with a goal of moving from urgent relief towards long-term recovery.
I will highlight one current opportunity before us – one of many… Read More
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