Two weeks ago an earthquake hit the island of Haiti in an enormous way
Several died and were displaced in only a small portion of the day
The earth shook for seconds at 7.0 and repeated the shakes through waves of aftershocks
The goal was to demolish the buildings remaining that weren’t knocked
To the ground by the first earthquake the dawned on the island
A peculiar site has been amidst the suffering to see those still smiling
Songs being sung in the streets and hymns in the midst of what used to be churches
Hands on neighbors being bruised as they dig through endless rubble searching
Looking for loved ones and those that may be alive
Text messages from those crushed say that we are still alive
Desperation in the atmosphere as needs multiply
The streets, cemeteries and landfills are occupied with those who have recently died
Where can hope be and how can there be a light at the end of the tunnel to see
It all seems so bleak for the residents on the streets Haiti
A county ravaged already by so many different things
However, I hear the peculiar sound of people beginning to sing
They sing songs of hope and thanksgiving that rise from the rubble
There are people holding onto hope who have not been made to fall even though they stumble
Trouble has come to the island nation
The air has been occupied by tears, screams and utter frustration
But again I hear music in French, Creole and even English
The question that rises is how can they sing this
Can’t they see the devastation and tragedy all around
They sing from a hope that survival brings when songs abound
Not enough water or food or shelter present in the area
But the songs keep those there from entering into hysteria
Out of all of the tragedy seen and brought on this country
The cry has come “will someone do something”
Will someone help and send relief to our people because we need it greatly
Will someone join us in signing a song for Haiti
We do not forget Haiti two weeks in or months down the road
Our commitment is to hang for a while and make sure you grow
You do not cry alone because our heart breaks with you
Even though we are not experiencing what you are going through
Just in case you read this and have not shown love lately
Take time to sing a song, a song for Haiti
Posted by Pastor D | Posted on 22-01-2010
Category : Amazing things, Community, Connections, Cultural Relevance, Formation, Lessons, Lifestyle, Uncategorized, evangelism, example, how ya' livin', random acts of kindness, witness
What can I say? Everyone loves a hero. Would you agree? I hope so. The heroes that we have today are not the ones we see featured on the image above. No tights, capes, superhuman strength or underground caves with bats as friends. No, the heroes we have today deal with larger hurts and crisis situations and their response is no less awesome. It is even more awesome. The help they gives does not come by way of super power, but they come by way of love, a concern for people and relationships. If I had to point to a hero for the here and now (totally subjective, you may choose someone else) it would be my buddy Pastor Shaun King. He is the lead pastor of Courageous Churchin downtown Atlanta. They recently celebrated their one year anniversary. In that one year they did far more than several churches that I know of with more members and bigger budgets. There is a heart that beats within Pastor Shaun that aches and breaks for God’s people. Here is a quick rundown of some of the major things Pastor Shaun and Courageous Church have done within the year.
- Supplied toys and school uniforms for the children of Stanton Elementary School (2 Christmases in a row)
- Started Hope ATL to assist with supplies, money, shelter, demolition and etc for the 2009 Atlanta flood
- Positioned Courageous Church and those within his reach to respond huge to the Haiti Earthquake
This has shown itself by way of money, sending neurosurgeons, coordinating rescues and numerous other things.
Do not get me wrong. I am not necessarily promoting a man or doing any kind of idol worship. However, I do recognize the calling on his life and appreciate his heart for God’s creation. Truth be told when we see things on television happening in other countries or even on our own street corners we get very apathetic. Sometimes we shed a tear and sometimes we do not even do that. In the final analysis we do not do anything. There should be something in us that jumps when we see tragedy whether it is over the seas or across the street. God created us to have a concern and a desire to help people who are in need. I so admire this hunger, thirst and yearning to help “the least of these.” If you were to ask Pastor Shaun he would not make a big deal of it because these heroics (and this is what they are) are commonplace to him. This is who he is. What he does, how he leads and how he loves inspires me. It calls be to be a better church planter, pastor and believer.
If you want more info on Pastor Shaun and Courageous Church, check out the following;
www.courageous.tv
www.shauninthecity.com
www.hopeatl.com
www.theywilldie.org
I think this has all been done to keep us distracted and not focused on some of the other things going on and to throw a schedule into the things that need to be going on in our home. As recent as last night my daughter had a hard time sleeping and was in big discomfort. We are praying and pushing for them to be fully well and declare healing in Jesus name for them both. 
