Comments on: Capturing Compassion for Haiti http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/ by Susan Gaddis Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:40:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dolly http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Dolly Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:24:16 +0000 http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/?p=1162#comment-128 Hey ya'll for the record, I did not post at 5:35 am. It was actually only 7:35 in Oklahoma City. :-) Hey ya’ll for the record, I did not post at 5:35 am. It was actually only 7:35 in Oklahoma City. :-)

]]> By: Jeanette Morris http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Jeanette Morris Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:21:33 +0000 http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/?p=1162#comment-127 Good thoughts, Jeremy. You nailed it there at the end. The word "if" does not appear in the Great Commission. Even the "when" is not a mystery if one leads a missional lifestyle. So that leaves "how." I believe "how" begins with a willing heart--the kind of heart you have already shared with us--the heart of Isaiah: Here I am. Send me. Good thoughts, Jeremy. You nailed it there at the end. The word “if” does not appear in the Great Commission. Even the “when” is not a mystery if one leads a missional lifestyle. So that leaves “how.” I believe “how” begins with a willing heart–the kind of heart you have already shared with us–the heart of Isaiah: Here I am. Send me.

]]> By: Jeremy Sizemore http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-126 Jeremy Sizemore Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:07:02 +0000 http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/?p=1162#comment-126 Hi gang... I wanted to contribute too... my heart is a lot like Jeanette and Fran's... in this "global community" I am constantly trying to re-contexualize the words of Jesus to "love my neighbor as myself". My neighbor is no longer JUST the person in the house next to mine or even my neighboring town... Africa is my neighbor, South America is my neighbor, etc. So, I have been trying to figure out how I would want to be "loved" if my world was shaken and collapsed, destroying all I hold dear on this earth... like what happened in Haiti. I think I would want people to be willing to do whatever it takes to "be the solution" to my emergency. I wouldn't feel loved with just a check, a quick prayer, or concern. I would desperately desire human touch. Then this got me thinking about the Incarnation... God "for us" and God "with us". I see it as if God kept telling his children in the OT "I love you, I love you"... and He kept sending representatives (prophets, judges, kings, etc.)... but THEN He decided to not just love in just words... but in human touch. This messes with me... especially in light of the Haiti situation. So, I watched CNN... and out of my heart something surprising happened... that only God could do. Instead of me reacting with an initial "objective response" ("God, help them... send someone to them...")... a new "subjective" Incarnational prayer fell out of my mouth: "Lord, can I go?" It caught me by surprise. In this new world of "global community" and "global economy" and all the advances in communication and transportation... I feel it is no longer about "if we are called to missions"... it is "how" and "when". Lord, let our heart's response be Incarnational like Yours. Just a thought...;-) Hi gang… I wanted to contribute too… my heart is a lot like Jeanette and Fran’s… in this “global community” I am constantly trying to re-contexualize the words of Jesus to “love my neighbor as myself”. My neighbor is no longer JUST the person in the house next to mine or even my neighboring town… Africa is my neighbor, South America is my neighbor, etc.

So, I have been trying to figure out how I would want to be “loved” if my world was shaken and collapsed, destroying all I hold dear on this earth… like what happened in Haiti. I think I would want people to be willing to do whatever it takes to “be the solution” to my emergency. I wouldn’t feel loved with just a check, a quick prayer, or concern. I would desperately desire human touch.

Then this got me thinking about the Incarnation… God “for us” and God “with us”. I see it as if God kept telling his children in the OT “I love you, I love you”… and He kept sending representatives (prophets, judges, kings, etc.)… but THEN He decided to not just love in just words… but in human touch. This messes with me… especially in light of the Haiti situation.

So, I watched CNN… and out of my heart something surprising happened… that only God could do. Instead of me reacting with an initial “objective response” (“God, help them… send someone to them…”)… a new “subjective” Incarnational prayer fell out of my mouth: “Lord, can I go?” It caught me by surprise.

In this new world of “global community” and “global economy” and all the advances in communication and transportation… I feel it is no longer about “if we are called to missions”… it is “how” and “when”. Lord, let our heart’s response be Incarnational like Yours.

Just a thought…;-)

]]> By: Mary http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-125 Mary Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:52:48 +0000 http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/?p=1162#comment-125 My power was out for over nine hours yesterday, and I admit to thinking back over this post of yours the whole time. I can be such a complainer, a big baby at inconvenience! I'm convinced the Lord used it as a purposeful opportunity to connect my heart in a richer, more prayerful way to our Haitian neighbors. And to convict me of my needy attitude. We will be doing something as well... My power was out for over nine hours yesterday, and I admit to thinking back over this post of yours the whole time. I can be such a complainer, a big baby at inconvenience! I’m convinced the Lord used it as a purposeful opportunity to connect my heart in a richer, more prayerful way to our Haitian neighbors. And to convict me of my needy attitude. We will be doing something as well…

]]> By: Susan Gaddis http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-124 Susan Gaddis Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:21:36 +0000 http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/?p=1162#comment-124 Great suggestion, Dolly. Thanks for sharing it. Great suggestion, Dolly. Thanks for sharing it.

]]> By: Dolly http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Dolly Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:35:11 +0000 http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/?p=1162#comment-123 If your heart is tugging at you to go to Haiti to help, consider contacting David Wheeler at Foursquare Missions dwheeler@foursquare.org to put a team together or to go with a team. This is what I did and it seems to be working. We have several men in construction that have signed on to help rebuild the country. We have some ladies too. We don't have a date but are making preparations like passports and fund raising. If your heart is tugging at you to go to Haiti to help, consider contacting David Wheeler at Foursquare Missions dwheeler@foursquare.org to put a team together or to go with a team.
This is what I did and it seems to be working. We have several men in construction that have signed on to help rebuild the country. We have some ladies too. We don’t have a date but are making preparations like passports and fund raising.

]]> By: Susan Gaddis http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-122 Susan Gaddis Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:28:06 +0000 http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/?p=1162#comment-122 Jeanette and Fran, it sounds like you two should connect! Or at least compare notes. How exciting! I look forward to hearing what develops for you both. And Cindy, thank you for the encouraging word. I hope your friend enjoyed the article. I appreciate you passing it on. Jeanette and Fran, it sounds like you two should connect! Or at least compare notes. How exciting! I look forward to hearing what develops for you both.

And Cindy, thank you for the encouraging word. I hope your friend enjoyed the article. I appreciate you passing it on.

]]> By: Frannie http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-121 Frannie Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:37:14 +0000 http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/?p=1162#comment-121 For many years I have been asking the Lord for an opportunity to go on Medical Mission trips and there is no time like the present to get started! I am always ready, and willing to go but need to wait for Him to open the doors. In the mean time however, I have spread the word that I'd be interested to pull a team of volunteers to go to Haiti, and I have managed to arrange for some medical supplies to be donated. I'm waiting to see what happens next with excitement and anticipation. For many years I have been asking the Lord for an opportunity to go on Medical Mission trips and there is no time like the present to get started! I am always ready, and willing to go but need to wait for Him to open the doors. In the mean time however, I have spread the word that I’d be interested to pull a team of volunteers to go to Haiti, and I have managed to arrange for some medical supplies to be donated. I’m waiting to see what happens next with excitement and anticipation.

]]> By: Cindy Saunders http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-120 Cindy Saunders Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:38:08 +0000 http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/?p=1162#comment-120 Excellent post Susan, especially in light of some other things that have attracted a lot of media this week and given Christians a "not so good" profile. I sent this on to a friend of mine that had generated a huge FB discussion on the whole issue - and was PROUD to do so. Also, it reminded me that David and I ARE intending to donate and need to REMEMBER to do so promptly! Excellent post Susan, especially in light of some other things that have attracted a lot of media this week and given Christians a “not so good” profile.

I sent this on to a friend of mine that had generated a huge FB discussion on the whole issue – and was PROUD to do so.

Also, it reminded me that David and I ARE intending to donate and need to REMEMBER to do so promptly!

]]> By: Jeanette Morris http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/2010/01/capturing-compassion-for-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-119 Jeanette Morris Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:17:31 +0000 http://www.susangaddis.net/blog/?p=1162#comment-119 Is Haiti not our neighbor? Just a stone's throw from our south-easterly states. That...and the memory of what our small-in-comparison earthquake in 2003 did to disrupt and disturb our lives has spurred me toward compassion in ways previous disasters have not. So far I've donated to three different aid funds--not huge amounts and certainly not sacrificially. But it's a start. I personally know three people who do regular ministry work in Haiti, so I'm looking to see how I can support their continuing and now more difficult and crucial presence there. Finally, my husband and I are considering being a part of a relief team. That excites me. Is Haiti not our neighbor? Just a stone’s throw from our south-easterly states. That…and the memory of what our small-in-comparison earthquake in 2003 did to disrupt and disturb our lives has spurred me toward compassion in ways previous disasters have not. So far I’ve donated to three different aid funds–not huge amounts and certainly not sacrificially. But it’s a start. I personally know three people who do regular ministry work in Haiti, so I’m looking to see how I can support their continuing and now more difficult and crucial presence there. Finally, my husband and I are considering being a part of a relief team. That excites me.

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