Wednesday night we gathered to process one more time and to figure out what we wanted to focus on as we shared our stories with our congregations. This was not an easy task! This team had just been to Haiti where our lives were changed and challenged by our Haitian friends. Out of all we had seen, heard, felt, touched, smelled; what was rising in our hearts that we just had to share?
We reviewed our pictures, remembered, celebrated the stories, and talked about how our lives would never be the same again. And we finally narrowed down our focus on what we could share.
In the process Kim said, "Do we have a picture of TiCarme in the back seat of the van? "I don't think so." We continued to talk. Kim, "Are you sure we don't have a picture of TiCarme in the back of the van?" "No, Kim, I don't see one." Kim, "I wish we had a picture of that."
The rest of us were confused. "Kim, what is the big deal about TiCarme in the van?" Kim, "It is a picture of the grace of God." We were still confused. "How do you see that?"
Kim, "She is so calm. How can she live with all this need every day and be so calm? She has joy in the work she does, but she has to say, 'No' to people every day. That has to be the grace of God."
He is right, you know. I have never seen faith, persistence, patience, hope, love, joy, mercy, like I see in TiCarme. This is a picture of the grace of God. As director of Help the Youth she knows the needs, because she knows the families, her village, and her country. But she also knows God, and God has called her to the mission of helping educate, encourage and empower the youth in her realm of influence. She can't say yes to everyone, and sometimes that breaks her heart, but she also knows she is an agent of hope and a future for many young people who were hopeless.
Since she launched her mission, "Help the Youth," 18 months ago 100 students who were not able to go to school are now back in school. And everyday at least 3 people come to her pleading for their children to be in the program. Everyday she has to say, "No, not this year. You can apply for next year, but we do not know how many studnets we will be able to take." Then she and her board have to figure out which students can be in the program and which ones will once again hear, "No, not this year."
She is that picture we need, to remember that God calls us to be faithful and diligent, but also to trust in Him for provision and guidance. The joy comes in the awareness that we are called to be agents of HOPE and a FUTURE for some incredible young people. Again we invite you to come down and meet these young people and watch the grace of God in action.
For more information call 920-539-3238 or email hollyschutlois@gmail.com to check out our organization, or to contribute financially go to www.beautifulresponse.org and click Haiti when you give.
We reviewed our pictures, remembered, celebrated the stories, and talked about how our lives would never be the same again. And we finally narrowed down our focus on what we could share.
In the process Kim said, "Do we have a picture of TiCarme in the back seat of the van? "I don't think so." We continued to talk. Kim, "Are you sure we don't have a picture of TiCarme in the back of the van?" "No, Kim, I don't see one." Kim, "I wish we had a picture of that."
The rest of us were confused. "Kim, what is the big deal about TiCarme in the van?" Kim, "It is a picture of the grace of God." We were still confused. "How do you see that?"
Kim, "She is so calm. How can she live with all this need every day and be so calm? She has joy in the work she does, but she has to say, 'No' to people every day. That has to be the grace of God."
He is right, you know. I have never seen faith, persistence, patience, hope, love, joy, mercy, like I see in TiCarme. This is a picture of the grace of God. As director of Help the Youth she knows the needs, because she knows the families, her village, and her country. But she also knows God, and God has called her to the mission of helping educate, encourage and empower the youth in her realm of influence. She can't say yes to everyone, and sometimes that breaks her heart, but she also knows she is an agent of hope and a future for many young people who were hopeless.
Since she launched her mission, "Help the Youth," 18 months ago 100 students who were not able to go to school are now back in school. And everyday at least 3 people come to her pleading for their children to be in the program. Everyday she has to say, "No, not this year. You can apply for next year, but we do not know how many studnets we will be able to take." Then she and her board have to figure out which students can be in the program and which ones will once again hear, "No, not this year."
She is that picture we need, to remember that God calls us to be faithful and diligent, but also to trust in Him for provision and guidance. The joy comes in the awareness that we are called to be agents of HOPE and a FUTURE for some incredible young people. Again we invite you to come down and meet these young people and watch the grace of God in action.
For more information call 920-539-3238 or email hollyschutlois@gmail.com to check out our organization, or to contribute financially go to www.beautifulresponse.org and click Haiti when you give.
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