Wednesday, February 23, 2011

May I ask this of you...

Dear friends,

I have a favor to ask of you. 
I believe this is a first and yet, I can't say it will be the last.

Many of you remember the tone of my heart began to change last spring after a life altering trip to Haiti. In that all too brief week, my world was rocked.  Much like the rubble that occupied so much of that island country (and sad to say, still does) what I knew became broken and worthless. 

God tends to break us, doesn't He?! 
He has to - at least, He had to in my case.

Rock stubborn and immovable, I was.

But God...my two favorite words!

As the bricks continue to fall, this girl is grasping at a vision and a call far beyond my little world.  That is where my favor comes in.

My church is partnering with World Hope International to build a school in Terra Rouge, Haiti.  Terra Rouge is an isolated place that while January 12, 2010 did little to change its landscape - it has stood wanting for a long time.  You can read a bit more here about Terra Rouge and a school called Bon Berger.

Bon Berger (Good Shepherd) is a school for around 300 children that meets in a pole and tarp (can we call it a building) facility.  We have committed to help build a 4 room school that will serve over 800 children in 2 sessions daily.  A school built of blocks and a tin roof - not sticks, stones and tarp. 

Will you help us?  If we get 800 people to donate $51.25 that will make the $41,000 to build this building.


One person for each child that will attend.
Just $51.25

I think it is important to share also that  in a place where the unemployment rate is 80%, we have asked and committed that all the labor be local workers.  So, not only is a school being built but people are getting a fair wage and work to build it.

Please prayerfully consider helping us.
You can click on the button at the top of the page and go to our church's website to donate (via a PayPal link).  If you have Facebook you can go to our church's Facebook page and donate there.   If you feel impressed, help us get the word out and pass it to all your Facebook friends.

In June we plan to go and celebrate the completion of the construction.  Yes, that means, if God should grant me the grace I will be there again.  My heart can barely stand it.

Thank you friends for indulging me.
I am grateful for your prayers and your support.



© A Sacred Longing 2009-2011

Friday, February 18, 2011

When I saw...

Not long after I saw those tents, I had the opportunity to do something more.

In a community where the homeless are “hidden” and “invisible”, you don’t know they exist.

But they do – exist, that is.

Barely

Like him, one who works every day. He had a home. He had a car. Lost them both at the same time and it isn’t easy replacing them.

Like her, she has a family but times are hard and they can’t help. Soon, they will be joining her in the ranks of the homeless. She wants to do more but near to 70 years jobs don’t come easy.

Whether we see them or not, they are here and there.

In the city

and

in the suburbs.

They would like a home. They would like a job.

What they are grateful for most is to be seen and acknowledged. Not for what they lack but for who they are beside their circumstances.

Men and women and children with hearts, souls, lives, experiences and stories much like you and me.

We all have stories.

And for a week, I was able to sit and listen to them and their stories.

Around a table we gathered with food and laughter. Awkward at first but by the week’s end we were family.

I miss them.

And when I see them, I let them know they are missed.

But most of all, I let them know they are seen and loved

by me

more importantly, by God.





© A Sacred Longing 2009-2011

Thursday, February 17, 2011

When you see...

I live in a sleepy suburb of a Washington, DC.

A place where there are few sidewalks but many homes.

A place where you don’t always see the pain of another until the leaves fall and the wind begins to howl.

It is different in the city – less room, more visible.

Here, I didn’t know...

that in the woods near the W*lmart stands a tent that someone calls home.

I have been to Haiti. I have seen a post earthquake tent city.

But here

a tent

is a Home?

I don’t want to see but I can’t look away.



When you “see” what do you do?





© A Sacred Longing 2009-2011