A while back I asked for prayer for the people of Haiti, prayers for the people to have the strength to face the Giants that threaten them and to overcome a mountain of obstacles and challenges.
Today, July 12 is the sixth month mark of the beast of a earthquake that vibrated, rocked, shook, and moved the ground for 45 seconds, before leaving debris, broken lives and shattered dreams in its horrifying wake. Along with hundreds of thousands of dead and injured- not to mention the grief and trauma that would be unleashed on survivors.
I would like to tell you six months later that some major progress was underway, maybe even some little but important steps were happening.
I really wish I could tell you that.
If progress is marked by the fact that 6 months have moved by- then that is progress.
If progress is that hard nosed survival instinct has kicked in- then that is progress.
If progress is found in renewed faith and a will to live- then that progress is happily found.
But if progress is to be measured by the release of vast amounts of food, water, building supplies, resources, clothing, toys, tools that have been donated to the people- then that progress for the most ever whelming part, has not occurred!
If hope is a commodity, it is one fast fading from the shelves!
Six long months and yet a blink in real time, the Giants of despair, hopelessness, anxiety, fear, hunger, anger, madness, confusion, loneliness and grief and trauma are sitting on the high hills and mountains of Haiti.
I have faith in God, and I see many people sending aid and coming to the aid of the wonderful people of Haiti. I know God is sovereign and I am trusting that like the biblical Goliath, the Giants of Haiti will be brought down and overcome.
Until then, let us continue to pray for the people and nation of Haiti. Pray for the breakthrough, pray that David's will be sent into the field to battle and overcome the giants in the name of God.
Peace and blessings on and over Haiti!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Politics of Disaster and The New Normal!
There is a famous political quote- "Never Let A Disaster Go to Waste-Grab for everything you can!" Translated into action- is that when a disaster strikes use that moment to get all in the way of funds and resources you can, even if it means over reaching and grabbing for funds to be used in other projects.
This seems to be a way of life in America and for that matter already exists in all parts of the world. It may be a system but in my opinion it is not a good system, in fact it is a broken system. It puts too much reliance on the government to fund everything, it takes the decision making process out of local hands and it stifles or kills the volunteer organizations who are poised and ready to come out and serve.
Right now as oil sweeps across the beaches and marshlands of the gulf, finger pointing is a very active component of the blame game. A claim has been made that the federal government has sent out the biggest response to the gulf disaster in our history. We are told that hundreds of ships have been deployed, armies of experts have been sent in, millions and millions of dollars have been spent. Yet---the American people over all feel that there is little to show for the effort and the oil keeps pouring out.
While the Blame Game is being played in the political arena, I want to ask if we as a nation are prepared for the "New Normal?" Can we picture the new normal of a Louisiana with its fishing industry gone- for a long time if not forever? An entire gulf coast culture that may be wiped out? Do we want to accept a "New Normal" that the once vibrant UNITED STATES of AMERICA may become one without direction, firm leadership, decisiveness, and a united front that pulls together the incredible talent and resources the people of this nation has?
That "New Normal" may be at hand. Many people may think the "New Normal" is already here. I want to believe in the people of this nation. I want to fall back on the history of this country that rose up as a "runt" to defeat a powerful kingdom to gain its freedom, a nation that has risen up against surprise attacks, daunting obstacles, and won races in the cold war, in space, and to the moon.
For now, let us pray for the end to the blame game. Pray and uplift leaders of this nation, pray that the answers and actions will come together and be put in place to end the oil gusher under the sea and begin the clean up of our coastlines, and the preservation of our gulf coast culture. And pray hard for answers as another "New Normal" may be a summer filled with hurricanes and storms.
This seems to be a way of life in America and for that matter already exists in all parts of the world. It may be a system but in my opinion it is not a good system, in fact it is a broken system. It puts too much reliance on the government to fund everything, it takes the decision making process out of local hands and it stifles or kills the volunteer organizations who are poised and ready to come out and serve.
Right now as oil sweeps across the beaches and marshlands of the gulf, finger pointing is a very active component of the blame game. A claim has been made that the federal government has sent out the biggest response to the gulf disaster in our history. We are told that hundreds of ships have been deployed, armies of experts have been sent in, millions and millions of dollars have been spent. Yet---the American people over all feel that there is little to show for the effort and the oil keeps pouring out.
While the Blame Game is being played in the political arena, I want to ask if we as a nation are prepared for the "New Normal?" Can we picture the new normal of a Louisiana with its fishing industry gone- for a long time if not forever? An entire gulf coast culture that may be wiped out? Do we want to accept a "New Normal" that the once vibrant UNITED STATES of AMERICA may become one without direction, firm leadership, decisiveness, and a united front that pulls together the incredible talent and resources the people of this nation has?
That "New Normal" may be at hand. Many people may think the "New Normal" is already here. I want to believe in the people of this nation. I want to fall back on the history of this country that rose up as a "runt" to defeat a powerful kingdom to gain its freedom, a nation that has risen up against surprise attacks, daunting obstacles, and won races in the cold war, in space, and to the moon.
For now, let us pray for the end to the blame game. Pray and uplift leaders of this nation, pray that the answers and actions will come together and be put in place to end the oil gusher under the sea and begin the clean up of our coastlines, and the preservation of our gulf coast culture. And pray hard for answers as another "New Normal" may be a summer filled with hurricanes and storms.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Are You Living Ready To Respond and Live for Beyond?
In the time it takes you to blink your eyes, the space you occupy could be changed or affected forever.
The January 12th Earthquake in Haiti affected the lives of millions and killed hundreds of thousands of people in about 45 seconds. The tornados that just roared through Yazoo City in Mississippi did their deadly damage in seconds, a VRM trained Chaplain who was a denominational leader was killed alongside her driver just minutes after leaving the airport on their way to speak. (More to follow on that tragic story shortly) Those events happened so fast and so unexpectantly.
A Case in Point-
Gene Grounds and myself arrived in Colorado Springs a few weeks ago to attend a conference being hosted by military chaplains. We arrived in the late afternoon and were met by my brother Col. Andy Smith.
We were discussing if we wanted to go to the hotel first or go to dinner. We decided to give Gene a little tour of the area before going to dinner. We took him into the famous and beautiful Garden of the Gods park.
It was a gorgeous afternoon as the setting sun created beautiful colors and shadows on the whimsical and unique rock formations. Gene was having a great time getting out at various scenic points and taking pictures.
We had gotten to the end of the park and were about to drive out where the roadway lanes are narrowed by massive rock towers that squeeze the lanes together, the most famous and photographed feature is the "Balancing Rock" formation.
We got out to take a personal look and Andy and I scrambled up the rocks. We set on the foot of the formation and Gene took photos of us. Then Gene (against all advice!) decided he wanted to have his picture taken at the base of the Rock. He handed the camera to my brother and was soon sitting next to me.
My brother took the picture and just seconds later on the way down, Gene slipped and plunged into the ground, striking his body on the ground and his head on the raised concrete curb.
I thought I was going to be dealing with a concussion or massive head injury, but to my relief Gene was sitting up as we got to him with no apparent head wound. But we soon discovered his right leg was in pain and to make a long story short, in the blink of an eye his life as he knew it had changed.
His hip was fractured and it would require surgery and he is still recovering in Colorado Springs and we are hoping they will release him to fly back to DFW three weeks after the accident to continue painful rehab near home. (Please keep him lifted up in prayer)
In the blink of an eye or the matter of a few seconds or minutes lives were changed from the stories told above.
And as the heading of the blog asks- "Are you living ready to respond and live beyond?"
When Gene was hurt we were trained to jump in a do basic first aid and critical incident assessment. We got him in the car and headed to the hospital. We prayed with him and for him, we gave Verbal and Psychological First Aid, we let him know we were there for him and gave him the hope we were headed to a place where they could relieve his pain.
Living Ready to Respond is what we teach and live at VRM.
The bible tells us to "Be dressed in readiness and keep your lamp alight" Luke 12:35
(As Gene says all the time- "When the lights go out the one with a flashlight is the leader!")
BUT- what if you were gone in the blink of an eye? Are you living ready for the beyond? Do you know where you will be spending eternity?
You are not assured of tomorrow, the end of this day or even 5 seconds from now.
You may be living with blessed assurance that you are in Christ, and that is an awesome assurance and frees us up to face life and whatever comes our way, we are safe indeed!
If however you think you can make that decision to "get right with the man upstairs" in some vague future date, just remember it can all change in the blink of an eye and you may not have the time to make that decision.
Let me encourage you in a world filled with crime, violence, earthquakes, tornados, floods, fires and terrorism that you be living ready to respond here on earth and beyond!
Blessings- The Chaplain
The January 12th Earthquake in Haiti affected the lives of millions and killed hundreds of thousands of people in about 45 seconds. The tornados that just roared through Yazoo City in Mississippi did their deadly damage in seconds, a VRM trained Chaplain who was a denominational leader was killed alongside her driver just minutes after leaving the airport on their way to speak. (More to follow on that tragic story shortly) Those events happened so fast and so unexpectantly.
A Case in Point-
Gene Grounds and myself arrived in Colorado Springs a few weeks ago to attend a conference being hosted by military chaplains. We arrived in the late afternoon and were met by my brother Col. Andy Smith.
We were discussing if we wanted to go to the hotel first or go to dinner. We decided to give Gene a little tour of the area before going to dinner. We took him into the famous and beautiful Garden of the Gods park.
It was a gorgeous afternoon as the setting sun created beautiful colors and shadows on the whimsical and unique rock formations. Gene was having a great time getting out at various scenic points and taking pictures.
We had gotten to the end of the park and were about to drive out where the roadway lanes are narrowed by massive rock towers that squeeze the lanes together, the most famous and photographed feature is the "Balancing Rock" formation.
We got out to take a personal look and Andy and I scrambled up the rocks. We set on the foot of the formation and Gene took photos of us. Then Gene (against all advice!) decided he wanted to have his picture taken at the base of the Rock. He handed the camera to my brother and was soon sitting next to me.
My brother took the picture and just seconds later on the way down, Gene slipped and plunged into the ground, striking his body on the ground and his head on the raised concrete curb.
I thought I was going to be dealing with a concussion or massive head injury, but to my relief Gene was sitting up as we got to him with no apparent head wound. But we soon discovered his right leg was in pain and to make a long story short, in the blink of an eye his life as he knew it had changed.
His hip was fractured and it would require surgery and he is still recovering in Colorado Springs and we are hoping they will release him to fly back to DFW three weeks after the accident to continue painful rehab near home. (Please keep him lifted up in prayer)
In the blink of an eye or the matter of a few seconds or minutes lives were changed from the stories told above.
And as the heading of the blog asks- "Are you living ready to respond and live beyond?"
When Gene was hurt we were trained to jump in a do basic first aid and critical incident assessment. We got him in the car and headed to the hospital. We prayed with him and for him, we gave Verbal and Psychological First Aid, we let him know we were there for him and gave him the hope we were headed to a place where they could relieve his pain.
Living Ready to Respond is what we teach and live at VRM.
The bible tells us to "Be dressed in readiness and keep your lamp alight" Luke 12:35
(As Gene says all the time- "When the lights go out the one with a flashlight is the leader!")
BUT- what if you were gone in the blink of an eye? Are you living ready for the beyond? Do you know where you will be spending eternity?
You are not assured of tomorrow, the end of this day or even 5 seconds from now.
You may be living with blessed assurance that you are in Christ, and that is an awesome assurance and frees us up to face life and whatever comes our way, we are safe indeed!
If however you think you can make that decision to "get right with the man upstairs" in some vague future date, just remember it can all change in the blink of an eye and you may not have the time to make that decision.
Let me encourage you in a world filled with crime, violence, earthquakes, tornados, floods, fires and terrorism that you be living ready to respond here on earth and beyond!
Blessings- The Chaplain
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Haiti-Land of Giants
In the tongue of the Taino Indians who once inhabited Haiti, they called their beautiful island "Ayiti" the land of mountains. A visit there will reveal the name is fitting and the island is now pronounced Haiti.
The people of modern Haiti have an incredible history and legacy that more people need to know about. Once called Santo Dominque the French turned this once lush, green island into the richest colony in the world. Renowned for its sugar and coffee and some of the best tasting fruit in the world.
But, it was built on the backs of slaves from Africa. Almost unimaginable horrors where inflicted upon the people captured, stolen, and shipped from Africa. Countless numbers of them died in horrible conditions while being shipped across the Atlantic, some hurled themselves into the harbor when they arrived, rather than live one second longer in chains. And many perished from their mistreatment in a matter of just a few years, only to be quickly replaced by another African who was just looked upon as a soul less commodity.
Finally and with great cause, the slaves revolted. Paying a huge price they defeated all comers, plantation militas, British invaders, Polish mercenaries, and the French themselves. Burning cities and plantations, clinging to the mountains, enduring all hardships and losing hundreds of thousands of people. But as the incredible General Toussiant said- "Come people let us fight those who would put us back in chains, better to die so that our brethern live free!" and despite stunning victories he was deceived and captured and shipped off to France to die a slow and miserable death in a cold stone tower.
But the Haitians faced the giants and clung to the hope of freedom and won their independence to break the Giant called slavery!
Haitians fought not just for their freedom but served with Washington agains the British at Savannah in our revolution and they fought with Bolivar in the wars of independence in South America.
They have faced sanctions and hardships imposed on them for 200 years. They have chaffed under dictators and struggled against poverty.
They have faced many giants and they are facing the Giant of destruction caused by the Jan. 12th Earthquake and they face long recovery.
Don't forget our brothers and sisters in Haiti just over an hour away by air from Miami. Don't write them off as they face their giants. Come and face the giants with them. They have a history of clinging in hope against all odds and many Giants.
God bless the Haitians and God give them the power to break all the Giants they face.
The people of modern Haiti have an incredible history and legacy that more people need to know about. Once called Santo Dominque the French turned this once lush, green island into the richest colony in the world. Renowned for its sugar and coffee and some of the best tasting fruit in the world.
But, it was built on the backs of slaves from Africa. Almost unimaginable horrors where inflicted upon the people captured, stolen, and shipped from Africa. Countless numbers of them died in horrible conditions while being shipped across the Atlantic, some hurled themselves into the harbor when they arrived, rather than live one second longer in chains. And many perished from their mistreatment in a matter of just a few years, only to be quickly replaced by another African who was just looked upon as a soul less commodity.
Finally and with great cause, the slaves revolted. Paying a huge price they defeated all comers, plantation militas, British invaders, Polish mercenaries, and the French themselves. Burning cities and plantations, clinging to the mountains, enduring all hardships and losing hundreds of thousands of people. But as the incredible General Toussiant said- "Come people let us fight those who would put us back in chains, better to die so that our brethern live free!" and despite stunning victories he was deceived and captured and shipped off to France to die a slow and miserable death in a cold stone tower.
But the Haitians faced the giants and clung to the hope of freedom and won their independence to break the Giant called slavery!
Haitians fought not just for their freedom but served with Washington agains the British at Savannah in our revolution and they fought with Bolivar in the wars of independence in South America.
They have faced sanctions and hardships imposed on them for 200 years. They have chaffed under dictators and struggled against poverty.
They have faced many giants and they are facing the Giant of destruction caused by the Jan. 12th Earthquake and they face long recovery.
Don't forget our brothers and sisters in Haiti just over an hour away by air from Miami. Don't write them off as they face their giants. Come and face the giants with them. They have a history of clinging in hope against all odds and many Giants.
God bless the Haitians and God give them the power to break all the Giants they face.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Moving in Compassion and Action in Haiti
Greetings-
It is Thursday night (Feb 18th) and I am sitting in a hotel in Conroe just north of Houston. It has been a busy week, well a busy time since the earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, over a month ago.
In VRM emails that followed that tragic event we called for a time of prayer at VRM to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to reveal how God wanted to use VRM to serve in Haiti. In fact we called for prayer at VRM HQ as we converted the conference room to the Chapel of Compassion and Prayer for Haiti.
Amazingly, if you look back at those emails, the steps that God revealed then, is occurring now.
We felt that VRM would first have chaplains embedded in some of our responding partners- that occurred with Texas Baptist Men. We then felt that VRM would be called in to serve as counselors to assist those in trauma and grief with a start with debriefing responder teams- that is and has occurred. And eventually work with the people of Haiti and especially the children of Haiti.
That is all unfolding!
The Lord is guiding our path!
The first trip goes in tomorrow, Friday morning at 1000am through the partnership we have with Doug Stringer and his amazing organization Somebody Cares. On board that flight are directors of several other responding ministries that serve in Haiti.
In March I will be leading a VRM team of trauma and grief counselors to work with a partner who operates an orphanage and school in Haiti and has asked that we come and work with the children and staff that are in trauma.
There will be details to follow and stories to tell. But in the meantime please keep VRM teams in prayer, our responding partners in prayer and the people and children of Haiti in prayer!
Blessings to all as we move the chapel from Dallas-Ft. Worth to action on the ground in Haiti starting Feb 19th!
It is Thursday night (Feb 18th) and I am sitting in a hotel in Conroe just north of Houston. It has been a busy week, well a busy time since the earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, over a month ago.
In VRM emails that followed that tragic event we called for a time of prayer at VRM to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to reveal how God wanted to use VRM to serve in Haiti. In fact we called for prayer at VRM HQ as we converted the conference room to the Chapel of Compassion and Prayer for Haiti.
Amazingly, if you look back at those emails, the steps that God revealed then, is occurring now.
We felt that VRM would first have chaplains embedded in some of our responding partners- that occurred with Texas Baptist Men. We then felt that VRM would be called in to serve as counselors to assist those in trauma and grief with a start with debriefing responder teams- that is and has occurred. And eventually work with the people of Haiti and especially the children of Haiti.
That is all unfolding!
The Lord is guiding our path!
The first trip goes in tomorrow, Friday morning at 1000am through the partnership we have with Doug Stringer and his amazing organization Somebody Cares. On board that flight are directors of several other responding ministries that serve in Haiti.
In March I will be leading a VRM team of trauma and grief counselors to work with a partner who operates an orphanage and school in Haiti and has asked that we come and work with the children and staff that are in trauma.
There will be details to follow and stories to tell. But in the meantime please keep VRM teams in prayer, our responding partners in prayer and the people and children of Haiti in prayer!
Blessings to all as we move the chapel from Dallas-Ft. Worth to action on the ground in Haiti starting Feb 19th!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Update #2 Living Ready To Respond to Haiti!
The horror and suffering of the people of Haiti continues to unfold daily and the death count continues to rise. Aid is arriving in Haiti though frustration and anger continues to rise as circumstances hamper effectice delivery of that aid.
At this point Victim Relief Ministries continues to plan and prepare to response through our network of VRM volunteers and churches and partner responding agencies, organizations and ministries.
Because of this network of partnerships VRM is a conduit to get resources, materials and volunteers to a variety of channels that will get to operations on the ground in Haiti.
VRM will respond with trained and certified disaster response counselors and ministers to give spiritual and emotional care to both responders and Haitian victims. This includes Crisis and Trauma counseling, Crisis Intervention Stress Intervention training and debriefings and difussing among other chaplaincy and counselor services.
As we ramp up and things become more established in the ground we will send in more VRM Crisis Responders to serve the local communities and to help the children as we do children who are victims of crime and disasters in America.
The reminder of the best thing people can be doing is to pray. The best donation is in cash as deployment expenses need to be met and cash allows us to find the best materials or resources that need to be sent down. Be careful who you donate to.
Victim Relief Ministries has been serving victims of crime and disasters for over 10 years. We are recognized in the state of Texas by Gov. Perry himself, a member of Texas VOAD (volunteer organizations assisting in disasters), we serve with the Texas Baptist Men Disaster Response Organization, State Mass Care, Salvation Army and many more.
Please contribute to our response to Haiti at www.victimrelief.org
For those that can we are holding a time of prayer at our HQ in the "Chapel of Compassion and Prayer for Haiti" at noon central time this Thursday Jan 21,2010. If you cannot join us please join in at noon central and pray for Haiti.
Blessings as we serve as citizens of the United Kingdom of God
At this point Victim Relief Ministries continues to plan and prepare to response through our network of VRM volunteers and churches and partner responding agencies, organizations and ministries.
Because of this network of partnerships VRM is a conduit to get resources, materials and volunteers to a variety of channels that will get to operations on the ground in Haiti.
VRM will respond with trained and certified disaster response counselors and ministers to give spiritual and emotional care to both responders and Haitian victims. This includes Crisis and Trauma counseling, Crisis Intervention Stress Intervention training and debriefings and difussing among other chaplaincy and counselor services.
As we ramp up and things become more established in the ground we will send in more VRM Crisis Responders to serve the local communities and to help the children as we do children who are victims of crime and disasters in America.
The reminder of the best thing people can be doing is to pray. The best donation is in cash as deployment expenses need to be met and cash allows us to find the best materials or resources that need to be sent down. Be careful who you donate to.
Victim Relief Ministries has been serving victims of crime and disasters for over 10 years. We are recognized in the state of Texas by Gov. Perry himself, a member of Texas VOAD (volunteer organizations assisting in disasters), we serve with the Texas Baptist Men Disaster Response Organization, State Mass Care, Salvation Army and many more.
Please contribute to our response to Haiti at www.victimrelief.org
For those that can we are holding a time of prayer at our HQ in the "Chapel of Compassion and Prayer for Haiti" at noon central time this Thursday Jan 21,2010. If you cannot join us please join in at noon central and pray for Haiti.
Blessings as we serve as citizens of the United Kingdom of God
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Living Ready to Respond and Impact Haiti
The disaster that struck Haiti in the form of a 7.0 earthquake on January 12 has left in its wake a ground zero that appears to have inflicted a human loss of up to or beyond 500,000 souls. The capital city of Port-Au-Prince has been rocked, shattered and broken apart. The National Palace is in collapsed ruins.
Responders already on the ground in Haiti are trying to cope with this massive disaster with few tools while the USA, the UN and nations around the world rush to bring in humanitarian necessities in water, food and medicine just to give injured people a chance to make it just one more day.
At Victim Relief Ministries we are in the process of finding the best and most practical way to respond. We are working with our responding ministry and organizational partners to come together and help reach people.
The first thing that is needed is for people to pray. Prayer warriors from within the VRM volunteer responder family and those in partner organizations and all churches that are reading this.
We have VRM chapters throughout Texas, Arizona and California pooling resources as they prepare to respond. We are working to send in chaplains with assessment teams and to help give support to the responders and those needing assistance and rescue.
As we live ready to respond and impact, keep us in your prayers.
Go to www.victimrelief.org to contribute funds
Responders already on the ground in Haiti are trying to cope with this massive disaster with few tools while the USA, the UN and nations around the world rush to bring in humanitarian necessities in water, food and medicine just to give injured people a chance to make it just one more day.
At Victim Relief Ministries we are in the process of finding the best and most practical way to respond. We are working with our responding ministry and organizational partners to come together and help reach people.
The first thing that is needed is for people to pray. Prayer warriors from within the VRM volunteer responder family and those in partner organizations and all churches that are reading this.
We have VRM chapters throughout Texas, Arizona and California pooling resources as they prepare to respond. We are working to send in chaplains with assessment teams and to help give support to the responders and those needing assistance and rescue.
As we live ready to respond and impact, keep us in your prayers.
Go to www.victimrelief.org to contribute funds
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