Good morning to everyone out there! We hope that you have some outside plans for this weekend, because it is shaping up to be a beautiful day. Spring has sprung, and the trees and flowers are starting to show it. Buds forming, the grass is greening, and the air has a fresh kiss early in the morning. What better way to show God's love for us than the rebirth of the season. Everything is new, and it puts your thoughts to what can be accomplished in the following year.
We are less than 10 weeks away from our departure back to Carrefour, Haiti. 10 weeks! Wow, where has the time gone. But we are so anxious to get back down there, to renew old acquaintances, and to make new. And to introduce Dustin to what drives us so much. We pray that his experience will equal ours, and that he will strive to return with us yet again.
It has been a long winter, but it has been productive. We have done several events to try to introduce ourselves to the community, and to try to raise funds for our trip. We have done several presentations over the last 10 months, all which have been well received. We think that we have opened eyes to the problems that are there, and a way that we can help this nation get back on its feet. We would love to see the day when we can return to Haiti for a "vacation," where we can explore the beauty this country has to offer. But as long as there are people in need, children who are starving, people who can not obtain healthcare, and where there is such a large portion of the population in need, we pray to return each year to continue what we have started.
We recently held a spaghetti dinner fundraiser. We were honored to have the support of a couple of local churches helping us out. These wonderful ladies did the cooking and serving. The youth groups carried the plates to the tables, cleaned, and refilled coffee cups when needed. One young man even played the piano during the dinner, and it was absolutely wonderful. So to them, a huge THANK YOU!
We have a 5K run coming up in 2 weeks. We have been working hard to get this going, and hope it is well received enough to be able to repeat it again next year. Getting the chance to combine our efforts with the benefits of exercise and enjoying the day that God has given us. So much to be thankful for.
But is there another reason that we do this? The main one is the whisper that we have all heard in our ears. The one to help each other, to do good for others, to try to make lives better. Do you have to go to a third world country to do this? Absolutely not. There are needs here, in our state, even in our county. And we are working hard to be able to start doing things locally as well. Need knows no season, no area, and no age. But we had to start somewhere, and we choose Haiti. And we know that, as we spread the message to others, they will start to see, and than start to help. And that is when the change will happen. When we all start doing what we are suppose to do, to help.
Recently, in talking to a friend, the comment was made that people are still saying that they don't understand why we are spending the time and money to go to Haiti, that there are needy people right here. We thought about that, we have been thinking about that a lot over the last few years, and we know that there is. And we hope to be able to help.
So I challenge you this. We offer people the chance to help in what we are doing. We have never forced anyone to help. If you don't want to buy anything we are selling, you don't want to come to the dinners, you don't want to participate in the runs, that is fine, that is your right. But my challenge to you is this: What are you doing to help? Who have you given to this week, or this month? What have you done without to give to others? What organization are you supporting with your means? Where are you making a difference in the lives of others outside of your own family? Everyone has to follow their own heart. If your heart isn't with ours, that is fine. But please, find what is in your heart and help. Do what has been whispered in your ear, and reach out to help others. Just Do Something to make other lives better. Reach a hand out to help others up. Make your life an example for others to follow, and than lead the example. You decide which direction it goes. Make it the right one.
