What about the grief?

Are you ever in the middle of a tragic situation, look around to see that people are living their lives as they should, and wish they could just share the grief you feel? I'm feeling that today. Here I am, wrapped up in trying to make an impact in Haiti, and meanwhile the world moves on. It's like I want to yell out "Hey! Don't you guys know what is going on across the border? My heart is mourning and you are just moving on. What are you thinking?!"

A few months ago, my husband and I made a commitment to God to pursue one of the highest calls He's given us. At the time, I thought it just meant moving to Asia. Today, I'm understanding that it reaches far beyond the walls of the Orient. It has gone to the DR and Haiti. Here it is:

⁶ "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

⁹ Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

¹¹ The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Isaiah 58:6-12

What more is there to say?

Now for the update... our first team of physicians and nurses arrived safely into Port au Prince last night. There is an urgent request for another team of 20 docs and RNs, so I will be coordinating a fairly large delegation, scheduled to arrive tomorrow and Wednesday. I will be busy! If you are a medical professional interested in joining our volunteer efforts, you may visit www.hearttoheart.org and fill out a volunteer application. There are definitely no guarantees that we'll be able to use you, as we already have a significant amount of requests. However, our work in Haiti will most likely be long-term, so there may be opportunities in the future. If you're not a medical professional, please feel free to contribute to the cause by making a financial donation at HHI. Thanks!

We had another doc arrive last night and my husband this morning. We've already shipped the doc off to PAP (no need to waste time!) and John will stay here to help me... nice emotional support!

Keep praying! Pray for rest and sleep for me and the other team members. Pray for strength to endure through the heat, primitive conditions, and emotional distress. PRAY FOR SAFETY!

Always at work for the needy...

Jessie