When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.
~Psalm 75:3

We awoke this morning to hear from afar the news of destruction and loss of life in Haiti incomprehensible. A friend to many at St. John’s, Tim Hetzner of Lutheran Church Charities wrote this morning, “Having been to Haiti numerous times, I know that Haiti is always in dire circumstances without a disaster!  But disasters such as this allow the Christian Church to show the Compassion and Mercy of Christ to those who do not know Him (over half the population in Haiti practices Voodoo).”

Haiti is one of the poorest places on the earth—in economics, in justice and in spirit. It is also a place that the Lutheran community has been particularly engaged in, especially in recent years. I have many colleagues who have made short and long term mission trips around the world, but Haiti stands out in my mind when I see the eyes of those who have been there. It is a place most needy of the Gospel. I cannot not imagine what those who are there right now in the name of Jesus see and are experiencing as they try to bring relief and comfort.

Chuck Whited, a pastor and friend that I have been studying with for the past two years, is in Haiti at this hour. He is there with DCE, Sue Steege, and members of First Lutheran Church of Tonawanda, NY. We know that they are safe, but communications are poor and we know little of how they are assisting in the relief effort. A team from St. Paul Lutheran, Melrose Park was scheduled to depart for a mission trip there tomorrow. Our friends at “Feed My Starving Children” have several partner missionaries in the middle of the devastating quake including Tom Osbeck of Jesus in Haiti Ministries and  Bobby and Sherry of Love-A-Child. These missionaries are safe, reports seem to indicate that the children in their orphanages are safe, but many of their workers are missing. The LCMS had planned a major medical mission effort there this March. These are just a sample of the connections we have with this shaken world.

Live as Disciples!

How do we address some an enormous tragedy so far away? We live as disciples. Disciples pray. They give. They send mercy workers. They refuse to forget long after the media has disappeared. In the days ahead, I’m looking to God’s leading and your counsel as to how we as a community will apply our mission vigorously to one of the greatest places of need witnessed in our lifetime. St. John’s is filled with resourceful and influential people who literally can change the world. We are called to this hour. I’m convinced God is calling to live as disciples in response to this crisis. Though the earth and all its people quake, God is holding our foundation and hope firm. Just as we affirmed Sunday, “Jesus is here, I will not fear,” the people of Haiti need that message in the physical and spiritual care they receive in the days, months and years ahead.

Disciples Pray

Tonight (Wednesday January 13) at 7:00p, I invite you to gather for brief informal service of prayer for the people of Haiti. These hours are critical in saving lives and for the dying to turn to the Lord in their hour of need. Let us be among those who keep watch in prayer and intercede for people who are living and dying in this darkness.

Disciples Give

At this time, all undesignated offerings we receive for Haiti will be immediately sent to Lutheran Church Charities (www.lutheranchurchcharities.org ). You can read their current appeal on their home page. There are many charities that you may choose to give to including Lutheran World Relief (www.lwr.org) and LCMS Relief (www.lcms.org ). LCC is partner with these and several other organizations. You may donate online below.

Disciples Send

As I mentioned earlier, we have men and women from our Lutheran family in Haiti right now. We pray on their behalf that God would use them to have people Meet Jesus and Experience the Support of His Church. I also commend us to look for every opportunity that may come through our community to act and send from St. John’s. Maybe God will use us through the gifts of first responders, medical workers, engineers, pilots, government officials, teachers, child care workers, the military, the financial industry, etc. We know we can’t all go, but we can send those who the Lord is calling. It is a time for prayer over who God is positioning to send into this mission field.

Disciples Never Forget

I’m thankful that St. John’s has never forgotten the people we have and continue to serve in the Gulf Coast areas. The attention on Haiti will fade in the public view just as it did with Hurricane Katrina, but we have a calling never to forget the poor and needy. To paraphrase and expand on Jesus words, “we will always have Haiti with us” and just as a woman anointed Jesus for his cross—the ultimate mission of mercy—we are called to live as His disciples who carry in our hearts a cross-carrying, life of mercy for those that the world overlooks.