God Is Still Good

Let me begin by saying thank you to Tenth Presbyterian Church for a wonderful evening and your continued support of Door of Hope. Thank you performers from the Curtis Institute of Music- they were amazing musicians. A special thanks to Derek Zadinsky for your inspiration to help Haiti. Thank you Paul Jones for your work in making that concert happen. If you were unable to attend this event here is a recap of what was said: We began our work in Haiti in 2001. Our work has always been located in the Northwest provinces. This is a difficult place to work or live. We worked in various locations and sought opportunities to partner with the ministries that were there. It took 4 years until we were able to find our focus and passion. Although we began in construction and helped out at hospitals, it was in the orphanages that our soul dropped anchor. Door of Hope finds its focus in the plight of the orphan. Some out of pity understand orphanages as places of sadness for unwanted children. We see it as a place of rescue and deliverance from lives of servitude and bondage. For those who have been to Haiti, I am sure you share in the grief and broken heartedness that I feel viewing the images being shown on the TV since the earthquake on the 12th January. Images of unspeakable tragedy that cause me to look away and haunt me in the night. The Haitians have many proverbs that punctuate and animate their culture and language. One is “Je we, bouch pè.” “My eyes can see but my mouth is afraid to say what I have seen.” Let us continue to pray for all Haitians as they grieve the loss of loved ones and seek to rebuild their shattered lives. In all of these events God is still good. The heart of the Door of Hope ministry is located 120 miles north of Port-au-Prince well away from the epicenter of the earthquake. God has placed our ministry in a coastal town named LaPointe east of Port-de-Paix. Our principal partnership is with a Haitian run orphanage and hospital. As removed as we are from the action you see on the evening news, our location has become strategic as many people are leaving the city in need of help. Arriving in vehicles or on foot many are making the arduous 12 hour trek in search of help and hope. Whether in crisis or in the normal course of everyday Haitian life the House of Hope and the CMB Hospital are ready to help. Crisis medical teams are coming in to assist the staff there with the increase in surgeries. Unfortunately, for some they arrive too late beyond help only to die on the very threshold of help. Others have amputations and require recovery. Some of these are children, who we will soon see as we expect to arrive in Haiti on the 18th of February. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak this evening. One of the special privileges and burdens of working with poor is to speak for them. In Proverbs 31, the lesser quoted portion of that great chapter says “Open your mouth for those who cannot speak for themselves, and for the rights of all who are the sons of those who are passing away. Open your mouth, judge righteously; defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.” It is an honor for us to partner with Tenth is this work and carry your gift directly to those in need. Door of Hope is committed to a zero overhead component so your gift tonight will go in its entirety directly to help these who are indeed “the sons of those who are passing away.” Jesus told us while He walked among us that “the poor you will always have with you.” This crisis has given us a chance to respond to their need. I am always asked for help when I am in Haiti. Often Haitians ask not with words, just by a simple hand gesture. Tonight I do this gesture in front of you and as for help on their behalf. Thank you. PRAISE GOD- the donations from the evening went over and above what we had hoped and prayed for. Great is Thy faithfulness!