A Week In Hell

This past week has been a mess of events that have really put the character of so many of us to such an incredible test.

East Tennessee has had a storm of adversities popping up all around.  But - that's for a later discussion.

I sit here watching from my home - watching all the horrendous coverage of the earthquake that has completely shaken and stirred Haiti.  I say stirred for one reason.  The good in this is the sight of the whole world coming to their rescue.

Amazing what advances in technology can do to flood your life with information.  There are - indeed - times when all that chaos can move us to lift our heads and hands into the air - to thank God - before taking steps to find our own way to help those needing us so desperately.

I tend to reach out and help in little ways here and there - trying to do a little something for somebody - everywhere.  Here at home - thanks again, to technology - my favorite times happen at Food City.

I can go grocery shopping - and am able to take as many little tags as I wish - to hand to the cashier for running across that laser.  Each tag represents one dollar that will go toward a special program that helps pay for keeping utilities turned on.

Someone less fortunate gets to stay warm for another month.  And I do that with thought and faith in my heart that someone living near my family members that may be having trouble might be doing the same as me.

Once again - Food City is stepping up to the plate - as if their own wasn’t full enough already.  Not only are they helping with the utilities program - they have joined in on helping all those folks down in Haiti.  And I will pull extra tags!

White Stone Church - here in the Knoxville area - has a history for having aided in construction of a church - school - and the Coq Chante Orphanage for girls - in Haiti.  They host an annual Golf Tournament in Knoxville to raise funds for their efforts - as well.  The tournament has become one of the favorites in our area.

All three buildings that have offered promise - hope - chance of life - for so many children there - has been taken completely down to ruin.  They have suffered casualties - as well.

And they are asking for help.  Pastor Mark Zimmerman has been running
updates at their website - where you can get first-hand relay messages regarding their procession through this tragedy.  You can also Donate through Paypal there!

The Knoxville News Sentinel has posted photos taken by Pastor Zimmerman - for sharing with all of us!

One of the first rays of hope I heard - as soon as possible after the earthquake hit - were the simple words “ Doctors Without Borders.”

Immediately - I felt warmth and security in knowing comfort and truly immediate help was there.  Why?  Because I know there is one particular man there.  A former and recently retired Senator from our state - whom also goes by the name of - Mr. Bill Frist, M.D.

And THIS is the reason why I’m so thankful and proud of the fact that he’s no longer working for our state!

I pray that God gives each of us - whatever it is that each one of us personally needs - to stir our heart enough to move us in the direction of finding even the smallest way to help the people of Haiti - right now.

Because they need that help right now - like never before.  And we all know - they’ve needed the right kind of help - for a very long time.  And they need our prayers more than most of us - especially at this time.

For everything inside my heart that I am feeling for all those folks - I’m choosing to leave this special video - again.  It carries a deeply important message - of hope - and strength.