A long Week......

It's been a long week....
My heart and thoughts have been consumed by the earthquake and the resulting devastation in Haiti.
I think that it is one of the most horrific tragedies
that I have seen in my lifetime.. and I'm not that young:)
At some level I compare Haiti to Vanuatu ...Maybe it is because both are third world countries.
Maybe it is because the people are so poor.
Maybe it is because Vanuatu is situated directly on the Pacific Ring of Fire and my kids experience earthquakes often, there were two last time I was there.
Maybe it is because the Haitians remind me of the Ni Vanuatu, and I've grown to love the Ni Vanuatu.
Whatever the many reasons...my feelings are intense

I've been reading missionary blogs this week.
Those who are in Haiti and are experiencing first hand the suffering and realities of this tragedy are writing and sharing their experiences.

Missionaries are a blessed group...
I am struck by the strength and endurance of the missionaries in the midst of the difficult circumstances that they are faced with...
that they would not grow weary in doing good, but continue to be sober in all things that they will endure hardship and do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill their ministry.
2 Timothy 4:5-8

I am struck by their thankfulness and acknowledgment of God's care and grace during this time.
It is good to give thanks to You Lord
and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High God. Psalm 92:1

I am struck at their trust and faith in God in spite of the chaos and death that surrounds them.
I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust! Psalm 91:2-3
for it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence
He will cover you with with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark .

This morning I heard of one missionary that flew into the Dominican Republic and hiked over the mountains to reach the orphanage that he works with, his heart is there. He found everyone alive, but their needs are huge.

On the news last night there were American parents begging for help in finding their daughter and her group of friends. They were on a humanitarian mission and they are missing in the hotel in the center of town. The same hotel that they found Dan ,the man who works for Compassion Inc. alive , but his friend Don is still missing. They were together when the quake hit.

If I'm honest there have been times that WHY has run through my mind, and
the verse that keeps coming to me, "for my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.
for as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts," Isaiah 55:8-10

Why do I want to put God in my box?

On the home front...My nephew is sitting on my couch as I write this.. his mom is at school... he can't be alone......One day at a time...he keeps reminding me. We are at a week....waiting for treatment.

In both situations it will be a long haul, filled with huge obstacles
And in both cases we will need to trust God...
In both cases we will need miracles....
What is impossible for man is possible for God.
Thank you Lord for this promise.