Not building upon another’s foundation, but building
The horrific destruction and human suffering in Haiti exert an almost irresistible pull on U.S. Christian missionaries eager to help. But as the jailing last week of 10 missionaries from a small Baptist church in Idaho illustrates, best intentions don’t always translate into good deeds in the chaotic aftermath of the monster earthquake.
Many mission groups provide essential services for Haitians — indeed some have evolved into key service providers, working alongside nonprofit groups and the U.N. to fill gaps that the Haitian government can’t fill.
But other missions, even when well-meaning, risk running afoul of Haiti’s culture and laws.
via Haiti awash in Christian aid, evangelism
Reading about the Haitian earthquake, I yearned to go and help. This yearning came mostly from my own need of fulfillment, and I found it necessary to remind myself that I did have a work to do, one given to me by Christ. I could not abandon that work for a flight of fancy.
(For those unacquainted with my work, I am a youth pastor, Christian musician and summer volunteer at Bible camps. Learn about my latest endeavor at RockontheMount.com.)
Each Christian must find his or her calling, and commit to it. That is how we will reach Haiti and the rest of the world, by building God’s church, one brick at a time, so to speak. We can change the world, but not on the spur of the moment.
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© 2010, Mark Adams. All rights reserved. For inquiries press here.
Originally posted 2010-02-08 15:26:53.
