YS in Haiti

Posted By: Adam McLane on January 26 2010

Like millions of others I sat in front of my television as news rolled in of the devastation in Haiti. The horror before my eyes as Anderson Cooper described the scene was almost too difficult to bear. Buildings toppled. Lives lost. Government collapsed. And people were left on the streets, literally calling out Jesus’ name.

In those first few hours there was little more that I could do but join in their chorus of tears as I cried out to God, pleading for Him to have mercy on these people who have suffered so much already.

On my blog I wrote:

In moments like this I feel like there is little I can do. While I would love to hop on a plane and “go help” the truth is I don’t have any skills that are actually useful. (I doubt they need a blogger) I will do the next best thing. I will give what I can and commit to joining the people of Haiti who stretch out their arms and call out Jesus’ name.

Little did I know that I really do have some skills that are needed in Haiti right now.

In mid-February I am joining a team of youth ministry folks down to Haiti. I will literally be the hands, feet, eyes, and ears of Youth Specialties on the ground as this team collectively acts as the hands and feet of Jesus— serving the people of Haiti.

When I was presented with this opportunity I had a lot of fears to work through. “Would I somehow be in the way?“ “What if I get hurt?“ “What if I see stuff that is emotionally traumatic?“ “How can I serve people when I don’t speak their language or understand their culture?“ On and on, I listed my fears.

And then it hit me. God had presented me with this challenge. I’m not going to call it a test, but more like God was calling me on the carpet about many things I say I believe. I’ve talked all this game about social justice, mercy ministry, and living in a way that Christ lived… but was I willing to literally put that talk into action?

I swallowed hard and came to this conclusion.

The fear of doing nothing far outweighs the fear of something going wrong.

Three ways you can get involved.

1. Pray for the team. I’ll talk more about the team next week. But it involves several youth ministry bloggers from various ministries and denominational backgrounds, and a well-respected missions organization who has a strong history in rapid responses to natural disasters.
2. Follow the story. Tune in right here on the blog. I’ll be sharing daily video/pictures/stories from my experience in Haiti.
3. Start preparing. I’m not going to be shy… my hope is that as I share my experience you will be compelled to follow me to Haiti. I know many people have felt as helpless in the response to this crisis as I did/do. But soon you will have the opportunity to get involved, bring a team, and help join as God’s people rally to meet the need.

Much more on this in the days to come…

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