And the Students Respond

Once again, the students of Grace have stepped up and filled a need! We requested that they bring in items for the "Haiti Baby Shower" and they responded! We received about 20 Wal-Mart bags full of blankets, clothes, formula, wipes, Pedialyte and other items that are a necessity for young children.

While many small groups went together and purchased things, we had one student, Erika H., that had her mom post the flyer at work, and received several bags of items from her moms co-workers, and also pitched in and bought a bag full of clothes and other items with her own money!

We also had one student, Naomi F., that took the time to make a few blankets for the children in Haiti. Here is a photo of one of her blankets (taken with my cell phone, sorry for the poor quality)

And as we were wrapping up this evening at small groups, I received a text from a student that was not at church because of illness, but wanted to make sure she could still get her items on the truck!

What an example these students have been to those around them! And I pray that these items will bring hope in the name of Jesus to those still suffering in Haiti.

Let's fill a truck!

REMINDER: Bring you HAITI RELIEF supplies to Wooster Grace Church today. Praise God for what has already been given!!! I am excited to see how God will continue to use the people from our church for Haiti.

Sunday, Feb 14th

I thought the first Sunday went well. There were people donating funds and others making commitments to bring in shelter supplies. Thank you God!

We will need more flyers for next Sunday and I think I will bring a container to put supplies in, just in case people bring them in.

Now we just need to get something final on the truck. Tom? Rob?

Please keep praying for this outreach and that people will allow God to use them to help our Christian brothers and sisters so they can continue to reach out to the lost and hurting people of Haiti.

Waiting for a reply back regarding the dates for teams. Yesterday, I talked to a couple people who had signed up to go. Keep praying for this also.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up" Eccl 4:9-10

Thank you. I believe God will bless those who reach out to the "church" in need and the lost.

Come Together Now - Haiti Benefit

Here is a YouTube Video of the Come Together Now song that Michael W Smith wrote for Haiti benefit. The Contemporary Christian Musician community recorded this song (think We Are The World) to Benefit Haiti and you can purchase it on iTunes

Carol Mills Bio

My name is Carol Mills and I have been attending Wooster Grace Brethren Church for over 12 years with my husband Nate. We have three beautiful children that have since joined us!! Taylor is almost 12 years old and active in Children's Choir and SMM Amigas at church as well as keeping us busy playing OSU Soccer. Our son Drew is 8 years old and also involved in Children's Choir as well as whatever sport is in season! Our youngest Toby is almost 5 years old and has been with us, from his birth country of South Korea, since he was just over 2 years old.

As a family, we enjoy spending time together watching movies, visiting the zoo or various museums, playing Wii, and attending sporting events of our children, local community and when we are afforded the opportunity, even our local professional teams (Go CAVS!) We enjoy going to Contemporary Christian Concerts as well, my favorite of which include Third Day, Skillet, Barlow Girl and many many more! Some of my favorite movies include Fireproof, The Ultimate Gift and Disney movies!

Books that I enjoy reading include those by Nicolas Sparks and Karen Kingsbury. I have also recently read Crazy Love by Frances Chan with my adult Small group and continue to be challeneged by what I learned. Of course my favorite time reading is in the mornings, in God's Word.

I am currently working with Student Ministries in organizing a Baby Shower for Haiti with my wonderful High School Small Group girls, Lindsey J., Hope F., Micaela H., Erika M. and Erika H.

Why the Children

During times of crisis, as the Haitians have recently encountered, it is easy to sit back and be overwhelmed by the devastation. It's easy to see broken buildings, and broken homes and broken bodies, but sometimes it's even harder to look deeper into the broken spirits and the broken lives of the people of Haiti. The burden of the broken buildings and broken bodies is heavy on the hearts and lives of the adults of the country, but it is the broken spirits that will most greatly effect the children. These children count on those around them to care for them and to help them to see what life is about. They are fully dependent on the adults around them and when they are broken, or all together gone, where can they turn? That is where, as believers, we can step in and be that encouragement and hope that these children need.

Several years ago, as my husband and I began to investigate International Adoption, the orphans of Haiti soon became a tender spot in our lives. Personally, after reading the book Hands and Feet by the band members of Audio Adrenaline, my heart has not been the same and I have had a desire to make a trip to Haiti and work with a ministry in orphanages. Following the Hurricanes of 2008 that devastated Haiti, my heart grew even closer. Now, following January 12, 2010 I feel like there is a piece of me that is not here. All I can see are the children's faces, pleading for help.

Did you know that prior to the earthquake, almost half the population of Haiti consisted of Children, ages 0-14? I am sure since January 12 that percentage has unfortunately increased.

Here are some statistics (2006 figures) taken from the Hands and Feet book:

• 8 percent of children born in Haiti will die before their first birthday
• 30,000 children under the age of 5 will die each year
• Minimum wage in Haiti is approximately $1.70 a DAY

So "Why the Children" you may ask? Because they are the future of Haiti. They are often the lost and forgotten, but without them, without reaching them in the Name of Jesus, this tragic situation will continue to be just that... tragic. Lets take this opportunity God has placed before us to make a difference not only in the lives of a few children with diapers and formula, but to be an impact in a country that has been hurting for a very long time, and needs the Healing Grace of a God that loves them more then they may yet know.

We Are the World Video for Haiti

We all heard it was coming. Hear it now....
We Are The World" Video for Haiti:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApSMiXUTZ3Q
or
http://bit.ly/bcCvMF

Now let us show them what Christians can do. :)