Unfortunately, we both took ill within days of arrival. It hit us differently—I couldn’t hold anything down and Andy had a fever of over 102 degrees—but we were both in bad shape. In the midst of the sickness, my mom stepped up and babied me the way only a mother can. Although many mothers are adept at caring for ill children (even 26-year-old children), my mom’s compassion for those who are suffering is a testament to God’s work in her life.

My mom’s family background was of the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” variety, but in the last five years, I have watched as God has called my mom to be a comfort to those suffering around her, whether it is from physical illness or the death of a loved one. Since God gave her the mission, He also equipped her with His compassion, love, patience, gentleness and faithfulness, which are needed to care for those who are hurting. Through God’s work in her, I have learned that it is only by His strength that we can truly “weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15)

Seeing God’s work in my mom’s life has also revealed in me a need for Christ-like compassion on those who are sick and suffering around me. Being perfectly honest, though, my lack of compassion is not due to a lack of gifts.  Selfishness is what hinders me from serving the sick like my mom and other godly believers I know.  I put my desire for comfort above God’s call to tend to those who are sick.  I once heard someone say that only the godly priests who died during the bubonic plague, because it was only the selfless priests who would put themselves in harm’s way to care for those who were dying. Today, I’m hardly dealing with the Black Death, but I am praying that God uses this cold and flu season to grow my compassion and love towards those around me.

We are grateful for the courage it took to share this and hope it will give a picture of hope and healing for you or those you love and care for. For those who haven’t been harmed in this way, we believe it’s important for you to see and hear how the gospel can radically transform any heart and any situation.

It took years for the State of California to put my biological father on trial. Ironically, it took longer to get him into the courtroom than it did for him to pay for his crimes. A childhood full of abuse was paid for in just 3 short years! And as I searched for his status on the Megan’s Law website last week, I discovered he lives only 18 miles away from me! A man capable of committing such heinous acts against his own children is free! And yet instead of anger at his sin, I find myself broken over my own sin.

Looking at the website, I can see my vindication in black and white: “lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14.” There it is, for all to see, like a scarlet letter that will follow him into his grave. Even worse, when he stands before God, that line will be just one of thousands of heinous sins committed against God. But before you too condemn him to hell, let me ask what your caption would say?? Mine would say, “idolater, fornicator, homosexual, liar, thief, druggie.” Am I anymore deserving of God’s grace than he is?

When I look at my life before Christ saved me, I truly see myself as the worst of sinners. Before I was saved, I always took pride that I never “hurt” anyone, but in reality my sin marred Jesus beyond recognition (Isaiah 52:14, 53:3). There was nothing good in me. I didn’t and still don’t deserve to be chosen by God and forgiven of my sins.

So although my initial reaction is to be fearful that I may see him at the grocery store or mall—or worse yet that he will show up at my home—I can’t help but feel compassion for him as I reflect on how the gospel intersects this situation. If I truly believe that my heart is deceitfully wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) and that there is nothing good in me (Psalm 14:1-3), then how can I look at others with condemnation?

Of course, I will exercise wisdom and keep him away from me and my children, but I do feel sorry for him. No one grows up wanting to deeply wound their children, but the wickedness of his heart allowed him to be lured and enticed by his own desires (James 1:14-15).

Several years ago, I wished he would die, but now I find myself praying that God would save his soul and use him to glorify Christ.

After all, Paul murdered Christians and look at how God used Paul to bring glorify to Jesus! In hindsight, I can see hundreds of blessings that resulted from the hundreds of trials I endured as a child.

I cling to 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 and, although Paul is talking specifically about being comforted in religious persecution, I find that the comfort God gave me in these trials has allowed me to bond with others who have received God’s comfort in their afflictions. It’s so evident in this situation that what Satan meant for evil, God meant for good. Rejoice with me in God’s grace!

Shot by Catherine Lainé of AIDG (flickr)

If you haven’t been in a cave, then you know of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti six days ago, and the ensuing humanitarian crisis that’s developing now.  Over 200,000 are now estimated dead with many of the living in desperate need of food, water and medical care.  Christian and non-Christian alike are working hard to help mitigate and relieve some of the incredible suffering that’s now taking place.

For believers, we are called to be faithful stewards of God’s resources.  That means that we should be saving up funds to spend on others, and not just ourselves.  Jesus tells the story in Luke 16 of an unrighteous, worldly steward who knew enough to spend his master’s money in a way that would benefit his future.  And Jesus argues that if an unbeliever knows enough to do this, how much more should Christians be investing God’s money into things of eternal consequence!

With that in mind, I wanted to make you aware of a variety of solid, trustworthy and less-heard-of relief organizations that are now hard at work in Haiti:

• Churches Helping Churches – an effort launched by James MacDonald and Mark Driscoll to specifically help solid Haitian churches that have been flattened or otherwise destroyed by the earthquake.  Hospitals, schools and other major buildings get all the attention, but biblically solid churches need to exist in Haiti for them to truly thrive.
• Childrens’ Hunger Fund – this organization is primarily focused on bringing food and the hope of the gospel to kids.  Francis Chan (pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley) sits on the board and they have been operating in Haiti since before the earthquake.
• Missionary Flights International – they provide air support to missionaries working in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  Since the earthquake, they have been shutting supplies there as often as the airport will let them land.  Here’s a report on MFI from our own Eric Verkouteren…

As the Lord would providentially have it, I’m sitting in the parking lot of Missionary Flights International in Fort Pierce Florida, awe struck of the mercy god supplies. As an established organization, MFI organizes and partnerships with missionaries in Haiti to be a support chain in the supply of personel and goods. In response to the recent earthquake, this operation has expanded it’s daily flights and services beyond what it can withhold. As I walk around the hanger I see over 200 volunteers packing and sorting supplies. In talking with the Vice President Larry Cambell, he acknowledges the donations of some 100,000 lbs of supplies just today! MFI normally operates three restored DC-3 aircraft, but the demand has quickly exceeded the capacity of the organization.

Supplies being loaded at MFI (by Eric V)

In talking with Mr. Campbell he explained, ” The need is beyond our limit. With the generous support of Hendrix Motorsports we have two corporate jets shuttling workers and personnel. But we are still overwhelmed. We have 100,000 lbs of supplies sitting on the hanger floor with no way to get it down to Haiti. We need a C-130 or other aircraft to acomplish the task.”
Surely the need will continue for the next few months. Acording to Mr. Campbell, the US military has taken over the airport in Haiti, the flights are leaving several times a day. As I write I’m watching the supplies be loaded, personnel making their last phone calls, and more supplies arriving by the pallet. I’m stirred and I hope you are too to seek the lords hand, and to reach out how He may lead. More than just a temperal need, there is a spiritual need beyond what we can imagine.
Let’s rally in Christ…
In Him,
Eric