As we finish the unloading and begin the distribution process, I am reminded life is not about pleasure, or comfort, or status, it is about love. Love costs something and is most reflected through the action of selfless giving. Loving others will always cost you something, whether time or money.
The world makes it hard to give, to sacrifice, as it plays on the human emotions of fear and greed which magnify the continual need for more within us.
The world makes it hard to receive as the channels for distribution in life are built for profit, not freewill giving. Governments require bribes, organizations find it hard to work together, people lack urgency for those things which are not self-fulfilling or promoting.
In the end, as a church, and representing a group of churches, Guts Church banded together, $20 at a time, believed God, worked hard, and looking for God to produce an immense harvest.
And God did.
In total we have supplied food for half the population of La Gonave for a full month. That's 50,000 people eating and drinking absolutely free for an entire month. We have given them some breathing room, taken the pressure off.
What is incredible is the distribution that is taking place through over 50 churches and many denominations. People on La Gonave are flooding to church because church now represents resource, relief, joy, and revival is breaking out. Church services are standing room only and multitudes are coming to Jesus Christ through the distribution of these goods.
I know we will never be able to measure the full impact of food distribution on this scale in such an impoverished place, but I am certain that a lasting impact has been made.
My hope is that people on La Gonave will not associate the earthquake with fear and loss, but as the years wear on and memories are solidified, they will remember the love of Christ that was poured out through Guts Church and all the churches that banded together to deliver this great gift from God to Haitians on La Gonave.
If I died today I would know for certain that I had the opportunity to participate in a great work for God at a critical time in history when impoverished people were beyond desperation, but saw the hand of God move on their behalf and lavish them with provision and restore their hope.
Death has been swollowed up in victory.
Mission accomplished.
Eric English
Sent from my iPhone
(check out some of the photos from this trip by clicking on the "VIEW ATTACHED MEDIA" icon)
