07/06/2015
Bon Jour Friends from Jacmel, Haiti--Children's Hope. (and yes, College Stations!)
Children's Hope. How fitting a name. I wont give you my version--read the about page at www.childrens-hope.com.
However, do take a moment to read this. Just so you have some insight why we as a family and a business work alongside this ministry. First, this association give me no claim to anything good or righteous. I do have a desire for a clear vision of what is right. My family and I are in Haiti. My wife Christy, my daughter Madison (18), and my son Hudson (11) along with 11 other team members.
I just want to share with those who have become a part of this business venture and others who may see this post or be considering becoming a customer. The footer of every page of www.collegestations.org has the Children's Hope logo and link stating that we proudly support. I want to be clear on exactly what that means.
We are humbled to be associated with a ministry that serves others. We do not promote any ability or credit to ourselves for engaging in this ministry. I want my family to engage in something worthwile and give back in some way. We all should.
But without fail, what happens is that we find that we are not here to help them--we are here to help US! Not in a selfish way. Here's how God works--when you take the time and come to a place like this, what you must do is shed most all modern conveniences and then you spend your time in a community that is certainly impoverished and hard to accept. What you are forced to do is connect with people. Eyes meet eyes, maybe a hug or some exchange, a small child who can't take their eyes off of you that draws you in. It's a million things.
Amazes me how God does this. You cannot deny it. He says that He "Uses that which is Foolish to confound the wise". In other words, He loves to do things that just can't be explained outside of His intervention. In this case--when you make a connection with someone else--YOU MAKE A CONNECTION WITH YOURSELF! Why?--we were created to connect. When we create isolation, division, categorization, etc., you create factions that exclude. You may gain a title or association with an institution, a badge, maybe even a church???
We are here working in Haiti. It is part of the focus of College Stations not because we want you to assign some more value towards us, but because WE need it and we are grateful we found help for us!
As a note, a percent of every dollar you spend with www.collegestations.org goes directly to this ministry. And we urge you to go on their website and donate. Every dime goes to aiding orphans.
Thanks for allowing the rant!! Now buy our shelf!!!!
Brien, Christy, Madison, Hudson
