Overwhelmed...

As I huddle in the cool dim light of a deer blind this morning, my head and heart stir with emotion. I sit and stare at His creation.

The sun about to rise to the east; morning colors beginning to warm the still sky; a small brown moth flapping his wings against the window; the rejuvenating smell of a night of rain and the still calm of the morning.  All this splendor, His glory, a fresh breath, a new day.

Thank you Lord, for yesterday wants to be forgotten. 

As we witness the tragic murder of the innocent in Connecticut and around the world in China, we should hug our loved ones tighter and kiss our kids at bedtime one extra time.  These senseless acts, another painful and grievous reminder of this dark and sinful world.

And the infamous question haunts the world again, as it does way too often: "Why God, Why?"

As the overwhelming thoughts of pain, anger, unbelief, and, if I'm honest, some distrust in God, I marvel at blessings! Not just the normal everyday blessing of living in America where we have our every need and desire at our finger tips, but more, much more.

Last night as the wind began to stir and the much needed rain began to fall, I went to shut our old crooked front door to close out a another day, a day to be forgotten.  But again today, I took notice, something caught my attention. A mountain of blessing, an out pouring of provision! Someone left Christmas on our porch! Jen and I thought of how awesome it was for someone to leave all this stuff for a family. Since we neighbor a church, I text the pastor and asked if they were awaiting a delivery. He answered simply, "Santa must have come early." So as the cold rain began to puddle around our porch, we brought in box after box of blessing. Food and gifts, amazing! 

Jen and I still clueless, wondered who the delivery was intended for and how are we supposed to get it to someone we don't know. We made some calls, sent a few text messages out and thought, "How ironic?"  Two gift baskets for boys and one for a girl. Random, we have 2 boys and 1 girl; Major, Beckett and Addyx. Just a coincidence; so we kept moving boxes in so that the rain wouldn't do any damage. My phone sounded.  A text message providing clarity.

"The gifts on your porch are gifts for you given by some people that love you and you would never expect to receive from. Be blessed. Be a good receiver. Merry Christmas!"

Really? Holy Crap!

Thankful tears streamed and I stood in grace, speechless, which doesn't tend to happen too often.

That infamous question arises again, but this time from joy, not pain, "Why God, why?"

See it's not what was received, it’s that we received. It's not about food, not gifts, but a blessing. So often in this world, in our ruts, in the mundane, the blessings are overlooked, missed or completely lost.

Not tonight, Lord, not tonight. 

What a humbling feeling to be blessed, to be overwhelmed at receiving a gift because someone was willing to love radically as Jesus did. So as I write this, as tears still fall, for the pain of others and the blessing my family received I sit, I sit overwhelmed...

Sean

Hear our Hearts

As many of you know, over the past few years, Jen and I have been traveling to Haiti and God has truly broken our hearts for His children there.  Call it a perspective change, but God has given us a new set of lenses in which to view this world.  We have seen and experienced the circumstances of such a beautiful, yet broken, country and our hearts have been stirred.  Haiti was the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere before the tragic earthquake of 2010.  Throughout our travels, God has placed young men and women in our path that we cannot ignore.  In obediently seeking His will for our lives, we are being led in a new direction on our family’s journey.  God has made it clear that He is leading us, along with our children, to go and do life with our students, orphans, and families in and around the community He places us in Haiti. 

With our organization, Education Impact, we now have a vessel and plan to move us to Haiti, to fulfill a calling on our life to be with the Next Generation there.  Through education and discipleship, we believe God will empower amazing young men and women to change Haiti from the inside out.  Education Impact will support these extraordinary students, who are believers in Christ, to attend higher levels of education and trade schools.  As education is important in the lives of these students, life can be one of the most important educational tools.  Not only do we want them to be educated, but our family desires to be there to disciple these young people through challenges they will face.  By God’s grace we will help them move towards His will for their own lives, their family, their personal ministry and their community.  Our prayer is that we are the first of many Home Families to love these students as they strive to succeed in their journey through education and the future that follows.  We will be there – every step of the way – alongside these students as they grow in their faith and align themselves with God’s will for the restoration of their country.

It is obvious a great financial need comes with this great responsibility.  Jen and I know God is calling us to Haiti to support the Next Generation, and we are asking for your support.  From one-time gifts to continuing monthly donations, our goal is to raise $4,000.00 a month.  The money will allow us to raise our family in Haiti, provide support and discipleship to the students, and together serve the community around us – sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ by being the hands and feet of God.  Our goal is to move our family in the summer of 2013, and to be able to accomplish this goal, we need certain funds raised and pledges made as soon as possible.  This will allow us to move forward with the needed preparations for our journey. 

We know you likely have many questions as you read this letter.  It is very important to our family and to Education Impact that we operate with the utmost transparency and authenticity, so your feedback and questions are welcome.  As our journey begins to take shape, we want you to walk this with us.  We have included two Education Impact flyers and ask for your help in spreading the word of our mission.  If you, your church, your small group, book club, family or friends would like more information, please contact us so we can continue to share our heart and mission for the Next Generation in Haiti. 

Our family thanks you for your prayers as we travel down this path in faith.  We trust you and seek to have you behind us, supporting us in every challenge and endeavor we face as our story unfolds.

Sean, Jen, Major, Addyx & Beckett