Soul Survivor – Philip Yancey

July 2, 2010 By Becky 1 Comment

Philip Yancey’s book Soul Survivor highlights the lives of thirteen mentors that helped his faith survive the church. One such mentor was Dr. Paul Bland, co-author with Yancey on The Gift of Pain, In His Image, and Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. Dr. Bland founded a leprosy center in Vellore, India named Karigiri. Dr. Bland stated, “I thank God for pain..I cannot think of a greater gift I could give my leprosy patients.” The pain system protects the human body from attack. He reminded Yancey that he treats a person, not a disease and that doing so was the true meaning of rehabilitation. After a visit to the leprosarium, Yancey concluded that it was unavoidable to learn about the infinite worth of human beings.

I was struck by Bland’s life and many others in Soul Survivor.  How they saw God’s people and their role as a Christian was inspiring to say the least. I often think about the people out “looking for God” or “trying to find themselves”. I wonder if they’ve ever tried serving the sick. God is there.

Filed Under: Books, We Love Tagged With: Books

Hope in Haiti

March 28, 2010 By Mylissa Leave a Comment

Last night, the kids and I watched a short piece on 60 Minutes called “The Lost Children of Haiti”. Beautifully done, it touched on the issues that orphanages in Haiti are now facing, as well as the plight of Resteveks, child slaves in Haiti. The concern is that with the vast number of kids that can’t find their parents, child slavery will greatly increase.

Just as compelling was the story of Jean-Mark, son of Haitian pastor Moise Vaval. Vaval is the country director for Global Orphan Project. Shortly after the earthquake, Pastor Moise realized his son was missing. He also had a destroyed orphanage with hundreds of needy children to tend to.

Pastor Moise said two things in the piece that really stuck with me. When asked how he was dealing with the fear and concern regarding his missing child, he said, “’I never worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will be good, because its in God’s hands.” Because I was watching this on TV, you could clearly see the love and concern for his dear son in his eyes. His response was not born out of shock or trauma. It seemed to pour from his heart.

Sadly, they did find Jean-Mark, and the Vavals were able to bury their son. Pastor Moise said, “I was able to bury my son – which is a grace from God since so many others can’t”. Again, a response that has to born from a deep connectedness to the heart of Christ.

Having looked just the thought of death in the eye with my own child, I can admit that my response was not as Holy as Pastor Moise’s. I hope and pray if my family experiences tragedy�once again, that we can respond as gracefully and with as much compassion as this dear family. How about you?

Watch the full video here.

Filed Under: We Love Tagged With: missions

No Rococo

January 21, 2010 By Mylissa Leave a Comment

I love the title of Sophorn McRae’s blog – and her welcome phrase -

The key to living simply is living a well-edited life, leaving no room for anything else but what makes you a happier and better person.

Her vision fits so well with the mission of HFH – to do nothing other than what would affect each family’s ultimate happiness and well-being. And to keep it simple.

Sophorn has been working on a logo for the upcoming launch of The Barn Raising Project, and here are some of our favorite images:

Please leave your comments here, and help us find a great image to promote this campaign!

Filed Under: Barn Raising, Families and Friends, We Love Tagged With: friends

Birthday Blessings

October 5, 2009 By Andy Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago some friends from church, Kyle and Jill McLane, came up to me with a great idea. Just to give a little background, Kyle is the Assistant Director of Horticulture at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Not only is Kyle and his family friends of ours from church; he has personally taken time to consult with Habitat for Hope and designed the new landscaping beds put together on the property this summer.

What was the great idea? Kyle and Jill were planning a birthday party for their son Bryce. As they were getting ready to send out invitations, they had an idea to put a little different spin on birthday party protocol. They wanted to suggest their guests bring gifts for HFH families in place of gifts for their son Bryce. As they were standing there asking me if they could do this, I immediately said, “Yes, that would be great!” Then Jill asked me, “Could HFH families use gift cards from Target and Wal-Mart?” Again I said, “Yes, that would be great!” Soon, the invitations were sent.

Bryce had his birthday party on Saturday September 26th and celebrated with a big bash at the new children’s venue at Memphis Botanic Garden called My Big Backyard.� After church the following morning, Bryce came up to me with a huge grin and handed me a bag full of gift cards to be given to HFH families.� What a beautiful picture of a child playing a huge role in furthering the Kingdom of God.

Thank you McLane crew for blessing HFH families in such a simple practical way. Also, thank you for giving us a great example of how we can use a day normally reserved for thinking of ourselves to bless someone else.

Bryce turns 7 on October 14th. Happy birthday little man!

Filed Under: Families and Friends, We Love Tagged With: Volunteers

common bonds

August 16, 2009 By Andy Leave a Comment

The following was written by one of our most active and helpful volunteers, Becky Davis. She recently developed a close relationship with a family that HFH had been helping – below she shares her unique story and experience.

My husband Tucker and I were introduced to Habitat for Hope from some friends at Fellowship Memphis. It seemed like a great opportunity for us to serve others who were experiencing some variation of what we went through. Tucker was diagnosed with leukemia in April of 2006. The hospital gets scary, boring, and exhausting. We were blessed to have Jesus’ presence and many other people who frequently brought CD’s, DVDs, real food, and just came by to pray or chat. He is well now and in remission! When we heard about Habitat for Hope and their ministry to serve displaced families and their sick children we were excited to get involved.

Recently, I was able to meet and minister to one of our new families, Amy and her daughter Layla. Layla has been in Memphis to be treated for a rare brain infection. Amy was very grateful for Habitat for Hope – the meals, the prayers, and the talks. I was grateful to hear her positive perspective that God has a great plan for her child. And He does!

Habitat for Hope has been a great reminder of how God uses the body of Christ to minister in a variety of ways in order to show Christ’s love. Thank you Habitat for Hope!

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Filed Under: Families and Friends, We Love Tagged With: Volunteers
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