How to pray for Haiti

A lot of times when I want to pray for someone or something, I can’t find the words. I found this on my church’s website and thought that someone out there might find it just as useful as I did.

• Pray for those who have been affected by the quake – people who are trapped in rubble or homeless, those who are hungry or injured or traumatized.

• Pray for all those who are involved in the relief effort, that the Lord would give them strength to deal with the awful conditions they are facing.

• Pray for those who are trying to organize people and resources to assist with the relief efforts.

• Pray that God would stir up his people to respond with the love of Christ to help people in desperate need.

My sweet son, who is 5, remembers Haiti in his prayers almost every night. He either asks for God to give the people of Haiti new hearts since theirs have been broken, for God to watch over them since they are sleeping in the streets, for God to give them new wives since a lot of people lost theirs, for God to give them food since all of it was smashed, and for strength.

Hearing his heart for people who are hurting so badly right now, makes me wish that the Haitians knew that even in Katy, TX a child is lifting them up in prayer. Maybe, if even for just one moment, it might let someone feel the arms of God wrapped around them.

And don’t you know that God loves the prayers of children as much as He loves adult prayers even when we can’t find the “right” words…

Haiti.

I am still trying to wrap my mind around the ever-worsening horror in Haiti. My heart is sick over the unimaginable tragedies there.

I came across a blog written by a missionary couple that has been serving in Haiti for a few years. The link below is the husband’s firsthand account of what he experienced during the earthquake. If this doesn’t break your heart enough to either make a donation toward aid for Haiti or get on your knees and pray, I don’t know what will:

http://rollingsinhaiti.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/earthquake-day-in-port-au-prince/

I cannot even begin to imagine what this man must be dealing with emotionally. Not only does Haiti need our prayers, but so does everyone involved in search and rescue.

I was discussing donations with a friend of mine and she mentioned that some of her Haitian friends living in South Florida have said that they worry that some of the smaller charities out there collecting money won’t even make it to the needed areas. Let’s pray that the following charities are good stewards over the money they receive. I have read that Compassion is already in active operation toward aid for Haiti and so is World Vision. You can also get on the official Red Cross website and give online. Go to Redcross.org and look for "donate" and choose "International Response Fund." You'll see Haiti specified there. If any of you are like me and financially strapped right now, and looking for a way to make a vital contribution that won't put you further in the hole, perhaps this ready option might work:

 Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. It will be charged on your cell phone bill. How easy is that?!

When I think about the thousands of people that are still alive but trapped, or the parents who are desperately searching for their missing children, or the scared - now homeless - children searching for their parents, my heart breaks into a million pieces. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to go outside and 60% of Houston be completely flattened. How overwhelmed and helpless everyone must feel!

I am going to pray my heart out for these people and everything in me hopes that you will too. I wish there was more that we could do, but I know that God esteems our intercessory prayers and that prayer is SO much more powerful than we understand it to be.

UPDATE: I just read on cnn.com that the Red Cross has already raised $3 million in just over 24 hours through their text messaging campaign. Every little bit HELPS!

It's a BOY!

And we have already decided on a name for the little guy! 

Samuel Allen Wilkerson

“Sam” has been Brandon’s (maternal) grandfather’s nickname since he was a child and “Allen” was a dear friend of ours who passed away a few years ago from cancer.  Both gentleman are/were such positive, Godly influences in Brandon’s life and we are very proud to name our son in their honor.

I must admit that when we found out that we were having a little boy, I was a little sad at first.  I think mainly because I knew how badly Brandon wanted a girl.  He prayed for it every night.  But you know what? A week ago I heard a guest pastor deliver a sermon at our church and he said this, “Our greatest disappointments are God’s divine appointments.”  Those exact words are what rang through my head and even prompted me to pray and ask God’s forgiveness for my initial reaction to finding out the gender of our child.  How could I even be the slightest bit sad or disappointed when I know in my heart that all gifts that come from my Father in heaven are perfect? (James 1:17)  God’s plans are greater than anything I could ever imagine, and I trust that He gifted Brandon and I with exactly what He planned for us to have together before either of us were even born and I wouldn’t trade that for anything!  Besides, when I was pregnant with Caden I was hoping for a girl as well and I am so happy that I got him instead.  He is a blessing to us (almost) everyday. :)

Brandon was so excited to see his baby moving around during the sonogram and wouldn’t you know it, we even got a little wave from him!  It was amazing.  His little hand was opened all the way like he was ready to give us a high five, and then he made a fist and opened it right back up before our very eyes!  The technician said, “Awww he just waved hello to you!  How special…” Special, indeed!  I was amazed at how much he has grown since the first ultrasound we had back when I was only 10 weeks along in the pregnancy.  Now he is so much more defined!  We could make out his spine, and of course his arms, legs and face.  It was even more amazing to see his little heart beating.  We could see the different chambers and everything!  Other than that, he looked pretty squished in there.  And oh my goodness his feet looked huge!  I have a feeling he is going to be very long…just like his daddy.  

The pictures she got weren’t very good…it was so much clearer seeing it live. But here is the best one:

We are planning on saving up some cash so that we can do the 3D ultrasound in a few months to get better quality pictures of Samuel.  They recommend that you do it around 28-34 weeks gestation for the best results, so that puts us anywhere between 3/8 – 4/19!  I can’t WAIT!!!  It’s $195 and the package includes “8-9 frame worthy pictures and a 10 minute video of the baby in utero.”  Insurance doesn’t cover it, but I don’t think it will be too hard to save up for that!!!

I am a little overdue on my picture for this month, so here it is finally:

So a couple of days ago Brandon was finally able to feel Samuel kicking!  I wish it wasn’t pitch black in our room when it happened so I could have seen his face, but I could hear the gigantic smile in his voice as he said with great excitement, “Was that him!?”

We can’t wait to hold him in our arms!