.
What did you do on your Christmas vacation? A common question when we return
to the daily schedule of work and family. We share about gifts, friends,
family and celebrations; the places we went and the things we did. Lynda and
I want to share with you what we did! Greetings in the name of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we look forward to the holidays each year the anticipation builds
excitement and wonder. Then in a flash they are gone and we find ourselves
reflecting on the time we had. This year more than any other left a lasting
impression on Lynda and I.
As many of you know we are missionaries, we travel places to bring the
love of Christ to places that need encouragement and support. This year we
embarked on our toughest journey yet. A road trip beyond road trips! We
headed to the heart of the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew, to the
mountains of Haiti.
We were stretched and challenged to grasp the complete devastation. We
have traveled to this area before and knew the comforts of home we would
have to put behind. That did not quite prepare us for what we would
encounter. The modest comforts of the village were gone, swept away by the
wind and rain. A people that had so little now had nothing.
Nothing was left untouched by the force and devastation of the storm.
Well one thing was left untouched, the desire of the people to survive. We
watched as they put their lives back together, collecting bits and pieces,
rebuilding their lives.
It reminded me of the resiliency of the racing community. We will
rebuild, we will put it back together, we will return to race another day.
You can never count out a racer! And it was clear to us that you can never
count out a Haitian. I think they would make a great race team.
Isaiah 43:2-3a; nlt,
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Getting there was just the beginning, rising at
o’dark thirty on December 26, 3:00am; we headed out. Through the various
inspections, delays, difficulties, washed out roads, darkness we traveled
and made it to the village at 7:30pm. What we found erased the difficulties
faced on the journey. There in the community center 80 plus villagers were
singing and praising God, anticipating our visit.
As we shook off the road the smiles and greetings warmed our hearts. Our
presence brought them hope, hope that someone cared for them enough to come.
We brought with us only encouragement and the love of Christ. That was
sufficient, their prayers were heard. Their prayers were answered.
Think about the moments in our lives when we wonder if anyone hears our
pleas. We wonder if anyone knows our pain. We search for something to hold
onto, something to find hope in. The villagers found that in us. We came,
not for our benefit but for theirs. We came bringing whatever we could
carry, bringing blessings from others who want to help. We came to serve
them, not to be served.
Mark 10:45; nlt, For
even the Son of Man came not to be served
but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Miraculously, only two lives were lost. Many
shared how the hand of God saved them. A mother clung to her child as their
house was blown away. They huddled under the table when a tree fell and
crushed it. She said the wind carried her injured body and her unhurt child
to the steps of the community center and they found refuge.
Another young woman shared how the wind took the roof and walls of their
home away. Headed into the teeth of the wind they ran. Looking for
something, anything to cling to. Pieces of sheet metal from roofing flew by
inches from striking and killing them. They made it to the steps of the
community center, too exhausted to climb them. Collapsing to the ground
others came out and carried them in to safety.
There is no insurance company coming with a check to help them rebuild.
The best the U.S. can offer is tarps, blankets, rice, beans, oil and a pail
to carry water. We brought clothes and shoes, but not nearly enough. It is
hard to grasp how desperate you would get when everything is taken away.
Most natural food sources in the village were gone. The village went without
food for a week after the storm. The conditions are slowly improving but it
is a slow ride.
Haiti is a dangerous place but God provided protection for us. For all the
good we did there were some who were left out. Their desperation moved them
to question why they were left out. For our protection we left under the
cover of darkness, knowing we had brought hope but the job was left
unfinished.
I share this to help us all understand that on any given day, no matter
where you are there is someone, somewhere fighting to survive. God has
placed that burden on our hearts and Lynda and I will continue to go and
bring whatever hope and encouragement God provides us to make a difference
in the lives of those in Haiti.
Racing with Jesus Ministries does not just minister to the racing
community, we extend our hand to all in need. As God places their lives on
our heart we will use every provision we have to provide encouragement and
hope. I encourage you to come along side and partner with us to change not
only the racing community but the world!
Acts 1:8; nlt, 8 But
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be
my witnesses,
telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
REMEMBRANCE - Mary Pickering, wife of
Monadnock Speedway official Ed and mother of Allison ended her four year
battle with cancer and is home with the Lord. Mary was a very loving wife
and mother. She was loved by all especially her daughter Allison. She will
be missed. Please keep Ed and Allison in your thoughts and prayers.
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto
Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support helps us continue
this ministry. Thank You.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and
apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
www.rwjm.com. Send us
your prayer and counseling needs no matter what part of our racing family
you are in, or give us a call. Remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
 Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586,
Tolland, CT 06084.
Check our weekly printed pages in "Area Auto Racing
News",
the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper.
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http://www.rwjm.com for past
articles.
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Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful
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Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord
make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face
toward you and give you peace."
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
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