Promise for Haiti

Bridging Words From Haiti to Iowa!

Mike Schmillen from Hope Reformed Church in Spencer, IA,traveled to Pignon
earlier this year. He offers words for thought and inspiration that he shared
with his team members. A copy of these words are as follows:

" I just returned from Pignon last night. It was my sixth trip having b
een there each year since 2006 (missed 2010 due to earthquake).
Last year I wrote a little thoughtful reading that I shared with our
team while sitting on the roof of the Minnesota House prior to our
return. It is a good jump start for a "going home" discussion as to
how to handle questions and reactions when home again.

January 14, 2011

I woke up this morning with a story that I need to share.
Many are familiar with the animated Christian series, Veggi
e Tales. Larry the Cucumber has always been the most easily r
ecognizable character from that series for me. He is taller in
stature than most of the others, has a sense of humor that s
ometimes isn't taken as humor, seems to be easily noticed,
sometimes a "goof-ball", but also is a vital part of the work/
story being told.

Larry the Cucumber went to Haiti.
He saw, heard, smelled, and felt the needs of the people.
He was so convicted that he wanted to give himself totally to
helping, SO he sliced himself into ten pieces (Silly Pickle) so
he could do more in less time. He could reach out to more people
and be of more service in the time that he had.

So the sliced up Larry went ten directions and helped serve f
ood at the hospital, he delivered food and God's love to some
of the poorest people in the world, he bought something he d
id not need from a lady in the street because she needed money
to help her sick child, he helped repair a school, he visited and
helped at an orphanage, he supported a church in Caiman with
his presence and a donation during collection, he visited the hospital
nd talked and sang songs of hope and God's love for the sick, the
amputees, the new born and the dying, he gave his clothes to those
who were without, he literally walked hand in hand through the streets
and garbage with the needy, and he cried, and he gave a little of himself
and God's love to everyone he met. He felt blessed by the Haitians to whom
he came to help.

But most of all, Larry did all of this without any thought of himself
(remuneration). He had humbled himself to God and gave of himsel
f freely. He felt good about what got accomplished, but it wasn't what
HE had done but rather what God had ordained for him.

When the ten smaller Larry's were ready to return home, God spoke
to them. God said, "Larry, you have fed the hungry, you have visited
the sick, you have visited and helped the orphans, you have reached
out to the Haitians in my name. But most of all, Larry, you did all of this
without thinking of yourself but rather giving a slice of yourself to all you
have served. I have noticed your humility for my sake. But now you need to
reach out to those whom you will return to. (God stacked the ten pieces of
Larry and breathed on them thus restoring Larry to his original physical self.)
You can not out give me as I will return to you ten-fold or more. Thank you,
good and faithful servant. Now take your stories and your experiences and
your giving attitude home and share it so others may be touched. You have
always been one of mine, but now your mission has expanded. I have see
and heard your compassionate heart. Reach out and share my love and
compassion with those in Spencer and to all you meet. You are to be my
ambassador. You will still be the fun-loving Christian Goof-ball you have
always been, but when the topic of helping others is breached, you will not
just "tell" of your experiences but the Holy Spirit will reveal to you that same
humble conviction you felt while serving in Haiti and it will touch those who
hear and see. Now go and serve the Lord, you Silly Pickle."

Thank you, Lord, for the experiences you have allowed me to have in Haiti.
Only with your help can I continue this mission in Spencer. I pray for your
continual intervention in my life so that I can do your will and not mine. Amen."

by Mike Schmillen, Hope Reformed Church, Spencer, IA