Barlow Family - Haiti

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The WHOLE crew

 

Ted & Rebecca

(Haiti)

Tania Grace

(Texas)

Ana & Oliver

(Germany)

Tynan

(California)

Emma

(California)

Olivia

(Texas)

Syndie

(Haiti)

 

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In Prayer, For...
  • the orphans in Haiti
    a smooth moving process
    calm during the transition
  • our kids -
  • Tynan & Tania in college
  • Ana working in Germany
  • Twins' homeschooling
  • the future "additions"
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Entries in faith (2)

Monday
Mar032014

and...SNAP!

Life can change in a moment's notice.

I haven't the heart to rewrite another version of this current announcement...it saddens my soul at the moment. 

So I am just going to post a LINK HERE to an important announcement that we sent out today.

If you want the short version:

We no longer work for Apparent Project.

While we've had a million thoughts & emotions related to this abrupt & unforseen turn of events, God has granted us perspective & peace for the moment. We are sad without a doubt & a little confused.

PRAY for us.

PRAY with us.

We need clarity, guidance & provision -

we have the same attitudes,

the same hearts,

the same calling,

we have a home that is paid for the next 10 months,

a car,

a community,

a life

& a vision that we've been given here...

that we have just finished preparing for...

and we don't intend to make any SNAP decisions ourselves. 

I'm thankful to my cousin who tagged us in a facebook message earlier today with this scripture:

He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them. He will redeem them from oppression and violence,for their lives are precious to him.

Psalms 72:12-14

He had no idea of this announcement, but the passage has been a salve of encouragement today as we pondered on our next steps. It confirms that we have been on the right track in seeking to put action into areas close to His heart. More importantly it reminds us that HE is the one in charge of the needs here in Haiti. We hope to be able to continue on here, but rest assured that HE has a plan either way!

Read today's announcement letter HERE.

Tuesday
Sep182012

Rich or Poor?

We were bummed this week, yet not very surprised, when we read the latest reports listing Haiti as the "POOREST" country in the world. Nothing changed here, the world was not rocked nor any instant effect at the moment that this report hit the press. However, our deepest grief at this fact was not necessarily for the Haitians, but for Christians around the world, that are missing out. Many are impoverished in different ways.

“Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.” (Proverbs 21:13)

That was us, not long ago. Only through our own unexpected loss of financial stability were we SHOVED beyond ourselves to begin to develop the trust in Him that God challenges us to. Christ asked us to have the faith that moved us from the relative comfort of “gratefulness & generosity” to the seemingly reckless abandon of “sacrifice and surrender” on His behalf, for the sake of others…

Our faith is still a work in process, even now

                                …even while living in a place like Haiti.

 ”Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,

‘God blesses you who are poor,
    for the Kingdom of God is yours.
God blesses you who are hungry now,
    for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now,
    for in due time you will laugh.’”(Luke 6:20-21)

We're not here to preach at you, we're just here to serve. However, as brothers and sisters that see daily the front line of what Christian sacrifice CAN do in and among the lives of the poorest, we cannot be silent any longer. In fact we would really like to SHOUT, some days –

“WAKE UP, GET OFF YOUR BACKSIDES, dear brothers & sisters!"

"SHINE! BE the example to a lost and fallen world."

"Grab the opportunity now!!"

"Step out in faith, live with risk, partake in the faith of the POOR."

When Jesus heard his answer, he said, ‘There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’

But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.” (Luke 18:22-23)

Our greatest challenge yet, is before us still. The faith we have is miniscule to that of our Haitian brothers & sisters in Christ. They grow & LIVE & walk in their faith far better than we do on most occasions. Their faith is like a glimpse of hidden treasure here on earth! The joy of seeing their prayers answered by the obedience of others is purely SUBLIME! We are constantly blown away by the experiences of life here and the privilege of watching God’s work unfold is the ever humbling and refining power on the core of our hearts.

“Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?” (James 2:5) 

“… But you dishonor the poor!(James 2:6)

Lord we pray that this is not the case for us or any of your Body. Make us each your instruments, and do not delay in prompting your work and provision in our lives as well as in those of the “poor”.

They see "poor"...we see JOY that only comes through faith!!