The Gospel According to Matt

Like me, I imagine that you have been rather troubled by the catastrophic earthquake that has taken place this past week in Haiti.  Death estimates range from 50,000 to 500,000 depending on the source.  Beyond the dead there are millions of people without food, water, basic shelter, and the protections that we are accustomed to here in the United States.  We are truly a blessed people—and those who are blessed are expected to bless others.

At all of our weekend services, this weekend, we will collect a disaster-relief fund for Haiti.  The organization that will receive our offering is called “Food for the Hungry” (www.fh.org).  This particular organization is Christian, is recommended by respected Christian leaders, and has very little overhead/administrative costs.  According to their website: “More than 91% of their total income, including commodities, goes to field programs,” (http://www.fh.org/who/finances).  They, in turn, will direct the money to Haitian relief as quickly as possible.

During our offering times this weekend, we are going to designate all loose change to “Food for the Hungry” as well as any designated gifts.  For instance, if you are regular contributor to Crossroads, and you give $200 every two weeks via our offering envelopes, and you would like to designate another $50 to Haiti Disaster Relief, then you would write $200 in the “current expense” box on your envelope, and $50 in the “other” box, and then include a check for $250.  However, if you are not a regular contributor to Crossroads, but you want to put a $50 bill into the offering plates, then your $50 will go to “Food for the Hungry.”.

This morning, as we were getting our oldest son ready for School, we asked him if he had his money for the book fair.  He said, “No.  I’m not going to buy that book.  I’m going to save my money for our Haiti offering at church.”  Although it is a book he’s been wanting, he decided to make a sacrifice for those in need.  At Crossroads, we do a lot to serve our broken neighbors in Joliet—and we will continue to do so—but now is the time to give basic food and water to our neighbors to the south, in Haiti.  I hope and pray that you will give with a cheerful and generous heart.