Go Beyond

   Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, was rocked by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 12. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that three million people were severely shaken by the earthquake. An estimated ten million others felt the tremors as far as two-hundred miles away in Cuba. Thousands are feared dead and countless others are homeless and facing great need. Several of the news agencies initially contacted missionaries serving in Haiti to get first-hand accounts and reports of the devastation. First responders have quickly mobilized to get aid into the country. Once again, a natural disaster has brought nations together to care for the hurting.

Packing Medical Supplies

   A couple of weeks ago, Houston experienced the coldest temperatures on record for the past fourteen years. Our missions ministry put out a call to the Kingsland family for coats and blankets. Within twenty-four hours we filled a twenty-four foot U-Haul with warmth for the homeless. And now, once again, we have asked the Kingsland family to provide medical supplies for the people of Haiti. We are working with our friend Kim Reed, President of Builders without Borders of Texas, to send a medical team to Haiti. Several Kingsland members are scheduled to fly to Haiti with Kim on Sunday. As I write this blog, volunteers are sorting and boxing a mountain of medical supplies that will bring much-needed relief to the suffering. I am so thankful for the people of Kingsland and for their quick and generous response to human need.

   But, there’s much more going on at Kingsland. This weekend is our student ministry discipleship weekend. On Saturday, over 425 students and sponsors will serve the people of our community. Jon Davis, our Missions Ministry Associate has been working all week to plan our service projects and to purchase supplies. It will be exciting to see an army of students serving our community on what is expected to be a cold and rainy weekend. But then, that’s what going beyond is all about — putting personal comfort aside to serve others.

   But, there is still more. On Monday I leave for India with a team of Kingsland volunteers who will serve at Mother Teresa’s homes for the destitute and dying. Our team will also meet the 150 young girls at the safe house we are funding. This safe house is a refuge for these young women who have been rescued from the forced commercial sex trade. Several of these girls were trafficked across international borders and others were sold into sex slavery by their own families. Our missions ministry is partnering with our Legacy Milestones ministry to provide for the needs of these young girls. You can read more about this partnership on Brian Hayne’s blog.

   So, there is much that is happening in Katy, Texas. The kindness of the people of Kingsland will touch many lives in Haiti and Kolkata over the coming weeks. Please keep our teams in prayer as they love God and love people from Katy to Haiti and beyond.