When the Hype is Over - The Importance of Impact Communities & Haiti

I have been meaning to write something about this for a while but finally have a few minutes to share some thoughts.

THANK-YOU to everybody who is going to Haiti. I just found out that 3 people from our Calgary Impact Group have committed to the Journey of Compassion. It's very fulfilling to know that the desire to rescue lives can be transferred through mentorship and community.

Our Calgary Impact Group also recently did an event with local business All Season Motorsports. We did a scooter day where for every person who tried a test ride, $10 was donated to Haiti. People decided to give more after the experience and All Season sold a couple scooters. WIN-WIN-WIN Impact Projects are awesome.

We raised $410 for the Haiti JOC. We know the JOC team will use it to rescuve lives and demonstrate the love of God in powerful and tangible ways.

When the Hype is Over...

What I love about Impact Nations is that we are not driven by popular media or trends. What many may already know or not, Impact Nations was in Haiti BEFORE the earthquake. It just so happened that divine timing has made Haiti a place of severe need.

My heart is broken because of all the media hype that Haiti received, yet there is still much suffering while all of us (me included) have been so blessed with abundance. Not to mention the billion plus dollars in donation. But how much are we hearing about Haiti now?

This is why I so appreciate the work that Impact Nations and the Haiti ground team is doing and by communicating the conditions there. They really are unsung heroes.

A while ago I was invited to participate in raising money for Haiti through the government. Although the opportunity was to access some $250 milllion dollars, I declined. Why? Because I am interested in a "Culture of NOW" when it comes to impacting nations. Not to say there is anything wrong with major high level efforts, but I prefer knowing my money has an immediate impact and also transforms the people who actually GO on a Journey of Compassion.

The hype may be over, but the passion and love of God is more fervent than we can comprehend...

Why does God ask us to participate in history (HIS-STORY)? There are a lot of theological ways to answer this, but I like to just think it's because that's just the way God is. God loves us and loves an adventure.

In other words it is a PRIVELEDGE to participate in God's heart for the nations.

Never Underestimate Community...

Impact Groups are important because of our need to relate and feel secure with like-minded people. While some join our impact group because of the actual humanitarian projects, the majority join because they want to be in a different kind of RELATIONSHIP.

Christ was very clear when he said that "by our love for each other the world will know you are my disciples."

I love this. It makes things so easy. I don't have to convince people to follow Jesus using anything but love for the community. God does all the heavy lifting of transforming hearts. I just get to love people and be passionate about loving God and His design for my life.

I hope if you are reading this you find encouragement on many levels. Join our community. Go on a journey. Connect with God's destiny in your life!

And my heart-felt THANK-YOU to the Impact Nations team and EVERY SINGLE DONOR that ever put in a single dollar for this mission. It is a privelege to be trusted with your finances. And for those in our community that give, I pray that I never take it for granted.

Blessings to the entire network.

Ed