Today we headed back to the Kalpur Slum to spend another day with the children and their families.  Once again they showered us with greetings and smiles… and this beautiful flower.

I have to admit I’ve been a bit overwhelmed by all the attention.  They are eager for you to look them in the eye, shake their hand or say their name.

I find myself wrestling with the tension of the attention.

I am no hero, celebrity or savior.  I’m just one spoiled American who flies in on a fancy plane and leaves before it gets too difficult.

But, it’s not who I am.

It’s what I represent.

… And what I represent is HOPE.

Hope for an education, a hot meal, a chance to learn the arts.  Hope for clean water, a steady job, a home that is their own.

From the children, to their parents, to the teachers and leaders at the school, our presence gives them renewed hope.  They know that other people care for them and are praying for them from thousands of miles away.  They know that a church in Nashville, TN is financially contributing to this project each month making their hope possible.

You know what?  Being “hope” didn’t cost me much today, but being “hope” inspired these families in an immeasurable way!

Here’s a quick clip from our craft project today.  Most of these kids have never done anything like this.

Can you see the hope in their eyes?

Cross Point Family!

We are partnering with our friends from G.O. Ministries to get a supply run to Haiti.  If you are looking for a quick, practical way to help, THIS IS IT!

Here are the details:

• All 3 Cross Point campuses will be collecting items from the list below THIS SUNDAY, January 24th
• The Nashville Campus will continue collecting items from 9AM – 5PM Monday & Tuesday.  The last possible drop-off time is TUESDAY, January 26th at 5PM.

Surgical Supplies

• External Fixators – suppliers – Stryker, Synthes, Smith and Nephew
• Nails – Stryker, Synthes, Smith and nephew
• Steiman Pins – same suplliers
• Plates and Screws – Stryker, Synthes
• Casting material – plaster or fiberglass-
• Sterile gauze
• Suture material – nylon – hundreds of packs
• Scissors
• Scalpels with blades
• OR lights
• Power saws and drills – are rechargeable – Stryker supplier
• Anesthesia
• Crutches
• Dressings supplies
• IVs ( Ringers Lactate, NACL, D5W, D50
• IVs start Kits
• Bandages
• gauze
• gloves
• masks
• scalpels

Needed Medical Supplies:

• Casting supplies
• Peroxide
• Ace bandages
• Bandages
• gauze
• gloves
• masks
• Scalpels
• Adhesive tape
• Antibiotic ointment
• glucometers

Medicines—we can only accept unexpired medications in bulk containers

• Regular insulin
• Anti-diarrheals
• Tylenol/acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Antibiotics
• Tetanus vaccine

Food

• Bottled water
• Baby Formula
• Pedialyte or other pediatric electrolyte supplement
• Canned meats and sardines
• Canned pasta, already prepared
• Protein bars
• Peanut butter
• Ensure bottled drinks

Supplies:

• Tents (small and large)
• Tarps
• Blankets
• Sheets
• Rope
• Candles
• Flashlights/headlamps/batteries

Ryan Bult, our Missions Director, is heading up this project.  If you have any questions, you can direct them his way at ryan@crosspoint.tv.

If you are looking for a place to donate monetarily to the relief efforts in Haiti, we encourage you to consider Samaritan’s Purse.

Thank you so much for considering this!

Hope deferred makes the heart sick.

Proverbs 13:12

I’ve been quiet the last few days since the tragedy in Haiti.  Not because I’m not interested.  Not because my heart doesn’t hurt.  Not because I don’t care.

Because my heart is sick.

Because I’m personally fighting for hope.

I’m fighting for hope for myself so that I can get involved and “do something!”

And I’m fighting for hope for every Haitian who so desperately needs it.  I’m fighting for hope for the person in the States who can’t get a hold of their loved ones in Haiti.  I’m fighting for hope for the child wandering aimlessly through the streets looking for their mom.  I’m fighting for hope for the ones who are angry and pillaging.  I’m fighting for hope for a government that needs to lead without corruption.  I’m fighting for hope for the agencies and organizations who are trying to figure out where to begin in their relief efforts.

Will you fight for hope with me?

There are a lot of great organizations to support who are already doing great work to bring hope to Haiti.  I’m personally a big fan of Compassion International.  If you are still looking for a place to give, I would encourage you to check out Compassion.

DNA – Week 3 “Acting” by Pete Wilson

** It was such a big day at Cross Point Nashville today.  My notes don’t really do this message justice so be sure to go online and watch/listen once it’s posted.

Matthew 28:16-20

“Go and make disciples of all nations” – This statement is why we as a church can not stop trying to reach the world.

The idea of going to all the nations seems like a big overstatement because we’re not even reaching our own cul-de-sacs.

Mark 2:16-17

We’re growing as a church because of the influence you have with neighbors and friends and family.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

In 2010 we are launching Cross Point Bellevue!

Beginning Sept 13th all of our campuses will have live teaching via video.

Why don’t we do what normal churches do and build a big building?

There are 3 reasons why we feel like we are called to multi-site strategy

1) New churches reach new people

2) We can do this for a fraction of the cost

3) It gives people increased opportunity for leadership and service in ministry (the larger we grow the easier it is for people to hide out and not serve)

People are our most important resources.

Planting two new campuses in 6 months is going to provide plenty of opportunities for you to serve.

“The purpose of influence is to speak up for people who have no influence.” Rick Warren

Somebody has to be compassionate and courageous to help those without influence, those who have no voice.

Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good.  Seek justice.  Help the oppressed.  Defend the cause of orphans.  Fight for the rights of widows.”

God’s plan has always been YOU!  It has always been the church.

How are we doing that?

1. Building a church and feeding center in the Dominican Republic
2. Medical missions efforts in Honduras
3. Starting a school & feeding center in India
4. Launching ministries from a downtown Nashville location that will reach out to people who may never enter the doors of our church

We all have a tendency to invest our lives in temporary things.

The best this world has to offer is all temporary.  You can invest your life in those things or you can invest in things that are eternal.

Eternal = love God, love people

Next steps:

1) Pray for all of our campuses

2) Keep inviting your unchurched friends

3) Serve – get involved

We partner together to create environments where only God can do what God can do.

I hope you’ll be a part of it!