This past fall my mother-in-law and father-in-law began working for a mission organization in Columbus, OH called Lifeline Christian Mission (www.lifeline.org). They have served for years in one of that mission organizations' first loves, Haiti, even while they were working at a church in Wilmington, OH but were given an opportunity to serve with them full-time and stepped into that adventure.
When the earthquake struck a few weeks ago my mother-in-law was in Haiti with a team of 57 other women (my father-in-law was to join her that same weekend but obviously didn't make it). She and her team were eventually evacuated and are now safe back home in Ohio.
Jen and I were concerned at times about their safety (obviously) and we talked somewhat freely about our concerns for them and for the people of Haiti. Our discussions happened in front of our 2 1/2 year old daughters without much thought...they were still putting ears where arms should be on Mr. Potato Head or trying to get their corn to stay on their fork for the long, shaky trip to their mouths. But kids are perceptive.
Our girls will tell you (and even pray for) what is happening in "the Haiti". Our first conversation would have sounded something like this.
Us: Where is Grandma?
Our daughters: In the Haiti.
Us: What do you think she is doing?
Our daughters: Giving out band-aids.
Us: Why is she giving out band-aids?
Our daughters: Because the people fall down and hurt their knee.
[Pause]
Our daughters: Mommy, I want to go to the Haiti. I give band-aids, too.
I pray that our daughters will always have a heart for the things that break the heart of God.
