What do you do in a country that sees those with limitations as an obstacle to survival? What do you do when a culture sees through the eyes of a belief system that deems those with disabilities less than human? What happens when a percentage of your population, due to physical or mental limitations, isn’t seen at all –– is invisible? The answer is simple –– make them visible.
Open eyes to their presence; their needs; their value and show the world just how BIG our God is. Open any dictionary and you’ll find a myriad of definitions for the word “invisible.” The simplest form, of course, is “that which is not visible.” That may answer the “what” question –– but it doesn’t answer the “why.” The definitions I have found that get more to the root of the issue are:
• Withdrawn from, or out of the sight of people
• Not perceptible or discernible by the mind
People are not naturally “invisible.” God created each of us to be seen –– to be loved. In order for someone to become invisible someone had to withdraw them from the sight of others. In Haiti these children are often hidden away by their parents –– hidden from the sight of those who might hurt them, reject them. They become locked in their own world –– denied the opportunity to interact with others, to learn, to contribute.
But sometimes the invisible is right in front of us and we still do not see. Why? Because too often we ignore the things we don’t understand. What we can’t perceive/discern becomes invisible to us and we simply live our lives ignoring it –– even when it’s a human being living with a disability. The Miriam Center operates around the simple belief that everyone deserves to be seen. By caring for those with special needs; by training and assisting parents to care for their children; by bringing them out into the world we are making the invisible VISIBLE.
Even the idea of “community” is an often invisible factor in Haiti –– survival is an utmost concern and people must watch out for their own needs and the needs of their immediate family. But as neighbors come alongside our families, as they learn to love and be loved by these children, even a spirit of community is restored and becomes quite tangible and visible. And perhaps the most invisible presence in all of this is Christ Himself. The people of Haiti have sometimes placed their trust and their faith in misdirected places. But they are seeking –– searching for answers that will give them peace and a hope.
Here at the Miriam Center we serve a mighty God who is bringing about mighty change in a hurting place –– and so, as we go, as we serve, the greatest blessing we can pour out is to make Christ visible to these people. To meet their needs as we can, but more importantly to introduce them to the One who can meet all their needs and more.
Christ • Children • Community… together, and with God’s help, we are making the invisible VISIBLE! Praise God!
120 Comments
What do you do in a country that sees those with limitations as an obstacle to survival? What do you do when a culture sees through the eyes of a belief system that deems those with disabilities less than human? What happens when a percentage of your population, due to physical or mental limitations, isn’t seen at all –– is invisible? The answer is simple –– make them visible.
Open eyes to their presence; their needs; their value and show the world just how BIG our God is. Open any dictionary and you’ll find a myriad of definitions for the word “invisible.” The simplest form, of course, is “that which is not visible.” That may answer the “what” question –– but it doesn’t answer the “why.” The definitions I have found that get more to the root of the issue are:
• Withdrawn from, or out of the sight of people
• Not perceptible or discernible by the mind
People are not naturally “invisible.” God created each of us to be seen –– to be loved. In order for someone to become invisible someone had to withdraw them from the sight of others. In Haiti these children are often hidden away by their parents –– hidden from the sight of those who might hurt them, reject them. They become locked in their own world –– denied the opportunity to interact with others, to learn, to contribute.
But sometimes the invisible is right in front of us and we still do not see. Why? Because too often we ignore the things we don’t understand. What we can’t perceive/discern becomes invisible to us and we simply live our lives ignoring it –– even when it’s a human being living with a disability. The Miriam Center operates around the simple belief that everyone deserves to be seen. By caring for those with special needs; by training and assisting parents to care for their children; by bringing them out into the world we are making the invisible VISIBLE.
Even the idea of “community” is an often invisible factor in Haiti –– survival is an utmost concern and people must watch out for their own needs and the needs of their immediate family. But as neighbors come alongside our families, as they learn to love and be loved by these children, even a spirit of community is restored and becomes quite tangible and visible. And perhaps the most invisible presence in all of this is Christ Himself. The people of Haiti have sometimes placed their trust and their faith in misdirected places. But they are seeking –– searching for answers that will give them peace and a hope.
Here at the Miriam Center we serve a mighty God who is bringing about mighty change in a hurting place –– and so, as we go, as we serve, the greatest blessing we can pour out is to make Christ visible to these people. To meet their needs as we can, but more importantly to introduce them to the One who can meet all their needs and more.
Christ • Children • Community… together, and with God’s help, we are making the invisible VISIBLE! Praise God!
120 Comments
-
on September 22, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Awesome ministry, Thank you Courtney for serving a faithful God!
Awesome ministry, Thank you Courtney for serving a faithful God!