Brian Crow
Videography & Photography
Haiti Mission update – Leave at 3:30AM
Apr 12th
As I write this, the feeling of panic is already pushing in on the edges of my thoughts. It seems to be just outside my periphery, like if I look quickly enough I can catch it ready to pounce.
I don’t particularly worry about flights (however, 99% of all plane crashes happen while landing), no the flights won’t be a big deal at all. I don’t think it’s about the work we’re doing, whether physical or ministerial, with the people of Haiti. I am really excited to meet people who live so close physically, but who are economically light-years away; to make a difference in the life of one person.
I am also excited to be your liaison. So many of you are joining with our team as prayer partners and financial partners. I am humbled to be representing you and to be the boots on the ground. My desire is to bring back stories and images which will stir your hearts and spur you to action. Stir and spur.
There is even some sense of adventure in staying at a 6-story hotel which has been deemed safe by virtue that it didn’t collapse during the earthquake or it’s aftershocks. Power rationing, rooms with only one key… no problem.
The thing that stresses me out the most is packing to go. You see, I am a bit compulsive about packing. Everything needs to be in the proper place in the suitcase. And I mustn’t forget ANYTHING. I make lists. Then worry about whether I put everything on the list.
So, for the rest of the day, and most of the night probably, I’ll be trying to keep the panic at bay.
RP: Haiti Mission Blog Post – Money isn’t the answer
Apr 11th
The following is a blog post from my Haiti mission chum, Darren Tyler
Donor nations from the United Nations recently pledged $5.3 Billion Dollars to aid Haiti in the rebuilding of their nation. This number does not include the Billions already given. It also does not include the $3 Billion that was donated by the US alone up until the day before the quake.
If you’ve been to Haiti before the quake, you perhaps would ask the questions I would ask. For instance, where on earth did $3B dollars go? Certainly not on the road system or infrastructure. In a nation that reports somewhere around ¾ unemployment it’s not in creating jobs. There aren’t enough toilets to have flushed it down. What on earth went wrong?
Paul warned Timothy that the love of money is the root of evil. When Jesus said a man can’t serve two masters, He didn’t say that you can’t serve God and Satan. Instead he set up the juxtaposition between God and mammon or money. When God refers to the subject of money, it’s not so much that it’s a sin, rather it’s that it’s very dangerous.
Maybe it should come as no surprise that us throwing this thing that God warns us to be careful about has caused more problems than solutions. Hang with me here.
Jesus did say to give to the poor. In fact the Bible talks about it over and over again. Hundreds of times God asks us to serve the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized the orphan, the widow. Often times when it records this, it says to do so through our giving. In Matthew 19, Jesus told the rich man to sell all he had and give it to the poor. So how do we reconcile the problem with our rich nation giving to this poor nation with seemingly no tangible benefit.
Haiti Mission Trip Update
Feb 25th
I have talked to many of you about my upcoming trip to Haiti. We were planning this trip more than a month before the earthquakes and we still plan to go. Our mission has changed, though, since the need for new housing, food and health care is paramount.
I will be traveling with Conduit Mission to do work with Restoration Ministries, caring for the physical and spiritual needs of desperate people. We will be focusing our efforts on health, hygene and nutrition.
If you are able to help defray some of the expenses of the trip, it would be much appreciated. Each person going is paying their own way in order to bring as much money, supplies and relief as we can. Click the ‘donate’ button below to help.
(Any money that is donated beyond what is needed will be given to Conduit Mission and will be directed to the Haiti relief effort)
Also, if you would like to donate supplies, we would love to take any of the following items with us:
Medical supplies list:
- Bandaids – all sizes
- Gauze pads – all sizes
- Bandage Tape
- Neosporin – or triple antibiotic ointment
- Tylenol – adult and children’s liquid
- Ibuprophen – adult and children’s liquid
- Desitin
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Lamosil cream
- Immodium
- Pepto-bismol
- Pamprin
Hygiene:
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Female hygiene pads
- Dental Floss
- Toothpaste
- Tooth brushes
- Disposable razors
- Hair brushes
- Nail clippers
- Gently used towels/sheets
Food supplements:
- Protein bars
- Baby formula powder or pre-mix
- Nuts
Contact me by email if you would like to send any of these items.
Your health depends on where you live
Feb 19th
This interesting video with Bill Davenhall talks about how certain areas of the USA have a higher rate of heart attack than others, partly because of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. I live in a Red area now. It’s been nice knowin’ ya.
Ellen’s Official Unofficial Canadian Olympic Correspondents
Nov 4th
Check out this one! One of the two ladies is a Festie!
Julia and Sarah are the Canadian Olympic Correspondents (COC’s) (unofficially). Our goal is to be Ellen’s Canadian Olympic Correspondents (COC’s) (officially). Please help us by sharing these videos and telling Ellen we are the best COC’s for the job.
