During many of ya’lls second week of Spring Break we are going to try something that has been leaning on my heart for a number of years. That is beginning to get to know and help the homeless population in and around our city. We are still working out our details as destinations for each day, but here’s the basic set up.

Wednesday – Friday April 14- 16th We will be helping out some of the local missions and homeless first hand through some of our church agencies and friends.

Saturday Morning April 17th, I am encouraging families to sign up and participate in “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” to help raise awareness, some money, and to meet many of those who are homeless in our community (and see of the folks we met days prior).

Saturday Evening April 17th, I am encouraging families to pilgrimage all the way to Franklin 1st UMC (EastSanctuary at 6pm) to hear Shane Claiborne speak about Kingdom work he’s been a part of as peacekeeper in Iraq, serving those in need alongside Mother Theresa, and his work with his friends as part of The Simple Way.

It is sure to open the eyes of what is out there, spark the imagination of what is possible, and change yours & my families lives forever if you allow it.

shalom, -gavin

Many of you are like me & seeing the devastation that people are pulling themselves out of after the earthquake that hit Haiti this week. As with anything of such catastrophic size, you & I cannot do a whole lot to make some massive impact, the enormacy of the problems are too much. But, we can not do nothing. And, if we respond how Christ compels us to give, pray, and love then what we do do will be compounded by others in our faith community & That will make a massive impact.

Here is what I suggest we do to help Haiti:

1. Give to two entities:
   • United Methodist Committee on Relief is already on the ground and was on the ground in Haiti when the earthquake hit. (Executives of UMCOR were actually rescued from the rubble of a major hotel just last night). 100% of your giving goes into the efforts in Haiti. Your money doesn’t cover administration etc because that is already taken care of with everyones regular giving to the church. Donate to UMCOR’s Haiti Advance
   • Want something a bit more personal? Give to Bahamas Methodist Habitat, they are using their pilot network and island locale to ship in relief supplies as well as pull displaced persons out of the country. Many of you met Abraham & the other BHM staff this summer, they are the ones coordinating those efforts. Donate to Bahamas Methodist Habitat relief efforts
2. Bring Items to Coffee House & Drive Groups on Sunday:
   • UMCOR is in need of “kits” for distribution through the Haiti population. I will have some buckets for the “cleaning buckets” on Sunday on the media bar and 1 gallon zip lock bags for “health kits.” Bring supplies to fill those Sunday morning & evening. Download the Cleaning Bucket List : Download the Health Kit List
   • If you wish to contribute a Bedding Pack, feel free to do so. Download Bedding Pack List
   • Drive Groups can organize to go purchase needs & pack a bucket or health kits.
   • We will take them to the Conference Office for shipment to the UMCOR distribution center in Louisiana.

Abraham has started a twitter account to do updates. Follow BMHUpdate