Update on American missionaries being held in Haiti

It was a happy homecoming for the families of eight American missionaries who were being held in Haiti on child trafficking charges. Two from the original group of ten still remain in jail. The group of eight who were allowed to come back to the United States had to agree to go back to Haiti if it was so ordered by the judge. The eight also said that they were treated well while they were in jail and better than some suffering from the earthquake.

They declined to speak to reporters, but their attorney, Caleb Stegall, read a statement in which they said they were thankful to be home.

''We hope and pray that our release will allow everyone to focus again on the dire conditions that remain in Haiti. People are still suffering and lack basic necessities,'' the statement said, adding: ''For those whose cases have not been resolved, we will continue to pray for their safe return.''

You can read the entire article here: 8 Missionaries Freed in Haiti, Return to US

When helping others goes too far

Following the massive earthquake in Haiti many people felt the need to actually go to Haiti and help. This was the case for ten missionaries from an Idaho based Baptist church. They say they were just trying to help, and that they didn't know what the did was wrong.

The ten missionaries took 33 children who they claim were orphaned because of the earthquake, loaded them all onto a bus and tried to take them into the Dominican Republic. The group was stopped at the Haitian border and officials said they lacked the authorization and travel documents needed to take children out of Haiti.

The Americans were arrested and have been charged with child abduction and criminal conspiracy. They will await the judges decision and continue to try and get support and help from the United State government and also the United States Ambassador to Haiti. Some evidence has come out saying the children were in fact not orphaned. It will be interesting to continue and see how everything plays out.

If you would like to read more news articles about the situation you can read this article from the New York Times and also one from BBC News.
U.S. Missionaries In Haiti Charged With Child Kidnap New York Times

US missionaries in Haiti charged with child abduction BBC News

It's my opinion that those 10 American missionaries didn't go to Haiti with the intent to commit a criminal act and abduct 33 children. However it does show that you can go into a situation wanting to help and come out doing something very different.

What can you do for others?

We are the World

I saw this video played on Saturday during the Olympics and thought it was amazing!


What can you do for others?

But I don't have money?

In my posts I have been talking about various things you can do to help someone else, and in almost all of these circumstances it has involved giving money. Being a college student, there isn't a lot of extra money just sitting around to give out. The country is also going through a big recession meaning families don't have extra money either. So how can we help others without breaking the bank?

The most obvious way would be to simply give your time. It could be at the local food bank, homeless shelter, or even shoveling the sidewalk or driveway for your neighbor.

Another great idea would be to clean out your closet and donate some of the clothes you don't wear.

If you want to read more ideas about helping someone else without breaking the bank check out this web site!
Ten ways to help someone during the recession

What can you do for others?

Random Acts of Kindness

How would it feel if you pull up to the window at McDonald's and they say that the car in front of yours had paid for your meal, the only catch is that now you have to go and do something kind for someone else.

What if you walked up to a vending machine with one dollar already in it and a note that said, "Buy yourself a treat on me, pass the kindness on to someone you don't know" Random acts of kindness are simple and easy to do, and they will make the day of the person you help.

"If we do this, we will be doing our part to create a world in which kindness is more than a random act, but rather it becomes a way of life."
The Spirit of Kindness


helpothers.org is a web site that you can learn more about random acts of kindness, here stories from people who had a random act of kindness done for them, and learn what random acts of kindness you could do for someone else.



What can you do for others?

Pat Tillman: An American Hero

Pat Tillman was a great football player and a great American. He left his professional football career and a $3.6 million dollar contract with the Arizona Cardinals to serve his country. He joined the United States Army Rangers and in May 2003 Pat was deployed to Iraq leaving behind his family and new wife. In early April 2004 Pat’s unit was sent into Afghanistan and on April 22, 2004 at 7:50 p.m. Pat was pronounced dead from gunshot wounds. There is a lot of controversy about his death; originally reports said he was killed from enemy fire to only later say that Tillman was “probably” killed by friendly fire. But that’s not what I want to focus on.

This is a blog about mission work and you might be thinking how that has anything to do with Pat Tillman. To me, mission work is putting your own needs aside and doing something for someone else. Pat Tillman took this to the extreme by going to fight in the war so we can all have freedom. He gave up millions of dollars, starting a new life with his wife, and continuing his football career so that we can live how we want, worship how we please, and not live in fear of persecution.

To Pat Tillman I want to say thank you, you put your needs on the side to help all Americans, we will be forever grateful.

What can you do for others?

Since I went ahead and said something about this in my last post I thought I would put a clip up.