Proverbs 27:17 says that "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." But I've got to wonder: lead may be good for shielding Superman from Kryptonite, and so is a good defensive substance, but isn't it too soft to sharpen titanium?
I want to be titanium: forged and strong, refined & purified by high heat & pressure.
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Action or words?
One of the more intriguing pieces to the puzzle of my spiritual journey of trying to know the one God has resided in my heritage mixed of Jewish & Catholic upbringing but modernly defined as more "Protestant" in nature.
For me, the lessons instilled in growing up were ones of effort, discipline, sacrifice & servanthood. My parents are amazing models of dedication & devotion to caring for not only their loved ones, but all of humanity.
When, at 19, I came to believe in all the things I'd been taught as a youth, it was forged in a belief that the invisible was real, the ethereal was concrete, and that love did not have to be so mysterious.
But it was natural for me to keep doing things. I knew the words and practiced them, but had to play the game of real life too.
I have faith, but how will anyone else - myself or Jesus included - know it if I don't actually apply it?
I try to do it. Just like Mother Theresa. Just like Jim Elliot or Martin Luther King.
Say it? Do it. Be the change, don't just talk about it.
James 2:14-26
Matthew 7:24-29
Luke 10:25-37
Love everything: "Do this and you will live."
~David
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
For me, the lessons instilled in growing up were ones of effort, discipline, sacrifice & servanthood. My parents are amazing models of dedication & devotion to caring for not only their loved ones, but all of humanity.
When, at 19, I came to believe in all the things I'd been taught as a youth, it was forged in a belief that the invisible was real, the ethereal was concrete, and that love did not have to be so mysterious.
But it was natural for me to keep doing things. I knew the words and practiced them, but had to play the game of real life too.
I have faith, but how will anyone else - myself or Jesus included - know it if I don't actually apply it?
I try to do it. Just like Mother Theresa. Just like Jim Elliot or Martin Luther King.
Say it? Do it. Be the change, don't just talk about it.
James 2:14-26
Matthew 7:24-29
Luke 10:25-37
Love everything: "Do this and you will live."
~David
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Reparations past prime
Mentalities and memories don't change just because you felt it was time for you to walk back through the door. Airs of expectation for me to share my innermost thoughts when you woke me up are even less likely to be met with a joyous chorus of echoes.
Shake my hand because I want you no closer - why trust when the lens was shattered by your ignorant intentional obtuseness. Leave, and I will resolutely be grateful for your absence and a return to normalcy in whatever tangent form to my past life it takes.
+509(3)895-3360 http://haitisand.blogspot.com
Shake my hand because I want you no closer - why trust when the lens was shattered by your ignorant intentional obtuseness. Leave, and I will resolutely be grateful for your absence and a return to normalcy in whatever tangent form to my past life it takes.
+509(3)895-3360 http://haitisand.blogspot.com
Friday, September 24, 2010
RE: [indosand] Rules or relationship?
From: David Sandler sandler_david-at-yahoo.com |indosand| <fnafqrx2yt@sneakemail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 16:14
To: craigster.sneakemail@madmax.mm.st; HaitiSand <kjshoemaker.blanc@blogger.com>
Subject: [indosand] Rules or relationship?
Just yesterday I was asked (again) what my religion was, and I started to describe it except then I finished it with "yes people would call me a christian but here's what I say." Thus begun a description how religion is about rules, while relationship with god - like a marriage or real friendship - is about knowing and loving someone, and how that is SO much harder than following the rules.
Rules are easy: follow them or get in trouble. Relationships take time, effort, learning, listening, sharing, doing things together, making mistakes and repairing them while learning what the mistake was and adjusting to not make the same mistake again b/c it's the right thing to do but because you want to do it to love the other person better.
One of my best friends? We're not even that compatible. He & I are similar and very different. But we lived together for 3 years, ministered in the inner city together, prayed & played basketball and served together and each other. When we moved out, we acknowledged all this. We may never be the closest of buddies, but we will always and forever know we can count on and trust each other with love & support in even the toughest of times. THAT is relationship. He is like a brother to me through and through.
Real relationship is worth it. Especially relationship with God.
I think sometimes people are afraid of it b/c it's hard & risky and exposes oneself to hurt. Maybe that's why they oppose so quickly. Which is sad, because Jesus exposed himself to being hurt via fist, whip, cross & death.
Rules keep us in line. Relationships go far outside and beyond if we let them. I know which I prefer.
+509(3)895-3360 http://haitisand.blogspot.com
__._,_.___
MARKETPLACE
.
__,_._,___
Rules or relationship?
Just yesterday I was asked (again) what my religion was, and I started to describe it except then I finished it with "yes people would call me a christian but here's what I say." Thus begun a description how religion is about rules, while relationship with god - like a marriage or real friendship - is about knowing and loving someone, and how that is SO much harder than following the rules.
Rules are easy: follow them or get in trouble. Relationships take time, effort, learning, listening, sharing, doing things together, making mistakes and repairing them while learning what the mistake was and adjusting to not make the same mistake again b/c it's the right thing to do but because you want to do it to love the other person better.
One of my best friends? We're not even that compatible. He & I are similar and very different. But we lived together for 3 years, ministered in the inner city together, prayed & played basketball and served together and each other. When we moved out, we acknowledged all this. We may never be the closest of buddies, but we will always and forever know we can count on and trust each other with love & support in even the toughest of times. THAT is relationship. He is like a brother to me through and through.
Real relationship is worth it. Especially relationship with God.
I think sometimes people are afraid of it b/c it's hard & risky and exposes oneself to hurt. Maybe that's why they oppose so quickly. Which is sad, because Jesus exposed himself to being hurt via fist, whip, cross & death.
Rules keep us in line. Relationships go far outside and beyond if we let them. I know which I prefer.
+509(3)895-3360 http://haitisand.blogspot.com
Rules are easy: follow them or get in trouble. Relationships take time, effort, learning, listening, sharing, doing things together, making mistakes and repairing them while learning what the mistake was and adjusting to not make the same mistake again b/c it's the right thing to do but because you want to do it to love the other person better.
One of my best friends? We're not even that compatible. He & I are similar and very different. But we lived together for 3 years, ministered in the inner city together, prayed & played basketball and served together and each other. When we moved out, we acknowledged all this. We may never be the closest of buddies, but we will always and forever know we can count on and trust each other with love & support in even the toughest of times. THAT is relationship. He is like a brother to me through and through.
Real relationship is worth it. Especially relationship with God.
I think sometimes people are afraid of it b/c it's hard & risky and exposes oneself to hurt. Maybe that's why they oppose so quickly. Which is sad, because Jesus exposed himself to being hurt via fist, whip, cross & death.
Rules keep us in line. Relationships go far outside and beyond if we let them. I know which I prefer.
+509(3)895-3360 http://haitisand.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Center of Hope & IYI: Being the Change
http://www.iyiglobal.org
The Center of Hope & International Youth Initiative:
Being the change in Haiti
Training teachers, laborers, pastors and more new techniques, information, rooted in character & integrity with action.
Raising up youth and youth leaders to transform the future of Haiti, rooted in character & integrity with action.
Rebuilding homes and serving the community with love, rooted in character & integrity with action.
Be a part of the change! Pray for us, come work with us for a week (or longer!), or give here:
http://www.iyiglobal.org/donateonline.html
Center of Hope
59 Cottard
Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
+18? 34' 23.70", -72? 12' 58.10"
http://m.google.com/u/m/wPwR9L
http://haitisand.blogspot.com
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
CoH Bathrooms completed pictures
Feel free to come check it out.
:)
Center of Hope
Cottard 59
Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
+18? 34' 23.70", -72? 12' 58.10"
http://m.google.com/u/m/wPwR9L
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Guided in the dark
"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil or harm."
Night comes and fear is the natural reaction. We can't see quite right. We don't know what's around us. Little noises and movements play tricks upon our minds.
Every day the boys repeat Psalm 23. Every day. Recently I'd asked the boys to each do a devotional on a rotation system (so they'd each go once evry two weeks) but it meant actually asking questions and investing some time in whatever passage they wanted.
And one of them chose Psalm 23.
I'm a big fan of this psalm - it is a reflection of a weary man whose life is surrounded by challenges in a scary, difficult place.
Eventually the conversation got good and the questions were intriguing. But then it stopped. A moment later they asked what I was thinking about.
I had them shut off the lights and close their eyes.
My flashlight became my rod & my staff. I prodded them gently forward, or to the right or to the left.
If Jesus is my shepherd, then my comfort is found in the fact that this lamb I am is guided through the dark, away from edges to fall off of or rivers to drown in, protected from the wolves and thieves that would seek to do me harm.
Such love & sacrificial, parental-type care is why this psalm means so much to me. It describes a God who will lead me to good even though life is full of danger that I may experience by my surroundings, but can be led through safely. If I just listen.
I pray we listen.
-----
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley of death,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
+509(3)895-3360 http://haitisand.blogspot.com
Double Harvest
It's pretty awesome.
http://www.doubleharvest.org/where/haiti/haiti/
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Guy wanted $5000 USD for this "truck"
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Haiti homes: $2500 to get a family out of a tent
This attached .pdf is the sheet describing what we're (International Youth Initiative, http://www.iyiglobal.org) doing for homes in Haiti.
The budget is set for $2500 which, with materials, labor & delivery is turning out about right.
The only real changes are: 1) we've improved upon the material for cement mixing (the "sand" was limestone which rusts the steel rebar) and 2) we work a little bit more with the homeowner to adjust size/shape of house if there's a prexisting foundation we can work with.
I'm excited about this. It's tax-deductible. It's tangible (give money, see a house built for someone living in a tent). And I'll send tons of pics & updates to your chagrin.
One note: if giving online there's still a 2.9% fee. That amount lost per house feeds one of the boys we take care of for a month. So, if you don't mind writing a check or going online and having your bank send it automatically, the boys, the Haitians, and me too would appreciate it! (But if not, no worries)
If every church, organization and company (& their matching dollar-for-dollar program?) each built a home, wouldn't it be amazing?!
By the way, I'm the quality control expert on this, keeping overhead to next-to-nothing.
Truly,
David
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
The budget is set for $2500 which, with materials, labor & delivery is turning out about right.
The only real changes are: 1) we've improved upon the material for cement mixing (the "sand" was limestone which rusts the steel rebar) and 2) we work a little bit more with the homeowner to adjust size/shape of house if there's a prexisting foundation we can work with.
I'm excited about this. It's tax-deductible. It's tangible (give money, see a house built for someone living in a tent). And I'll send tons of pics & updates to your chagrin.
One note: if giving online there's still a 2.9% fee. That amount lost per house feeds one of the boys we take care of for a month. So, if you don't mind writing a check or going online and having your bank send it automatically, the boys, the Haitians, and me too would appreciate it! (But if not, no worries)
If every church, organization and company (& their matching dollar-for-dollar program?) each built a home, wouldn't it be amazing?!
By the way, I'm the quality control expert on this, keeping overhead to next-to-nothing.
Truly,
David
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
2nd day of construction!
Live from Haiti,
David
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The walls are going up!
I'm excited, and want to send a big thanks to Stephen & Caroline Kowalski (and their 2 kids) for their generosity & partnership for the people of Haiti!!!
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
River sand
Haiti direct: (+50938953360), BBM: 24B46DD9
Monday, September 13, 2010
Banana leaf cards
$2.50 each or buy 10 for $20
Contact me for more info!
Center of Hope @ Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
The Center of Hope @ Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
http://m.google.com/u/m/zQ2ulJ
http://m.google.com/u/m/zQ2ulJ
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
9 years later is the world changed?
Once again my aching body wakes up at the crack of dawn to the sound of dogs barking and roosters crowing. The city around me lies in rubble, rains wash mud under & into tents and makeshift huts for hundreds of thousands of people.
9 years ago hate crashed into twin towers and since then wars have started in response, bombs blown up on trains, subways, in hotels, and even been attempted via sneaker soles. Hate existed long before Sept. 11 and will last until the end.
But in the beginning God created everything and lit it up and saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:4)
Light shines through the darkness and can never be extinguished. (John 1:5)
God loved the world and sent his only son Jesus to sacrifice for and save it. Jesus NEVER condemned anything. (John 3:17)
So I woke up early this morning yet again, remembering the date and wondering if anything has changed. Then I recalled all the love my friends and family and millions of others have demonstrated to sacrifice, give to, serve and love the homeless & hungry and needy in Los Angeles, New York & everywhere else, protect the victims of abuse in Thailand & more, and help after tsunami & earthquake or other disaster, and I know this:
Some things like hate will never change. But real faith, hope & love shall change what matters: our own hearts and sometimes those of others'. (1 Corinthians 13)
Love and keep loving with everything you've got (Deuteronomy 6:5),
David
9 years ago hate crashed into twin towers and since then wars have started in response, bombs blown up on trains, subways, in hotels, and even been attempted via sneaker soles. Hate existed long before Sept. 11 and will last until the end.
But in the beginning God created everything and lit it up and saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:4)
Light shines through the darkness and can never be extinguished. (John 1:5)
God loved the world and sent his only son Jesus to sacrifice for and save it. Jesus NEVER condemned anything. (John 3:17)
So I woke up early this morning yet again, remembering the date and wondering if anything has changed. Then I recalled all the love my friends and family and millions of others have demonstrated to sacrifice, give to, serve and love the homeless & hungry and needy in Los Angeles, New York & everywhere else, protect the victims of abuse in Thailand & more, and help after tsunami & earthquake or other disaster, and I know this:
Some things like hate will never change. But real faith, hope & love shall change what matters: our own hearts and sometimes those of others'. (1 Corinthians 13)
Love and keep loving with everything you've got (Deuteronomy 6:5),
David
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
An adventure in plumbingism
(Note: NO picture attached)
I guess this story is two weeks old now, but it deserves a go.
Basically, Saturday late morning the team that was here in Haiti with me comes and says that the toilet isn't flushing.
Anxiety was clear on their faces.
I spent the next hour and a half trying to fix the problem.
I have to say, a good plunger is well worth the money. This one (again: NO picture attached, you'll want to just take my word for it) had a crack in it. AND it didn't have one of those suction cup type things extruding from the bottom. So it was a cheap $2 plunger. And it was broken.
I put surgical gloves on and tried real hard. That failed so I got the duct tape to fix the crack in the plunger. THAT failed so I wrapped it fully (a "duct plunger" if you will). Still no success.
I had a pot of water boiled and put detergent down it. In the end the mess went down and I bleached the area.
The next morning at 6am I awoke and needed to use it. immediately afterwards I discovered my work was not complete. I got another pair of gloves, grabbed the duct plunger, and 15 (!) minutes later the problem was finally resolved. I almost screamed out a "YAH-TAH!" in celebration. Being 630am on Sunday I muted it to myself in a joyful smile and a whispered thanks & praise.
I hope I never have to do that again. :)
I guess this story is two weeks old now, but it deserves a go.
Basically, Saturday late morning the team that was here in Haiti with me comes and says that the toilet isn't flushing.
Anxiety was clear on their faces.
I spent the next hour and a half trying to fix the problem.
I have to say, a good plunger is well worth the money. This one (again: NO picture attached, you'll want to just take my word for it) had a crack in it. AND it didn't have one of those suction cup type things extruding from the bottom. So it was a cheap $2 plunger. And it was broken.
I put surgical gloves on and tried real hard. That failed so I got the duct tape to fix the crack in the plunger. THAT failed so I wrapped it fully (a "duct plunger" if you will). Still no success.
I had a pot of water boiled and put detergent down it. In the end the mess went down and I bleached the area.
The next morning at 6am I awoke and needed to use it. immediately afterwards I discovered my work was not complete. I got another pair of gloves, grabbed the duct plunger, and 15 (!) minutes later the problem was finally resolved. I almost screamed out a "YAH-TAH!" in celebration. Being 630am on Sunday I muted it to myself in a joyful smile and a whispered thanks & praise.
I hope I never have to do that again. :)
Friday, September 3, 2010
HAILING in Haiti
Enough said.
50 tents... 5 families remain...
From everyone around me that I ask, the local tent village - comprised of 50 makeshift tents (covered in plastic & strong tape) that used to be sticks & sheets - really only houses maybe 5 families now. Beyond that scope the place is a virtual ghost town, except that there are homes where people live just next to it that say hello as I pass.
Therefore the goal is to build homes for these 5 that don't have anything to goto. Then keep finding more families like that.
Another example is a local pastor and his family. They've been living in a tent outside their home for months because the cement roof shifted and its too dangerous to live in. We'll deconstruct the home and rebuild to an affordable level. Fortunately we'll be able to reuse cement block and rebar metal (from the former roof) to strengthen the new one. Also, due to an existing foundation in place, we'll save funding to apply to as many others as possible.
Another case is a gentleman who's been living in a 4'x4' tin shack for years. He's bought a piece of land and only wants a 12'x12' room with a door and a roof, with extensions he can add onto from there himself as he gets the money. The cost for that should be less than $500 if he can get the paperwork proving it's his land - we don't want to risk another owner coming back and taking the property away from someone in need.
Finally, as I said, many are afraid to live in their homes. The other day a woman came to us and asked for a new one. Upon inspecting her house I then spent the next 20 minutes reassuring her from an engineer's perspective that her house was very, very safe & strong! Besides a few 2-foot long cracks in the outside finish of her walls, there was no evidence of any separation of roof to the walls. It had to be one of the best houses I've seen here! She was very happy to hear it & hopefully she'll sleep well at night now.
God-willing we'll be able to provide all reasons for everyone to sleep better here as Haiti changes towards a better future.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Maybe it's just the way I am
I need someone to miss, I guess.
Don't know why - and nothing's a mess.
Just lonely sometimes a million miles away.
Just exhausted with so much to say.
Words to sing scream out in my mind,
but without privacy I say nothing so none will find
this way that I am to be stranger more than it already is.
So it's not even needing someone to miss -
it's you who I want to share it all with;
you who I want to understand.
Or maybe something more.
I don't know - not a thing; never what's in store.
I guess I am who I am.
Sometimes I'm weary.
Mostly I try to love & care.
Once in a while I'm a superhero.
Deep down, though? Just a man.
Don't know why - and nothing's a mess.
Just lonely sometimes a million miles away.
Just exhausted with so much to say.
Words to sing scream out in my mind,
but without privacy I say nothing so none will find
this way that I am to be stranger more than it already is.
So it's not even needing someone to miss -
it's you who I want to share it all with;
you who I want to understand.
Or maybe something more.
I don't know - not a thing; never what's in store.
I guess I am who I am.
Sometimes I'm weary.
Mostly I try to love & care.
Once in a while I'm a superhero.
Deep down, though? Just a man.
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