Friday, May 22, 2009

ODE TO SAMMY

The last couple of weeks have been difficult ones. I have seen people make judgments on issues that they know nothing of. All these things came out over a young man’s death. Sammy was loved by many. We raised him from a child to a man. Nobody knows him better than myself. The time came when it was necessary to return Sammy to his family. Sammy’s death has brought out feelings of hatred and scorn from some people. Emails of hatred were written to me by a person who did not use their real name. They were meant to hurt. On another organization’s website an individual has posted a comment encouraging members of their organization to “Please care enough about Sammy to support and pray for the work of” their organization, yet this individual never made any efforts to enquire about Sammy or help him. Sammy’s family sent word to us that he wasn’t doing well. Now his family is being judged by others who don’t even know them or anything about the family’s situation. Sammy is at peace now and in heaven where God wants him to be. I forgive them, the person who wrote the emails and the other organization.
I have taken the time the last couple of weeks to think about all these things. God has a plan for all of our lives. Which organization is better than another? God calls us all to do different things. He equips us to do the task he wants us to do. Is one persons’ task and calling better than another? The answer is no. There are many organizations and missionaries working here in Haiti. All are striving to help the Haitian people in many ways. Remembering Sammy I ask you to pray for all missions and missionaries working here in Haiti.

I am reading a book called “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat”. The first chapter talks of active faith and “water walking”. There is a quotation from a wise man. His name was Theodore Roosevelt. This is what he says:

“It’s not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…. Who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”

Let us all make efforts wherever we are to “get out of the boat” and serve the Lord!
Karen Bultje, Coram Deo

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Karen,

I have followed the accounts of the last couple of weeks, together with some close freinds. We have surfed the net and have made note of others take on the situation and what happened. Know that you given a gift of life to a young child to a man, and that people only critisize works that are of worth. Critics come and go, but there is no doubt in our minds that you are fullfilling the CALLING,not a job, that the Lord has set out for you in Haiti.

Feb's visit was a teaser as to what I need to do. I can't wait to get back. So hi to the whole family at "Coram Deo".

Miss you all, God Bless everyone in Haiti trying to make a diference in HIS name.

Dan Vis

Anonymous said...

Well said Karen!!! And it will comfort you to know that, one day, the people that mistreated you in this manner "will stand before the Lord and have to give account for how they treated" you!! (quote unquote)
Keep up all the good work and don't let those who are trying to cause detriment to the citizens of Haiti due to their own personal crisis troubles influence all the exceptional work that you do for ALL of the citizens of Haiti!!!!!
And especially, before the face of God, or as you have aptly called your organization, CORAM DEO.
Tanya

Len Harsevoort said...

God Bless you Karen, We pray you much strength in your calling. May you continue in your walk.

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen,

Don't let the haters get you down. Critics that want to email you and not use their own names are not worth responding to, even though we know who they are. (old habits die hard). Its easy to be a critic under a false name, but the real priority comes from those that are Brothers and Sisters and wish to biuld not destroy. A warning to all,

Be carefull what we say and do in the Name of Jesus, for one day we will have to stand before Him and answer for what we have said/done. Take a good look around and before we speak, think about how the words or actions would change if Jesus was standing right beside us. And then, of course, remember that he is.

God bless you and your family there. We wish you all the best.

Tim Bos.

Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue said...

Well said, Karen. May God bless you and all the work you do for Him.
With love from your sister in Christ, Dorothy