Dear Reader Friends,
   As you know, Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake yesterday causing the possible loss of tens of thousands of lives and the collapse or ruin of most major buildings. Many of you have contacted me this morning asking which relief organization I’m supporting, and how you can help.

For immediate relief needs, I’d like to suggest the following website:

    • World Vision is a Christian version of the Red Cross – another great humanitarian organization. WorldVision is set up and working to help people in the numerous locations in Haiti where their people are stationed. Even now WorldVision is rallying food, water, blankets, tents, and emergency medical help. Your donation will be immediately felt with WorldVision.

Other ways you can help the people of Haiti on a longterm basis:
    • HandsandFeetProject.org – A grassroots organization that does an amazing job of caring for orphans and abandoned children and teaching the next generation about Jesus. I am personally connected to this group through Extraordinary Women, and I believe deeply in their efforts.
    • Heart of God Ministries – A ministry that once included the orphanage where we adopted our three boys. Today they work exclusively in the revival, restoration and recovery of Haiti.
    • Lifeline.org – a ministry that works year-round in the support and spiritual growth of people in Haiti. This group is smaller, but very effective in their place in the city.

    On a personal note, we have not heard from Josh’s birth mother – the only birth parent still alive and with whom we are still in contact. Josh is processing this, praying for her, and I’d ask you to do the same. The other boys are sort of stunned by the pictures they see. They understand the great need, and in their own way they want to help. They are pulling together birthday money and grade money to send for the relief effort. EJ’s middle school is rallying to send a donation, and our boys’ friends, friends of our families have formed a groundswell of willingness to help. Some way. However they might.

    If you are unable to help financially, then please pray.
   
    Pray for the thousands of American missionaries in Port au Prince, and the impact they might have in the coming days and weeks as this disaster continues to play out. Pray for the rescue workers – that they might arrive safely at a broken airport and quickly find their way to those still buried alive beneath buildings. Pray for revival in Haiti, that this small strife-ridden nation would place complete trust in God in the aftermath of this tragedy.

    Pray for the families who have lost loved ones. Everyone is touched, everyone affected. I saw one video image of a young man wandering in the rubble, shock masking his bleeding face. He stopped, scanned the ground and then moved another couple feet. There he picked up the lifeless body of a little boy who looked about two years old. A child lying dead in the street. What the people of Haiti are experiencing today is beyond our comprehension.

    Still, miracles abound and will undoubtedly be told in the days to come. I heard today about a young American missionary who drove 12 hours through the night to the small hut where he knew his wife was working at the time of the quake. He saw only her hand sticking up from the rubble, but she was alive. Hours later he had unburied her from beneath slabs of cement and she is unharmed – the two of them turning all their efforts towards helping others. So please pray.

    I’ll be sending out my January newsletter in a week or so. Just wanted to touch bases with all of you looking to help and give you a direction that will make the most of your donation, a direction I trust and support.

    Give those you love an extra hug today, and thank God for the chance to do so.
      
In His light and love, until next time . . .

Karen Kingsbury

Okay, here's the contest - We're going to work together to get 20,000 people following me on twitter. That means you sign up, and get all your friends to do the same. When the number hits 20,000, I'll pick one twitter friend and a guest to join me at the Extraordinary Women event of their choice this spring. The catch is - your friend must also be following me on twitter. So get those friends signed up! The cool thing about twitter is it's almost like we're hanging out every day - you can follow it on most cell phones or check in now and then and read recent posts any time you like.
          I'll be watching!
          How about this - when I hit 10,000 twitter followers I'll start giving away a signed book every day to one of my twitter friends for 10 days straight! Look for that announcement. I can't wait to see you there!

Sometimes life is a question, you don’t want to ask
Sorting through the lonely broken pieces of your past
When you can’t find a reason, the will or the way   
Every second here another breath you know you have to take
The answer’s there hiding in the lies
It’s gonna be alright

Chorus:   
When the walls fall down
And you find the truth
Shadows run for cover
Light comes shinning through
Every Chance you take
Could be your saving grace
There’s a calm inside your soul that’s only found
When the walls fall down

Don’t know where you’re going but you see the other side
You’re hearts feeling something that you almost recognize
Yesterday’s gone, tomorrow’s in the wind
Here and now you know it’s where you’re second chance begins
You don’t ask why, there’s hope in your eyes
You’re ready to try

Bridge:
Tears on your face say what you can’t say
What you believe can set you free