Shaun Groves
Months ago I was asked to go to Haiti with Compassion’s Canadian branch. My friend Karen from that office wanted me along to help host a group of pastors seeing Compassion’s ministry for the first time.
I didn’t feel good about it. Too much time away from home just after a Christmas tour and before a planned trip to Guatemala in February and then Kenya in March. I stalled in case Guatemala fell through or the Kenya trip got pushed back on the calendar.
Karen waited patiently, then had to press.
…would you consider joining us? The dates again are Jan. 11-19, 2010. I understand that you will be in San Diego (I think) just prior to that so we could fly you guys out of there and we would likely have you meet up with the rest of the team in Miami before continuing on to Port au Prince.
I prayed some more. Talked it over with Becky. I just didn’t feel good about this one and God was staying silent. I knew Becky thought she could handle that much time apart, alone with the kids, but I had the sense that I’d be needed or maybe I’d need them. So I replied.
Karen, I’m sorry but I can’t go to Haiti with you guys. Starting tomorrow I get very busy. The busy-ness continues through December and the first part of January (family stuff then). I’m trying to imagine what I and my family will be needing after that and I don’t think a trip to Haiti would be the wisest commitment to make.
I’ve prayed about it and don’t sense God moving me in either direction on it so I have to use my best judgment and say no. Sorry. I really would LOVE to hang out with you, visit Haiti, meet the president of Compassion CA, etc etc etc. Just don’t think I’ll have it in me when the time comes.
I’m heading to Guatemala in February and Kenya in March, as well as doing my normal 10 gigs a month. So all that had to be considered too. Again, very sorry and thanks for asking.
The Guatemala trip fell through. The family plans in January got moved to December because of a death in the family. The Kenya trip has come together so smoothly that I’ve been so un-busy and un-needed at times that I’ve been a little bored and felt guilty for not traveling with Karen. (Karen’s anything but boring.)
Then, on the 12th Haiti was wrecked by an earthquake and I I wondered why I wasn’t there. Was I supposed to be there? Is Karen OK? If not, was I spared for a reason?
I went to work from early in the morning to late at night (like people with real jobs do). I’ve been on-line tweeting, Facebooking, e-mailing, putting out confirmed information, fighting misinformation, raising funds and prayers for Compassion’s kids, and trying to get a massive benefit off the ground. (I’m sure a therapist would have a good time with dissecting my hyperactivity as of late.)
Today Karen wrote to say she made it home safely.
Hey Shaun – bet you’re glad you declined my offer to travel to Haiti with us huh?!?
We arrived in Port au Prince 1 hour before the quake and we were just minutes away from arriving at the Hotel Montana. God’s divine protection was upon us every step of the way!
I’ve never said “no” to anything Compassion has asked of me before. Not that I can remember. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the first time I did.
Thanking God for His silence and for protecting my Canadian friends every step of the way.
Welcome home, Karen.
Steve Jones says:
Crazy! I didn’t know you had been invited on the Canada trip.
anne Jackson says:
frick.
Shaun Groves says:
Hey, no secondary cussing.
Amanda says:
Wow.
Paul Steinbrueck says:
Wow! Maybe God thought you would be better able to help Haitians here than there. You’ve certainly done an amazing job raising awareness and stirring hearts for Compassion’s relief efforts in Haiti.
Kelly @ Love Well says:
My husband stayed at the Hotel Montana last November on a trip with another nonprofit.
I’m glad our God is big. Otherwise, I would despair.
Princess Leia says:
There, but for the grace of God…
I think life is full of these moments…moments where your life _could_ have been soooooo wildly different had you made the other choice. Some (like this) are more dramatic than others. Some, I’ll bet we don’t even notice. But there will always be moments like that one where you’ll always wonder what _could_ have been.
(One of) mine was the day I left Baghdad. I remember distinctly as we were going through security to get to the shuttle to take us to the airport having to shake off the feeling that I’d never see it again (at least not for a VERY long time) and wanting to turn back, skipping the training that we were all headed to (and which we weren’t allowed to return from prior to the end of my term). If I had turned back….well…life would be wildly different for me right now. Of that I have no doubt.
But God’s in control and we can rest in the knowledge that it’s all working for the good (assuming that we love God and are called according to His purposes, anyway ;p ).
Still makes you think though!
Megan says:
God sometimes speaks in the silence. Glad He was silent this time.
And I understand this one all too well: (I’m sure a therapist would have a good time with dissecting my hyperactivity as of late.)
No coincidences in God’s Kingdom. Glad to be in the vineyard with you (still).
Jennifer R. says:
Wow. Just wow.
Chuck Guth says:
I agree with what Paul said. I am thinking that God needed you over here to mobilize the rest of us into action. I know there has been a groundswell of support based on the banners and such as well as all the reports and re-tweets. I printed out the banner and used it last weekend for a Middle School Conference (Youth Encounter’s Quake) ~340 kids in attendance and we raised $800 for Compassion. Thanks for all you do and have done.
Sarah says:
wow. Thank you for all you’ve done here – so grateful Karen and her group are ok. Any official word on David Hames?
Shaun Groves says:
None yet. I’ll keep you posted as soon as I hear anything at all.
Crystal Renaud says:
praying for your heart, friend.
Karen Taylor says:
WHY … is one of the (many) questions I’ve been asking myself! Why protect us? Why bring us to Haiti for 30 hours … of hell? WHAT can I do now to help Haiti?!? God has answered some – but not all my questions and that’s okay … just as long as this can somehow be used to help Haiti and bring Him glory, honor and praise! ~ Thanks Shaun for all you’re doing … I’m praying for David and others still missing!
Shona Sim says:
Despite the fact that many of your why questions remain unanswered, you have been inspirational in your support of Compassion’s Haiti appeal and in informing people of what’s going on. Thank you!
Carl Thomas says:
You could have helped here or there. Since the team was kept from harm I guess God was silent because you would have been safe either way.
I began following your blog (and became a Compassion follower) after reading you post about your trip to Africa. I can only imagine what would have come out of witnessing this tragedy. On the other hand you effectively rallied the troops from the US while the others were stuck in Haiti.
He works all things together for good.
Ryan Detzel says:
Snapdragons. Good work on applying some boundaries Shaun. It’s hard when you’re trying to help everyone, but it has to be done.
Brad Ruggles says:
Wow, God’s timing is pretty amazing. Those kind of stories give you goosebumps. So glad to hear Karen is safe and sound.
Kristie Braselton says:
Hey Shaun- You’ve probably seen this already, but just in case you missed it, check this out!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34933053/ns/today-today_people/
Paula from Northern Ireland says:
Thanks again for sharing honestly and humbly. It is so hard when our prayers are met with silence. Isn’t this just such a wonderful example of how God leads us (albeit in silently) when we truly seek to walk in His will. I am praying that God will continue to direct and lead you regarding the Benefits.
Nellie Dee says:
I love love love stories like that. They are the meat of experientially knowing Christ and following him with our hearts. Thanks for sharing.
Lindsay @ Not2Us says:
I feel confident that God knew you would follow his heart and speak out with love on behalf of the Haitian people. Strong, supportive Christian voices are so needed at this time.
So thankful for your sensitivity to the Spirit…in obedience to stay and obedience to speak.
benstewart says:
Incredible.
I hadn’t put that timing together until I saw that email from Karen. That is just amazing to me. I am SO thankful that she and the team are safe!
It’s funny how we view a tragedy like this differently when it becomes more personal. It is no less tragic than before, yet somehow it seems different to me now.
Kelli says:
Thanks for sharing that story, Shaun. We do serve a mighty God, don’t we? Clearly He needed you to be the hands and feet of Christ here at home as you organize efforts to bring relief to Haiti. Thanks for all you do!
Steven says:
Dang. That’s crazy.
owlhaven says:
Wow, glad you’re safe…
I am so glad to know that as we stumble along through life, making the best choices we can with the knowledge we have, that God is ultimately in control, and able to work all things for good.
Though, like you, I am grieving for the ones in the middle of such misery right now….
Mary, mom to many
Prudence says:
God’s divine intervention. Sometimes seemingly little events can change our “fate”. Miss our turn. Get caught at a red light or make the green light. What if’s that continue us on the journey we’re on. Glad you listened to the silence of God (His no).
Paul Wilkinson (Thinking Out Loud) says:
I spoke yesterday with a guy who works with International Missions for Youth for Christ who was telling me about a man who left Haiti just hours before the quake hit.
He said that the guy had been learning about the country and the needs there, but on arriving home realized everything he’d learned no longer exists. It’s now an entirely different playing field.
Then he want to say that the guy was glad to be home, but he now had “survivor issues.”
I keep thinking about the phrase, “survivor issues.” I think really, every one of us who is not there; everyone sitting right now at a computer in the comfort of their home should really have “survivor issues.”
Ericka says:
Hey! I work for Compassion International for Guatemala, We have been praying and following all the up dates from Haiti news, our hearts are moved and shares the pain through this very difficult time. But we know that GOD will show HIS will on HIS perfect time.
I read that you will visit GT, it will be a blessing having you here. This is my first time on your page, so Im just getting started with all these!
Saludos y Bendiciones!!
[email protected] says:
This blows my mind.
I think I would break down in a theology fit if I even pretended to know all the answers to the questions I’m sure you’ve asked.
Ashley says:
Amazing how the Lord speaks (or doesn’t speak in this case.) Praising God for your obedience, but praying for all who are sufferieng. Lifting up the Hames family as well.
The Secret Life of Kat says:
Wow….