Mike Wilson - Haiti one life changed, Tia

The devastation of the January 12th 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti has left the world scrambling to find ways to make a difference for a country that has so little. Actually among all the countries of the world, Haiti is the least of them all. Not sure who is due credit for the often quoted saying, “do what you can while you can”, but it is true. So often people put off things believing that tomorrow will better fit into their schedule instead of taking action immediately and putting steps on their plans today.
Michael Wilson grow up in Knoxville, Tn. My friendship began when he was a student at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Ky., and his first church staff position would begin in Corbin, Ky., at the Horse Creek Road Baptist Church as youth minister. Having the opportunity to be the first pastor a minister will serve under and be mentored under is special. HCRBC was a unique setting and a great first experience for Mike too. I have in my mind a picture of him in overalls as we celebrated “Old Fashion Days” along with other friends that were there too that brings a smile to my face even now. He would later serve Two Rivers Baptist Church, the largest SBC church in Tennessee and a Sunday that I made an unannounced visit, I saw him in the waters of baptism baptizing followers of Jesus. There is no greater feeling knowing that having been a part of someone’s life, seeing them leading others to give you that complete circle of accomplishment. Doing the right thing may not always be easy, but it is always best. Today, Mike and his wife Missy are ministry partners with Brent Gambrel Ministries in Nashville, Tn. They have been working with a Orphanage in Carrfour, Haiti that houses 40 children. It is there that they met a little girl name Santia. They call her Tia and she is 5 years old. Mike and Missy’s heart would become fixed on doing their part and the adoption process began a year ago to rescue this French Creole speaking child from the ravages of poverty and the orphanage home she’s known for 4 years. When the earthquake hit on Tuesday morning, Mike knew he had to be on a plan immediately to Haiti to begin his search and to bring Tia home. With the help of the U.S. Embassy, his Congressman and the Haiti government the adoption process was streamline and finalized immediately. There are others who also had adoptions working through the process of the Haiti government before the earthquake who are praying for such success too.
Haiti today is faced with destruction and the death toll beyond description. Orphans flooded the country prior to this disaster and now that number will create even a greater need for God’s love to be shown to the least of these. “Doing what you can, when you can” is most important. To adopt a child today from Haiti is not possible. The government has suspended all such processing as there is no means in place to handle such request. While the need is so great and the numbers are overwhelming there is no immediate answer at this moment as the priority list is already established. It’s the basic of life that are needed on the ground in Haiti to just provide the most essential such as emergency care, and assistance with removal of the dead lining the streets.
The action of Mike and Missy that began a year ago will not solve all the issues facing the people of Haiti that need God’s love, but their action has made all the difference for one! Changing one life at a time is the answer and Mike and Missy have made the difference serving Christ doing what they can, while they can.

Until then