I've decided to run in World Vision's 5k for Haiti on April 3rd, 2010. To be honest, I don't really like running but I can't imagine a better cause for me to put aside my own preferences. The fact that I can run at all is a miracle; everyday, I'm reminded of how close I was to being crushed by rubble. Through my participation, I hope to raise as much money for the people of Haiti as possible. My team's motto is "5k for 500k!"

I'm choosing to lead a team (Hope for Haiti) in this World Vision race because not only does World Vision have a tremendous presence in current humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti, they also do incredible long-term development work and will be in Haiti for many years to come. World Vision has been working in Haiti for 30 years and currently has 370 staff on the ground in Haiti. Your donation will help provide urgent supplies needed for survival: things like water purification tablets, food, and tents. World Vision will also help provide continued support to Haiti as they rebuild and recover...a long process for a country already struggling with poverty.

It would mean so much to me if you would join me in this effort and help me to reach that goal. You can partner with me and stand with Haiti by sending a monetary gift or by deciding to run as well(there's also the option of running a half-marathon)! I pray that as you consider joining me, either financially or physically, that you would remember the children, Marie-Olene, Woodson, and Emmanuella, that I wrote about in a past entry. I'm attaching a picture of Marie-Olene to this one. Your partnership will enable more children just like her to get a meal or vital medical treatment, and help to rebuild their country. Whatever you choose to do, please continue to pray for the children and families devastated by the earthquake in Haiti.

The problems in Haiti are overwhelming. But I know there is something we can do. Whether you can give $10 or $10,000, no amount is too small. And if you are unable to partner, please feel free to forward this email on to anyone you know who you think may be interested in joining.Again, thank you for all of your prayers and support.


To donate or join a team, please visit: http://twv.convio.net/site/TR/TeamWorldVision/General?px=1048841&pg=personal&fr_id=1160

To learn more about World Vision, visit http://www.worldvision.org.

To learn more about Team World Vision, visit http://www.teamworldvision.org


Much love,


Gabrielle Apollon

I read this today. Got kinda knocked over by it.

The Long Silence, by John Stott

At the end of time, billions of people were seated on a great plain before God’s throne. Most shrank back from the brilliant light before them. But some groups near the front talked heatedly, not cringing with cringing shame – but with belligerence.

“Can God judge us? How can He know about suffering?”, snapped a pert young brunette. She ripped open a sleeve to reveal a tattooed number from a Nazi concentration camp. “We endured terror … beatings … torture … death!”

In another group a black boy lowered his collar. “What about this?” he demanded, showing an ugly rope burn. “Lynched, for no crime but being black!”

In another crowd there was a pregnant schoolgirl with sullen eyes: “Why should I suffer?” she murmured. “It wasn’t my fault.”

Far out across the plain were hundreds of such groups. Each had a complaint against God for the evil and suffering He had permitted in His world. How lucky God was to live in Heaven, where all was sweetness and light. Where there was no weeping or fear, no hunger or hatred. What did God know of all that man had been forced to endure in this world? For God leads a pretty sheltered life, they said.

So each of these groups sent forth their leader, chosen because he had suffered the most. A Jew, a [black], a person from Hiroshima, a horribly deformed arthritic, a thalidomide child. In the center of the vast plain, they consulted with each other. At last they were ready to present their case. It was rather clever.

Before God could be qualified to be their judge, He must endure what they had endured. Their decision was that God should be sentenced to live on earth as a man.

Let him be born a Jew. Let the legitimacy of his birth be doubted. Give him a work so difficult that even his family will think him out of his mind. Let him be betrayed by his closest friends. Let him face false charges, be tried by a prejudiced jury and convicted by a cowardly judge. Let him be tortured. At the last, let him see what it means to be terribly alone. Then let him die so there can be no doubt he died. Let there be a great host of witnesses to verify it.

As each leader announced his portion of the sentence, loud murmurs of approval went up from the throng of people assembled. When the last had finished pronouncing sentence, there was a long silence. No one uttered a word. No one moved.

For suddenly, all knew that God had already served His sentence.

(HT: John Stott’s The Cross of Christ)