{"id":647,"date":"2010-05-21T07:26:10","date_gmt":"2010-05-21T11:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/cwr\/?p=647"},"modified":"2010-11-08T15:38:55","modified_gmt":"2010-11-08T19:38:55","slug":"blue-buckets-of-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/cwr\/2010\/05\/blue-buckets-of-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Buckets of Love"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the January 12, 2010 earthquake erupted in Haiti, the entire world focused on the devastation that occurred.\u00a0 After months of supplies, food, and prayers sent to the people of Haiti, the headlines slowly left the front pages.\u00a0 However, to my surprise the destruction hadn\u2019t left the mind of my six year-old son, Jonah Niemeyer.<\/p>\n

On April 15 Jonah said, \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking a lot about the people in Haiti lately.\u201d\u00a0 He wondered if the children were going to be ok and asked, \u201cIf I give them all of my money will they be ok?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 I spoke briefly with Jonah about the children of Haiti and he went back to a busy day of laughter, matchbox cars, and play-dough.<\/p>\n

Two evenings later Jonah said, \u201cMama, All my heart wants is for the children of Haiti to have what they need.\u201d\u00a0 I said with a smile, \u201cSo, then\u2026what will Jonah Niemeyer do to help the children of Haiti?\u201d\u00a0 Jonah quickly replied, \u201cI have a plan.\u00a0 I will get a blue bucket and tell people at church about Haiti.\u00a0 If they have extra money, they can put it in my blue bucket.\u00a0 I can send the money to them.\u201d\u00a0 I asked, \u201cWhere did you get this idea?\u201d\u00a0 Jonah said, \u201cGod told my heart and my heart told my mind.\u201d\u00a0 Jonah then dictated a letter that expressed his desires for the children of Haiti.<\/p>\n

After reading familiar bedtime stories, I tucked Jonah in bed and he prayed, \u201cDear God, please help the children of Haiti.\u00a0\u00a0 Please keep earthquakes away and help them have a great life.\u00a0 Amen.\u201d\u00a0 I then knew that God had placed Haiti on Jonah\u2019s heart and this was not merely a passing thought.<\/p>\n

Later that evening I emailed the letter from Jonah to our Pastor, Todd Harris from Oak Heights Covenant Church.\u00a0 The next morning, Jonah received a reply and the plan for Sunday service began to emerge.\u00a0 Pastor Todd encouraged Jonah to visit the Covenant World Relief website <\/a>to view a story of Shilaydine who is girl in Haiti who is also six years and has a badly broken leg from the day of the earthquake.<\/p>\n

Jonah was encouraged to draw Shilaydine a picture and give the money to the Covenant World Relief to help Haiti.\u00a0 Pastor Todd emailed Jonah and asked him if he\u2019d stand with him and talk about Haiti.\u00a0\u00a0 Jonah\u2019s confident reply, \u201cHi Pastor Todd, I will stand by you tomorrow.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad the money will go to Haiti.\u00a0 I will draw a picture for the little girl.\u00a0 I\u2019m happy the money will go to the Christians to give to people in Haiti.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The next morning Jonah grabbed his blue bucket and went to church.\u00a0 I asked him what he\u2019d say to the congregation and he stated, \u201cI\u2019ll tell them Haiti needs help.\u201d\u00a0 Being a very detailed person, this made me nervous as my talkative, spirited child could say or do just about anything in front of that many people.\u00a0 Seeing how solemn and focused Jonah was reassured me that he was truly doing God\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

During the service Jonah peacefully doodled on a piece of paper.\u00a0 As the time came closer for Jonah to walk up in front of the church, I gave him a quiet reminder that he needed to be respectful on the altar.\u00a0 Jonah stopped doodling and gave me the thumbs up.\u00a0 He then replied with a wink, \u201cI\u2019m good to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pastor Todd then invited Jonah to stand up with him.\u00a0\u00a0 From the back of the church, with his blue bucket in one hand and a picture that he colored for forty-five minutes in the other, Jonah made his way to the altar.\u00a0 Pastor Todd then shared their email conversation and what was on Jonah\u2019s heart.\u00a0\u00a0 Jonah showed the congregation the picture he drew.\u00a0 As Jonah walked off to Children\u2019s Church, I remember thinking how can he look so small and so big at the same time?<\/p>\n

Following God\u2019s perfect timeline, Pastor Todd then gave a sermon on Gideon. He stated, \u201cJonah reminds me of Gideon\u2026With God’s hand on his life, Gideon was a mighty warrior for the Lord. God also has His hand on, Jonah.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the end of the service, I went to get Jonah and a little friend from Children\u2019s Church so that they could collect money in the blue buckets at back doors of the church.\u00a0 The two of them stood proudly and collected $247.08 for the children of Haiti.\u00a0 I stood in amazement as Jonah said to his church family, \u201cThank you\u2026Thank you for helping the children of Haiti.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jonah often says, \u201cGod talks to my heart and my heart talks to my mind.\u201d\u00a0 If we listen to God and follow his lead we can do great things!<\/p>\n

–Written by Jonah’s mom, Tari Niemeyer.<\/p>\n