Jason Morant – Hosanna

It’s about 3:30, which means that we leave for Haiti in… like an hour! We’ve been praying, expecting, planning and preparing for this trip for months, but here on the very cusp of departure, with Final Cut rendering and no errands or television or day-job stress to occupy my thoughts, it’s become (very) real to me.

My heart is beating a little faster right now, in a good way.

Actually, the sensation is not dissimilar to the intensity of focus, the incredible sense of -now- that I felt in Costa Rica several years ago, standing on a bridge 40 feet over a rushing, freezing, river, preparing to jump. Taking my last few deep breaths, standing on the wrong side of the delapitated railing, there was literally no other place on Earth; there was only the river, and me. As the rush of blood in ears merged with the sound of the water beneath me, I opened my eyes, wide, and stepped…

Several months ago I heard a prophet say that we the church were coming into a season where it wouldn’t be enough to walk with God… that we would have to learn to run! That (and I’m paraphrasing here) if we wanted to be where He was, like really plugged in, our faith and resolve would have to be such that when He comes to us and says, “GO,” we wouldn’t ask Him when, or how, but “where?” I don’t know where that hits you, but I was so, so ready for that word. I want to chase Him into the deepest jungles, into the brightest cities, into the lives of the people He created and who He loves furiously, and just be Jesus to them.

Because that’s the point, isn’t it? That’s why we started this whole crazy venture, this mad experiment of love.

I’m being summoned… Apparently we’re walking out the door. No time to pack anything else, no chance to pick up last-minute supplies! We love you guys, and we’ll be in touch!

In Christ,

Paul!

As we’re methodically packing and re-packing our camera bags in preparation for Tuesday’s departure, Stephen and I just wanted to take a moment out of our evening to welcome to the blog everyone who heard about us on CBS and elsewhere.

We’re really excited for the trip and everything it represents, and so grateful for the encouragement and prayer that we’re receiving from everyone that hears about the project. When we met Ann back in May and heard her story, we knew that we had an opportunity to do something really special. What we couldn’t have planned for were the repeated body-slams Haiti has taken over the last several weeks, from a seemingly endless string of hurricanes coming in from the Atlantic.

As we watched coverage of the storms, praying for the best but watching a tragedy unfold on the news, we realized that the scope of the project had just widened significantly. Gonaives is underwater, hundreds are dead, and thousands are missing all over Haiti. As fresh water runs out, the situations threatens to slip from emergency, into catastrophe. The only appropriate response was to buy better rain gear for our cameras, and step out in faith. I can speak for both of us, for the whole team in fact, when I say that we’re overjoyed to be going to Haiti when we are.

We know that when we get there, we’re going to be confronted with a lot of desperation, poverty, and suffering. But we know that we’re also going to meet a lot of people doing genuine good, sowing love into the lives of the displaced and destitute of Haiti.

We can’t wait to get there, and bring their stories back to you.

Word on the street is that we’ll have access to the internet, so please keep an eye on the blog! If at all possible, we’ll post photos and video as we travel. Thanks for your interest, be blessed, and keep us in your prayers!

In Christ,

Paul

Hi all,

This is Paul, and although I feel like I should probably make a more thorough introduction, I don’t really have time right now. Let it suffice to say that I’m the video guy at Bedouins, and I love you all. Yes, you.

I’ve been going back and forth for a few days, and I finally made the decision to make the trek to Lakeland, Florida, and see for myself the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is sparking revival there. It wasn’t a difficult decision, apart from the finances ($3.50 a gallon? Really?) but it definitely goes against my old nature. I’ve always been a very logical, and by extension cynical, guy. It seems a lifetime ago now, but I studied philosophy at university, and did particularly well in symbolic logic. Which makes sense, I’ve always enjoyed the process of comprehending, abstracting, and dismantling arguments. For a long time, this included testimonies of signs and miracles.

What I’ve come to realize lately, and I thank the Lord for this daily, is actually one of the oldest chestnuts that everyone is familiar with, who’s spent time in a Southern Baptist church:

There isn’t, and never will be, a rigorous proof for, or against, the existence of God or miracles; there’s only faith.

How many times have I heard that, or something very like it? But I’m only now coming into a better understanding of its reality, and gravity. There’s only faith. (Which is not to say that we can’t comfort ourselves with evidence for His existence and goodness. It’s everywhere, and it’s breathtaking! But God never meant for our experience of Him to be founded or maintained on the strength of our systema.)

Lately I feel like I’m starting fresh, like I have new eyes. I know why He’s called the comforter, because I experience His comfort when I cry out to Him. I know why He’s called Jehovah Jireh, “The God who Provides,” because my needs are always met, often in unexpected, extremely unlikely ways. I’m coming to a place where I can start to make out the contours of a Life Well Lived, and it looks very much like a life wholly surrendered to the God who lives inside me.

Not the God I can prove.

Of course, I have several reasons for going to Lakeland, some personal, and some I feel like sharing. Perhaps foremost among these is the fervent desire to take part in revival! I’ve been so many things in my life, and I know with absolute certainty that neither possessions, nor knowledge, nor travel, nor friends, nor even family will ever truly satisfy. The good things in life, like family, health, prosperity, etc. are good precisely for the reason that they echo dimly the relationships we’ll have and the fullness of life we’ll experience when we see Him face to face! What I want now, so much more than money or experiences, is to just play some part in the unfolding of His will for our generation.

I believe Lakeland has a part to play in the revival of our nation. I believe that He’s calling us back to a lifestyle of singleminded devotion, and He’s preparing a flame to be poured into the hearts of those who are willing to be His vessels. I believe that we’re living in an unprecedented time! I believe all these things because He’s tugging on my heart, not my mind. There’s no proof I can give, there’s only faith. I’m coming to realize this is a very good thing.

More soon! I love you guys…