Friend to All

“I want to do what you do,” stated Liz Clarke in a matter of fact tone. At the time, she was drifting between jobs, without a clear purpose for the next step in her life. “No, you don’t. I can promise you, Liz, you don’t want to do what I do. But, there is something I do think God is calling you into,” I chimed back, with a sly smile on my face. “Go to Haiti and we can talk when you get back.” This was October 2013, right before Liz went on her first mission trip with us to Haiti. Little did we know the path God was

Liz visits a family with a new cement floor, reading from their new bible.
“I haven’t found anyone who Liz won’t give an opportunity to be loved.”
First and foremost, Liz loves Jesus with all her heart and is willing to do whatever He asks. There is no doubt when talking to her and seeing her in action, she loves Jesus. Second, Liz loves people of all shapes and sizes. I haven’t found anyone who Liz won’t give an opportunity to be loved. She is a great lover of people. I know this source of love doesn’t come from Liz, but rather from her Savior, Jesus Christ, who extravagantly loved Liz first. She knows this as well. One gift Liz possesses is her ability to be vulnerable. She tells her story, her entire story, warts and all, and she reveals the depth of pain, sin, and selfishness that resides in her. It is from this brokenness that she is made strong. I know it sounds

Liz gifting a bible to an elated man
This reminds me a lot of Paul in the Bible. Paul used to be Saul, a religious zealot with a passion to destroy and kill Christians. Then Paul collided with Christ on the Damascus Road, shifting his religious zeal to proclaiming the truth of Christ. The religious zeal for Paul was always present, but it was pointed in the wrong direction. The same can be said of Liz. Liz always had the ability to be a friend to anyone, anywhere, no matter their past. But, before the collision with Christ, this friendship could have taken a more selfish path, leading to more brokenness. Now, Liz uses these same gifts to point people to Jesus, leading people to life and restoration. It is not a coincidence that she is being used to take people marred by sin and remaking them in the perfect image of God. She holds a belief about their possibilities because she knows all Christ has done for her. And she loves them, through it all, because Christ loved her, through it all.

Many Hands for Haiti stands on the shoulders of Liz Clarke, who through her vulnerability, loves people and points them to Christ. I sometimes give Liz a hard time, as I remind her of the conversation we had about her wanting to do what I do. She since has recanted, as she has learned her gifting is not in administration. Thank God that we aren’t all made the same, as the body of Christ needs all our gifts to bring about transformation in this broken world. Liz has been a tremendous friend to me, especially during the darker times of ministry, and I’m a better person today because of Liz being in my life. And I know I am not alone in this statement, as Liz touches lives wherever she is placed.


I’m With You
Many Hands stands on the shoulders of Tim and Lucia Van Maanen, whose sacrificial “I’m with you” spirit forever set our organization on God’s path.
Angel Among Us
Many Hands for Haiti stands on the shoulders of Pastor Francois Romelus, who is our angel on earth, gently guiding us with wisdom, courage, and love.
Love Them With the Love of Jesus
Many Hands for Haiti stands on the shoulders of Karmen Brown, who shows us how to love others with the love of Jesus.

BRING FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY
