A few weeks ago while in Haiti we gathered with women and teenage girls in a room. There were many easily identifiable differences in the room, but what mattered was not what divided us—in this moment it was what united us.

We all had the same blessings and challenges of being women. We stood in front of these women who were just like us, girls hoping to go to school and change their lives, and women who wanted to work and take care of their families. The difference between us was that when our monthly menstrual cycle came around each month our days went along as normal, but for them, life stopped. Girls could not attend school and it would be difficult for women to take care of their family.

We were able to connect over these challenges. We Pinnacle women wanted to bring help and support through a women’s hygiene kit made from fabric, ribbon and smiles to help our sisters in Christ. For the past year women and teenage girls have been putting together these kits developed by Days for Girls International.

Often, men and women in America don’t think twice about what a menstrual cycle might mean. Some see it as embarrassing, annoying, maybe a little painful or just get in our way, but it doesn’t often stop our daily lives. We grab a tampon or a maxi pad and go on with our day. But for some women around the world time stops.

As we explained how to use each item in the kit we watched their eyes open as they realized what this bag of fabric would do for them. We demonstrated each step to use the kit and they watched eagerly. This kit would gift them their life back one week each month.

I will never forget their faces as we handed out these kits. Their simple questions about a woman’s body. The light gleaming through their eyes. The person whose face has stayed with me is a man who was waiting to see the doctor. He became more and more interested as we continued our education until he realized what this kit was all about. He said through the translator, “Please give me one of these kits for my wife, it will change her life.”

While this kit would change their lives one week a month, they most definitely changed my life. Even as we prepared these kits, sewing each piece with care, it is hard to imagine what the smiles on their faces would really look like. It is hard to realize what this kit might really mean for a girl in school or a mom whose hard life demands that she is working and taking care of her children every day, not just three weeks a month.

That day we all bonded, the gifts of the women and the smiles that beamed not only from their faces but from ours as well. They blessed us by telling us once again what it means to be united as women where color of skin, language and status don’t define us, God does. Where the gift of a woman with a menstrual cycle doesn’t keep us from life but blesses us instead. I am still smiling from ear to ear.

Thank you for your support! Please keep these women in your prayers as we continue to work on more Days for Girls kits for our Sisters in Haiti. To find out more about this program see daysforgirls.org

With only a week away from the election, there is a flurry of headlines about the presidential candidates' email habits, tax fraud, lies, lewd behavior, and leadership abilities. The election has become more than just a tough decision about who would be the best President of the United States of America. It has also become a reality TV show, a preview for what Saturday Night Live comedy skits will be and has pulled our attention away from everything else.  

I have been asking myself, what really matters in our lives today? Does the election matter? The short answer is yes, it does. And my prayer for you as you vote is that it begins with prayer, thoughtfulness and most importantly—that you do vote.

I have to tell you, I know what will happen on November 9th. No matter who is elected, I can promise you that God will still be our God. Pinnacle will be worshiping on Sunday, November 13th, no matter who wins. People will still be in need, the sick who need your prayers and our community won’t change just because one candidate won and another lost.

What saddens me about this election is that many of us have forgotten who we are. You might be a Trump supporter or a Hillary supporter—but before all of that, you are a child of God called to be Jesus’ hands and feet in the world.

Directly after Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti, I received many e-mails, phone calls, and texts asking, “How are our friends in Harmony Ministries doing?” “How is Pastor Luc?” I could answer that our friends had survived, but still need help. Many lost roofs, the church and school in Leogane was destroyed, some roof damage was discovered in LaSalle, food and water supplies were scarce, livelihoods were lost and cholera was a huge concern. These are still concerns. But we can give thanks that no one was severely injured or dead. In my Ministry Moment during a 10 am service, people clapped their hands in praise. Some money came in for immediate relief and prayers were lifted up for our friends.

But as the days went on, the election came back into focus and the struggles for our Haitian church family in Harmony Ministries became more desperate. Some aid agencies have successfully delivered food and water supplies to the larger cities, but it isn’t enough. Currently, our Haitian brothers and sisters are starving because food and water supplies are scarce. They have no roofs to protect them from the harsh sun and the intense rains, and cholera has already begun to spread. 

Usually when we get a chance to speak with Pastor Luc, he is positive. Even in the midst of great struggle he points out the challenges and that through prayer and God’s faithfulness, God will provide. But that was not his most recent response. He described a community that is desperate. Church members in LaSalle and Leogane have little to share, and struggle to get aid because they are not in the large cities. We have responded by sending funds for Pastor Luc to purchase rice and drinking water, but more is needed.

My question for you is this…, who are you going to vote for? In other words, what is the priority in your life? As a faithful believer, is this election and its drama what is most important? Or is it caring for the sick, weary, lost and in need of help. 

My hope and prayer is that we would all vote for the second. And that our vote would begin with our church family in Haiti. This vote begins with a refocus our priorities, for prayer and financial support. Our friends need you. If you would like to support our Haiti partners you can donate online or in the offering plate on Sunday.

Who are you going to vote for?