Wednesday, January 13, 2010

When The Candle Of Hope Is Flickering

From My Perspective - - -

The Banner Headline on The Drudge Report this morning reads: HELL IN HAITI.” The Associated Press Release tells this grim account: “Dazed and injured Haitians sat on darkened streets pleading for help Wednesday and untold numbers were trapped in tons of rubble brought down by the strongest earthquake to hit this poor Caribbean nation in more than 200 years. Destroyed communications made it impossible to tell the extent of destruction from Tuesday afternoon's 7.0-magnitude tremor — or to estimate the number of dead lying among thousands of collapsed buildings in Haiti's capital of about 2 million people…Aftershocks rattled the city as women covered in dust clawed out of debris, wailing. Stunned people wandered the streets holding hands. Thousands gathered in public squares long after nightfall, singing hymns. It was clear tens of thousands lost their homes and many perished in collapsed buildings flimsy and dangerous even under normal conditions. The hospitals cannot handle all these victims, Dr. Louis-Gerard Gilles…said as he helped survivors… The quake struck at 4:53 p.m., centered just 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince at a depth of only 5 miles (8 kilometers), the U.S. Geological Survey said…it is the strongest earthquake since 1770 in what is now Haiti. The temblor appeared to have occurred along a strike-slip fault, where one side of a vertical fault slips horizontally past the other…Most of Haiti's 9 million people are desperately poor, and after years of political instability the country has no real construction standards. In November 2008, following the collapse of a school…the mayor of Port-au-Prince estimated about 60 percent of buildings were shoddily built and unsafe in normal circumstances…”

This small and poor nation has been beleaguered by Hurricanes, Floods, Storms – and now – an Earthquake. For the desperately poor in Haiti – whose resilience is amazing – the Candle of Hope seems to be Flickering and appears to be almost out. There are tangible ways one can assist in this catastrophe. Reliable Organizations that will put your contributions to good use without top-heavy administrative costs are: (1) Worldteam – that has had a presence in the West Indies and Haiti for a very long time; (2) Mission To The World – who has a team already established from past storms; (3) Samaritan’s Purse that can quickly get aid and materials dispatched, and with teams that can assist with medical and building assistance; and (4) The Salvation Army is always a reliable source and resource. You can easily get the addresses for these organizations on the Internet. Many other Denominations and Religious Organizations are reliable and trustworthy, and will make maximum use of the donations sent. The important thing is that YOU be willing to sacrifice something for those who have nothing. Involve you children and help them to develop a worldview beyond the diatribe and ranting of a political and liberal oriented media.

One of the statements made by Dr. Louis-Gerard Gilles was: "Haiti needs to pray. We all need to pray together." Ecclesiastes 4:1 (NLT) has this observation: “I observed all the oppression that takes place in our world. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them…the victims are helpless.” If in recent years, any attention has been given to Haiti and the plight of the poor, you would know of “…the tears of the oppressed…” You would also be aware that few, if any, offer “comfort” to the people of Haiti. But if you were paying attention, you would know that in Haiti – “…the victims are helpless.” In Matthew 19:21, Jesus had been speaking with a young, rich man, and told him: “…go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” In Deuteronomy 15:11, the reminder is: “…There will always be some among you who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share your resources freely with the poor and with others…in need.” In Luke 3:11, John the Baptist declared: “If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry." The overall point is that one should be both compassionate and generous. Many of you can and should assist in this devastating event – in addition to your prayers – give what is tangible – and give funds for those who will provide food and water; clothes and medical aid; rescue and reconstruction. Do it in Jesus name! Consider these things with me!

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