From My Perspective - - -
The Associated Press Headline for Sunday - November 7, 2010 was: “Haiti Very Lucky As Tomas Skirted Island.” Hurricane Tomas pushed northward from Haiti on Saturday, leaving villagers to mop up, evacuees to return to their tents and most everyone relieved that the country did not suffer what could have been its first big disaster since the January earthquake. The storm's western track caused widespread floods, wind damage along the far edge of Haiti's coast and is blamed for the deaths of at least eight people. It was a serious blow, but far better than had been feared in a nation where storms have been known to kill thousands, and more than 1 million quake survivors were living under tarps and tents. Reports from the remote mountainous countryside and the storm's outer bands continued dropping rain on the north. Floodwaters covered streets in Leogane, the town closest to the epicenter of the January 12th quake, and about a foot of water stood on a thoroughfare of the flood-prone northwestern city of Gonaives. Mountain towns were cut off by flooded roads and landslides…But it was clear that the most-feared catastrophes were averted: Earthquake camps were not torn apart by wind, storm surge did not drown the ocean-side slums…The U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported shortages in shelter material and other items, including rehydration salts for a cholera epidemic that officials were concerned the floods could spread. That danger remains, and medical workers were working across affected areas Saturday to contain the spread of the outbreak.
The term “very lucky” defies definition. The Dictionaries do not give extensive definition to what is meant by use of the term. The World English Dictionary defines it as: “having or bringing good fortune; happening by chance.” The synonyms given are: “auspicious, propitious, favorable.” Some of the Thesaurus entries given are: “advantageous… charmed… fortuitous… on a roll… holding aces… striking it rich…” On January 13, 2010 this account was given: 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…”
A concern should not be how “lucky” Haitians were regarding the anticipated Hurricane Tomas, but rather – what about the role of Providential Protection - and what has happened to all the promised aide to alleviate the tremendous health, housing and infra-structure need in the aftermath of the January 12th Earthquake. Some Christian organizations have helped considerably, whereas other entities have said they would do many things that remain to be done. One gnawing question might be: Why are more than one million people still living in Tent Cities and squalor?
It also reminds one of Basic Biblical considerations: (1) Galatians 6:9-10 instructs: “let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” And (2) Ezekiel 22:29-31 exposes and warns: “The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them…declares the Lord God." A worthy mantra and motto for us is: Do all the good you can; For as many as you can; For as long as you can.” A summary for the nations of men is Proverbs 17:5 (NKJV), "He who mocks the poor reproaches (insults) his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished." Consider these things with me!
The Associated Press Headline for Sunday - November 7, 2010 was: “Haiti Very Lucky As Tomas Skirted Island.” Hurricane Tomas pushed northward from Haiti on Saturday, leaving villagers to mop up, evacuees to return to their tents and most everyone relieved that the country did not suffer what could have been its first big disaster since the January earthquake. The storm's western track caused widespread floods, wind damage along the far edge of Haiti's coast and is blamed for the deaths of at least eight people. It was a serious blow, but far better than had been feared in a nation where storms have been known to kill thousands, and more than 1 million quake survivors were living under tarps and tents. Reports from the remote mountainous countryside and the storm's outer bands continued dropping rain on the north. Floodwaters covered streets in Leogane, the town closest to the epicenter of the January 12th quake, and about a foot of water stood on a thoroughfare of the flood-prone northwestern city of Gonaives. Mountain towns were cut off by flooded roads and landslides…But it was clear that the most-feared catastrophes were averted: Earthquake camps were not torn apart by wind, storm surge did not drown the ocean-side slums…The U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported shortages in shelter material and other items, including rehydration salts for a cholera epidemic that officials were concerned the floods could spread. That danger remains, and medical workers were working across affected areas Saturday to contain the spread of the outbreak.
The term “very lucky” defies definition. The Dictionaries do not give extensive definition to what is meant by use of the term. The World English Dictionary defines it as: “having or bringing good fortune; happening by chance.” The synonyms given are: “auspicious, propitious, favorable.” Some of the Thesaurus entries given are: “advantageous… charmed… fortuitous… on a roll… holding aces… striking it rich…” On January 13, 2010 this account was given: 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…”
A concern should not be how “lucky” Haitians were regarding the anticipated Hurricane Tomas, but rather – what about the role of Providential Protection - and what has happened to all the promised aide to alleviate the tremendous health, housing and infra-structure need in the aftermath of the January 12th Earthquake. Some Christian organizations have helped considerably, whereas other entities have said they would do many things that remain to be done. One gnawing question might be: Why are more than one million people still living in Tent Cities and squalor?
It also reminds one of Basic Biblical considerations: (1) Galatians 6:9-10 instructs: “let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” And (2) Ezekiel 22:29-31 exposes and warns: “The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them…declares the Lord God." A worthy mantra and motto for us is: Do all the good you can; For as many as you can; For as long as you can.” A summary for the nations of men is Proverbs 17:5 (NKJV), "He who mocks the poor reproaches (insults) his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished." Consider these things with me!
No comments:
Post a Comment