I just finished watching Larry King on CNN and their coverage of the disastrous earthquake in Haiti. As I watched it, I made a point to really absorb the images and stories. I'm not sure if this was a good or bad decision.
As I processed it all and thought about how and in what way I (personally and as a part of my local church) needed to respond to this disaster, I began to weep. Not just a little, but a lot and for awhile. And I'm not sure if that's the kind of thing someone is supposed to blog about. Not because I'm afraid you'll think I'm emotional, but because you might think I'm only telling you for a less than noble reason, like I'm trying to convince you that I'm a good or godly pastor because I cried for dying babies in Haiti.
My heart is breaking for Haiti. I cried. I think this an important thing to do--to be moved to tears by things like human suffering and pain reflects a God who is compassionate and caring. So now what? I've never felt this way about a global disaster before. Maybe it's because I've been on the island of Hispaniola in the DR and have witnessed the abject poverty of Haitian people as they labored in the DR sugar fields. Maybe it's because this just seems so unjust, i.e. they're the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, replete with all that goes along with that moniker. And now this? Unbelievable. Maybe it's because I'm older and have a kid and have imagined myself as a parent in Haiti who's lost a child. It's probably for all of the above reasons.
I gave $10 by textinig "Haiti" to 90999 via the Redcross. You can do it now and we hopefully millions of people will do it. Still it seems so insignificant compared to the need. I want to do more. For now, I'm praying for the people of Haiti who are suffering.
Psalm 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
