Haiti Response

As the tragedy unfolds and the relief efforts gain traction in Haiti it is easy to lose equilibrium at the massive scope of the project ahead. At current, there is both rescue and relief going on. There are the amazing and encouraging stories of people surviving the unthinkable and being rescued. However, those stories will not go on much longer. Soon, all survivors will be accounted for. The adreneline rush of rescue will wear off as it becomes the dismal and daunting task of recovery. The relief and rebuilding efforts will go on for years.

It would be easy for me to sit here at my computer, sipping coffee in my comfortable office and declare the reasons for the disaster or bemoan the spiritual, political and financial condition of Haiti. But that would not help the individual in Haiti, who is a Haitian because of the biological "bingo" of birth which placed him in the poorest place in the Western Hemishpere.

For Christians, we are not afforded the luxury to determine if giving to help the efforts in Haiti is "good stewardship". What we do now in relief is really the heart of God and it is in opportunities such as this that the church can have its finest hour.

Isaiah 58:6-10- Is not this the fast that I choose; to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, "Here I am." If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.

A couple of our missionary family members, Mike and Laura Clark are in Haiti now with Convoy of Hope. Otis Garrison, representing Mission of Hope has been involved in Haiti for years. Gifts to either of these fine ministries would be gifts which would be utilized to great effect in relieving the suffering of the people of Haiti.

But more importantly, all of the relief workers from each of the organizations working there, not to mention military protectors need an intense covering of prayer while they work in Haiti. They are seeing things no one should have to see, and enduring the unendurable on a daily basis. They will have turn off a portion of their comprehension just to be able to function at times. Please take time, several times a day to pray for their protection, health, endurance and immune systems. But also pray that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7)

It is not for us to try to discern the cause of this trouble, but it is in our hands to determine the response.