Posted by
peripheral on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 8:42:55 AM
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!