Help for Haiti
My heart is crushed as I sit on the couch reading the horrific accounts of tragedy in Haiti. Like most of you, I have heard the news reports this week about mass destruction and death. Yet, I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t paid them much attention until now. The pictures, images, and headlines seemed so unreal, so far away. It was difficult to fathom how catastrophic the situation was, especially as I sat in the comfort and security of my own home.
As I read individual accounts of anguish, fear, and frustration, the full scope of destruction began to sink in. There are hundreds of thousands of people — just like you and me — that have lost their husbands, wives, and children. Most have lost their homes and those who haven’t are too scared to return because they are afraid the remaining buildings will soon fall. People are living in the streets, in the midst of rubble and bodies. They don’t have the necessities, and aid is slow in coming because the roads haven’t been cleared yet. It’s alarming. I can’t imagine how frightened the survivors must be. Not only have they lost everything they once owned, but they have also lost loved ones.
If you put yourself in their place and try to imagine how you would feel if it were your family or your friends facing those conditions, it really hits home. These people are in serious need of assistance — food, water, medical care, supplies, and lots of prayer. You name it, they need it.
Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves. When questioned, “And who is my neighbor,” He told the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus wasn’t only talking about our friends (or those who live near us). When He told the story, He made it clear that we should love all people, even those we don’t know, even those who are different than us. We are all God’s people; we are all “neighbors.” And when one neighbor is in need, all of us should reach out with a helping hand.
One of the best ways to help is to contribute to a respected, well-known charitable organization like the Red Cross. They’ve made it extremely easy to donate. You can give $10 by simply texting “Haiti” to 90999. All of your donation passes to Red Cross for Haiti relief. Your cell carrier keeps nothing. If you would like to give more or you don’t want to pay for the donation via your cell phone bill, you can visit the Red Cross website at http://www.redcross.org/.
