Do Something!
As I got news yesterday about the earthquake in Haiti and eventually saw images and heard reports about the casualties, my heart was paralyzed. I mean, I thought about . . . .
The devastation
The rubble
The bodies
The blood
The fear in people’s eyes
The poverty
The absence of food, water and shelter
The uncertainty that comes with nightfall
The staggering number and volume of the loss of life
What could I do amidst so much death and disaster? Maybe you feel the same way. You know, feeling paralyzed because the situation seems so hopeless, and you wonder how can your little contribution help the situation. This is often the case when tragedy strikes, and it is so overwhelming that we don’t know what to do. In not knowing what to do, we settle for doing nothing and idle hearts and hands can only make things worse. Well, I don’t want you to let emotional paralysis prevent you from doing something. Do something! What Haiti needs now is our prayers and monetary resources.
Here is a list of legitimate organizations to which you can give. Also, my good friend Milan Ford is donating a percentage of the proceeds from his recently published best-selling book. Purchase a copy for the thought-provoking content, but also because your purchase will help bring relief to the devastation in Haiti.
Here are some other things you can do:
- Fast during lunch, breakfast or dinner (or all three meals), and spend that time praying for the people in Haiti.
- Take a portion of the money you would have spent on clothes, a new tech toy, or groceries and donate it to one of the organizations listed
- Turn your next small group, elders or management team meeting into a call to action
- Pray with and for Haitian-born U.S. citizens
- Pray for wisdom and strength for pastors, priest and missionaries who are attempting for serve and comfort
- Talk with your kids about the devastation and have them pray for the kids in Haiti
- Volunteer to go and be part of the ground relief team (I’m thinking and praying about that and talking it over with Tonia)
Don’t let this moment pass without you and your family engaging. God is near the brokenhearted and he comes near them through us.
Do something!
What are some other ways you can help bring comfort and relief to the people and land of Haiti?
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Tags: Compassion, Haiti Relief
January 14th, 2010 at 1:41 am
Marvin, David is thinking about going down too. Would you keep us posted on your travel plans?
We're just sick about this, but so thankful that Pastor Jean Fritz and HCRM (our kids orphanage) are safe. So much devestation on people who are already in such poverty. It's so so sad. My sweet little Sonia is already wondering if her MommyHaitian is safe, along with her baby sister. I don't know what to tell her, other than we keep praying for God to watch over them. I am heartbroken.
January 14th, 2010 at 8:49 am
[...] just ran across this list of things that people can do for the people of Haiti who are suffering from the trauma of a major [...]
January 14th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Thanks for a beautiful post that encourages all of us to translate our concern into action.
I would like to ask for prayer for my extended family:
For my niece and nephew, who are in a Haitian orphanage, awaiting the finalization of their adoption later this month. Their whereabouts is unknown.
For my two nieces and one nephew, who were born in Haiti and are now in the U.S. The whereabouts of friends, caregivers, and birth relatives in Haiti is unknown.
For my family members who are participating in a 1,000,000 meal pack for Haiti through Feed My Starving Children, that they and the other workers may find strength to labor in this ministry at the end of their regular work days.