Caring for the poor

Our church issued this statement about Haiti. I think the second paragraph is especially interesting.

Our hearts are filled with sadness as we have watched the suffering in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake. We turn to the example of Jesus Christ, who reached out to “lift up the hands which hang down” and “strengthen the feeble knees.” We are keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges caused by the recession. However, we are appealing to members to donate to Church Humanitarian Services as their means allow in order to help our Haitian brothers and sisters. Many have already contributed and others are anxious to do so.

Money is not the only need in Haiti. People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water, and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite our people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people as urgent aid and reconstruction efforts continue.

On that note, I'm almost done with this book about Dr. Paul Farmer who has spent the past few decades in Haiti trying to eradicate diseases such as TB and AIDS. I have found it to be a captivating story and a way for me to begin to comprehend the poverty and struggles that the Haitians face. I'm not a big bookworm (although I wish from the bottom of my heart that I was...I have to keep working at it) but this book has really opened my eyes to a new meaning of 'caring for the poor'. And it is very well written. I highly recommend it.

My favorite excerpt from it:

"How could a just God permit great misery? The Haitian peasants answered with a proverb: 'Bondye konn bay, men li pa konn separe,' in literal translation, 'God gives but doesn't share'. This meant, as Farmer would later explain it, 'God gives us humans everything we need to flourish, but he's not the one who's supposed to divvy up the loot. That charge was laid upon us.'"