Haiti

Turn on the radio, or TV, or open the newspaper - everywhere - it's all about Haiti. My impression is that humanitarian organizations are responding quickly, more so than Katrina. Maybe the world is getting better at responding with compassion.

As a Christian I wonder - why does God allow a horrible earthquake in a country that is already suffering in every way I can imagine?

Wiki says "before the 2010 earthquake, nearly half the causes of deaths have been attributed to HIV/AIDS, respiratory infections, meningitis and diarrheal diseases, including cholera and typhoid, according to the World Health Organization. Ninety percent of Haiti's children suffer from waterborne diseases and intestinal parasites and 30,000 people suffer each year from malaria."

Then there's the economy, if you can call it that. Meanwhile, you and I are resting on the beach at an all-you-can-eat resort in the Dominican, right next door, to hell in Haiti.

Spiritually, Haiti is mostly Christian country, with Roman Catholicism professed by 80% of Haitians. Protestants make up about 16% of the population.

We see it on the news and we turn the channel to Letterman, thinking, "World Vision or Samaritian's Purse will take care of it".

I think God allows horrible earthquakes to happen just to see how the wealthy people of the world will respond. Will we "say a prayer"? Will we turn the TV channel? Do we sit in our offices expecting our "rich employers" to write a cheque so we don't have to? Or will we make it personal and send what we can? Or, maybe we are equipped ourselves and can go and help where help is needed?

I know I am unequipped for humanitarian relief. I know nothing about health or construction or how to deal with drugs and violence. But I have a heart for people who have nothing. So I can send money through organizations that I believe in. And I work at LIFE 100.3 and use it to connect equipped people with resources.

That's it. That's what God is saying to me. God is giving me a chance to show my love and resources and money to those in need.