Haiti’s Hope
Since last week’s earthquake in Haiti, I keep thinking of this Jesus-story. 
It’s recorded in John 9. It seems that Jesus and his disciples were walking together and on the way from one ministry stop to another, they saw a blind man. He had been blind from birth. The disciples looked and asked Jesus a question, “Rabbi,” they asked, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” How did Jesus respond? “Neither,” Jesus said, “it wasn’t because of his sin or his parent’s sin. This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.”
Now that brings all sorts of questions to my mind. Like what am I willing to sacrifice so that the power of God can be seen in me?
But that story also leads me to Haiti’s hope. Pat Robertson (a Christian tv guy) suggested last week, that maybe this earthquake came because of the sins Haiti and her parents. (Pat Robertson on Haiti) Now to be fair to Pat, he has sent substantial aid to Haiti, but here is my hope. My hope and prayer is that this earthquake happened “so the power of God could be seen” in that place.
So let me challenge you to be a part of God’s power and God’s heart being seen in that place by giving generously and sacrificially. At Calvary we are collecting money to help GAIN (Global Aid Network) send 500,000 meals to Haiti — 10 cents a meal. If you would like to help us out, you can send a check with “Haiti’s Hope” in the memo to
Calvary Office Center
1100 Boal Avenue
Boalsburg, PA 16827
Meanwhile join us — and them — in prayer.
I have ZERO issue with collecting funds and supplies to help Haitians in there time of need. In fact, they had ZERO to start so perhaps this earthquake can turn into something BETTER for them by helping them to REBUILD BETTER.
More structurally sound buildings, better roads, bridges and homes can be erected with all of this aid. This may even be a vehicle God has provided (kinda like Noah and the Ark) to start over from scratch and really make Haiti a thriving country.
Where I DO have an issue? Every single person, including me, jumping on the Haiti bandwagon when there are still people HERE who are still not recovered from KATRINA.
We did all of this fundraising and telethons right after 9/11, completely skipped over Katrina and jumped on the tsunami and now Haiti.
It’s really cool that The Saints are playing on Sunday to get into the Superbowl. New Orleans is going to get some serious income from the people who attend that game. But what about those not very far away from that stadium who are still living in shacks and tent cities?
I understand and applaud the concern for those in need all over. But I think it’s like asking a mother which of her children she loves the most. The legal answer is, I love all of them equally, but the practical answer is that I love most the one that is hurting most, at any given moment.
In the first four days after Katrina, the American people donated over $100,000,000. While Katrina was TRAGIC — 1500 deaths, significant property destruction — the earthquake in Haiti has brought even greater devastation — potentially 100,000+ died.
I don’t think we completely skipped over Katrina, at least not at Calvary as we have supported and sent a number of teams to the area for continued support and help.