Haiti - We Love a Good Disaster Don't We?

Massive Earthquake

Total Devastation

Thousands Dead

These are the headlines and taglines of the major news networks right now. There is something deeply wrong in our society. Not just our society, but in us as humans. It's often dismissed as "morbid curiosity." We are drawn to the macabre, and repulsed by it at the same time.

I experienced this personally on Tuesday night. I broke away from watching the news with the Deeters, (who have a vested interest in Haiti, their 2 adoptive daughters live there, waiting for the adoption to finalize.) I went to my room and watched "Fame." I won't go into details, but toward the end, one character prepares to throw themself infront of a subway train, because they didn't get something they worked very hard for. And I was there waiting for it to happen.

Perhaps I'm just morbid, but I don't think it's just me. Because the film makers wouldn't have set up the scene the way they did if only a few people reacted the way I did. They hook you with this characters horrible news, something that destroys the years they have spent working toward this moment, only to have it all ripped away from them, with no hope for it to be repaired. He steps slowly to the yellow line on the edge of the platform, tears in his eyes, hopeless. The train rolls loudly down the tunnel, the light flares, one of his friends sees him, realizing what is happening, and calls out his name. The train roars as the angle cuts to an overhead shot. And we are left wondering...what happened? Did he do it? Well of couse he did it...there was nothing for him to live for...it was dramatic.

The train passes, and we see him, on the ground sobbing, his friends had pulled him back. I will be honest. I wanted him to die. Ok, not really, but the mood, the drama demanded it. Tragedy, it draws attention like nothing else. Don't believe me? What news stories pop in your mind the fastest? What events are discussed around the office water cooler, the lunch table...the dinner table?

Tiger Woods. Brittney Spears. Unfaithful Politicians. Celebrity Sex Scandals and so on. Have we become so numb inside, or so selfish, that the best way for us to feel pain is to watch it through someone elses eyes?

When Katrina hit, so many people had an oppinion and something to say about it. It was of course President Bush's fault. He planned the city's design after all. He was the one who regulated the levies and all of that. And the hurricane of course was his fault, he was out fishing on his golden plated yacht, and sneezed in the general direction of New Orleans.

I hope you felt the sarcasm there.

But he took a lot of blame. And perhaps some of it was warranted. Perhaps not. Fact is, everyone wanted to jump in and point blame, while others flocked to the city to help. Celebrities...you don't need to make tv specials, and news exclusives about your tour of the destruction. You don't need to dress in sober colored clothing, and wear your not so bling jewelry, driving around in your Escalades to bring awareness.

We knew. Everyone knew.

It's happening again in Haiti. Non-stop news coverage of this disaster has finally changed our focus off Tiger Woods. Because this is worse. Not only was a family torn apart by adultery, but now there is death, destruction, looting, and more. More adjectives, more tragedy, more suffering. And we feast on it like chum in the water.

Please don't misunderstand me, as I'm about to make my real point.

Natural disasters have been called, "Acts of God," for who knows how long. I do not like this phrase. Not one bit. It calls upon the name of God as one who is doing something horrible, when there is no one else to blame. Bush obviously did not cause Katrina. Just like the leaders of the nations destroyed by the Tsunami a few years ago did not cause it. No one in Haiti caused the earthquake.

So it must have been God.

Wrong. While I'm not saying God couldn't have caused it, everytime we see devestation wrought by the hand of God in the Bible, there was a chance, a warning to the people targeted, to repent. To seek forgiveness and turn from sin. Usually these people were utterly wicked, and knew that they were warned. Like Sodom and Gomorrah. God sent his angles, and Abraham pleaded to spare the cities for his nephew was there. They were warned, and choose not to repent, and were destroyed.

Jonah, hundreds of years later, was sent to Ninevah to warn them. He didn't want to go, so he fled. He was nearly killed running away from doing what God told him to do. So he went, and warned them of what God would do to them if they didn't repent...and you know what happened...they did, and God turned aside his wrath. Jonah didn't. He pouted that God didn't destroy the city. Until God gave him a spiritual kick in the backside.

If blame must be lain upon natural disasters, then we must blame, Sin. For it was after Adam and Eve ate, and sinned that this sort of suffering entered the world.

Jesus does speak of things like this happening as a sign or the "birthpains" of the eventual tribulation, as he called it. It's found in Mark 13:7-8

"When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. 8 “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs."

They are only the beginnings of birth pangs. I've never, nor will I ever give birth. I do have an vague understanding that birth pangs...are not the actual birth itself. And the beginnings of them are, as I understand, not as severe, or intense as the later ones. Nor as difficult as the birth itself.

And if wars, earthquakes, and famines are only the begging of the pains...the media will go blood drunk on the actual birth.

What has happened in Haiti is a tragedy. It is always sad when lives are lost. Especially in a country already suffering in poverty. But there are many already there, and some on their way who would help the people of Haiti. Many are Christians, some are not, who seek to bring relief and hope to the people of that nation. With this event, many more eyes will see and be opened. Hearts will be called, and many will never be the same, those affected by the quake, and those who go to help.

So if your heart is pulled to go, and you can, then go. If you cannot, there are many organizations and ministries that would appreciate your prayers and donations. The real tragedy would be if people who are called, do not answer.

Again, please don't misunderstand, I am in no way saying Haiti deserved this, or that God did this to them.

Bad things happen.

Good people happen next.

Or that's what should happen. If they can't get there before the bad happens. Every little bit helps, so say a prayer, send some money, or clothes, or water...do something. Do something other than watch the news and think, "That's awful. I wonder what's for dinner?"

What Dreams May Come...

Ok, it's been a while yeah? Well, new posts and thoughts and the like are coming...soon. ish.

2009 was a crazy year. But aren't they all? Or at least appear to be when you look back over the 12 month smudge that will soon be referenced in your musings and ramblings about your past exploits...or lack there of.

I'm not going to sit here and ramble on about all the things that happened in '09, or what I want to happen in 2010. And I'm of the "Twenty Ten" persuasion, incase you were wondering.

But there are somethings I'm greatly looking forward to in 2010. Well, one in particular.

South Africa.

I'm finally going. I don't have my passport or ticket yet. But it's all in the works, or will be shortly.

Some of you know this story. Some of you don't. So for those who don't, I'll regale you with the tale.

Once upon a time...

I was 15. Yes, literally half my life ago. I was sitting in the "classroom" off the gym at CLA. (For you CLA folk, it was the one that had the soda vending machine.) Pastor Jamie was teaching our high school Sunday School class about Revelations. Someone asked the "how will everyone know?" question. And he talked about increasing numbers of missionaries, and technology etc. I believe he said something like, "perhaps even some of you will be part of that, going into the jungles of South America, or wherever." Or something to that general effect.

Something struck a cord in me. Mentioning "jungles of South America" made me thinkn of a movie I had just seen, "Medicien Man," with Sean Connery. And that coupled with my growing love for all things Africa birthed an idea. This idea was followed by a deep longing in my heart to go to Africa...which I soon realized was my "calling."

Now, I planned and schemed on how this would happen. And that makes me think of the saying, "What makes God laugh?...."Our plans." I meant well, and wanted to do his will, but "I" was leading the way. Made choices. Did deeds. And a few short years later I was completely lost. Living for me and no one else. Africa had become a distant memory...but deep inside my heart, the drums still called.

About 10 years passed from that Sunday untill I arrived at my current church, and about a year since I rededicated my life to Jesus. In the first few months their, there was an alter call of sorts, and God revived my calling to Africa. And it felt stronger than ever. There was a group from our church, well two women from our church, who started an organization called "Building a Global Community." And they had a trip going to South Africa. I was excited. But it wasn't yet time for that. I soon got involved with the youth group, and that was where I felt God wanted all my spare attention.

Well, about 3 years after starting with the youth, I had a conversation with the girls from BGC, Jen and Ang. They asked me again if I'd consider going in 2010. I thought about it, and the block in my heart that had told me to focus on the youth group, wasn't there. I suddenly got very excited in my heart. Then I heard the price, and was almost quenched...but God lifted me up. It's only money, and that can be raised, saved, earned.

So, I will be filling out an application this month. Starting the passport process, and saving for this trip.

I'm finaly on my way.

I know in my heart that this will be the first, and hopefully shortest trip I ever take. But that is where I've felt God calling me to. I know this is now the right time to start. So, friends who pray: please begin to pray for me, the leaders, and the rest of the team that will go. That our hearts will be in the right place, and that the people we will minister to will be open.

This isn't a typical missions trip, with services and programs. We will be living in the villages with the people, helping them build gardens, chicken coops etc. We will witness with our lives, and share the love of Jesus with those we meet. And teaching about the prevention of disease, etc.

Also, please be praying that I, and each member can raise the money we need to go. It's about $4,000. Which covers our travel, food, and accomodations for the 2 weeks, and some of the materials we will be taking. This is just the rough estimate. If any of you are able/willing to donate, send me an email and I can provide you with the info to do so.

But mostly, pray.

Thanks for reading, and I will keep you updated on this as we go along, and hope to post some other interesting things of the "usual" nature as 2010 progresses.

Good luck, and Godspeed!
-Jesse