A Hand for Haiti

I usually try to make my blog a reflection of my thoughts instead of a reflection of my day; but today my reflection will be anything but poetic and philosophical. Today's entry--more like a missive-- is about real life, and not just the crazy thoughts of this bohemian's love for life and righteousness.

Two days ago I was bored out of my mind on my way home from a beautiful afternoon spent by my love's side. Such a perfect day ended up being clouded by calamity and an overwhelming sense of powerlessness as soon as I read on CNN Mobile the terrible news about the earthquake in Haiti.

I'm usually a sympathetic person, but my feelings are more than sympathetic. On that day, and the ones that have followed, I have been emotionally devastated. I cry every time I see the news on TV, the hopeless faces, the crying children, the destruction and the chaos that the good people of Haiti have yet to overcome. My eyes still overflow at the mere thought of the tragedy.

I've been wondering why such things happen, and as a Christian and a person of faith I have no answer. Hurricane Katrina, the 2004 tsunami, world hunger and so many other catastrophes that we have no control over, but expect God to control. Actually, many people see it as though it is His will for these things to happen; but I cannot accept it. I refuse to believe that a loving God, the one that I know and whose work in my life I am living proof of, could have brought so much misery upon the already poor and weak of the earth. I have no doubt that God's involvement in this terrible earthquake is only limited to helping us heal and cope, and sending out a call to help our neighbors and brothers in this hour of need.

I know how much Haiti needs our help to reconstruct the country, but especially to put back together their shattered hope and faith. Thus, as a Christian, as a citizen of the world, as a member of the one and only race--the human race--I invite you and beg you to help our Haitian brothers and sisters with your time, money or at least your prayers. It is in times like this that our humanity—that which we claim makes us different from animals—is challenged. I know that there is a difference between being a human being and being human. Only with global cooperation will we hold this world together. Let's lend a helping hand.

Thank you for your support. God bless you.