The children of Haiti

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16 King James Bible

These last few days I have been assured that David is doing well, so I can focus a bit more easily on my sons. One is wrapping things up to graduate from high school, hopefully in March. The other is hitting the books in his second year of college. The one at home has been teaching me how to play cribbage; the older one and I had lunch together today. I know they are safe and thriving.
But what of the children in Haiti? The ones not grown up yet. The ones dependent on the adults in their lives to care and provide for them, teach them, enjoy them and keep them safe? How do they thrive? What of the ones who have been separated by death or displacement from their parents?
And how do we process reports of child trafficking? They are disturbing, to say the least! It is difficult to accept that there are people who would take advantage of the chaos in Haiti in such a way. There are even allegations that children are being exploited as organ donors. And I thought the devastation from the earthquake itself was unimaginable! (Scroll down for today's interview on the subject with Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.)
How can we respond? 
Pray. Such a simple word, such a powerful action. Believe. That the Lord of the universe will intervene on behalf of these children, unique images of God. That there will be such an outcry on behalf of the children of Haiti that there will be miracles of deliverance. Be ready. To give, to wait, to learn, to intervene, to suffer.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/27/haiti.earthquake.orphans/index.html

"Should I go to Haiti?"

I interact with several people a day who are feeling called, led, moved to go to Haiti. I totally understand. These people are our brothers and sisters, they are our neighbors.

Since I am not there nor in a position of authority, I take pause when asked what do I think about heading to Haiti, soon.  Important? Yes. Urgent? I don't know; the recovery will take years. Haiti will need real help long after she is in the headlines.

So, if we are thinking about heading south, we might consider the following.

God looks on the heart; examining our own hearts seems a good place to start. Bolstering oneself spiritually will be well worth it, many times over.

Next, an updated passport and shots are critical. Keep working to maintain or improve physical fitness; this preparation will also pay off. 

Stay informed. Sleuth out reputable agencies, churches, organizations who are doing work that you resonate with. Are they well established? What are their ties to Haiti? Do they have financial integrity? Can they connect you to someone who has been affiliated with them in Haiti to get the inside "scoop"?. What are their needs for personnel, volunteer or otherwise? Are they ready to accommodate you now or would you be one more person to keep fed, safe, find a bed and transportation for? You get the idea

Ask trusted friends and mentors what they think. 

Be prepared to hurry up and wait. We'll have plenty of opportunities to practice patience there, might as well start here.

And last, keep Haiti in your prayers.

CNN on rebuilding effort after the quake.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/25/haiti.earthquake/index.html
Samaritan's Purse: Surviving Day by Day
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/surviving_day_by_day/
Audio Report from Haiti
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/audio_report/

So many

So many faceless and nameless buried without witness. So many left to wonder where their friend, lover, brother, daughter is. So many motherless children seeking safe haven. So many weary, worried and wounded.So many. So. How do I process this? I choose to believe that God notices. 

150,000 Quake Victims Buried, Haiti Says

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122925656&sc=emaf
Earthquake map of Haiti
http://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2010/01/world/google.map.haiti/index.html

Another day at Bolosse

An update from Cindy McMartin, missionary with CrossWorld living on the Bolosse campus (where my David lived for 2 years, and where Samaritan's Purse went with a water purification system yesterday:

^{Where to begin? It’s hard for us all to remember what day it is, let alone what happened during the past few days. David [Scmid] said to me today, “We’re into our 3rd week since the earthquake, right?” I said, “no, it hasn’t even been 2 weeks.” The days run together and there is always so much going on. We go to bed exhausted and usually wake up weary.}

A glimpse of David's heart

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." —C.S. Lewis

I don't know if our sons remember this, but on road trips when the boys were little, David and I used to sing together, "harmonizing" and singing at the tops of our lungs.


One of our favorites was an old hymn that went something like this:

This world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' through

If heaven's not my home, then Lord what would I do?

The angels beckon me, from heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

David taught me that song. It used to spring to his lips when I sensed a longing in him to be somewhere else. When the boys were little, I was so caught up in their every little step, word, new skill mastered, that I really didn't quite connect with David's longing; another mother would understand that comment.

But now, David has "gone ahead" of me back to the land he was raised in, to the land where we met and where we discovered we are truly kindred spirits. I miss him and long to be there with him. Every waking thought is wrapped around him.

My longing to be with David is not unlike the longing he used to express in song. Hmmmm.

David was in Leogane today

"We had a good day! Went to Leogane and started to distribute supplies. I did a lot of translation. Attached is a church that we visited. They are trying to clear it so that they can have church on Sunday. Every other house is flat." David Uttley, in an email home

So David spent today in the town that holds such vivid memories for me. I believe I would be very disheartened to see it like this. But what are the Haitians doing? Trying to clear the rubble so they can resume their lives, including worshiping God together.

And, are they misunderstood because there are not enough translators? Or because they are such a proud and resilient people? Because they have been beaten down so many times by political corruption and abuse, natural disaster, severe poverty and can still get back up? Because they are a people of faith who turn to God when they lose it all? And then lose it again? Because they want something better for their families? Because they are weary of broken promises from well-meaning foreigners?

I don't even know the right questions, let alone the right answers.

“Thank you for coming,” Pastor Janvier said. “We have been praying for God’s help and He sent you here.” Courtesy Samaritan's Purse:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/making_a_difference/

Digging out and digging in

Thursday is garbage day here. Remembered to roll the garbage can out last night to the end of the driveway for pickup. Just heard the truck come by for the latest Uttley contribution to the local landfill. That got me to thinking....

With Haiti never long from my thoughts, I am reminded of the overwhelming clean up efforts which will be needed. Last night, we were talking at the dinner table about this and other aspects of the Haiti crisis. We were wondering what will be done with all the rubble from collapsed buildings? My mom remembered hearing that during the Tsunami recovery in 2004, they ground it up and used in the rebuilding efforts. Could it be used on dirt roads? How would the possible contamination be handled? One question leads to another.

This morning as I was reviewing incoming emails and news reports, I read a very moving and troubling letter about a family in Colorado Springs still waiting on word about their husband/father who was trapped in the rubble of Hotel Montana. They have been on a roller coaster of emotions; hearing first that the rescue efforts have shifted to recovery, now, that tapping is heard again which brings the rescue crews back. May God grant this precious family much grace to wait it out!

If you want more information on their story:

http://www.coloradoconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=402939

Then my thoughts shift back to the countless Haitians who will never know exactly what happened to family members who are missing.

I cannot dig out, offer shelter, a soothing shower, or hot meal. But I can dig in and trust my God who will not forsake them.

Deuteronomy 31:8 reminds me:

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you;

he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

I am clinging to that promise for my Haitian brothers and sisters; and also for our sister in Colorado Springs.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Samaritans_Purse_Today/post/god_is_now_real/