Moving pictures, of crumbled buildings, faces wet with tears, scared and bewildered people, and people laying in the street, flicker on my TV screen. A devastating earthquake had changed the landscape of Haiti.
"Oh, those poor people! What can I do to help?"
I have no medical experience or know-how. So, even if I could pull together the money needed to fly to Haiti, what could I do when I got there?
I could send a donation to help provide water, food, medical supplies – but the need is so great. How much would my cheque really help? Hmm, but what if every Canadian sent something? In 2008 the population of Canada was 33,311,389. If everyone gave a loonie that would be $33,311,389.00! If we all chip in we could make a real difference!
I could pray. Lord Alfred Tennyson said, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” Jesus says (in Matt 21:22), "You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it." Ultimately God knows what they need most and when. I can pray that God will provide and He can nudge someone who is there to share a meal, give a hug, or speak an encouraging word, and so much more. He can speak to someone in Canada to write a cheque that will provide food, medical supplies, and shelter. And, He can do more than I can even imagine.
As the days become weeks and the weeks become months the pictures and news on Haiti will fade from my TV screen. But that doesn't mean the Haitian people cease to need our help. We need to keep them in front of Canadians so that the help and prayers don't fade with the news reports.
God has given us all talents – talents to use for Him. How can I use my talents to help these people and this nation? I can write. I can write emails to friends, a letter to the editor of my local paper, an article for a magazine. I can use words to paint the pictures of loss and fear.
I can come to Jesus and offer what I have.
What can you do?
We're all in this together.
© 2010 Denise Rumble