I can't even begin to describe the images I saw as I watched CNN last night. Stories of suffering people in the country of Haiti wrenched at my heart in ways I could not imagine.
An orphanage is without shelter as they watch their only home crumble from the instability caused by Tuesday's earthquake. The children are sleeping on the ground without anything over their heads, and their food and supplies are running low. Word has gotten out that food is present at the orphanage, and the two women overseeing the operation are fearful of the men scaling the walls to try and steal what they have.
The UN has pulled out doctors and nurses and all of their supplies because of fear they will be injured in the chaos. Many who are injured and ill have been left without care and will die if they don't soon receive proper medical attention.
Darwin's theory is proving to be true. Only the strongest are able to obtain parcels of food as they fight their way through the crowds, fighting over any piece of nourishment. What will happen to the weak?
Haitians are confusing packaging dates with expiration dates and are trampling over food they perceive to be bad. These packaged biscuits are high in vitamins and need no refrigeration or preparation; yet they are being thrown away and destroyed because of a reading mistake.
Adoption papers have been lost in the ruins of the fallen government buildings.
Bodies are being bulldozed into fields and dumped from dump trucks into pits without as much as a picture of their faces for identification. Thousands will be buried as if they have simply disappeared. Their families will not have the opportunities to say good-bye to their loved ones.
My heart is grieving for the people of Haiti. We complain about bad days, homework to do, and bills to pay, yet we have roofs over our heads, food in our stomachs, and our loved ones surrounding us. I feel so helpless as I sit here, thousands of miles away, watching the stories unravel on the TV screen before me.
I encourage you to think of the ways you can help from where you are. There is talk of issuing humanitarian visas to the children who are in the adoption process. This would allow them to join their adoptive families overseas, and make room for the many children who were and will be orphaned because of this earthquake. Please support and push for these efforts to lift the orphaned children out of Haiti and into the care of those who can adequately provide it during this time.
If you choose to contribute financially, please ensure that the organization to which your funds will be allocated is a reputable one.
Many of us will have gone to sleep last night without a second thought about the suffering people in Haiti. Many Haitians will have gone to sleep tonight wondering if they will see today. Please remember to keep these people in your prayers, and do what you can to support the relief efforts.
God continues to be good in the midst of the pain and suffering.
