This will prove I'm a lazy writer!! This began with an incoming e-mail and my reply, copied to post on my Facebook page, and now copying/pasting here! Just things I've wanted to say for a while, and have said privately, and wish I could explain better.
This is text of a letter I wrote to friends who sent me a news article criticizing the US government's allocation and distribution of money to Haiti since the 12 Jan earthquake. After writing, I thought maybe I should save it. If you're interested, read and I'd appreciate comments :)
Good morning, xxx and xxxx :)Well, I read the article. I think the situation in Haiti is, and has been, so very complicated that few people are able to give an accurate picture of today's situation. Although I can't defend our congress, I can say that the American presence is strong and always appreciated. What isn't reported in this article is the bottomless pit in Haiti...no effective governmental body to receive and disburse funds in an effective manner.
Haiti exists because other countries have been feeding the people, medicating the people, clothing the people. A recent comment by someone in Haitian government said that monies that HAVE BEEN received are being held because they have to have an emergency plan for hurricanes...well that's fine, but there is NO plan...just money that probably has gone into the pockets of Haitian officials.
It's hard for anybody to go into another's home and tell them how to live or how to organize themselves or how to prioritize their lives. But everyone wants to help, so we just keep sending stuff...and the people keep on surviving, but not thriving. I have to defend my country's efforts, and the efforts of Canada, France, Taiwan, Cuba, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, China, Japan, Jordan, Sri Lanka and many more I can't name. I'm praying for righteous men and women in Haiti to take on leadership. Until that day, no effort will be successful.
About the recent storm. Like so many in undeveloped areas, folks live where they can, and usually it's where those who know better don't. Many, many thousands of Haitians are now living in temporary shelters designed to last 6 months to a year; they are receiving free food and medical care. They will not leave unless forced to leave. They have no idea of their own ability to live apart from total support by others. This is poverty. There will be more deaths. But this isn't because of US government's failures in any respect. The deaths have been happening, over and over and over in Haiti, in Darfur, in Uganda...sometimes they're happening right here in our blessed country. Shame on us if we can help and don't, but more if we can educate and offer tough love and don't.
David said he'd never seen the righteous begging for bread. I haven't either. This is not to condemn anyone, but to remind myself and others that the answer is Christ and full gospel teaching. Not just believe and go to heaven... but, believe and surrender and follow.
I'm preaching. Sorry. I get started and can't stop :) Having said all this, I'm on my way back to Haiti to work in construction (finishing up some of what's lacking at school in Beaujoint). Daily, I'm reminded that the work is NOT the school, or the blocks, or the latrines, or wells. The work is making disciples, teaching others what God has taught me... In this particular time, the lessons revolve around taking up your daily cross and working hand in hand with someone you wish would go away to give you all the money and attention and power. In other words, I'm working toward a discipleship breakthrough asking men to work together for the glory of God, sacrificially, because I know that in this lies richness of soul and spirit. In this there is deliverance from one level of poverty. Hope I'm writing clearly ??
I want to write a book... but the book has probably already been written many times over. Now I have to cook spaghetti, go to the bank, work on editing calendar, and revise the budget for Beaujoint School. I'm sure your day is full, too... I want to talk to xxx about H4H in Haiti, too, but another day :)
Blessings on you both!!
Candy
This is text of a letter I wrote to friends who sent me a news article criticizing the US government's allocation and distribution of money to Haiti since the 12 Jan earthquake. After writing, I thought maybe I should save it. If you're interested, read and I'd appreciate comments :)
Good morning, xxx and xxxx :)Well, I read the article. I think the situation in Haiti is, and has been, so very complicated that few people are able to give an accurate picture of today's situation. Although I can't defend our congress, I can say that the American presence is strong and always appreciated. What isn't reported in this article is the bottomless pit in Haiti...no effective governmental body to receive and disburse funds in an effective manner.
Haiti exists because other countries have been feeding the people, medicating the people, clothing the people. A recent comment by someone in Haitian government said that monies that HAVE BEEN received are being held because they have to have an emergency plan for hurricanes...well that's fine, but there is NO plan...just money that probably has gone into the pockets of Haitian officials.
It's hard for anybody to go into another's home and tell them how to live or how to organize themselves or how to prioritize their lives. But everyone wants to help, so we just keep sending stuff...and the people keep on surviving, but not thriving. I have to defend my country's efforts, and the efforts of Canada, France, Taiwan, Cuba, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, China, Japan, Jordan, Sri Lanka and many more I can't name. I'm praying for righteous men and women in Haiti to take on leadership. Until that day, no effort will be successful.
About the recent storm. Like so many in undeveloped areas, folks live where they can, and usually it's where those who know better don't. Many, many thousands of Haitians are now living in temporary shelters designed to last 6 months to a year; they are receiving free food and medical care. They will not leave unless forced to leave. They have no idea of their own ability to live apart from total support by others. This is poverty. There will be more deaths. But this isn't because of US government's failures in any respect. The deaths have been happening, over and over and over in Haiti, in Darfur, in Uganda...sometimes they're happening right here in our blessed country. Shame on us if we can help and don't, but more if we can educate and offer tough love and don't.
David said he'd never seen the righteous begging for bread. I haven't either. This is not to condemn anyone, but to remind myself and others that the answer is Christ and full gospel teaching. Not just believe and go to heaven... but, believe and surrender and follow.
I'm preaching. Sorry. I get started and can't stop :) Having said all this, I'm on my way back to Haiti to work in construction (finishing up some of what's lacking at school in Beaujoint). Daily, I'm reminded that the work is NOT the school, or the blocks, or the latrines, or wells. The work is making disciples, teaching others what God has taught me... In this particular time, the lessons revolve around taking up your daily cross and working hand in hand with someone you wish would go away to give you all the money and attention and power. In other words, I'm working toward a discipleship breakthrough asking men to work together for the glory of God, sacrificially, because I know that in this lies richness of soul and spirit. In this there is deliverance from one level of poverty. Hope I'm writing clearly ??
I want to write a book... but the book has probably already been written many times over. Now I have to cook spaghetti, go to the bank, work on editing calendar, and revise the budget for Beaujoint School. I'm sure your day is full, too... I want to talk to xxx about H4H in Haiti, too, but another day :)
Blessings on you both!!
Candy
This may sound strange but are you the same Candy Rieger that went to Allegany High School in Cumberland, MD?? Thanks alot. Sandi
ReplyDeletecontact me at alco86@yahoo.com
Hi, Candy. You should get back to blogging. It's been almost a year....
ReplyDelete