These are times that are trying many souls

Over the course of the past year or so, we have witnessed catastrophic earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, New Zealand and Japan.  We have seen a tsunami suddenly kill thousands of people and cause turmoil and anxiety even unto this present hour due to the problems at a nuclear power plant in Japan.  We have seen volcanoes erupt in Iceland and ice storms in places that rarely see them.  Through it all, the United States of America was basically unscathed.

Over the past few weeks, the forces of nature have unleashed their fury upon the very heart of America.  Through wildfires burning in Texas, flooding along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and the current incredible outbreak of tornadoes; there is no longer any feeling of invincibility in this land.  As if the current situation were not bad enough, a very active hurricane season looms just ahead.

In due time, all the damage being done by all these natural disasters will act as a financial stimulus as people will find jobs rebuilding houses, businesses, churches and other facilities.  But, in the short term, the current situation is too much for many to bear.  Losing one’s home or business is a traumatic experience that leaves deep scars in someone’s hearts for years to come.  Obviously there are many hurting people around right now.

The frustration people go through dealing with insurance companies, government agencies, financial institutions and employers is hard to understand unless a person has lived through a major disaster or worked with those who have.  People can talk about “trusting God” all they want, but when your home is a pile of debris, your place of employment is demolished and your creditors want payments NOW; the pressure many times literally breaks people and demolishes families.

In 2006 I took a very long and difficult trip to Cameron, a little town on the coast of southwestern Louisiana, which had been utterly destroyed by hurricane Rita the previous year.  The area was a ghost town as it had been literally forgotten due to most of the emphasis being placed on Katrina damage.  As I trudged through the sand looking at the destruction I came upon a few very haggard people hanging around a white tent.

When I inquired as to what was going on, I was told of how there used to be a church ministry that brought food to that tent twice a week but had run out of resources and had to stop.  My heart ached for these poor people who received no aid from FEMA, the Red Cross, Salvation Army or any other group except one lonely ministry who could no longer find the resources to get food to them.

I was not able to do much but the pictures I took of the people and their plight did make their way to some agencies which in due time were able to get some resources down there.  The town had literally fallen through the cracks due to all the other needs.

As people attempt to put their lives back together in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, the Carolinas and Virginia; I pray that those of us unaffected by the current onslaught of floods and tornadoes remember those whose lives have been turned upside down.

These are very troubled and turbulent times and many of our brothers and sisters are hurting right now.  If ever they needed a friend to lend them a hand or a shoulder to cry on it is NOW.  If there was ever a time to redouble our prayers and “stand in the gap” it is NOW.  If there was ever a time to intercede on behalf of those who are struggling to stay sane and alive, it is NOW.  Truly this is a time to pray for and reach out to all those engaged in the worst battles of their lives.

Is America Still Able and Willing to Help Those Devastated By Storms?

America, the land of the free and home of the brave, is on the verge of falling from its perch it has prominently sat upon for well over 200 years.  That which has kept America strong and prosperous through World Wars, terrorism and economic upheaval has been the overwhelming generosity in the hearts of Americans to reach out to those in desperate need domestically as well as overseas.  The consistent giving to help others has allowed Almighty God to prosper and bless America and those honored to be called its citizens.

Americans have always been willing to “give the shirt off their own backs” if their neighbor genuinely needed it.  Americans have raced to disasters to offer assistance no matter where on earth they have occurred.  Americans have given millions upon millions of dollars in aid to help those deprived of the necessities of life wherever they live in this world.  Americans have generously supported charities and the work they do for the disadvantaged.  Americans have opened their checkbooks time and again to help, restore and rebuild communities and neighborhoods devastated by natural disasters.

Americans have rushed to the Red Cross when they hear the blood supply is low.  Americans have given millions of dollars every year to the Salvation Army and their holiday season red kettles.  Americans have supported research into finding cures for diseases once thought incurable.  Americans have faithfully shared of their tithes and offerings to support not only their local church, but the social services many of them provide to their communities.  Americans have always been ready, willing and able to help the guy on the street who hasn’t a dime to his name.

Americans have always been willing to give, even if no one knew they did it.  Americans have seen needs and sought to supply them, seen hurt and sought to heal, seen pain and sought to comfort, seen suffering and sought to relieve it.  Americans have always had what amounted to a ministry of mercy when it came to putting the welfare of others ahead of their own.  Americans have always been the leaders in compassionate care for those who have suffered loss.

America used to take great pride in its ability and willingness to share of its resources regardless of whether they were appreciated or even asked for.  America used stand alone at times in its compassionate response to starvation, torture and genocide in the world.  America used to shine as a beacon of light, providing a refuge for those who barely survived elsewhere in the world.  America used to be the land everyone wished to immigrate to and it was immigrants who made America who she is.

God has truly blessed America.  This country has never been invaded by a foreign nation.  This country has never suffered a truly catastrophic natural disaster which would render the entire nation crippled.  This country has always enjoyed freedom to speak and serve God as one sees fit.  This country has always encouraged its citizens to go and serve wherever and however they felt God wanted them to.  Except for wartime, this country has not forced its young men to serve in the military and has not demanded a certain number of years of service to be a citizen.

America has a problem.  For many reasons she has cut back on her giving.  This is not a good thing for the country or its inhabitants.  For America to stay strong and be the leader she has always been, Americans must never forsake the willingness to give to those who are in need.   I beg you, America, please do not quit doing what made you who you are.  It was not your intellect or brawn which brought about your rise to glory, it was your humility and compassionate giving which enabled God to make you great.

Too many times recently, resources that once were designated for those in need have been diverted to meet the needs of the givers.  Too many times excuses have been offered instead of offerings when needs have been made known.  Too many times personal lack has been magnified at the expense of looking at what could be given without incurring hardship.  Too many times the attitude of “I can’t” has replaced the previous “can do” attitude which previously opened doors when none were there.

I fear people have allowed the economic negatives which bombard them daily to influence their decisions to give.  A “hunker down” mentality appears to be what is needed in difficult times, but in reality the old cliché of “when the pressure is on—give” would be a far better one to live by.  When people stop giving they clam up and cease to be of any benefit to others.  Cessation of giving spells doom for any person or group.  Giving is the lifeline to receiving God’s abundant promises of blessings.

I have heard recently from numerous groups encompassing the whole spectrum of care-giving that donations are way down.  Food pantries have had to close their doors and facilities that disperse not only food but other vital necessities of life have had to go on “hiatus”.  Due to economic problems, faithful donors have cut back or even ceased giving.  However understandable this is, it leads to a cessation of services among organizations essential to many communities.

I pray that as we see the suffering of so many on our television screens; that we remember what charity is all about.  Charity is simply the Love of God in manifestation.  Charity is loving thy neighbor as thyself.  Charity is doing unto others as you want done unto you.  Charity is faith in action.  Charity is actively working to help another by giving of yourself and your resources.  Charity is reaching out to help another, realizing their need is far greater than your own.

The true heart of America will always be found in its benevolent giving and sharing of resources.  Please, America, don’t give up on those who need you.  Not now, not ever.  Keep opening your heart, your home and your wallet to help those who need what you have to share far more than you.  Please remember that disasters usually bring a time of sharing and giving more than any other time.  I ask you to please remember those in need and reach out in some way to help those who have been devastated by life’s storms.

Disaster Relief and Recovery–Ike and Gustov; HELP WANTED and NEEDED AMERICA

As I sit here reflecting upon the past week; I find myself a combination of depressed, angry and confused. Three years ago, a week post Katrina, the country was glued to their television sets watching images of destruction never before seen in this country. They were also beginning to organize drives to raise funds, supplies and volunteers to go help. There was energy in the air that reflected the country’s “can do” attitude about helping their neighbor in need.

This year, there was NO energy manifested after hurricane Gustov and what energy was reflected after Ike quickly faded in light of the economic shenanigans going on in Washington and New York all week. Hurricane Ike is a distant memory to most people. The tolerance level for most Americans toward seeing images of destruction and suffering people standing in line for water is almost zero. The country got burned out seeing and hearing about New Orleans after two years of constant stories about the situation there. They are still burned out toward disasters as a whole.

There is simply no energy to speak of manifested toward wanting to help those devastated by Gustov and Ike. There are pockets of interest, but very little organized help to speak of. There is this eerie sense that the leaders of this country, the presidential candidates and the citizens in general simply want the situation to be handled by someone else and to go away. It is quite remarkable that no politician has tried to gain exposure by showing up to distribute water or other custom made photo ops.

Could it be that those who take the pulse of the American people have told the candidates that there is little interest in the country concerning Ike? Could it be that since the leaders of this land are up to their ears in economic woes and re-election hoopla that they do not want to be distracted by Ike? Could it be that this country no longer has either the means or the heart to give any more?

I do not know what the answers are, but I know we have a problem. Katrina hit more than three years ago and there are still massive rebuilding and recovery efforts going on in New Orleans and Mississippi. It takes incredible amounts of time, money, resources and volunteers to recover from a big hurricane. The unfortunate reality is that the amount of all these things has dropped off dramatically since 2005.

Does America still have the will to roll up her sleeves and help Galveston, Houston, the Texas coast and Louisiana recover from Gustov and Ike? We will find out in the next few weeks. Does America still have the means to provide equipment, materials and supplies to help areas clean up, fix up and rebuild? We will see in the next few months. Does America still have the “heart” to stick with these areas in the long run, to work with people for as long as it takes to get them on their feet again? We will find out in the next few years.

Disaster relief and recovery is a painstakingly slow process. It will be Thanksgiving before there is any real progress made in the hardest hit areas. Debris removal must be done slowly and correctly lest there be any bodies buried in the rubble. There is so much debris after a major hurricane it is unbelievable. There is trash, torn up buildings, trees and chunks of asphalt and stones. There is no quick fix possible, it just takes time.

Any house damaged by the hurricanes must be inspected and determinations made by insurance and FEMA as to financial retribution for to get repairs done. People must wait for insurance checks and the whole process gets bogged down in the meantime. Any building damaged by water (either from above or storm surge) must rip out the damaged drywall to prevent mold growth. Many times the carpets and even the floors must be replaced.

Even those with the means financially to pay for work to be done many times cannot find anyone to do it. There are only so many certified contractors. There are also only so many supplies that can be purchased. The point is simply that it takes time, patience and persistence to recover from a major event such as a hurricane. There are no quick fixes.

I pray the many church groups and others who faithfully went to Louisiana and Mississippi (and still go) will do the same for Texas and Louisiana as the recover from Gustov/Ike. I pray the huge corporations which go graciously donated mountains of food, drinks, building supplies and other materials after Katrina will do the same in the coming weeks for Gustov/Ike victims. I pray that better solutions arise than “FEMA trailers” and other ill fated ways to provide temporary housing to those who lost their homes. I pray those who have no job any longer find a means to make a living.

In the coming weeks and months, a whole host of issues arise that fall into the category of long term recovery. When you get past “disaster relief”, and into how to help individuals and a community start over; that is when the really tough questions start being asked and the amount of money needed to pull it off multiplies quickly. Ultimately I pray the money to rebuild and recover is there, as it has been after Katrina.