One Tuesday in late January one hundred Christians gathered from more than two dozen area churches to share in a prayer service across from the Haitian Christian Mission in Gilbert.  

This Haitian congregation had just completed the process of affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) late last spring.  Our congregation, however, first partnered with them about five years ago.

Some of those who spoke that night grew up in Haiti, and were still trying to make contact with friends and relatives there.  One young woman found out the school she attended as a child was destroyed in the quake. 

“How can I sleep in a warm bed when others cannot?  I must keep trusting in God.”
Most inspiring were remarks of the pastor of the Chinese Christian Church in Gilbert. 

He visited Szechwan, China one year after an equally devastating earthquake had destroyed homes,  schools and churches there. 

This pastor spoke about miracles he saw among Szechwan people who had had no sympathies at all toward Christians heretofore.  Suddenly people stopped labeling others according to religion or nationality and came together to help.  As rebuilding in China continues, God is honored there.

So it is with Haiti right now.  With the outpouring of international assistance has come a new sense of connectedness between Haitians and many who never before seemed to care.  As we pray for them daily, many are moved to respond with help as we are able.

But don’t forget all the other responses as well, such as:  “Why do we have to help poor people in foreign lands when our own people are hurting, without jobs and food and proper health care?  Haitians should find a way to deal with their own problems?" 

Something to consider:
If several hundred thousand folks in Maricopa County lost their lives in a flood or other tragedy, with another million or so homeless and hungry, would you expect the people of Tucson, of Prescott, of Yuma , Flagstaff or Globe to help out if they could?  

What would you think if they failed to offer assistance?  You’d have to wonder. It is in our nature to help when we know that it will make a difference in the lives of just one other person.  

Of all the money spent in helping Haiti, less than one percent goes to Haitian government officials.  The rest is spent to ship food and medical supplies, and to coordinate delivery of equipment and personnel to where it’s needed, and to obtain and transport heavy equipment by sea or air.

And look at the folks from Dominican Republic nearby, Not too long ago the border was guarded by soldiers who would not let anyone pass.  

Now these two neighboring nations share a common goal – survival and recovery.
Every time we are brought together in tragedy, we ask:  Am I doing unto others as I would have them do unto me.  Jesus asked it first when he told the parable of the Good Samaritan  in Luke 10.   “Which of these acted as a neighbor?”  “Go and do likewise.” 

Our prayers have made a difference to HCM pastor Abner Lamy who wrote to thank participants from last month’s prayer service.  

He and they are asking God for patience as we develop a measured response and recruit volunteers to help in future recovery efforts.  We may be in a position to help them further at some future point in time.

For now, the most significant gifts you can make today are through Week of Compassion.  A report on what has been done so far through Disciples giving can be found at www.weekofcompassion.org 

Let’s be the church together,