Cynicism and Hope

One of my favorite authors, Edwidge Dandicat of Haiti, writes in the New Yorker about family members gone and still living.

A friend who was once homeless sends me this memory:

When my older daughter was little and my younger one was a baby, we went to the Haitian office on Lunt when other food pantries would not help us. They were only supposed to give assistance to Haitians. The old lady took one look at us and gave us diapers, formula, and food, and offered me money as well (which I did not take). She said we are all mothers. I have never forgotten her kindness.

From my friend Lisa Martin:

This morning I am watching the news…

Haiti…

I saw the faces of children screaming with empty hungry eyes, bodies covered in blood that the living had to literally walk around to get to a food line, and poverty beyond imagination…

the news then showed a missionary team from the states, hurrying to the plane to LEAVE…

and then with tears in my eyes, I watched a group of Haitians lift their hands and sing, praising God in the middle of destruction and horror..

Lord give grace to the people of Haiti. provide them what they need as they call out to you in their poverty, praising your name and holding on to you, when faith is all they have…

and Lord, call us to accountability as a supposed Christian nation who speaks the name of Jesus, then walks away…

Amen

What are you think, feeling, praying?