Tags
compassion international, disaster relief, earthquakes, Haiti, relief organizations, social action, suffering
One year ago in Haiti, the earth shook violently. Many people died; for others, the daily difficulties of life multiplied dramatically. Today, the people of Haiti are still adversely affected by the events of that day. The earthquake touched my family because we’ve sponsored a child in Haiti for several years, and we had no idea for a while whether he was unharmed.
I wrote about the earthquake and my family’s concerns here on this blog the very next day. There were a number of helpful links in that article, including some to reputable relief organizations. Click here if you’d like to read that post. Yes, I was concerned; at the same time I knew I wasn’t nearly as deeply concerned about the devastation and suffering as I should be. I confessed that in another post a few days later and provided some more links.
Now, one year later, I continue to be troubled and touched by the plight of the Haitians, and equally troubled that I haven’t done more to alleviate the suffering there (and in other places both near and far) than I have. The truth is, I continue to blog about it, more to attack my own apathy than yours. So, once again, here are some reminders. They’re mostly for me, but feel free to use them to stir up your own heart.
This post was written by a couple so moved by the suffering of the Haitians that they packed up their family and moved there:
The Day the Earth Shook — Remembering
The organization One Day’s Wages has renewed its commitment to help the people of Haiti:
Renewing our Commitment to Haiti
Relevant Magazine shares the stories of a few Haitians who recall the devastation, and continue to live with the aftermath:
Finally, National Geographic provides an update and suggests some ways to help:
The Earthquake in Haiti: One Year Later
I worked for an international school and one of the students I worked with had family in Haiti…the impact that day had on him was evident in every area of his life. Even though I no longer work there I still check in on him and he talks about the work that still needs to be done. Great blog bro!
Thanks for stopping by, Matthew. It’s so important that we not forget about the people of Haiti. They have massive material and spiritual needs.
I wasn’t as concerned as I should be. All these earthquakes just become repetitive (especially having felt a few myself recently)
But It’s as though God keeps reminding me about Haiti. I bought my Compassion Help Haiti tshirt in SEPTEMBER. yeah, that late.
I too have to blog to remind myself of what’s important.
Glad to see you still have the compassion widget:) i love compassion
Compassion is a great organization. We sponsor a child in Haiti through Compassion and plan to meet him in November. We’re very excited.
oh wow! that is AWESOME!!! my sponsored child is in Ethiopia. However, he is my age, and graduating this year. I don’t think I’d get to go see him. Unless God decides otherwise and provides. I am thinking about sponsoring a Haitian teenager next.
It’s always encouraging to hear about other people who are sponsoring kids. Haiti and Ethiopia are both very needy regions. Continue to pray and give!
yes, I love to hear about people partnering with Compassion (and other ministries) I was shocked to hear a country music station in LA having a Compassion day last week. super exciting. I look forward to reading around your blog some more.