The Suburban Pastor » Haiti

This is How the World Will End

Jeff Gang — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:23:43 +0000

Where is He Now?

Jeff Gang — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:00:27 +0000

I just finished checking out the “Lens” blog from the New York Times. Today’s post is “On Assignment: Prayers in the Dark”, revealing some of the most horrific images I’ve ever seen (If you jump to the blog, you’ve been warned). Damon Winters of the New York Times says, “I’ve never seen anything like this, and I doubt I’ll see anything like this again. The scene at the morgue today was just utterly unbelievable.”

Like many people, I’ve asked myself why God allows something like this to happen? I was ashamed of Pat Robertson’s comments this week about God cursing the Haitian people. I’m sure it only confirms for many people that a Christian God is a vengeful God, bent on causing humanity to suffer for their sins. Do you know what came to my mind as I viewed those images? Something I once read in Elie Wiesel’s book, Night, based on his time in a Nazi concentration camp. One day he watches a young boy hanged by the Nazis. In his head Weisel hears, “Where is He [God]? Here He is–He is hanging here on this gallows.”

“Why does God allow this to happen?”, I don’t have any easy answers, only more questions. Elie Wiesel reminds me that we’re not alone, this world is not alone. As Jürgen Moltmann has expressed, God is not impassable, he is present with us even in the darkest moments of this planet—he’s a suffering God, a crucified God. Does it give any meaning to what has happened in Haiti? Probably not, but he is with us in our suffering, weeping with us, mourning with us. His tears are real, they are for all of us. God is with us.

Helping Haiti: What I’m Doing

Jeff Gang — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:59:49 +0000

Adjectives fail to give meaning to the tragedy of Haiti. Anything good I’ve experienced this week has left me feeling sad. I feel overwhelmed watching the news. I can’t even begin to get my mind around the loss of life that has taken place in a nation that was already suffering. I know we’re being inundated with sad news, but the good news in all this is about lives that are being saved, people who are trying to make a difference in the face of this intimidating darkness. While any help I give seems so small, I want to do my part. Here’s a few organizations (and individuals) I am choosing to help:

ADRA:
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency has been working in Haiti for more than 30 years providing relief and development. They are trying to raise $1,000,000 in the next seven days. As a Seventh-day Adventist, I am proud my church is making this level of commitment (and I encourage us to do more, risk more, and sacrifice more).

Scott Nelson
I just learned that Loma Linda University alumnist, Scott Nelson, has been working for CURE International as a surgeon for 5 years in the the Dominican Republic. This week he chartered a plane and was able to get into Haiti, where he is currently operating with a small team. He was interviewed this morning on ABC News. Cure International also has a blog about the work they are doing in Haiti. Loma Linda University has also setup a special fund specifically to support the hospital and Scott, the hyperlink will also give you an update on what’s going on with his work.

American Red Cross:
This is the easiest way to give. Subscribers of participating wireless carriers can donate $5 to American Red Cross disaster relief efforts simply by text messaging the keyword “GIVE” to “2HELP” (24357). Donations will appear on customers’ monthly bills or be debited from a prepaid account balance. Message and data rates may apply.

Some other things:

Tonight my church is hosting a candlelight prayer vigil for the people of Haiti. If you are in town, please come out and join us. The vigil will take place from 6:30 – 7:00 PM, in the BIG ROOM, located in our north building.