I watched a PBS special on Haiti last night. It was filmed three months ago, three months after the earthquake that leveled the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

When the earthquake happened initially, I missed all the television broadcasts. I didn’t see the video footage or the photographs — yes, I know, I must’ve had my head in the sand! — so as I watched this documentary last night I was astounded by the widespread chaos, suffering, and devastation. The documentary was extremely graphic, and more than once my stomach turned over at the gruesomeness.

My heart went out to these people who have had so much tragedy over the decades, beginning with their slavery to the French over a hundred years ago. Yet the tragedy continues as their government struggles to make anything happen and as millions of dollars of donations and other government relief funds lay ineffectually by the wayside while the bureaucrats point fingers, make excuses and have little to show for their efforts.

Meanwhile, the hunger, poverty and violence continue unabated.

According to a recent New York Times article 264 rape victims have been counseled in Haiti by one organization since the January 12th earthquake. Left vulnerable in makeshift tent cities, women and girls are unable to protect or defend themselves. The tragedy continues as the stronger prey on the weaker….

The two emotions I was left with as the documentary concluded last night was that of helplessness and hopelessness. Like half of all American families, we donated to the relief effort initially. Yet the money has done little to relieve their suffering or rebuild their lives. And if I feel hopeless for these people, how must they be feeling six months after the earthquake when little relief or recovery is available to them? Tragic, indeed.

Being a follow of Jesus, however, I can visit hopelessness, but I cannot stay there. I believe God is at work on behalf of the Haitian people, though I could not see much evidence of that in last night’s film. Even so, there are doctors and relief workers from all over the world who continue to lay down their lives for these people. That in itself is no small thing!

I charge the rest of us, however, to do what we can — even if all we can do is to pray for Haiti. That is no small thing either! Let us not forget them in these days of great suffering, but remember them to the One who can move mountains and calls each of the stars by name.

Please join with me in praying for the people of Haiti:

Lord God, have compassion on the poor and needy of Haiti,

and save the lives of the needy.

Rescue their life from oppression and violence…

Psalm 72:13-14a ( NASB, personalized)

Gratefully, with hope in Him,

Mary