A VIEW FROM THE ORCHARD
My dear friends,
The scenes currently filling our TV screens and newspapers
From Haiti are truly dreadful: images that leave reporters
struggling to find words to describe the reality of what has
happened. It is truly an apocalyptic sight, a country reduced
to rubble, people fighting for the very basic things of life. I
found myself once more thinking that I really must not grumble
if my day does not go to plan or the bread runs out or any one of
a thousand little complaints that I’m sure we all have experienced.
Though being human I dare say these little upsets will still affect me.
What I found extraordinary was the response of the world to the tragedy,
(this is not incidentally going to be a complaint about the slowness of
provisions reaching those in need)
One day the world was going about its business and the next everything
Is altered, priorities are changed as money, goods, planes, ships and
personnel are found to help the people of Haiti. It has a long and troubled
history, a country that many of us know little about, a reputation for
instability violence and corruption. From now on we will all at least know
where it is and what happened to it, it is one of those times when we will
be able to remember what we were doing when we heard the news.
Here’s the thought I had, why does it take a tragedy on this scale to
make us offer help on this scale? (It’s the global equivalent of why is it we
can make time to attend a funeral but find it so hard to make time to spend
with friends and family?)
I wish there had not been the need to respond, in other words I wish this
tragedy had not occurred, but there is something positive in seeing how
people respond, in reflecting on the wide variety of gifts and skills that people
can bring to the aid of a stricken people. In a world in which we find plenty
to grumble about - pause for thought that people can and do respond to
bring help and healing to a broken people to offer literally a
helping hand in order that life may flourish and that there will
be a future for the people of Haiti.
So, why wait for a tragedy, make time for those you love,
offer hope into your community and offer a helping hand
wherever there is need.
Your friend,
Tim.