Thoughts on Haiti
I have been in Haiti 3 times.
The first time was during the Papa Doc regime, with rifles pointed at us at various checkpoints, as I served as accompanist for two Christian singers.
The second time was in the 70s, when our singing group HIS MEN reached out to Haitians in many areas of the mainland, as well as on the island of LaGonave. We ministered in places were many others chose not to go.
The third time was a decade later, when I assisted a religious group on a film-making project.
The members of HIS MEN and their wives stayed in the Hotel Montana, which we are hearing so much about in the news. We walked and traveled and sang in many of the places you are seing as reports of the earthquake continue to unfold.
I loved the Haitians, and my heart broke every time I went into that country. How was it that I was privileged to live in such a beautiful area, while these people were born and raised in such horrid conditions, with so little hope for the future? And yet they made the best of it, and for the most part were a happy, loving people, who made us welcome and demonstrated warm hospitality!
And so, even though I serve as the president of a charitable organization that always needs funds to keep operating one more day, it would be completely inappropriate for me, our board, and our staff, to ask for gifts right now. Instead, we ask that you direct your thoughts and prayers toward Haiti, and give to the charity of your choice as your conscience demands.
Certainly those who include giving to charity as part of the home or business budget process realize that natural disasters demand immediate attention.
All we ask is that, in the big picture, you remember prisoners, because this is not an issue that arises from time to time...it is with us always. I visited a prisoner yesterday---an elderly, professional individual who has never been in trouble in his life---and incarceration for him was a shock just as devastating as experiencing a natural disaster. One prisoner on Texas death row said that when he arrived, a tsunami of emotions and thoughts were going through his mind. For thousands of prisoners, in a facility near you, incarceration has been a disaster in their lives, and the lives of their families.
In conclusion, I remind you that there are many, wonderful charities who steadily plod along, year in and year out, quietly and without major news coverage, helping people in need.
Just as you so graciously and generously remember us, keep them in mind, also.
May God bless all rescue efforts in Haiti, all who participate, and may God be near the hurting Haitian populace.
The first time was during the Papa Doc regime, with rifles pointed at us at various checkpoints, as I served as accompanist for two Christian singers.
The second time was in the 70s, when our singing group HIS MEN reached out to Haitians in many areas of the mainland, as well as on the island of LaGonave. We ministered in places were many others chose not to go.
The third time was a decade later, when I assisted a religious group on a film-making project.
The members of HIS MEN and their wives stayed in the Hotel Montana, which we are hearing so much about in the news. We walked and traveled and sang in many of the places you are seing as reports of the earthquake continue to unfold.
I loved the Haitians, and my heart broke every time I went into that country. How was it that I was privileged to live in such a beautiful area, while these people were born and raised in such horrid conditions, with so little hope for the future? And yet they made the best of it, and for the most part were a happy, loving people, who made us welcome and demonstrated warm hospitality!
And so, even though I serve as the president of a charitable organization that always needs funds to keep operating one more day, it would be completely inappropriate for me, our board, and our staff, to ask for gifts right now. Instead, we ask that you direct your thoughts and prayers toward Haiti, and give to the charity of your choice as your conscience demands.
Certainly those who include giving to charity as part of the home or business budget process realize that natural disasters demand immediate attention.
All we ask is that, in the big picture, you remember prisoners, because this is not an issue that arises from time to time...it is with us always. I visited a prisoner yesterday---an elderly, professional individual who has never been in trouble in his life---and incarceration for him was a shock just as devastating as experiencing a natural disaster. One prisoner on Texas death row said that when he arrived, a tsunami of emotions and thoughts were going through his mind. For thousands of prisoners, in a facility near you, incarceration has been a disaster in their lives, and the lives of their families.
In conclusion, I remind you that there are many, wonderful charities who steadily plod along, year in and year out, quietly and without major news coverage, helping people in need.
Just as you so graciously and generously remember us, keep them in mind, also.
May God bless all rescue efforts in Haiti, all who participate, and may God be near the hurting Haitian populace.
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