Hope and prayers for Haiti

BY SHARON CARPER

The Devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January brought suffering, destruction, and a feeling of hopelessness to a country already labeled as the poorest of the poor. The United Nations declared that it was the greatest disaster the organization had ever had to address, and reports confirm that this is the greatest human emergency in the history of the Americas. Most of the houses and major buildings in the capital, Port-au-Prince, were destroyed, and millions of individuals have been affected.

There is no question that rebuilding will be a long-term, multilateral project with committed countries and individuals responding to Haiti's cry for help. One media report compared this earthquake to China's earthquake in 2008. But unlike China, which had internal support and infrastructure to bring local aid and workers to the affected region, Haiti has no internal services to bring assistance. This makes the challenges to reconstruction even more enormous.

The people of Haiti are not alone, however. Prayer can reveal the possibilities for good and bring hope to this country. The evidence for good can already be witnessed in the immediate response of the United States, which is one of the closest nations able to send help. Other countries rendering assistance include France, England, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and even the tiny nation of Iceland. The United Nations, which lost many of its personnel at its headquarters when the building collapsed in the earthquake, is also helping. Continuing prayer in support of this nation and those striving mightily to restore it is essential.

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