“Once our eyes are opened, we can’t pretend we don’t know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and hold us responsible to act.”
Proverbs 24:12
Right now, as I type, many are being infected with Cholera, and many more are dying in Haiti. Following the deadly earthquake in January It was just a matter of time before an outbreak like this occurred. It spreads in areas with untreated sewage, contaminated water, and people living in close proximity. It also spreads amongst those ill or malnourished. That’s what the reports online say. “ill or malnourished.” Does that strike a cord within you? Probably not. It doesn’t really with me and I live on the same island and visit with the “ill and malnourished,” that they describe.
How about this instead… As I type these words, and as many Americans are busy checking the internet for the best deals at Target, Best buy or where ever else we think we can get the cheapest gifts for our kids and loved ones, thousands of helpless children who had no choice as to where they would be born or spend their days on this earth are faced with the sinking reality that their only meal for the day (if you could call it a meal) is eating dirt. Dirt cookies. Dirt infested with parasites and other sickness. Dirt that locals mix with oil bake on top of their tin roofs in the sweltering heat to provide the swollen malnourished bellies of their children some relief from the pains that must torment them. My eyes are filled with tears at the thought of these children begging for something to eat, crying out in their pain. In their agony. They have no rice, they have not a vegetable, or a piece of fruit. They have dirt. Dirt that is killing them.
Infected water that is killing them. They bathe in water filled with waste. Think of the smell, think of the stench that must fill their nostrils. What do you think they feel? What must be going through their minds? Are they cursing God? Are they crying out to Him for help? Do they think everyone must live like this? Have they heard of America?
Do you know how Cholera takes a life? Immediately a person (or child or baby... think of yours) falls ill with diarhea. Violent diarhea. Fever. Vomiting. They lose GALLONS of fluids in a day. They become dehydrated. Their heart rate falls. Lack of potassium causes cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death.
Now go look in the eyes of your child and imagine that terribly horrific reality as if it were for them… do they still need the PS3 or the new Ipad or latest cell phone or could we instead spare some of the gobs of Christmas money we as Americans shell out each year on crap to save the life of a man, like our husbands, or a woman like our mothers or sisters, or a child like our own children. The ones we would live or die for? The ones we spent countless hours comforting, rocking, feeding, drying tears and celebrating all their milestones with.
Do you know how much of that Christmas money you would need to spare to save a life from the deadly Cholera outbreak? 12¢. 12 lousy cents. Does that even seem right to you or fare? People are dying over 12 freaking cents.
Here’s what would save their lives: a mixture of salt, sugar, and clean water. And it costs 12¢.
You could save his life.
Or her life.
Or her life.
What if it were these girls who needed you?
12 ¢.
That. Is. All. It. Takes.
A matter of life and death over 12 cents. It’s not right and it’s not fair. But you and I are called to this. As human beings we are called to this and as followers of Jesus we are called to this, and rightfully so, will be judged for how we respond.
“Once our eyes are opened, we can’t pretend we don’t know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows what we know, and hold us responsible to act.”
Proverbs 24:12
We will be held responsible.
Please please, I am begging you to save a life and donate now.
So, how do you do it?
Several ways- text GOHAITI to 85944 and you will be making a $10 donation. Enough for 80 treatments!
Send a check to G.O. Ministries, Inc. and mail it to:
11501 Plantside Dr.
Suite 14
Louisville, KY 40299
In the memo write “Haiti/Cholera”
Just sent my text. Thank you for sharing these needs with us. You are the connection between so many people needing help and those who want to help. I thank God for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Val! I am just praying it compels people into action. I am sick with the thought of so many suffering and dying in horrific ways all around the world as we stress out over our christmas shopping lists.. .you know what I mean. thank you thank you thank you for donating!
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