The Morning After in Haiti

Aaron Armstrong —  January 13, 2010 — 1 Comment

Update: A video from CNN – “The earth actually split:”

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.4454392&w=425&h=350&fv=]

more about “CNN“, posted with vodpod

Also, my co-worker offers some thoughts on the Compassion Advocates blog.

Yesterday, Haiti was struck by a 7.0 earthquake outside the capital city, Port-au-Prince. Troy and Tara Livsay are missionaries in the country; they posted the following on their blog:

The few things we can confirm – yes the four story Caribbean Market building is completely demolished. Yes it was open. Yes the National Palace collapsed. Yes Gov’t buildings nearby the Palace collapsed. Yes St Josephs Boys home is completely collapsed. Yes countless countless – countless other houses, churches, hospitals, schools, and businesses have collapsed. There are buildings that suffered almost no damage. Right next door will be a pile of rubble.

Thousands of people are currently trapped. To guess at a number would be like guessing at raindrops in the ocean. Precious lives hang in the balance. When pulled from the rubble there is no place to take them for care Haiti has an almost non existent medical care system for her people.

I cannot imagine what the next few weeks and months will be like. I am afraid for everyone. Never in my life have I seen people stronger than Haitian people. But I am afraid for them. For us.

A pastors’ tour from Compassion Canada arrived in the country about an hour before the earthquake hit.

I was supposed to be on that trip.

Not sure how to feel about that right now.

Compassion and other organizations are already assessing the damage and taking part in relief and recovery efforts. Please give to help with these efforts.

But just as importantly, please pray for the people of Haiti. I can only echo Troy and Tara’s comments, which I’ve reprinted here:

The horror has only just begun and I beg you to get on your knees – I truly mean ON YOUR KNEES and pray for the people of this country. The news might forget in a few days – but people will still be trapped alive and suffering. Pray. Pray. Pray. After that – PLEASE PRAY.

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Aaron Armstrong

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Aaron is the author of Awaiting a Savior: The Gospel, the New Creation, and the End of Poverty (Cruciform Press, 2011). He is a writer, serves as an itinerant preacher throughout southern Ontario, Canada, and blogs daily at Blogging Theologically.
  • Keystone

    Social media is beginning to get some information out of Haiti as it occurs.

    I saw encouragement from one remark in a long list, linked below.
    The comment?

    “”Church groups are singing throughout the city all through the night in prayer. It is a beautiful sound in the middle of a horrible tragedy.” — From Twitter user troylivesay in Port-au-Prince at 03:09 a.m. Wednesday”

    Current Twitter remarks here:
    http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/13/haiti.social.media/index.html

    Think on these things….they are singing in the midst of tragedy we can not comprehend.
    We serve a God who is more powerful than the Earthquake, and more important, He is in in CONTROL.

    To meet God, Elijah did not find him in the earthquake or storm or fire.
    He found God in the “gentle whisper”.

    “Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.”
    A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.
    ~~~1Kings 19: 11-12

    Your gentle whispers of prayer will allow those you intercede for, to meet the living God in Haiti now.

    Many feel helpless to do anything. For those, I encourage you to exercise the awesomeness of prayer.

    I find it curious that in aid NOW, Spain has sent $4.3 million in aid, The Netherlands send $2.91 million, and China……$1 million.

    Pray that the hearts of the Chinese are given a spirit of generosity, and the results of that generosity awaken the spirit of the Lord in China.

    Here is aid map for Haiti today:
    http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Strong-earthquake-hits-Haiti/ss/events/wl/011210haitiquake/im:/100113/480/8ca67f01ef6648309753c7e1faf0624a/

    Aid takes many forms; medical, financial, spiritual, emotional, relational, rebuilding and construction. Do all you can with what you have.
    These people are the least among us, and the first Christ would seek in this present age. Be his arms, eyes and ears as you can.