The scope of the tragedy in Haiti touches our hearts and we want to do something right now. The needs are immense and immediate. What can I do? For most of us, the first obvious thing is to pray, the next is to give money.

I encourage you to join us in prayer for the overwhelming needs there. For ideas as to how you can pray, read or listen to a news article and pray specifically over the details presented there.

Regarding giving, I want to give from my heart, and I want to give wisely. With that in mind there are two things to consider:

– The heart connection: after I have given, do I feel as if I have done my part, and is my heart right with God?  Doesn’t Matt 6:21 say, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”?  I want to make sure I am giving out of genuine heart’s concern, and not just to assuage my conscience. There were major human tragedies in years past, and there will also be in years to come.  There are ongoing needs around us all the time.  But I must not see that as a rationale to ignore the immediate suffering and need.   I want my heart (and my wallet) to be engaged where God has called me to give. Not everyone can give to everything, but I must make sure I am totally committed to what/where/who God has called me to. I want to give according to my heart that is seeking God’s direction.

– The usefulness of my gift: how can I know that my money will help right away when the need is greatest, and that it is going to the right place? There are huge problems right now in Haiti getting the resources to the right places. One problem is infrastructure. The delivery of needed supplies was not good even before the earthquake, and now the situation is even worse. I don’t know how long this will be the case, but as of Thursday, private flights were restricted from landing at the Port Au Prince airport due to inadequate airport facilities.  Samaritans Purse had three charter flights turned back on Thursday (read the article ).  Another problem is the gangs that have taken over sections of the city and are controlling what goes in and out.  The Red Cross and other aid organizations have had their existing stockpiles of supplies looted ( read about it here ).  The third problem, a long term one, is the embedded corruption that prevents the country from pulling out of its poverty (see the news article ). Haiti’s condition is a long term one, and that is something to keep in mind.

Praying with you for each of us to respond according to God’s leading.

To go to my website, click here or on the title.

If you want some information on where you can give, I have compiled a list of organizations that I trust.  I have been to Port Au Prince.  I had the privilege of visiting a mission in Haiti when I was in the Navy.