Think on These Things

THE HAITIAN TSUNAMI

Oliver R. Phillips

It was December 26, 2004 that the world witnessed the most deadly earthquake ever recorded by the seismographic community. The death toll from this disaster was well over 230,000 in 14 different countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Never before had we known such a widespread catastrophe that would affect the quality of life for this area for decades in the future. Such was the devastation and the magnitude of this event that it was termed a tsunami, a term with which most of us were not acquainted.

Yesterday, just a mere 700 miles off the coast of Miami, the world witnessed a similar disaster whose toll in loss of life is yet to be determined. We shudder to even grapple with some of the figures that are being forecast. Whatever the final figures are, the fact remains that this has not happened in 14 countries, but in one country, the poorest in the Western hemisphere.

The pictures that flooded our television screens last night were unpleasant, heart-wrenching, breath-taking, and unforgiving. No doubt, there were thousands around the world who endured a sleepless night because they could not get rid of these images of pain, hopelessness, and helplessness. But this measure of sympathy could never be sufficient to assuage the pain felt by the victims of this unwelcome and uninvited guest.

The Haitian Nazarenes were in the midst of their district assemblies. It was undoubtedly anticipated that these would be days of celebrating what spiritual victories were gained by their faithfulness and allegiance to the mind of God. Their activities were interrupted by this massive destruction of all they had toiled for over the past twelve months.

What words could bring peace to a people at a time like this? What words could restore hope to God’s remnant at a time like this? Are there words that could usher a period of trust? Is theodicy even a relevant discussion in these times?

Words could only help us understand that maybe God is not capricious in God’s actions. Our response ought to be more than words, as adequate as they might be on some occasions. The legitimate response in times like these should be tangible and practical.

As with the Nazarene response to the Katrina disaster, maybe this might be another milestone in Nazarene history where the practical response becomes unprecedented. We were recently reminded by our General Superintendent Emeritus Dr. Paul Cunningham, that these are our brothers and sisters who serve the same God that we do. We are united with them by baptism and the Blood. May our response be more than prayers and mere words of comfort!

As is the custom with our response to human-made and natural disasters, Nazarenes have a unique opportunity to react substantially by donating through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries:

 Persons and churches wishing to make a donation online can do so through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries at ncm.org or can mark their checks “Caribbean Disaster Response ACM1204″ and mail them to the Global Treasury Services, PO Box 843116 Kansas City, MO 64184. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.