Passions of the Soul

Good Samaritanism

It needs to spread, and the blog post I will link to, below, will offer some important pieces of information and a link or two to help the effort.

The goals include (a) preparing oneself to be able to respond, should the need arise; (b) prompting couples and families to have those all-important, but often delayed, discussions on end-of-life decisions; and (c) spreading the word of CaringBridge, a wonderful tool available to anyone whose loved one is facing serious and chronic illness, acute illness, or serious injury. Bill's post tells more. 

Young couples, pay heed: Terry Schiavo, in her 20's when disaster struck, became a household word around 12 years later, when her husband filed for divorce so that he could move on. A court battle ensued, in which he and his wife's parents wrangled over what Terry would have wanted; whether she was medically viable; and whether the life-continuing equipment should be shut down. Having the needed conversations would have spared Ms. Schiavo those long years of total dependence on the care of others; would have spared her parents those same long years of believing that, any day, their daughter would return to them, and they could have said their good-byes much sooner.

Anyone mature enough to be living apart from parents and taking the responsibilities for her or his life is old enough to think about these things and have the Advanced Medical Directive drawn up. And, yes, I know even many young adults continue in the delusion of their own immortality, but preparing for the unthinkable is part of maturity.

Here, then, is the link to Bill Fisher's blog post. Please read it. Thank you.

Lessons Learned from a Good Outcome of 9-11

Title: Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero
Authors: Michael Hingson and Susy Flory
Publisher: Thomas Nelson – Kindle edition

Exactly what I expected from this book, I’m not sure. Is it a good 9-11 story? Yes, indeed—a bit unnerving, even, at times, although there was certainly no question as to the outcome: Michael and guide dog Roselle obviously made it out alive, along with Michael’s friend and co-worker, David Frank. 

But suspense was never the point; the point was how they made it out and how that story ties in with Michael’s life-long blindness and what we can all learn about blindness and interacting with blind people, as a result. At least, I think that is the point; I found myself wondering, many times, just what the main point of the book really was: Was the main point that they survived, despite Hingson’s blindness, by walking down almost 1500 stairs in Tower 1? Or was the 9-11 story the vehicle through which Hingson and Flory could educate the masses about blindness and how sighted people can interact with the blind without looking, ourselves, like total idiots? 

I think the latter option is true; certainly, that is how it turned out. I learned a lot from the book, not the least important point being that blindness does not render a person deaf, unintelligent, or incapable of doing anything for him- or herself. Not that I thought it did; yet, many sighted people act as though any or all of those are true. According to Hingson, blindness is not the tragedy many of us think it would be, if we were suddenly to lose our sight. Still, I suspect it would seem more tragic to me, at this stage of my life, that if I had lived with it from birth. But according to Hingson, putting up with the ignorance of most of the public with regard to blindness and dealing with the blind is perhaps the biggest hurdle a blind person faces—and faces virtually every day. 

Thunder Dog is worth reading, if only for the chance to learn a wealth of information, in one volume, about blindness and how to interact with blind people without robbing them of dignity and looking like an idiot. But the format--the interweaving the 9-11 story with Hingson’s life experiences as a blind child, adolescent and adult—often felt disjointed to me. I often found myself really “into” whichever part of the total story I was reading, only to be jerked back to the alternate story with little or no transition. I’m not sure whether a single volume with Parts 1 and 2—the two main story lines of the book--would have worked; it may be that the connections would be lost, altogether. Most likely, all that was needed were smooth transitions—easily followed segues.

I am a re-reader; I often turn to books I have previously enjoyed and read them again and again and…you get the idea. I am glad I read this book, but I don’t know that I’ll read it again. I do think you should read it, and maybe give it to someone who has a need to learn about blindness to help him or her cope with the blindness of a loved one, a co-worker, or some other person.

It might be a good gift (it is available in audiobook format, unabridged) for someone who is losing or has lost his or her sight, and feels devastated. I suggest this because Hingson also says that far too many blind people believe the negative misconceptions about their blindness and allow that to limit their life experiences, unnecessarily. If hearing the book will help them live a fuller life, then it’s well worthwhile.

Guatemala

A group of Compassion bloggers is in Guatemala, for the week. You might not have heard about the rain, flooding, mudslides and loss of life going on there, right now.

Even in fair weather, Compassion bloggers--like Compassion sponsors, child advocates, and others who visit areas of stark poverty--open themselves up to be broken by what they see, hear and smell. There will be times of laughter, especially among the children, as even children in deep poverty can find joy in life, but the tears will also flow as hearts break. Sometimes the heartbreak comes as the visitors learn things about themselves. They come home, changed.

And about that home-coming - it's hard. When I have returned from trips to see two of my girls, I have found re-entry difficult. Ordering food in a restaurant is a challenge: Portions are usually so big! I know I won't be able to eat it all, and I can't stand to waste any...especially not after I've just seen children who are starving, or who do well to get one nourishing meal a day. A trip to the grocery store, where I see produce that is safe to eat and plenty of meat available, proves hard to take; so much food, and most any, single item would cost a day's wages or more, for the parents of our sponsored kids. And then there's our indoor and outdoor plumbing, all of it producing water you can see through. We take it all so for granted, and at no time is that more clear to us than when we travel to visit the children of poverty, and then when we come back home.

The bloggers who are currently traveling need our prayers, for the week, and for the return. And please include their families that wait for them. Follow their blogs*, and if you really want to light up some faces, sponsor a child!

*Bloggers' blogs:
http://www.aholyexperience.com
http://www.lindseynobles.com
http://thegypsymama.com
http://babybangs.blogspot.com
http://blog.compassion.com

Haiti Earthquake Update

Haiti Earthquake Update - Very current, updated just this morning. Actually, anytime you click on the link, you will read the then most current update available.

The thing is, Haiti's earthquake and horrific devastation are old news, in the mainstream media (MSM). If you gauge the situation in Haiti by the amount of attention given to it by the MSM, you will forget about the people who are left to deal with the rebuilding, or with the losses of parents, children, siblings, co-workers and friends. You will forget about the people who live in tent cities now made far worse, since the rains began. Can you say mud flats?

But work is still going on, groups that have been ministering in Haiti for long years are still there, still serving and still working to come up with the best ways to help those in need...which covers a lot more people, now, than it did two months ago. And two months ago, Haiti was already the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere.

If you've read this blog, before, you know that I am a volunteer advocate for children and the poor through Compassion International. You may know, already, that Compassion has been in Haiti for 40 years. What you may not know is that Compassion is partnering with other ministry groups, there, to help in the rebuilding--not only of structures, but of infrastructure and of faith.

Much has happened, in the past 6 weeks, that has not been widely told, as the MSM are not typically interested in chronic conditions and spiritual movements. In a nation whose leader three years ago led the Haitians in renewing their national commitment to voodoo, the current President has recently led the nation in committing themselves to worshipping the only true God, the Lord Most High, Jesus Christ. Reports have been confirmed of more than 100 now-former voodoo priests having accepted Jesus Christ and destroyed their voodoo implements and supplies.

Compassion and other ministry groups have earned credibility, in their years of service, and they are strategically placed to work, to serve, to encourage, to be the hands, feet, and voices of Jesus Christ. Our financial resources* and our continuing, fervent prayers on their behalf are needed, still, and will be needed for a long time. If you are in a position to give any amount on a monthly basis, that will help them tremendously.

*Other Compassion funds that feed into helping Haiti, but may also be needed elsewhere, include the Where Most Needed, Disaster Relief, and Help Highly Vulnerable Children Funds. If you are personally knowledgeable about other ministry groups serving in Haiti and know them to be good stewards of your money, they could also use your help. I highly recommend Compassion because I know this ministry and the people behind it, and because they have been awarded Charity Navigator's highest rating eight (8) years straight, for their financial integrity, consistency and transparency.

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"Spiritual earthquake" in Haiti

Or can I liken it to the book of Acts, in the New Testament, where thousands of new believers were added daily?

Stephanie, one of the leader [Compassion] advocates in our region, shared a blog post by her friend Tom who serves with Jesus in Haiti--a ministry I had not heard of. This link will take you to his blog, but I can't seem to link to a particular post. Be sure you read February 15, for sure. (Feel free to read more.)

I have read other accounts of the many Haitians who are turning to Christ, but I found the February 15 post especially exciting. Not because one person is more important or more crucial than another in God's eyes and heart, but because the President of this small island nation has given his heart to the Lord and because he bore witness to his new faith in speaking to all those who had gathered for days of mourning and praying. That takes a level of humility not often seen in national leaders.

I do believe God is doing a new thing in Haiti (see Isaiah 43:19). What that will look like, I don't know, but many knees are bowing, many tongues confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord! That's a praise!

"You don't matter; you're just not important"

This video, narrated by Wess Stafford, tells us that poverty is so much more than what we typically hear: a lack of food, a lack of education, homelessness...poverty may include all of these factors, but it is so much more. But the worst part, for poverty's children, is the message they learn, very early: "You don't matter; you're just not important." Here we see how Compassion addresses the whole of poverty and, in that process, tells children the truth: They do matter; oh, yes, they do! The video lasts a little under 10 minutes, and it's well worth the time. Please watch. 

After you've watched, consider what you might do to help fight poverty. Some suggestions:

*sponsor a child for $1.25/day ($38/month)
*sponsor a Child Survival Program Project in Haiti for $20/month
*Donate to Help Haiti

There are other possibilities, and I'll be happy to answer any questions. Just leave a comment. And if you want to sponsor whatever child's photo shows in the widget (left sidebar), just click through.

Haitian children are not currently available for sponsorship, until Compassion has identified all of the children who survived the earthquake. If you specifically want to sponsor a child there, just send me an e-mail with your name and contact information, whether you prefer a boy or a girl or a particular age range, or if you just want to help a child. I will send you either a packet or a link for you to use to choose your child.

UPDATE: I have revised the first paragraph.

I am a volunteer child advocate for Compassion International. None of the money given to Compassion comes to me for finding sponsors or donors.

This video was created by David Hames, who was killed in the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010. It is only one of many videos put together by David. His family and friends waited approximately three weeks until he was recovered from the rubble, ending their hopes for a miraculous rescue. They need our prayers.

A greater tragedy

Please read this post, the latest update from Compassion's medical team in Haiti. It just hurts.

Imagine the college or university nearest you. Imagine that your nation is so poor that an earthquake would flatten all of the buildings, killing 90%--that's not a typo--of the students, along with many professors.

Imagine that your country is so poor that it does not have the heavy equipment needed to move the chunks of buildings that trap people in the rubble; so poor that concrete is not reinforced with steel rebar.

Imagine that going to college had been an impossible dream for you or your children, were it not for an organization like Compassion, who made it possible; were it not for people who would help with their financial support, as well as with their love and encouragement through letters. And imagine that that dream appears to have died in the recent disaster.

Now, imagine that you live in a country that is filthy rich, by world standards, and that you have the means to help, even a little. It might take a sacrifice, on your part--putting aside $1.25 a day, buying one less St*bucks a week, putting off buying those DVDs you've been wanting, or whatever small adjustment you could make in order to give something.

Giving to Compassion's Help Haiti fund (see widget, right, or go here) is one way to help. Sponsoring a child in another of the countries where Compassion serves is another way. You may want to sponsor a child in Haiti, but right now, that means letting someone like me know to put your name on a waiting list, for when Compassion knows for sure which children are available...and which ones died.

But please...don't let the fickle news media and the superficiality of our culture cause you to forget the needs of those in desperate poverty in areas where there are no food stamps, no WIC, no government-based resources of any kind for them. Forgetting and moving on, as if everything that could be done, had been done--that is the greater tragedy, and we will all be held accountable for it.

Life in Haiti After the Earthquake: Carrying On

This is the fourth report from Scott Todd, Senior Ministries Director at Compassion, who is leading a medical team of volunteers to Haiti. After you read it, scroll down to read his previous reports. It wouldn't hurt to have a tissue or two handy.

Life in Haiti After the Earthquake: Carrying On

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When You Can't Find God

Title: Where Is God? Finding His Presence, Purpose and Power in Difficult Times
Author:  Dr. John Townsend
Published: Thomas Nelson (2009)
   206 pp. (plus Appendix and Notes)
*****

Dr. Townsend had me at the title. The book's arrival the day after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake ripped through Port-Au-Prince heightened my desire to read, devour and review Where Is God?

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I have often felt guilty for asking, 'Where is God?" or, more directly, "Where are You??" just as if He had to explain Himself to me. I think many of us believe at a visceral level that, if we really believed, if we really trusted God, we would never ask such a question. We would just be assured that He is with us.

The author encourages us to ask and even says that, when troubles come, that is exactly the sort of question we ought to be asking. It shows that we care about having God in our lives, that we want to connect with Him.  And it shows that, right at that moment or in the dark hours, we cannot feel His presence. But turning to Him is exactly what He has invited us to do, in joy and in sorrow.

In Chapter 11, Townsend draws from C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, which was written from the perspective of the Devil (Jesus is referred to as the "Enemy"). A senior devil, instructing his nephew on undermining spiritual growth in humans, cautions him about the risk involved when people seek God in their suffering, to no avail:

Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys (qtd. in Townsend, p. 134).

We hope in God, even when we don't feel Him, see Him or hear Him. We hope in God because we know that "God's love for us will move Him to do what is best for [us]" (p. 67).

Many of us find it difficult to hope, when we have doubts about God's goodness, or His intentions toward us, or His power, or whatever our personal doubts are about. And there's that pesky sense of guilt, again. But Townsend tells us that "doubt is not the absence of faith. It is part of faith" (p. 168).

Where is God? offers the reader good reasons for hope, encouragement to hold fast to God's promises even when He seems not to show up, and tools we can use. Rather than encouraging the reader to smile, no matter what, Townsend encourages us to acknowledge our realities and our emotions. He also encourages us to seek support from caring friends and family, and to believe that God is good and has good intentions toward us.

I wish I could give this book six stars, but only five are available. I hope everyone who is struggling will pick up a copy and read it, and that those who are not struggling will give a copy to a friend or loved one who is in a dark place.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

That One Voice

The photo in this article has no doubt been all over the Internet. I saw it on Facebook, and that's also where I saw a link to the article, which was written by the man behind the camera. I'm suggesting that you read the article, first, and take in the photo; then, come back (if you like) and read what the two, together, have triggered for me.

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Okay, you've read the article? Good. It answered the question that popped into my mind the first time I saw the photo: "How could a child who had been buried under rubble for a solid week come out of his temporary entombment with such a smile, and with arms wide?" Anyone who wasn't too near death or too ill would be relieved, surely; but what gave him that look of victory, of conquest, as if he had just made the winning basket in a national championship game? I would have been less surprised to see him come out with perhaps a haunted look, maybe even in tears in his relief at having been found.

Now I know the story, that when a hole was made through which he could be extracted, he initially refused to come out. Then he heard perhaps the one voice that made all the difference in the world: MOM!!

Wow. I keep thinking what a parable that is--or maybe an analogy, or something. I'm thinking about what's next, when I leave this life. Whatever my death will be like, however protracted, however painful, however much of a struggle it may or may not be, I can imagine that moment when I hear that One Voice that I long to hear, and then--oh, JOY!--see the One face I long to see:  Jesus!!

I keep hearing the chorus of a song by Don Wyrtzen that I actually have not heard in more than 20 years. I think I remember the words correctly:

Just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven
Of touching a hand and finding it God's
Of breathing new air and finding it celestial
Realizing at last, you're finally home!

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!