(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
The devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12 has relief agencies scrambling to help an already impoverished country. Estimates of 100,000 or more deaths are hard to comprehend. When confronted with such great suffering we might have the tendency to become depressed, exasperated, or to even just “shut it off” from our minds.
But the life of compassionate people requires we do something. We donate if we can. We support other efforts. We pray.
There are many agencies helping out in Haiti, such as Food for the Poor and Cross International. Those two faith based organizations are among many that have been ministering to the needs of Haiti in-country for years. They are grappling with loss of staff and resources, and yet they are also orchestrating relief efforts.
Locally, churches such as Calvary of Albuquerque are coordinating some relief efforts.
More on Christian agencies providing relief to Haiti at the Red Letter Christians blog.
Charity is important, be it abroad in times of disaster relief, or also here at home where we have people who can use our support, such as the many homeless. Facilities like Joy Junction do much good on a regular basis. This Saturday you can show your support of them and enjoy a wonderful music concert from longtime Christian music maker (one of the pioneers of the “Jesus music movement” in the 1970’s and an associate of the late Larry Norman). Randy Stonehill will be singing at Joy Junction on January 16, 2010 at 7 PM.
According to Joy Junction Founder and CEO Dr. Jeremy Reynalds, "Over the years, Randy has become a dear friend to me personally and Joy Junction. He is the genuine article-as delightful, personable and caring off stage as he is while he is singing. I hope many people in Albuquerque will come and see Randy - both his long time fans and those people who haven't yet had the chance to be introduced to his unique wit, humor and love for the Lord."
As fate would have it I was channel surfing yesterday and heard Peter Benson on ABQ Connect (107.1 KNKT) speaking by phone with Randy Stonehill about his appearance as well as how Christians should respond to helping the earthquake victims in Haiti. Maybe you will respond by helping one or the other – or both – in any way you can.
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