A Little Manic...

I realize that last night when I wrote my blog I was incredibly tired and possibly a little on the manic side. I thought about removing it and then decided not to. It was legitimately where my emotions were when I wrote, so I decided to leave it.

After sleeping and taking some time to think through the current situation in a country that I love so much, I feel like I can write a little more coherently. The past week has brought about a million ups and downs on the world stage. I have paid attention to none of them as much as I have to the riots in Haiti. For those of you who are unaware of what's been going on the past week, take a minute to read the news on Haiti. (you can find it by going to google and typing in Haiti) Riots have broken out around the country in response the rising food costs. Over the past 6 months to a year the cost of food has risen at least 40% and some reports are saying that it's been closer to 50%. This becomes difficult when 80% of the population lives on less than $2 a day and 50% of the population lives in abject poverty meaning that they make less than $1 a day. Considering that food prices in Haiti are now comparable to food prices in America (and in some cases even more expensive) it becomes easier to see why so many people are struggling to make ends meet and can't find ways to feed themselves and their families.

When it became a possibility and then a reality that we would not be going to Haiti this week because of the civil unrest, I was sad. I was sad that I wouldn't be seeing my American friends I was supposed to be travelling with. I was sad that I wouldn't be seeing my Haitian friends that three months ago I hadn't said goodbye to when I left their country because I knew I would be coming back. I was sad because people were suffering. I was sad that I wouldn't see Judie, the girl I sponsor with Compassion International. Then I became angry. I can eat (and arguably probably do it too much). I can go to target and spend 50 dollars and not really even flinch. (althought I can't do it that often) I can fill up my tank at a gas pump even though it now costs me $3.26 to do so. Rising prices have affected my life...but they haven't really changed the way I live. I'm angry at myself for not doing more to help people who are suffering. I'm angry that I don't have more information about what's going on in Haiti. I'm frustrated that I can't think of a great way to help. I'm angry that I have no control. I want to fix it.

I still have no answers. All i know is that there are great organizations that are making a difference. Organizations like Compassion International (www.compassion.com) and the Haiti Mission Project (www.haitimissionproject.org). I'm so proud of the people that I was supposed to be going on this trip with. Their outlook and dedication to helping suffering people humbles me and helps me to love the world around me better.

I apologize for the somewhat crazy tone in my last blog, but I really do mean it. I urge you to consider your life. I'm not saying that you should save the world. I'm not saying that you should give up the way of life that you have. I just ask you to consider how you can help the people around you that are suffering, whether they are in Haiti or elsewhere. I truly believe that we live in community with one another, and it is a global community. The way we choose to live impacts the lives of others. It's a pretty amazing thought.

Today I'm praying for Haiti.