We've received a wonderful message from a member of our 2009 Guatemala Mission team, Mia Paredez, and are sharing it with all of you today:
My wonderful family and friends,
I know this recent disaster in Haiti has been felt deep amongst us all. I cannot find the words to convey how horrified I was to learn of the earthquake, how sad I am for the Haitian people who already were living in conditions we in the U.S. would declare unlivable, and how scared I am for the future of Haiti - who once again is faced with a lack of government control and hungry, impoverished people who will do just about anything to survive. Like you, I am desperate to help.
Most of you know of my amazing friend, Cheri Kay, my ensuing involvement with her nonprofit organization, Ancheri Care (www.anchericare.org), which provides therapy services to disabled children in Haiti, and the service trips I have made to Port-Au-Prince. I recently looked back on a reflection I wrote after my first trip to Haiti in 2006:
I had read over and over again that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, but one could never truly understand what that means until they see it for themselves. While what we think of as “necessities” in the United States do exist, they are rare and never guaranteed – food, clean water, a roof, electricity, paved roads, medical services, transportation, sewage, etc. It is easy to focus on what the people of Haiti do not have, but it was what they do have that has stayed with me the most. The Haitians I met were vigilant, strong, and believers. These people had a faith and sense of culture that I was fortunate enough to bear witness to. They are not merely surviving in times of political upheaval and extreme poverty, but they are doing everything they can to truly live.
Haitians are a strong and culturally rich group of people. They are fighters. People have said to me this week over and over again that "something good has to come from this." I hope they are right. Please join me and unite for the people of this country who are fighting to survive each passing minute. Ancheri Care is anticipating the future rehabilitation needs of the Haitian people and will be planning a rehab service trip in the spring. Be assured I will keep you updated. I thank you a million times over for your continued support.
May God bless you with discomfort
at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears
for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
and turn their pain to joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness,
to believe that you can make a difference in this world,
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
-A Franciscan Benediction
(thank you Tricia and my Guatemala friends)
Love and light to all of you,
Mia
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