What have you done for me lately?

A year ago the earth shook and the world changed.

Billions were given.

Tens of thousands have gone to help.

Yet not much has changed.

  • The poor suffered.
  • The rich got richer.
  • More people died needlessly.
  • The UN has effectively lied, spending money studying and asking questions while accomplishing little.
  • And America sleeps in their comfy beds tonight feeling like they did something because they texted a donation to the Red Cross.

We’re left now with more questions than answers.

  1. If the international aid organizations aren’t going to do something, who is?
  2. People are stealing aid given while government pockets are filled with bribes, who will prosecute perpetrators when the government is the worst offender?
  3. How can we help this country get back on its feet while at the same time lessening dependencies on the outside world?
  4. When will the colonial view on international missions be put away and replaced with working alongside of Haitians to build housing for people in tent cities, advocates standing for justice, and training of teachers, city planners, and tradespeople begin?
  5. Where is the army of Sean Penn-like camp managers?
  6. Who will hold accountable those who make empty promises?

The answer to all of these questions is you. The cameras will shine on Haiti today. And you will feel sorry for what is going on.

Don’t.

Our Haitian brothers and sisters don’t ask for your pity today.

But they are asking for you to help them in ways that answer the questions I’ve posed above.

Know that the media elite will leave tomorrow; having satisfied their ratings and your curiosity, they will board private jets tomorrow and go back to New York, while children still sleep on muddy cardboard beds.

1.5 million people are asking the question, “Who is helping us?

The answer is you.

Turn off the TV and do something.


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3 responses to “What have you done for me lately?”

  1. Brit Windel Avatar

    I was wrestling with this and still am. Not just for Haiti but our response time and continued response for a lot of things.

    I talk a little bit about over at my blog today http://ypguybrit.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/haiti-a-man-and-365-days-later/

    A friend of mine was there in the earthquake experiencing all kinds of horrific things… while seeing God move at the same time in the lives of people.

    I keep coming to 1 John 3.18 “Let us love, not in word or speech only, but in truth and action”. I know a lot of folks, your self included, have been doing just that… but how quickly do we get distracted from helping to something else and leave behind those in need.

    Thank you Adam for your reminder to not just watch the youtube clips or turn on CNN to watch a recap and them move on

  2. Jeff Goins Avatar

    Amen. Love it, dude.

  3. katie Avatar

    Not everything has gone for a loss, though. I can vouch for Adventures In Missions, obviously, but also for Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org) – they’ve sheltered and fed & provided clean water systems for thousands of people since the quake, and are now giving medical care to thousands more affected by cholera. They are making a difference!

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