January 18, 2010

Port-au-Prince, Haiti -- After the poverty-stricken nation of Haiti was devastated by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake this week, nations and aid groups have joined together for rescue and relief efforts. An estimated 50,000 people are feared dead, and countless more are injured and homeless.

Even before this latest tragedy, Haiti faced many needs. About 80 percent of the population lives in poverty, and disease and unemployment rates are high.

Private donations for relief efforts are on track to beat records set after the Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. President Obama promised leadership and swift action. He said America won't forsake its neighbors to the south, even though they might be asking themselves, "Have we somehow been forsaken?' "

One journalist filing a report from Haiti this week said, "It is a godforsaken place. God has literally forsaken it."

TV evangelist Pat Robertson created a stir when he said Haiti is paying for swearing "a pact to the devil" 200 years ago to get its independence. Robertson's spokesman said he was referring to voodoo rituals but never stated the earthquake was part of God's wrath.

Amid all the devastation are signs of Haitians' faith and resilience. Impromptu singing and worship has been observed since the earthquake. Orphanage administrator Laurie Bickel said kids are still playing. "They're enjoying today…and that's how the Haitian people are. In the face of all of this, they've been singing and just praising God that they survived…and they will get through this."

Sources: CNN.com, Associated Press, USA Today

Discussion Questions:

Scripture links: Deuteronomy 4:30-31; 1 Kings 19:1-9; Matthew 27:45-50; John 3:36; Romans 8:35-39; and Hebrews 13:5-6.

Stephanie Martin is a freelance writer and editor in Colorado.