Helping Haiti

[rj_anderson]

Being currently absorbed with trying to make a very tight deadline, I didn't think I could do anything to contribute to the help_haiti fandom auction, and was feeling sorry about it. However, sinstralpride pointed out that I could offer some signed books, and then it occurred to me that I could also offer to write fanfic after all, provided that the recipient understands I can't do it until April.

So here is my thread: Pro Author Offering Signed Books OR Fanfic. Winner makes a confirmed donation directly to a charity bringing aid to Haiti, and gets their choice of books or a commissioned story in return.

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On a related but more meaningful note, the very talented penwiper26 has continued her series of Psalm-inspired poetry with this take on Psalm 4, dedicated to the singers of Haiti. Lovely and thought-provoking, and the link to the news article made me tear up.

It always amazes and humbles me when people in the depths of sudden and unthinkable suffering can find it in themselves to praise God in song. I can't help being reminded of the apostle Paul and his companion Silas singing hymns in prison after being beaten and put in stocks for preaching about Christ; or Job in the midst of physical agony, financial devastation and shattering personal grief saying to his wife, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" and refusing to curse God and die.

Those of us who live in relative comfort sometimes argue that it's impossible to believe in a good or a righteous God when disasters like the one in Haiti happen. Yet when some of the very people who are hurting the most are the quickest to turn to God in prayer and even in praise, it makes those arguments seem a little less compelling. Or at least it does to me.

Comments

[quiller77.livejournal.com]

That is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to belief, isn't it? Why bad things happen. Yet such disasters often stir compassion and rouse bravery and depths of character that go far beyond the norm. What would we be like, I wonder, if nothing bad or challenging ever happened?
(Not that I think what happened is good, not at all. It's horrific.)

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I understand what you mean. I can't even wrap my head around all the hurt and fear and confusion that the people of Haiti are enduring right now; I have nothing in my experience that can begin to approach that. I could never tell them to sing, or even that they ought to sing. But still, they sing.

[newport2newport.livejournal.com]

Why does the caged bird sing? Because even though his body's held captive, his heart is still free.

I believe the same reasoning applies to those who sing God's praises, even in their darkest hour of need. Even as physical destruction rains down upon their heads, their loving spirits remain untouched.

[deutscheami.livejournal.com]

This is a bit apropos of nothing, but I wanted to tell you that I found your books and blog in a very roundabout way--through a link in a Wikipedia article about Susan from The Chronicles of Narnia--and how glad I am that I did. I really enjoyed Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter, most especially because it reminded me so much of Narnia and all the fairy stories I loved as a child, and I've been very encouraged by your blog and your stance of faith.

I've seen a lot of aid organizations being named, but I haven't yet seen Hope for Haiti (http://www.hopeforhaiti.com/index.php) on any of the lists. A friend of a friend is part of the administration team, and I've heard very good things about the work they've done and continue to do.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Thank you for introducing yourself and letting me know how you found my journal (and my books)! I'm very pleased to hear about it, and glad you've enjoyed reading.

And thanks for the information on Hope for Haiti, too. I hadn't heard of that particular charity before.