Dear Church Member,
On Tuesday, Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake, bringing suffering and death to the people of that nation, the poorest in this hemisphere. The cost in human lives, the loss of homes and other buildings, and the grief and fear among the survivors makes Haiti a place needing prayers, charitable support and direct assistance from Christians around the world.
Because the poor have fewer resources and often live in substandard structures, natural disasters that would be significant problems elsewhere have much worse effects in impoverished countries. This reminds us that the Bible has quite a bit to say about the poor and about acts and attitudes toward the poor among those who are better off. So that will be the topic of our next class.
If you wish to start thinking about our topic in advance, below is some introductory material.
Haiti Devastated by 7.0 Earthquake
The Wired Word for January 17, 2010
In the News
Just before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, with the epicenter just 10 miles from Port-au-Prince, the island nation's capital city. In that city of 2 million people, the damage has been massive and widespread, and early estimates are that tens of thousands have lost their homes and many have perished. It was the worst quake in the area in two centuries.
Electricity and phone lines failed almost immediately, and the island air-traffic control center collapsed, so getting accurate reports was difficult, but people on the ground described the damage as "staggering" and "catastrophic." The Red Cross says 3 million people have been affected. One worker for Food for the Poor charity said, "Hundreds of casualties would be a a serious understatement."
The presidential palace, the U.N. headquarters, a hospital, public buildings, churches, schools, hotels, private homes and many other structures collapsed with people inside, and rescuers working with only their bare hands and only by the light of flashlights after dark were trying to dig people out, but it is feared many victims are beyond rescue.
Aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude followed, and a tsunami watch was issued for Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and the Bahamas, but that was later lifted.
Haiti, with a population of 10 million, is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, with most people living on less than $2 per day. In normal times, the government can barely take care of its people; under natural disaster, it is even less able. Because of the poverty, many of the buildings in Haiti were not built to withstand earthquakes, and many people live in flimsy shanties clinging to hillsides. The nation's infrastructure before the quake was barely adequate; now it is almost nonexistent. Thus, while a 7.0 earthquake would be a disaster in any part of the world, in Haiti it is a catastrophe of gigantic proportions.
Haiti experienced four major hurricanes in 2008 that killed almost 800 people and had not yet recovered from those, making the quake even worse news. In addition, the country has experienced decades of civil and political instability, all of which have impeded economic progress in the land.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, Canada, Australia, France, China and number of Latin American nations as well non-governmental organizations and church agencies are mobilizing aid responses, but the need is likely to go well beyond immediate emergency help.
This is a developing story, so check world news sources for updates.
More on this story may be found at these links:
The Big Questions
Here are some of the questions we will discuss in class:
1. Is there more than one biblical view of the poor? If so, what are they? If not, what is the single biblical view of the poor?2. Is it possible to be a faithful Christian without making some sincere effort to help the poor? Explain your answer.3. Catastrophes have a way of changing our perspective about what things are important and what things are not. How does this catastrophe in Haiti affect your view of what is important in life?4. As citizens of the wealthiest nation in the world, do we have more of an obligation than others to help the suffering in Haiti? Why or why not?5. If Jesus were physically present in Haiti right now, what do you think he would be doing?
Confronting the News with Scripture
We will look at selected verses from these Scripture texts. You may wish to read these in advance for background:
Deuteronomy 15:1-18Matthew 25:31-46Luke 4:16-22Luke 6:17-261 John 3:11-24
In class, we will talk about these passages and look for some insight on the big questions, as well as talk about other questions you may have about this topic. Please join us.
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