March 09, 2005
The Runaway Bunny
There have been times in my life when God is so real to me and times when he seems so distant. I know that my circumstances don't change who God is, he is always the same, always pursuing my heart. You know "promises" you've made to God, like I promise to never do such and such sin again? And then you do it again, most likely within the next 30 minutes of promising? And yet God forgives over and over again. He doesn't tire of pursuing me because I'm his child. No matter where I try to run (whether I'm aware of the fact that I'm running or not) he will find me.
I was struck by this truth this morning while reading The Runaway Bunny to Caleb. If you haven't read this story, you must! In fact, let me include some lines from the story.
"I am running away." "If you run away," said his mother, "I will run after you. For you are my little bunny." "If you run after me," said the little bunny, "I will become a fish in a trout stream and I will swim away from you." "If you become a fish in a trout stream," said his mother, "I will become a fisherman and I will fish for you"
The little bunny goes on to say he'll become a rock, then the mama becomes a mountain climber. Then the bunny is a crocus in a hidden garden and the mama becomes a gardener to find him. The little bunny decides to become a bird and fly away from his mama, her reply, "If you become a bird and fly away from me, I will be a tree that you come home to." Then the bunny becomes a sailboat and the mother says "I will become the wind and blow you where I want you to go." He goes to the circus, then finally decides to be a little boy and sees that its no use in running away because his mama will always come for him.
The mama isn't trying to hunt the bunny down to punish him, she just wants to be with him because, as she says, he's her little bunny. This is such a great picture of what God is for us. His pursuit of us in unrelenting. I can tend to see this pursuit in a punishing kind of way, but its because he truly loves me that he runs after me.
I often get distracted, forget to pray, forget to give thanks and read his word. Yet when I'm off in my distraction, God comes to where I am. He reminds me when I'm far off that he's there fishing for me, climbing to where I am, finding me, being a place I can come home to, guiding me where he wants me to go, and simply catching me in his arms and hugging me. There is no place I can go that he will not be with me. Through the hard places and those filled with comfort, nothing can ever change the fact that I'm his child and that he just wants to be with me. I need to remember this and decide like the little bunny in the story, its no use running after false things to fill me, instead I just need to "stay home" in Jesus, and run to him first. I can't look to this world to help define who I am, I only need to look to him.
I'm so thankful for finding his grace this morning in this story. My heart needs to know his unending love for me and that it isn't based on what I do or don't do, but on what Jesus has already done for me.
Posted by michellew at 12:39 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
January 11, 2005
Top 10 myths of disaster relief
I have a friend who works for the Chalmers Center and Food for the Hungry in the Dominican Republic. She recently sent out an email to her supporters which included the top 10 myths of disaster relief. Basically collecting food and blankets when a disaster happens is not always the most effective, nor is sending a team of people with no disaster relief experience. I thought this list so very helpful, hopefully you will too.
Top 10 myths of disaster relief--December 29, 2004
As they fight to save lives in the wake of the Asia disaster, aid workers also must address myths about disaster relief among the American public. Rich Moseanko, a relief director for World Vision, the Christian relief and development organization, explains the truth behind the top 10 myths of disaster relief.
1. Americans can help by collecting blankets, shoes and clothing. The cost of shipping these items – let alone the time it takes to sort, pack and ship them – is prohibitive. Often, those items are manufactured for export to the U.S. from these same countries. It is far more efficient to purchase them locally. Cash is the better solution.
2. Helping the living always has priority over burying the dead. In refugee camps and epidemic situations where people die of diseases,it is essential to dispose of the bodies within a short period of time. If they died of other causes such as drowning, they are less of a health risk but pose an impediment to relief efforts and delay the mourning process.
3. The United States must airlift food and medicines to the disaster site. Food is virtually always available within a day's drive of the disaster site. Purchasing the food locally is more cost-efficient, and it ensures that the food is appropriate to local residents' tastes and religious requirements. Medicines are often available within the country, too. India, for example, has a large pharmaceutical industry. Because medicines are high-value, low-weight commodities, in some cases they can and must be airlifted in to save lives.
4. If I send cash, my help won't get there. Reputable agencies send 80 percent or more of cash donations to the disaster site; the rest goes for administration, operating expenses and monitoring the efficiency of their own operations. Donors have a right and a responsibility to ask aid groups how they will be using those donations, and what will be done with donations raised in excess of the need.
5. Once someone survives the immediate disaster, he or she is safe. The immediate catastrophe kills quickly; survivors can face a slower death from hunger, disease and even criminal predators. While emergency medical teams certainly are needed for people injured in a disaster, the best way to keep survivors healthy is to provide clean water and adequate sanitation. Cholera and dysentery can result from drinking contaminated water; malaria-spreading mosquitoes breed in standing water.
6. Developing countries depend on foreign expertise. While specialized assistance is always welcome, most relief and recovery efforts are accomplished by local aid groups, police, firefighters and neighbors before international teams arrive. Also, in recent years most governments have established disaster preparedness plans.
7. Relief needs are so intense that almost anyone can fly to the scene to offer help. Professionals with specialized skills and overseas disaster experience are often deployed to disaster sites. Volunteers without those skills can do more harm than good, and siphon off critical logistics and translations services. Hiring qualified disaster survivors is much more cost efficient and provides much needed employment.
8. Survivors feel lucky to be alive. Shock, trauma and the mourning for loved ones who died are common among disaster survivors. Often, they wish it was they who died instead of their loved ones. Treating these emotional needs is an
essential component of relief efforts.
9. Insurance and governments can cover losses. The vast majority of the world's population has never heard of an insurance policy, let alone are able to purchase one. Further, governments of poor countries can barely meet ongoing social service needs, let alone provide a safety net like FEMA. Disaster survivors must bear these costs alone.
10. People are helpless in the face of natural disasters. The United States is proof that tougher building codes, early warning and disaster preparedness can save lives. Even in poor countries, communities are taking steps to mitigate the loss of life in future emergencies.
I also find it interesting that I would get this email the same day that I got an email from Covenant, discussing the PCA's part in the relief effort. Some of the things are good according to the myth list, like sending experienced relief workers, others cause questions, like the list of supplies needed in Sri Lanka. Not sure how to reconcile this. Though maybe that list is completely valid and one that this specific area really needs and can't get? Here's the link to see the PCA's efforts. I guess I'm left not knowing what to think. Maybe the best action to take is to donate considering the list of myths above?
Posted by michellew at 09:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack