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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Hold My Hand

On Thursday, while I was thinking happy thoughts in California, a woman brought a little boy to the rescue center of Real Hope for Haiti in Port-au-Prince.

Says Licia on her rescue-center blog, “This is Darlens. His age is unknown. He weighs 11 pounds. His mother was going into Port-au-Prince, the day of the earthquake, to give blood for a family member that was having surgery. She never returned. They never found her. The father was killed when a house fell on him. An aunt brought him to the clinic to see if we could take him. He is severely malnourished.”

P’ap jamn sispann priye,” Licia writes. “Don’t ever stop praying.”

Licia offers us another Haitian hymn. This is #114 in Chants D’esperance (Spiritual Songs):

Cher Senge, kinbin min-m, ede moiun rete fem
mouin bouke, fatige, telman
nan loraj, nan fe noua, klere rout la devan
Kinbin min-m, che senge, fe-m rive

Dear Lord, hold my hand. Help me to stay strong.
I’m tired and fatigued so much.
In the storm, in the dark, clear the road before me, Lord.
Hold my hand, oh dear Lord, make me get there (to the end).

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The photo is from the rescue center's blog.
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17 comments:

Anonymous said...

The world can open their eyes now to the closeness of real hunger, malnutrition, and starvation. It's not just in the poorest contries of Africa, it's much closer to all of us than we ever knew.
The other big horror in Haiti is children being sold into slavery.

Secretia

the walking man said...

Keep telling it as it is told to you Chris, without spin or embellishment and the truth of tragedy will continue to stay in the fore.

Be Strong.

Karen said...

This may be the saddest thing I've ever seen. Dear God, help them. Help us to help them.

Lou said...

That hymn makes a wonderful prayer we can use in our daily lives. Thanks for reminding us how the other half lives...

Anonymous said...

When I see photos like this one, I must ask "Why, dear Lord? Why?" Why the innocent ones, why should they be forced to suffer? Oh gosh, how heavy my heart feels! Brings tears to my eyes.

Beth Niquette said...

I can't imagine what it would be like to be surrounded with such suffering. That poor little fellow.

You are surrounded with the prayers of those who care. Strength and peace be to you--and unexpected spots of joy in the midst of this terrible time.

One Prayer Girl said...

OMG. This breaks my heart. And I know that this beloved child of God is just one of many - probably more than I could stand to count.

I have been donating money at different places that collect, but I know it is just a drop in a bottomless bucket. I also know every drop counts and perhaps my drop will help this small child.

Sometimes I think my prayers are just a drop in the bucket too, but I also know this is wrong thinking - God hears "every" prayer.

PG

Anonymous :) said...

With all the money given, why doesn't every person in Haiti have food? Such a shame.

Dianne said...

It is our ignorance of our lack of power: political, economic, and physical, and will, that children who do not deserve to suffer, starve.
Reminding me of a comment from an older relative we heard yesterday, only listening to the television reports, such a vast world outside of our own experience. Keep looking and working for addressing the horror and the hope, and the actions of the dedicated.

Just Be Real said...

Touching as always....

Beth said...

Thank you for continuing to keep this in front of us. I have gotten so preoccupied with ministry-related stuff here at home; I need you to continue to remind me of the needs in Haiti.

Grateful.....

beth

Brian Miller said...

loved the hymn...keep breaking our hearts...

Tabitha.Montgomery said...

Global inhumanity happens daily.
Natural disaster or otherwise,we all need to do our part to remain compassionate and giving.In our own communities and when we can,in to other parts of the world.
I have been intrigued by the amount of attention and support Haiti is getting.I truly hope it will eventually help to rebuild that remarkable culture even stronger.Sometimes good things can come from bad things,starting with something as simple as holding a litle one's hand..

xo

Cindy said...

Heartbreaking. Prayers and donations, it's what I can do.

Akannie said...

My heart hurts at the state of poverty and hunger in places like Haiti. And that it's the children who suffer the most ...

And it's the one place where I feel so powerless to do anything.

Keeping the people of Haiti in my prayers...

Tall Kay said...

This little guy didn't stop growing at 11 lbs since the earthquake. Sad that it took a devastating earthquake to bring the suffering of Haiti to the attention of the world. Thank you for the daily reminders that help is still needed.

Syd said...

Poor hurt little fellow. I surely hope that he will be okay. It is very sad.