So,.. its 32 degrees F. in Philly, snowy, ...already 8 inches has fallen over the last 12 hours with more on the way,.. and this following the 28 inches from last weekend. In the meantime, in Haiti its 86 degrees, partly cloudly and humid, a slight threat of rain, .. quite a contrasting picture of nature at work,... not the only contrast though. This island nation is still in the tight grasp of extreme poverty, illness and suffering. On of our major concerns in the mid-Atlantic U.S., centers on digging from under the snow. Their major concern centers on digging from under the rubble and poverty that has buried much of the country. Hunger and health care are prime concerns,.. living from day-to-day is a prime concern, ....survival and where to bury the dead are prime concerns, ..all following the massive earthquake that devastated the already weakened infrastructure and has left hundreds of thousands in need of a home, food, health care or a hug. Where do orphaned children find a home, or a Mother, her missing child? Quite a contrast indeed.
And so my good friend, Michael Johnson, boarded a plane in Philadelphia yesterday, made his way to Ft. Lauderdale FL and is now enroute to Port au Prince Haiti on a plane he describes as a "cargo transport with seats". Michael is a surgeon with his primary practice in Nairobi, Kenya. He's used to contrasts. Amidst the palm trees of Nairobi, he's used to seeing suffering of the highest magnitude. Working within a tropical climate, he's become accustomed to hearing the groans of the poor. Within corrupt governmental structures, he's acclimated to watching unnecessary death. Or is he? In developed nations, we take for granted the "luxuries" afforded us by our systems. The human rights we enjoy have eroded our sensibilities such that we become negectfully blind to our neighbors circumstance and need,... even when our neighbor is the island a few doors down the block. But then again, we do that when our neighbor literally lives on our block. But when we truly care, is it possible to ever become habituated when our neighbor hurts?
So Dr. Michael Johnson is traveling with 21 others on "Missionary Flights International" to Haiti. Unnecessary suffering, for them, has not been accepted as the norm. When they reach Port au Prince, they are sure to witness the vast array of needs that have plagued this island country for centuries. Michael is sure to be confronted with the lack of infrastructure that will prevent him from a straightforward route to the hospital where he's needed. The starvation of the country is guarenteed to greet them upon arrival. There is little doubt that these missionaries will use their gifts to care for someone before they exit the vicinity of the airport. Let our prayers and thoughts be with them. They serve with love and compassion.
Jesus talked about healing repeatedly,.. and looking closely at this, perhaps our human commonality is in the healing we all seek. And so while there are contrasts of weather and the diversity of climatic events, congruity can be the result of healing. Physicians may physically provide healing to the sick, but can receive healing through the hope and love provided by the human spirit. And maybe this is what we see in Haiti and other places in the world: Healing and hope become mutually exchanged commodities, ...contrasts yield to similarities, and we find that we can love and care for our neighbors. All we have to do, is get out of the way. Contrasts?... What contrasts?
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