Tragedy

It is amazing, humbling and terrifying how much tragedy is in our world lately.  Japan is not alone with its current sufferings.  As we are aware, in the past 10 years, many disasters natural and man-made have occurred.

**In 2001, America was shaken by the attacks on our country.**

**In 2002, a rock/ice slide killed 125 in the Kolka-Karmadon area.**

**In China more than 130 people died due to a severe winter storm.**

**In January 2010, Haiti fought back from a severe earthquake, but over 316,000 lives were lost in this tragedy.**

**Austrailians were overwhelmed by bush fires in 2009.  Over 170 people perished.**

**In 2005, over 1800 people died after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Louisiana region and flooding followed.**

I believe sometimes that we can be overwhelmed by news coverage of disasters of this magnitude.  Does it make you want to close off from the world and ignore the millions who need help?  Or are ready to rush to aid the needs of the broken, homeless, injured people in these situations. 

I guess the part that really boggles my mind is that these tragedies are every day.  Just because we don't hear about them on the news doesn't mean that people aren't dying.  For example, while I was searching through the neverending lists of natural disasters I ran across a 2008 Cyclone.  This storm hit Mynamar killing over 138,000 people.  I don't remember ever hearing of this event.  Sadly, it could have been on the news but due to my busy-ness I missed it.  Maybe I couldn't or wouldn't have gone to Mynamar to rescue the perishing, but I could have prayed.  

What do you do when you hear of lives lost?

Currently in the Philippines there is no natural disaster occuring.  But people, children, widows, orphans are dying of curable diseases DAILY.  Thousands will not have shelter TONIGHT.  A mother will send her child to search for food instead of to school TODAY.

Friends, the need is great, the need is dire, the need is real!

Please open your eyes to the world in need and reach out.

^{2 Corinthinans 1:9-10}

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.

Thankful, Sheryl