Two mates from high school - since married - are missionaries in Haiti. And they blog. I'm so glad they do because it has changed my perspective on mission work. For so long, I thought of missionaries as international Jesus-pushers (read: obnoxious). Although I'm sure some missionaries operate this way, but my old classmates show a love of Haiti and a desire to help its people (and through this genuine love, they can share Jesus).
I was inspired to write this post because of Curtis and Danielle's recent post on Haiti and the Environment. They recognize their Christian audience: "Honestly, it makes no difference to us what a person believes about climate change. However, we believe that people are to be concerned with the environment and how it is treated, if for no other reason than self preservation, although there are many other reasons." It is unfortunate that so many Christians ignore climate change, but it is imperative that all recognize the importance of caring for our planet.
"We are concerned with these issues in Haiti and we are striving to play a part in, not only the restoration of the environment in Haiti, but also an understanding that it is the reponsibility of Christians to care for the resources that God has intrusted [sic] to us."
For adherents to Christianity (and other monotheistic faiths), God/Yahweh/Allah has commanded the people to care for creation. In the case of deforestation in Haiti, the land is being cleared of trees which in turn is ruining an already limited water supply. Trees are a defense to high winds and damaging Caribbean storms; without them, mudslides result. Not to mention the fact that trees take in CO2 (carbon dioxide) and emit O2 (oxygen), i.e., deforestation only expedites climate change.
I encourage that readers pray for Haiti and these missionaries; visit their blog and learn about the poorest country in our hemisphere. "If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered" [Proverbs 21:13]
