Haiti Relief and Human Trafficking

Nagging me from the back of my mind is a statistic that I saw recently. It estimated that Haiti has around 250,000 people (mostly children) in bondage. Until today, I could not find the statistic. It came from the HumanTrafficking blog at Change.org. Amanda Kloher writes that the quarter million child slaves in Haiti are known as restaveks.

The trafficking of humans has been a longstanding problem in Haiti. In 2007, the Pan American Development Foundation received $6.4 million dollars to provide services to women and children and create a cross-border awareness campaign.

The stories that rescued restaveks share are horrendous. They are in last place in the Haiti society. These victims of human trafficking are the unseen, forgotten children of the desperately poor in Haiti. With the aid that is beginning to flow into the country you have to wonder when, or if, it will reach these children.

Pastors and Domestic Violence

Domestic violence and Christianity are two terms that never belong together. Many people enjoy a close relationship with their pastors, clergy or other religious leaders. Maybe that's why we feel betrayed when we hear about abuses committed by a pastor or arrest for domestic violence.

Some of the behavior expected by pastors help to hide the crime of domestic abuse. The tendency to put the pastor on a pedestal, the frequent relocation of clergy families, discouraging the spouses of pastors from having a job outside the home... all of these add to the isolation of the victim. Unfortunately, this pattern sometimes ends in death. Domestic violence homicides are always an outrage. That it happens in clergy families is even more despicable.

Right now, Yahoo News is reporting than the ex-mistress of a minister testified that the pastor murdered his wife. Previously, WAFF reported on a pastor who turned himself in on charges of domestic violence. The blog Because it Matters - Freedom from Abuse in Christianity reports on yet another pastor who was arrested.

The good news is that most pastors are not abusers. The percentage of ministers who are domestic abuse  offenders is small. It is the small minority of abusive pastors who garner the attention of the national media.

Pastors who load supply trucks with items going to 3rd world countries isn't news anymore. Pastors who stay late to help someone with a problem, buy a food box for a parishioner, tithe, organize youth trips or senior outings, prepare sermons or are called away from family celebrations just aren't front page material.

Let's face facts, it is this kind of minister who deserves the front page space, not a pastor who is domestic violence abuser.

If you have questions about domestic violence the National DV Hotline has answers. 1.800.799.SAFE

Anniversary date and ramblings

January 18 is my 15 year anniversary date. It seems like it was a lifetime ago. Once in awhile it seems like it was yesterday. Survivors of sexual assault, rape or other trauma understand my point. During my time of healing my daughters have grown up. Learning how to let them lead their own lives has been tough. They both have some special needs health challenges. Combine that with a mother who is a rape survivor and I'm sure they'll have plenty of baggage to keep a therapist employed. j/k.

In my healing from sexual assault I've pushed myself beyond the limits. Growing up, my mother prepared me to drop out of school, raise a "passel" of kids (however many that is) and to fail in most areas of life. Then, I married and found happiness. Therapy helped me learn to live for the first time. Then, I became a survivor. When that happened my anger fueled my healing and helped me reach farther, dig deeper and become stronger.

This past year has been an amazing ride. I drove to Alaska from Tennessee with my daughter. Going across Canada and back through the US was the trip of a lifetime. In November, I spoke on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in DC. The same daughter was with me for that. I wish my younger daughter could have come but she couldn't get out of classes. It was an incredible experience.

But sadness has touched my life once again. When I became a survivor 15 years ago my mother was battling cancer. The mother of a friend of mine helped me greatly. She had also partially raised me, took me to high school when my mother would not and was there for the key events of my life - including helping me with the sexual assault.

This month, we found out that she now has cancer. At this point there are more questions than answers. She is a dynamic and dynamite lady. My heart is sad for her and for her family. Please keep her in your prayers.

This has brought a lot of things up for me that I faced so long ago. Today, we are bombarded with images of suffering in Haiti. I wonder how I can complain when this country is facing such a struggle. Then, I look back through the pages of my life and know that I cannot and will not complain. The fact is that evil happens, bad things happen and life isn't perfect - darn it!

But I also know that love overcomes pain. Hope overcomes sorrow. Sunrise follows sunset. This used to be cliches for me but they aren't anymore. Now they are treasures to hold dear. I hope that you hold them dear too.

Haiti Earthquake Relief; Pets and Animals

Some agencies are working to assess and help animals and pets in the Haiti earthquake relief efforts. Most of us would agree that the rescue of animals takes second place to the rescue and recovery of humans. However, there is reason for the Haiti earthquake relief to cover Fido too.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals reminds us that when disaster strikes habitats are lost. Even domesticated pets, when having to fend for themselves, will act accordingly. This can become a safety issue to the general public. Sick animals can spread disease. Injured animals in pain can lash out at humans. Wild animals are always unpredictable and become more so after fleeing from habitat destruction.

Plus, as in the photo, pet owners are fond of their animals. Responsible pet owners would want someone to help their pets if they couldn't. The additional worry only compounds the stress that disaster victims are already under.

From these perspectives, it makes sense to include pets and animals in the Haiti disaster response.  Some charities are doing just that. In addition to the World Society for the Protection of Animals a few other organizations are listed below.

More information:
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Christian Veterinary Mission
Humane Society: Wayne Pacelle

Haiti Earthquake Relief: For Such a Time as This

Few events have rattled the world like the Haiti earthquake and relief effort. Hope and heartbreak are intermingled with the tears of the grieving. News reports tell of chaos and destruction. People shake their heads in dazed confusion and wonder where God is in the middle of this disaster. Then another person is pulled alive from the rubble and we know. He is there in the midst working to save and strengthen. His love is a balm to our grief, struggle and disbelief.

Aid workers were already on the ground. As the poorest nation in this hemisphere Haiti was a nation in need of assistance before the earthquake leveled buildings. The United Methodist Committee on Relief , UN Peacekeepers and mission teams from around the globe were already working to make lives better for the people in Haiti. Now, those same aid workers are working hard to save lives.

Supporting the various faith organizations are churches of all denominations and people of all religions. When crisis strikes there is not time for argument. Lifesaving efforts are paramount to denominational or religious differences.

For such a time as this, the church has the opportunity to be an alive and vibrant people in the face of great hardship. Those of us who are not in Haiti cannot imagine the horrors that the are being faced. Reports try to convey the suffering. The lessons from Katrina, Rita, California wildfires and other disasters tell us that those who are not there cannot fully understand.

What we can understand is the desire to help. I am a United Methodist. My spirit is bolstered by knowing that there is a structure that allows for the collection of funds and the distribution of goods. Those who wish can volunteer to load trucks, hold bake sales, collect supplies and organize the local efforts that are being undertaken by the church. Other denominations have similar networks.

Those networks are in place for such a time as this. There has been no better time for the church to stand up and be The Church. We cannot (and should not) all be in Haiti. But we can all be a part of the Haiti relief effort.

Here's how:

• Praying is easy. It takes very little time and no money. 
• Giving money is the next step. Just think what would be done if everyone in the US gave $1 each? 
• Buying supplies is something most of us can do. Toothbrushes and combs are not expensive. A single person can purchase items for a kit or a few people can go in together. More information is online.
• Volunteer. Ask your pastor how you can be a part of your church relief effort.
• Maximize your effectiveness by getting training in advance. No matter how much we rebel against it disasters are a part of life. We must plan and respond. Maximize your effectiveness by getting trained and being prepared in case a disaster strikes near you. 

Hopefully, there won't be another Haiti earthquake. For all disasters, we must remember that God brings good from bad by preparing his people to respond, for such a time as this, and other disasters.

More information:

United Methodist Committee on Relief

US Aid

Save the Children

World Vision