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by Georgie Márquez-André September 5, 2005
CALAMITY, n. Any great misfortune, or cause of misery; generally applied to events or disasters which produce extensive evils, as loss of crops, earthquakes, conflagrations, defeat of armies, and the like. But it is applied also to the misfortunes which bring great distress upon individuals.
(Definitions from Webster's 1828 Dictionary.
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Last week (08-29-05) I posted a newsletter sent by a pastor friend living in Israel. He spoke of the Gaza Strip withdrawal... of the Israeli men and women now living as refuges in their own land.
Incredibly, only days later, American citizens find themselves in a similar situation. The unthinkable has happened, American citizens living in refuge camps, in America.
A disaster of this magnitude, in today's world, was expected from terrorism, from violent attacks... a disaster of this magnitude happened only in science fiction movies, or exotic locations with exotic un-natural natural events like tsunamis. We watch mesmerized as people sit around, waiting for the most basic human needs, food and water. Death floating all around, sickness, filth. The mayor of New Orleans estimates approximately 10,000 people may have died. "The city is destroyed," he said.
And in the midst of this horror, human depravity; looting, shooting, rapes... It is as if the demons of New Orleans, stirred up by the rising waters, had free reign to cause havoc. Now, finger pointing, accussations, one-upmanship. For some unknown reason, this disaster has a different feel from the disaster of 9-11 in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Maybe because there is no one enemy to blame. Maybe because we can't be angry at a hurricane... we need to look around and blame someone/something else. But, if truth be told, at a time like this, we need to look to humanity, to kindness, to honor, to kinship. Let us all rise up and donate not just money, but words of encouragement. of hope, prayers for healing and restoration. Stop yourself whenever a critical spirit wants to overtake you. If your words can impact the outcome, speak, if not, choose to share life not death.
And, yes, don't forget to help. Please give... to The Salvation Army, to Operation Blessing, or to the American Red Cross.
Have a blessed week.
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