In my husband's current capacity as an LDS bishop, he occasionally has the opportunity to speak with some of the Bretheren in Salt Lake.
Recently he has been in contact with one of the Brethren who, among many other responsibilities, is in charge of making sure that items donated to the Church make it to their destinations. In wake of the Haitian Earthquake, a lot of those items are being sent to Haiti.
This wonderful and faithful man was chatting with my husband about conditions there in Haiti: the devestation of a staggering amount of homes and buildings and almost every temporal possession; the hunger, the injuries, and the loss of loved ones.
In the Porta-a-Prince area of Haiti, there are 9 LDS chapels.
Every Single Chapel is still standing.
Every Single Chapel is in very good condition. Only one crack in one wall of one chapel has been reported.
Every Single Chapel is being used, filled to capacity, by displaced citizens of the area.
The blessings that our Heavenly Father pours out in these times of need is astounding. These buildings were built to the earthquake standards of more developed countries, and now the Haitian people in dire need are able to benefit from those strong and stable walls. From those preparations that took place in advance of disaster.
For me, it is a testament that we all need to make sure the foundations of our family's are strong and true, and that we are prepared to withstand the buffetting of disaster and evil. That we are prepared temporally and spiritually.
We have a long way to go to get there, but I have redoubled my desire and we are ramping up our efforts be more prepared. And I hope that all of you are also feeling the urgent need to get prepared, too.
Every day I need to ask myself, "what can I do TODAY to get more prepared?" - for any kind of disaster.
photos courtesy of Dennis Yancy, via Jenny Rider
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12 comments:
Wow so true!!!!1 It's a little crazy to think what we all need to do!!!
This post sums up what I've been feeling too! I so need to get my family prepared for the difficult times that may come.
I am grateful to belong to a church that is prepared and teaches us to be prepared to.
Now if I can stop being overwhelmed by it all and just "Do it"!
Thank you for the lovely reminder. I am not prepared enough and you have given me a kick in the rear to get going. Thanks.
Loralee,
I love your posts. That's all.
Thanks for sharing this.
My heart goes out to those people. I have really been amazed at all the church has been able to do. I did not know there were 9 chapels but I did know there were some, as well as a mission home and missionaries - all of which are fine and are able to help - which is awesome!
In the church news they talked about how much help in donations and money the church was able to do and it is AWESOME!!!
Our family was in a big earthquake 20+ years ago when we still lived in Ca that shut down our area for 3 days -no grocery, banks, businesses open, no television. It was weird. It is a strange feeling to know you have to rely on what you have and no one else.
It is good to be prepared.
Great post. I've come to realize lately that being spiritually prepared is even more important than being prepared with with food storage, but I could do better in both areas.
I recently saw the movie "Leap Year". There was a question proposed, "If you have one minute to leave your burning home, what would you grab?" (or close to that.) It really made me think. I use to say my jump drive with my genealogy on it. This question really made me stop and think.
We are so blessed as members to know what and how to do it. We just need to do it!
It has really been on my mind.. those people over there have taught me much much...
you have still got that heart of gold that i love.. take care
jan
Your hubby is a Bishop?? cool
Did I tell you my Brother is also a Bishop (he married us) kinda special.
and I had to laugh at your comment on my post about being a grandma at 41...and still having an 18month old.
I have been in big discussions lately with current hubby about food storage. He keeps referring to all "my/those needs" as my bomb shelter.
nothing like preparation to be more at peace eh
Wow, that is really cool to hear that. It makes you want to get moving, doesn't it?
The pictures remind me of the chapel we attend when we are in Cancun.
It amazes me how faithful members of the church can be when faced with immense adversity.
I definitely need to be more prepared
I had to give a little five minute summary of the churches efforts in Haiti, I too was impressed with the amazing stories of aid rendered, chapels still standing and being used to accomplish so much good. Love this church that is sooo prepared in every way.
Kristin
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