An Olympic – Haiti matching challenge

by Ian Adnams

Much of the northern hemisphere will begin looking to Vancouver, Canada for the next three weeks as the city hosts the Olympic Winter Games. Canadians are especially excited and proud to host this international event. I find few things more stirring than hearing and singing O Canada and watching the Canadian flag raised.

But while athletes compete on snow and ice and battle for gold medals, we must not forget that other more important battles keep raging in Haiti—battles for life.

Hundreds of doctors and medical technicians work with those wounded by the earthquake and with children, women and men who, before the quake, lived a meagre existence and now have nothing. Undernourished, they are susceptible to many diseases people in other countries shake off. When a simple over-the-counter pain reliever is considered a miracle drug, you know you are dealing with a harsh reality.

And then there is the ongoing battle against time. With so many homeless in Port-au-Prince and thousands of others having migrated from the capital to find refuge with family or friends or other homeless Haitians in outlying cities, the race is on to create more permanent shelter before hurricane season.

Finally, many Haitians battle for life itself—daily. They have done so for generations. Now, the earthquake has formed another roadblock standing in the way of health and a more-than-subsistence-level existence.

God gives us so many opportunities to enjoy and share His blessings. We marvel at the pinnacle of His creation—the human body—capable of such skill and endurance so obvious in a trained athlete; stand in awe at the natural beauty of His world; feel and respond to the pain of others whose lives are touched by tragedy.

As you enjoy the Olympic games, keep in mind and pray for the men and women working tirelessly in Haiti in a desperate effort to bring hope, love and healing. And when you order pizza from the comfort of your living room as you watch the games on TV, set aside a matching amount to support the long-term relief work needed in Haiti. Go to www.clwr.org/donate. Share your blessings.

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