World conquerors? International dominators? Suppressing dictators? Military migrants? I don’t think so. These are all accusations that have been hurled in America’s direction. Try this one on for size — people of compassion.

The latest example is the U.S. outpouring of compassion for the island of Haiti. Perhaps the greatest human devastation in modern history happening right here on our doorstep, and the outpouring of help from across the country has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Atrocities around the world most often cry out to their global big brother when they get overwhelmed on the cosmos’ playground. Having suffered unthinkable carnage and mayhem brings them to the brink of crying “uncle” and giving in to the malicious bullies, but instead their cry finds an American ear and help follows.

On Jan. 13, a massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The extent of the devastation by the end of that day was unclear but it was feared that thousands of people died.

It was the worst quake in two centuries to hit south of the capital Port-au-Prince, wrecking the presidential palace, the United Nations headquarters and other buildings. A “large number” of U.N. personnel were initially reported missing by the organization.

All across the city people spent the night outside fearful of more aftershocks from the monster quake. At the outset the Red Cross estimated up to three million people had been affected. Describing the earthquake as a “catastrophe,” Haiti’s envoy to the U.S. said, “the cost of the damage could run into billions.”

Since that fateful day, we have read the reports, watched the news and followed online the catastrophic devastation that has ravaged one of the poorest countries in the world. As if that wasn’t enough, the quake struck about 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, and was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude.

In the minutes after the quake, eyewitnesses such as Henry Bahn, a visiting official from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said he had seen houses which had literally tumbled into a ravine. “Everybody is just totally, totally freaked out and shaken,” Bahn said. He went on to describe the sky by saying it was “just grey with dust.”

Walking to his hotel room when the ground began to shake, Bahn recalled, “I just held on and bounced across the wall. I just heard a tremendous amount of noise and shouting and screaming in the distance.”

We have since discovered thousands upon thousands have lost their lives in the massive earthquake and the carnage is unlike anything we ever seen. Bodies were left lying in the streets for days, mass gravesites were dug to bury the dead and America heard the cry.

The response itself has been nothing short of phenomenal. From the aid given by the government and our military to the Red Cross and every possible humanitarian entity available — help came.

Doctors, dentists, nurses and all kinds, shapes and sizes of professionals have been taking time to go and give aid to this devastated island. Churches have received thousands upon thousands of dollars to help mission efforts that are at “ground zero” in Haiti.

I personally know two missionary families who are there now. One family that also houses a small orphanage wasn’t hit too hard, though the wall around their compound was mostly destroyed.  Their home was spared for the most part.

Then, there is Rachel. She works with this missionary family and teaches the children in school. As a single young lady, she has had a heart for missions for many years. Her parents have been dear friends of ours even before she was born.

They obviously are pretty anxious about her being there but thus far she and others have been safe and able to get goods they need. But danger is never very far away among the Haitian people.

Only a few years ago, our missionary family had one of their own children as well as one of the kids in the orphanage kidnapped. A ransom was demanded. Some very long days and thousands of prayers went up for this family. The children were eventually recovered unharmed and the perpetrators were caught.

A world of rebuilding; hopefully with some type of master planning in place, will happen in this land of black magic, voodoo and devil worship in time. Missionaries speckle the island with the message of hope, redemption and compassion coming from a nation and people of compassion. Surely something better awaits this poorest of islands.

It has to; I don’t think it could get much worse.



Randy Sheridan of Burleson is a speaker, counselor and mediator. He can be reached at drsheridan@aol.com.

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