I have been racking my brain to think of a worthy High5 topic during this heartbreaking week. In fact, I am sick and have thought about skipping a week, so that I can jump back in next week when I am feeling good. How can I write when I am sad and sick…

An earthquake has devastated the islands of Haiti and at this point it’s being said that anywhere from 50,000 – 150,000 people may have lost their lives. The truth is that this is a catastrophe, but as much as we “think” we are seeing what is happening. There is so much more loss that we cannot possibly experience unless it was us, there ourselves.

This recent news has taken my mind and heart to moments from the last 12 years or so. I have had a few opportunities to participate with churches and non-profit organizations. My mind has drifted from my comfy, stylish, over-priced couch to the dirt streets of simplicity I have experienced.

My first mission trip was to Jamaica, when I was 20. I helped lead a group of 6th -12th graders. We visited orphanages and moved/rebuilt a house for a family. This was the first time I experienced real poverty. I came home ruined, and would break into tears as I drove down a busy road in our city (Beechmont Ave). Something about the quantity of the lights, shining in so many colors. It was too much. Back then I did not understand the materialism or consumerism our country struggles with. I just knew that I had too much, that others did not have. I told myself I will not forget.

Years later in 2007, I had the opportunity to plan a trip to New Orleans for senior high students and adult leaders at my church. We partnered with an organization that was meeting needs of the community still rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina. Just like I am watching the news this week, I did the same back when the hurricane occurred. It was all over the news for a few months, then slowly it stopped making the news. I assumed everything was better. But, as we drove in on the I-90, there was a silence on our van of teenagers. This was a surprise of heaviness – this city was still a mess…years later. Our week there was spent dragging trash, demolishing a house, passing out groceries, and doing minor construction. I was so surprised by the openness and appreciation of the people. I fell in love with this beautiful city full of rich culture, delicious food, jazz, and gorgeous architecture. They had lost so much and yet had so much to give.

Last year, I joined 400 people to travel to Mamelodi, South Africa to visit a community my church partners with. We have built the largest AIDS Hospice in South Africa, built a school, funded an orphanage, built a library, provided medical treatment, and more. I was ecstatic to see first hand where donated money had gone! I got to stay with a family in their home and experience their life. I was a team lead for kids games. We would go out into the townships and play with the kids in the mud roads, as well as, talk with their parents while other volunteers planted sustaining gardens and did construction repair. All done to share the love of God with them. I have so many life-altering moments from this trip. One being visiting AIDS patients and their families in their homes. We said prayers and brought food to them. It is said that as much as 50% of the people have HIV/AIDS but most don’t want to know. Some will wait until they have symptoms to get tested, others don’t even do that. I saw the need for this AIDS Hospice – offering free help to this disease stricken township. One afternoon we went to a daycare and I got to see how different that was too; how well kids have it here. I lost it again as I met little Karabo. He was an amazingly happy 5 year old, though stifled by a handicapped foot. His teacher did not know what was wrong, and with 25-30 kids to take care for, she would sit him in a chair most of the day. As I sat with him, I was overcome with the little he had and how he was the happiest kid I have ever met. I came home once again, ruined.

I have recently been learning more about the International Justice Mission and their efforts to fight sex slavery. Young girls are often sold into the market where they are taken advantage of in ways that I won’t share on this blog. IJM finds these women and works with the local police to save them. The issue is that there are not enough aftercare facilities to house these women that are rescued. I specifically am learning more about efforts in Mumbai, India.

Looking back over the last 10 years – with 911, the Tsumani in Sri Lanka, the fires in California, the bombings, the school shootings, Hurricane Katrina, personally seeing poverty in Jamaica, New Orleans, & South Afirca, this new realization of the sex slavery, and now Haiti… it is a lot to think about and sort through.

As been sitting here all day (because that is what you do when you are sick), the shows on TV are filled with news in Haiti, and as much as I want to know what’s happening over there, I know that I will never REALLY KNOW. As I prepared for my trips, I studied the culture, I received training on what to expect, and nothing really prepares you for the reality. That transfers in my mind to now. All that I am seeing on TV… it is so much worse. How do I sit and write a High5 when I am feeling so low?

I believe that in moments like these we all turn to something to get us through. Some try to ignore it. Others saturate and dwell on it. Some pray and hope. And where I do not want to offend anyone on this blog, my method is to express my honest questions to God…

Why do I live here in the most prosperous country?

Why do you allow this devastation?

What do I do to handle and work through this sad, sad, time.

What can I do? One person? Here not there?

High5 – Ways Give of Yourself (and Teach Children to do the Same)

When there are times of struggle and loss we have the opportunity to step up and help, or not. While one person cannot do all to save the world, we each can be a part and simply do what we can do. When we make a choice to respond to our emotions and mental cues, we have the opportunity to teach children to do the same thing. After all, we are part of a team hoping to raise competent, members of society. What example are we living?

This tragedy in Haiti is an opportunity. I will use this an example of Ways to Give of Yourself.

While you may not have a lot of funds, everyone has items in their house that they can donate. Consider taking a box and loading it full with canned goods and other needed items. Do this with the kids in your care, with permission from the family, raid the closets! Then take a drive and discuss what you are doing. Let the kids carry the boxes! A simple Google search can find the specifics for your area. Here in Cincinnati, I found Matthew 25 Ministries, helping with Disaster Aid & Humanitarian Relief. Click the link for more info. They are accepting donations and the following items:

• Canned & nonperishhable items
• Personal care products
• Cleaning products
• First Aid Supplies
• Summer Clothing

If you are a writer, write. Post a note on facebook or on your blog. If you are a musician – play/sing. Load it to Youtube or share it with a group. If you are a Nanny, teach and train about this disaster to your children in an appropriate way. Let the tragedy bring out out something good. Create. Whatever you are good at, THAT is what you should do. Only you can. Search out a way to use your talent. Encourage kids to write and draw what they are thinking and feeling as well. Ask them how they would like to share their talents.

While I am sure it is quite impossible for most of us to fly over and help, you may come across an opportunity later this year and beyond. I know a missionary that was already planning a trip back in February. I truly believe that some are to go, some are to send. Also, there may be a volunteer opportunities like at Matthew 25 Ministries here in Cincinnati. They need volunteers to receive the donations weekdays 8:30 am – 6:00 p.m and Saturday 9:00 – 12:00 noon. Click here for more info. Take older kids with you, even if it is only an hour.

Millions have been raised already! People are texting in their donations of $10 to 90999. Make sure that you do your homework on where you donate. Here are two links that may be a place to start Unicef and Redcross. Ask children if they would like to give money from their Piggy Bank, tell them that you will match their money (assuming you have that much).

Whatever you decide to do for Haiti or whatever you feel called to, don’t hide it. Your passion will likely fuel another person that hears. Humbly share what you feel is your part. That is why with a sore throat, painful ears, and pink eyes, I am writing this High5. What can you say to keep it moving? Kids usually do this with more ease and passion than we do… let them teach us a few things too.

As a fellow tweeter said today, “Small eyes are watching: How are Parents and Nannies managing questions and responses of children to the catastrophic Haitian events?” I couldn’t have tweeted it better myself.

[More pictures of trips to New Orleans and South Africa are posted on my personal Facebook page.]