Give in the Season of Thanks-giving
In the wake of the typhoon in the Philippines, with thousands dead, 600,000 people displaced, and an estimated 11+ millions affected, those numbers seem overwhelming and difficult to digest. How can we relate or connect to such disaster from thousands of miles away? We really can’t. Unless you’re one of the millions then the seemingly horrific nightmare becomes real. No Food, No Water, No Medicine. Just waiting, desperately, for someone to come with aid.
My nephew, Solomone Finau, is in the Navy and is currently in the Philippines. Fresh out of high school last year, he eagerly joined the Navy. Isolated in the freezing tundra of Alaska, he’s had a blast traveling the world. An amazing and lifetime opportunity! But I wonder how this Navy mission in the Philippines will weight in on my nephew’s experience. Hopefully life changing, as he’s helping change and save lives.
Tonight at a Bible Study, one of our church members said to me that Tonga is ranked #2 on the list for the largest disaster risk worldwide. I looked it up and sure enough, it is. I knew that Tonga and the Pacific Islands were at high risk of sea-level rise, but I didn’t know that it was made official. Rank #1 is Vanuatu and ranked #3 is the Philippines. The ranking is from the World Risk Report, 2012, and is based on extreme exposure and high vulnerability due to proximity to the sea, with high exposure to cyclones, flooding and sea-level rise. A moment of reflection is needed here if you’re a Tongan or a Pacific Islander reading this. A moment of reflection here is needed if you don’t believe or know anything about climate change.
Anyway, it’s so easy for us living thousands of miles away to go about our daily routine and not be distracted. But as you go about the rest of your week, consider saying a prayer for those in need, especially the people of the Philippines. We’re all connected to each other because we’re human beings. And from one human being to another, consider foregoing a meal today and give a donation.
As a United Methodist Pastor, I’d say simply text UMCOR at 80888 and donate $10. If you can give more, you can always go to www.umcor.org. Another organization that I like to give to is the American Red Cross. You can also text them and donate $10 or visit their website http://www.redcross.org/. Or, check with your church or other organizations for ways to give.
In the Season of Thanksgiving, find a reason and a way to give.
a journey in existence 